Autopilot Release Logic for Hydraulic Steering Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autopilot systems in hydraulic steering systems require manual intervention to disable, which can lead to delays and increased risk of collision, especially in hydraulic steering systems where the helm pump cannot overpower the autopilot pump.
Innovation Solution
A logic device is configured to communicate with the autopilot pump controller and sensors to generate an autopilot release signal based on control surface angles and demands, allowing for automatic and reliable disengagement of the autopilot without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is required to disable the autopilot, then the system requires user control, but the response time increases and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors control surface angles and demands in advance to detect when manual override is needed. By preparing the release logic beforehand and automatically executing it when conditions are met, the system eliminates the time delay associated with manual button pressing while ensuring reliable disengagement when collision risk is detected
2Adaptability or versatility
If the helm pump is coupled in parallel with the autopilot pump, then hydraulic steering is integrated, but the helm pump cannot overpower the autopilot pump when disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary release logic that acts as a mediator between the helm pump and autopilot pump. This logic device monitors system state and automatically generates release signals to decouple the autopilot from the hydraulic steering system, allowing the helm pump to override the autopilot without requiring the operator to physically overpower it
3Measurement precision
If additional helm sensors are added to detect manual override, then override detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding physical sensors to detect manual override, the system creates a virtual copy of the override detection function by logically comparing existing control surface angle data with autopilot demand data. When these values diverge beyond a threshold, the system infers manual override has occurred, achieving accurate detection without additional hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate, low lag, and reliable autopilot autorelease in a hydraulic steering system for mobile structures. A hydraulic steering system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an autopilot pump controller, a control surface reference sensor, an orientation sensor, and/or a gyroscope. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller and/or the various sensors are used to selectively enable and/or disable an autopilot release signal. The autopilot release signal enables or disables the autopilot pump controller and/or an autopilot pump, or controls the autopilot pump controller to enable or disable the autopilot pump.