Steering Actuator Mechanical Link for Marine Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed marine vessels with multiple propulsion drives face challenges in steering due to overwhelming hydrodynamic forces, which exceed the capability of existing steer-by-wire steering actuators to provide sufficient hydraulic pressure for effective steering, especially when one actuator must control two drives.
Innovation Solution
The system connects marine drives in sets via mechanical links, allowing a single steering actuator to adjust the toe angle of each set, reducing pressure on the actuators and counteracting hydrodynamic forces by balancing propeller and hull displacement pressures through a defined toe angle configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single steer-by-wire steering actuator is used to control two marine drives, then the system complexity and cost are reduced, but the hydrodynamic forces overwhelm the actuator's capability to provide sufficient hydraulic pressure for effective steering
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the marine drives into two separate sets, where each set is controlled by its own steering actuator. This segmentation allows each actuator to manage a manageable group of drives, maintaining steering effectiveness while reducing overall system complexity compared to controlling all drives with a single actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
Marine drives within each set are mechanically linked together, merging their steering control so that a single actuator can control multiple drives as a unified group. This combining approach reduces the number of actuators needed while maintaining effective steering control through the mechanical linkage that transmits steering forces across the set.
2Reliability
If multiple steering actuators are used to control each marine drive, then sufficient hydraulic pressure can be provided, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple marine drives are mechanically linked together in sets, merging their steering control functions. This allows a single actuator to control multiple drives simultaneously, reducing the total number of actuators needed while maintaining sufficient hydraulic pressure capability through the shared mechanical linkage system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each steering actuator is designed to control multiple marine drives within its set, giving the actuator a multi-functional capability. This universality allows a single actuator to perform the steering function for several drives, reducing the overall number of actuators required in the system while maintaining adequate pressure and control capability.
3Productivity
If marine drives are operated at high speeds, then productivity is improved, but hydrodynamic forces increase to levels that exceed actuator capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments marine drives into separate controlled sets, with each set managed by its own actuator. This segmentation distributes the hydrodynamic forces across multiple actuators, allowing each actuator to handle a manageable portion of the total force even at high speeds, thereby maintaining productivity while managing force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By mechanically linking drives in sets and merging their control, the system allows distributed force management where multiple drives share the load on a single actuator. This merging approach enables high-speed operation by distributing hydrodynamic forces across the mechanical linkage system, preventing any single actuator from being overwhelmed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables effective steering at high speeds by reducing the pressure on steering actuators, improving responsiveness and reducing diagnostic errors, while simplifying the system and reducing costs by using only one steering actuator per set of drives.
Implementation Method 1
The piston is caused to move by changes in differential pressure between first and second cavities within the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic cylinder moves along a first axis with the guide rail extending in a direction perpendicular to the first axis
Implementation Method 3
The actuator member is attached to a steering arm of the outboard motor and allows the outboard motor to be rotated about a pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system for steering a marine vessel includes a first marine drive having a first engine control module and a second marine drive having a second engine control module, where the first and second marine drives are connected by a mechanical link. A first steer-by-wire steering actuator is configured to rotate the first and second marine drives to steer the marine vessel, and a first actuator control module controls the first steer-by-wire steering actuator. The system operates such that the first actuator control module activates the first steer-by-wire steering actuator if either the first marine drive or the second marine drive is running.