58results about "Steering components" patented technology

An operator interface device for a marine vessel includes a frame configured to couple to the marine vessel and a dial coupled to the frame and including a dial. The dial assembly is configured to be rotated by an operator about a dial axis into and between an initial position, a first operational position, and a second operational position. The dial assembly is rotated from the initial position toward the first operational position and when the dial assembly is released the first spring leg acts on the first dial endwall to return the dial assembly to the initial position. In addition, the dial assembly is rotated from the initial position toward the second operational position and when the dial assembly is released the second spring leg acts on the second dial endwall to return the dial assembly to the initial position.

A system and method for assisting a drag operation of a floating wind turbine (FWT) is disclosed. The FWT is provided with a wireless communication system and at least one position sensor for measuring the position of the FWT in at least three degrees of freedom. The main towing vessel is connected to the floating wind turbine by a towing line. The main dragging ship comprises a winch, a DP system and a two-way wireless communication system. A drag assist system / module / controller may be combined with a DP system. The one or more auxiliary drag vessels are connected to the floating wind turbine by drag lines. And one or more auxiliary dragging ships are provided with a two-way wireless communication system. A drag assist system / module / controller calculates setpoints (forces and directions) for all drag ships based on one or more input parameters from the floating wind turbine, one or more input parameters from each auxiliary drag ship, and one or more input parameters from the main drag ship.

A tiller, a waterside thruster, a watercraft, a control method, and a storage medium are provided. The tiller includes a base member, a control portion, and a pressure sensor. The base member is connected to a body of the waterside thruster. The control portion is movably connected to the base member for receiving a control input and generating displacement with respect to the base member. The pressure sensor is provided between the base member and the control portion for acquiring a deformation pressure value caused by the displacement of the control portion with respect to the base member. The pressure sensor is triggered to generate a triggered signal when the deformation pressure value conforms to a preset threshold value of the triggered pressure. The triggered signal is configured to instruct that the waterside thruster performs a preset action.

A module for determining a relative position between an assisting vessel and an assisted vessel connectable to the assisting vessel with a towline The assisting vessel has a winch controlling the towline between the assisting vessel and the assisted vessel. The module estimates the relative position between the assisting vessel and the assisted vessel based on one or more winch parameters. The module may be used in a safety system in towing operations.

A display control method controls a plurality of maneuvering function displays to display maneuvering functions of a marine vessel. The display control method includes changing a maneuvering function displayed on each of the plurality of maneuvering function displays based on at least one of a start state of a marine propulsion device of the marine vessel or an operation state of an operator of the marine vessel.

The invention discloses a multi-purpose water robot. The multi-purpose water robot comprises a shell, a steering mechanism, a propelling mechanism and a control system, the steering mechanism comprises a rotating disc arranged in the shell in the transverse direction and a steering driving device fixed in the shell, the rotating disc can be driven by the steering driving device to rotate around the central axis of the rotating disc, and the shell floats on the water surface. When the rotating disc rotates, reaction torque applied to the shell can drive the shell to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the rotating disc, and steering is achieved. By arranging the rotating disc driven by the steering driving device in the machine body and utilizing the angular momentum conservation principle, when the rotating disc rotates at a high speed around the central axis of the rotating disc, the shell can rotate at a high speed in the opposite direction under the driving of reaction torque, steering is achieved, and dependence on lateral thrust or differential steering of a traditional propeller is not needed; and the turning radius is small, and the problem that a traditional water surface robot is difficult to flexibly avoid obstacles due to the too large turning radius is effectively solved.

A traction device for towing an object along a water surface or through a body of water, the traction unit comprising at least one propulsive engine. The device device has a common center of gravity, center of thrust and center of buoyancy (13). A bridle (17) is attached to turn about an axis (14) through said common center (13). The bridle (17) has an attachment (18) at a distal end from the turn axis (14) to attach a tow line extending to the towed object.

