Marine Vessel Autopilot Coordination via Common Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel autopilot systems lack efficient methods to simultaneously control multiple propulsion and steering motors, such as outboard and trolling motors, for precise navigation and coordination between different motor configurations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable medium and apparatus that execute instructions to receive autopilot option selections, determine and transmit messages to both outboard and trolling autopilots, enabling simultaneous or separate operation to navigate a marine vessel to a target location using GPS and sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single autopilot system is used to control multiple motors, then the system complexity is reduced, but the precision of navigation and coordination between different motor configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the autopilot control function into separate autopilot units, with each autopilot dedicated to controlling a specific motor. This segmentation allows each autopilot to independently manage its motor's parameters and coordination requirements, thereby maintaining high navigation precision without requiring a single complex centralized system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple autopilots are used to control different motors, then the coordination precision between motors is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control functions of multiple autopilots through a common controller that receives inputs from all autopilots and coordinates their operations. This allows each autopilot to maintain independent control of its motor while the common controller ensures synchronized operation, achieving high coordination precision without requiring each individual autopilot to be overly complex.
3Productivity
If multiple autopilots operate simultaneously, then the productivity of vessel navigation is improved, but the difficulty of controlling and coordinating them increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common controller acts as an intermediary between multiple autopilots, receiving status information and control commands from each autopilot and mediating their coordination. This intermediary layer simplifies the operational complexity by providing a centralized interface for managing simultaneous autopilot operations, thereby maintaining high navigation efficiency while improving ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate autopilots control different motors, then the adaptability to different motor configurations is improved, but the loss of information for overall system coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where each autopilot continuously reports its motor's status, position, and operational parameters to the common controller. The common controller aggregates this information and uses it to coordinate the overall system operation. This feedback loop ensures that while each autopilot is adapted to its specific motor configuration, the common controller maintains complete system coordination information to prevent information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to receive an autopilot option selection for piloting a marine vessel. The computer may determine a first message corresponding to the autopilot option selection for a first autopilot. The computer may determine a second message corresponding to the autopilot option selection for a second autopilot. The computer may transmit the first message to the first autopilot. The computer may also transmit the second message to the second autopilot.