Marine Propulsion Steering Angle Alignment Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine propulsion systems face challenges in aligning steering angles when one device is deactivated, leading to potential collisions and unpredictable vessel behavior upon reactivation, especially in systems without physical linkages like tie-bars, and current methods fail to ensure smooth and controlled reactivation of steering angles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that restrict steering angles of active devices when a device is deactivated to prevent collisions, and upon reactivation, align the steering angles within a threshold range to ensure smooth operation, using a control system that compares and adjusts the steering angles of marine propulsion devices based on user inputs and device status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steering angles are not restricted when a device is deactivated, then the deactivated device can resume normal operation, but collisions between propulsion devices may occur and vessel behavior becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment of the deactivated device's steering angle to match active devices before full reactivation occurs. This preliminary action prevents collisions and ensures predictable vessel behavior by gradually transitioning from deactivated to fully integrated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If steering angles are aligned within a threshold range upon reactivation, then smooth operation is achieved, but additional control complexity is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the steering angle parameter of the deactivated device to match active devices within a predetermined threshold range. This parameter adjustment enables smooth operation upon reactivation while using straightforward control logic rather than complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If physical linkages like tie-bars are used to connect propulsion devices, then steering alignment is mechanically ensured, but device adaptability and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical tie-bar linkages with an electronic control system that monitors device status and actively aligns steering angles through software control. This substitution maintains reliable steering alignment while providing greater system flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11932370B1Systems and methods for steering marine propulsion devices

Publication Date: 2024.03.19

AI summary

A system for steering marine propulsion devices. Steering actuators are configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators. The control system is configured to receive a steering request for steering a first device among the marine propulsion devices, compare a steering angle of the first device to a steering angle of a second device among the marine propulsion devices, and control the steering actuators to steer the first device only when the steering angle of the first device is within a threshold range of the steering angle of the second device.