A device for controlling an outboard motor through a rotating seat comprises the rotating seat, an electric propeller body, a controller, a bracket body, a lifting mechanism used for driving a pipe frame to ascend and descend and a rotating device used for driving the pipe frame to rotate. The rotating device is mounted on the bracket main body; the rotating device is provided with an angle sensor I used for detecting the rotating angle of the pipe frame. The pipe frame penetrates through the bracket body to be fixedly connected with the underwater propelling mechanism and can slide and rotate relative to the bracket body. The bracket main body is connected with a ship body through a hanging wall; the lifting mechanism is mounted on the bracket main body; an angle sensor II is arranged on a rotating shaft body of the rotating seat; the angle sensor I, the angle sensor II and the gear motor I are all electrically connected with the controller. According to the device, a user controls the driving direction of the ship by rotating the seat, and a certain degree of automation and relaxation of the modern ship and navigation technology are experienced.

A system and method for assisting in towing a floating object is disclosed. The floating object is provided with a wireless communication system and at least one position sensor for measuring the position of the floating object in at least three degrees of freedom. The main towing vessel is connected with the floating object through a towing cable. The main towing vessel comprises a winch, a DP system and a bidirectional wireless communication system. A tow assist system / module / controller may be integrated with the DP system. One or more auxiliary towing boats are connected to the floating object by towing cables. The one or more auxiliary towing boats are provided with a bidirectional wireless communication system. The tow assist system / module / controller calculates setpoints (forces and directions) for all tow vessels based on one or more input parameters from the floating object, one or more input parameters from each auxiliary tow vessel, and one or more input parameters from the main tow vessel.

It is disclosed a system and a method for assisting in towing operations of a floating wind turbine (FWT) An FWT is provided with a wireless communication system and at least one position sensor for measuring a position of the FWT in at least three degrees of freedom. A master tow vessel is connected to the floating wind turbine by a towline. The master tow vessel comprising a winch, a DP system, a two-way wireless communication system. A tow assist system / module / controller may be integrated with the DP system. An assisting tow vessel(s) is connected to the floating wind turbine by a towline. The assisting tow vessel(s) is provided with a two-way wireless communication system. The tow assist system / module / controller calculates set points (force and direction) for all the towing vessels based on input parameter(s) from the floating wind turbine, and input parameter(s) from each assisting towing vessel and input parameter(s) from the master tow vessel.

The invention relates to the technical field of bearings, and provides a rudder air-cooling intermediate bearing which comprises an outer ring, a first air inlet pipe and an outer surface fixedly installed on the outer ring, a one-way valve is arranged on one side of the first air inlet pipe, a second air inlet pipe is fixedly installed on one side of the first air inlet pipe, and a heating tank is fixedly installed at one end of the second air inlet pipe. According to the bearing, lubricating oil is heated at the position of the inner cavity in the bearing through the heating piece, the heating tank is heated by starting the heater, water in the heating tank is heated, the lubricating oil in the inner cavity in the bearing is heated, and the lubricating oil in the inner cavity in the bearing is heated through the heating piece. After heating, water in the heating tank generates water vapor, the water vapor enters a first air inlet pipe through a second air inlet pipe, by rotating a one-way valve, the water vapor in the heating tank can enter a bearing inner cavity through the second air inlet pipe and the first air inlet pipe, and at the moment, the water vapor can make contact with lubricating oil in the inner cavity and heat the lubricating oil.

A controller assembly for controlling a watercraft, the watercraft having a propulsion system comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric drive, the controller assembly being communicatively connectable to a control unit responsive to motion of a handle of the controller assembly for controlling the propulsion system, the handle being movable in a first direction to control fore and aft drive of the watercraft and movable in a second direction to select a proportion of the drive provided by the propulsion system to be supplied by the electric drive.

The invention discloses a revolved body appearance underwater vehicle capable of turning quickly based on a cross universal joint, the revolved body appearance underwater vehicle comprises a front section, a bent section and a rear section which are connected in sequence, the bent section comprises two universal joint seats and a telescopic unit, the two universal joint seats are respectively mounted at the centers of the end surfaces of the front section and the rear section, and the two universal joint seats are connected and combined to form the cross universal joint; the telescopic units are evenly distributed around the cross universal joint, and the two ends of each telescopic unit are connected with the end face of the front section and the end face of the rear section through spherical hinges correspondingly. During rapid turning, the bent section is bent, the action point of water resistance of the bent incident flow surface of the front section deviates from the underwater vehicle, deflection torque is generated, and the underwater vehicle is made to rapidly turn. According to the structure, deflection torque generated by water resistance is ingeniously utilized to achieve rapid turning, and the turning speed can be effectively increased.

