Marine Vessel Acceleration Control via Stored Launch Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel acceleration control systems lack the ability to consistently and efficiently learn and replicate a preferred acceleration profile for launching a water skier from a stationary position to a skiing position, leading to variability in the launch experience.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving and storing speed-related magnitudes during the water skier launch process, using a microprocessor to monitor and record the throttle handle position and engine speed, and creating a customizable acceleration profile that can be saved and repeatedly applied for consistent launches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual throttle control is used during water skier launch, then the operator can adjust acceleration in real-time, but the launch experience varies and lacks consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system records the operator's manual throttle handle movements and engine speed variations during a successful launch, creating a digital profile that can be copied and replayed. The microprocessor stores these speed-related magnitudes and reproduces them in subsequent launches, eliminating variability while preserving the effectiveness of manual control adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors engine speed and throttle handle position during the launch process, comparing actual values against the recorded profile. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust throttle control to match the desired acceleration pattern, ensuring consistent launches without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If acceleration control is automated, then launch consistency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor serves multiple functions: it records throttle handle position, monitors engine speed, stores speed-related magnitudes, and controls throttle actuation. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves automated launch control without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system records its own operational parameters (throttle position, engine speed) during the launch process and uses this self-collected data to control future launches. The microprocessor automatically manages the entire process from recording to replay without requiring external intervention or complex external control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple speed parameters are monitored and stored, then the acceleration profile precision improves, but the data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system records all necessary speed-related magnitudes (throttle handle position, engine speed, vessel speed) during a single reference launch. This preliminary data collection establishes a complete acceleration profile that can be directly replayed without requiring real-time calculation or complex processing during subsequent launches, reducing data processing time while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided which stores data relating to the operation of a marine vessel during a water skier launch procedure. The data can include a plurality of throttle handle positions that are stored at a frequency which is suitable for reproducing the movement profile of the handle during a launch procedure. The water skier launch profile is then stored so that it can be recalled and reactivated to repeat the acceleration profile of the boat.