The present disclosure relates to a retrofit robotic apparatus and method for remote manoeuvring of a vehicle. The method for remotely manoeuvring a vehicle using a retrofit robotic apparatus, comprising: a remote operator inserting control signals into a remote user interface; the remote user interface transmits said control signals to a control unit of a robotic apparatus installed in the vehicle; the retrofit robotic apparatus mechanically actuating the vehicle's driving mechanisms based on the received control signals; the retrofit robotic apparatus providing real-time feedback to the remote operator, enabling continuous control of the vehicle; wherein providing the real-time feedback comprises: capturing data from sensors monitoring the vehicle, in particular speed, position and environment conditions; transmitting said data to a remote user interface in real-time; simulating real-time vehicle conditions for remote operator control.

The invention relates to a method for operating an autonomous watercraft (20) with a drive and control unit (28) for maneuvering the autonomous watercraft (20), comprising the following steps: a) detecting environment information of the autonomous watercraft by means of a sensor system (24) comprising a sensor or a plurality of sensors, b) outputting one sensor signal (26) per sensor (24'), corresponding to the environment information; c) actuating the drive and control unit (28) in such a way that the watercraft (20) travels along a preplanned route; d) detecting an event on the basis of the sensor signal or the sensor signals and determining a risk of the event for the watercraft (20); e) actuating the drive and control unit (28) in such a way that the watercraft performs an evasive maneuver in order to avoid or mitigate the event, if the risk exceeds a threshold value; f) training an algorithm by means of machine learning for controlling the autonomous watercraft by means of training data on the basis of the sensor signals and on the basis of control signals for actuating the drive and control unit.

The invention provides a directional floating lifesaving device which comprises a floating body and a current collecting rudder fin, the directional floating lifesaving device has a directional flow breaking direction, and the directional floating lifesaving device has small water flow resistance in the flow breaking direction. The current collecting rudder fin protrudes out of the bottom face of the floating body in the state of inclining to the current breaking direction so as to correspond to the current collecting rudder fin when the directional floating lifesaving device is placed in water and forms water flow based on relative movement with the water in the water breaking direction. The current collection rudder fin is impacted by water flow to generate lateral directional floating force facing the water breaking direction, and therefore directional floating is achieved under the action of the water flow.

This invention relates to the field of ship design and propulsion technology, and discloses a catamaran and its control method. The catamaran includes a hull, with the width direction defined as the direction perpendicular to the catamaran's direction of travel in a horizontal plane. The hull includes a first hull and a second hull arranged symmetrically and at intervals along the width direction, with a channel formed between the first and second hulls along the width direction. It also includes a propulsion assembly disposed in the channel, comprising at least one fin adapted to oscillate to drive the catamaran's movement. This invention solves the problems of high propeller noise, cavitation, and difficulty in towing loads in related technologies for catamarans.

The invention discloses an underwater steering control method and device, a vehicle and a storage medium thereof, and relates to the field of vehicle control. The underwater steering control method comprises the steps that the fording depth of the environment where the vehicle is located is obtained, and the water depth level is determined according to the fording depth; the steering demand level of the vehicle is obtained, and the steering demand level indicates the steering speed of the vehicle; target steering equipment of the vehicle is determined according to the water depth level and the steering demand level; the target steering equipment is equipment of the vehicle for executing steering in water; and controlling the vehicle to steer in water based on the target steering equipment. The steering flexibility of the vehicle in the water can be improved, accidental injuries to the vehicle and a driver due to slow steering of the vehicle in the water are avoided, high energy consumption of vehicle work due to the fact that all steering devices are used at the same time when different steering requirements are met is avoided, and the driving safety of the vehicle is improved. And the problem that the vehicle cannot be controlled to steer in water when a certain steering device breaks down is solved.

A system for controlling a speed of a watercraft includes first and second propulsion devices configured to propel the watercraft, a processor, and a memory. The processor is configured to receive data indicating a desired speed of the watercraft, determine a first power input value for the first propulsion device and a second power input value for the second propulsion device such that a predicted speed of the watercraft equals the desired speed of the watercraft, and cause the first propulsion device to operate according to the first power input value and the second propulsion device to operate according to the second power input value such that the watercraft achieves the desired speed. The predicted speed of the watercraft corresponds to when the first propulsion device is operating according to the first power input value and the second propulsion device is operating according to the second power input value.

A marine propulsion system includes a main propulsion device including a main thruster, an auxiliary propulsion device to be attached to a stern on one side of a centerline of a hull in a right-left direction and including an auxiliary thruster, and a remote control lever to switch between a neutral state, a forward movement state, and a reverse movement state. The auxiliary propulsion device further includes a tilt device to tilt up and tilt down an auxiliary propulsion device body, and is operable to tilt up the auxiliary propulsion device body with the tilt device when the main propulsion device is switched from the neutral state to the forward movement state by the remote control lever while the auxiliary propulsion device body is tilted down.

A remotely controlled boat with sterilization and disinfection function, characterized in that: It includes an electric remote-controlled boat; The electric remote-controlled boat is equipped with a removable disinfection box, designed to hold a disinfectant with sterilizing properties and capable of releasing it into the water to sterilize and disinfect the water body; The electric remote-controlled boat has a solar light attached to its top.

The invention relates to a piece of water sports equipment, in particular a hydrofoil board, comprising a floating body (4), preferably in the shape of a floating board, and a propulsion device (50) which is provided for driving the piece of water sports equipment, wherein the piece of water sports equipment (2), in particular the propulsion device (50), has at least one sensor assembly (74) which can be used to determine a position and which is designed to generate control signals on the basis of signals of the sensor assembly (74) for geo-fencing and / or homing purposes using a control unit (70) of the piece of water sports equipment (2).

A propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a plurality of marine drives configured to effectuate propulsion on the marine vessel and a control system. The control system is configured to determine a disturbance vector representing an environmental disturbance on the marine vessel and identify a propulsion response capability of the plurality of marine drives to oppose the disturbance vector. When a request is received to perform an autonomous action, the control system determines whether insufficient propulsion authority is available to perform the requested autonomous action based on the disturbance vector and the propulsion response capability and, if so, generates an insufficiency alert on a user interface to advise a user of the insufficient propulsion authority.

The present invention generally relates to a computer-implemented method for proactive environmental disturbance rejection in marine vessels (10), comprising: acquiring (S102) environmental disturbance data (28, 31, 33) from sensors (26, 30, 32), predicting (S104) environmental disturbance on the marine vessel from the environmental disturbance data and environmental disturbance models (19), calculating (S106) a physical impact on the marine vessel (10) when subject to the predicted environmental disturbance, determining (S108) proactive control actions for at least partly counteracting the calculated physical impact, providing (S110) the proactive control actions (C) to a propulsion system (12, 708) and / or a stabilization system (49, 710) of the marine vessel.

The application discloses a main propelling device with a function of preventing a vehicle from flying and a ship, and a power braking system is arranged, wherein the power braking system comprises a braking motor, a frequency conversion device, a brake resistor and / or a battery; the braking motor is arranged on a transmission path of an internal combustion engine and a main propeller; and a motor shaft of the braking motor is in transmission cooperation with a transmission structure. The braking motor and the internal combustion engine are jointly connected to the main propeller, part of energy is absorbed by the braking motor when the main propeller is out of water, and the energy is consumed through the brake resistor or the battery, so that the amplitude of loading and unloading of the internal combustion engine is greatly reduced, and the flying phenomenon is prevented.

An apparatus for disabling of motor vessels moving in a waterbody. An energetic (i.e. explosive), as part of a floating assembly, is brought into contact with a motorized marine vessel's propulsion unit(s) and / or steering system, referred to generally as the underwater drive unit, due to the vessel's own motion relative to a floating line. The energetic then detonates and disables the underwater drive unit, thereby halting progress of the vessel while not harming any occupants thereof.

This invention relates to a control device for a wing sail of an unmanned surface vessel (USV), comprising a structural component, an adjustment component, and a rotational speed monitoring mechanism. The structural component includes a frame assembly and a wing sail. The wing sail is disposed on one side of the frame assembly, and the adjustment component is disposed inside the frame. The adjustment component is connected to the rotational speed monitoring mechanism and can adjust the orientation of the wing sail. The adjustment component includes a position control element, a clutch mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The position control element controls the states of the clutch mechanism and the locking mechanism. By utilizing external airflow as the driving force for wing sail steering, no additional power input is required. The adjustment and locking / unlocking control of the wing sail orientation are achieved only through low-power control components, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the USV and improving the convenience of steering control.

A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor / driver units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each driver (e.g., propeller or impeller) of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.