Marine Vessel Steering Control with Automatic Course Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel control systems are unable to effectively counteract undesired course changes caused by external forces such as cross winds and uneven loading, requiring constant operator correction and leading to fatigue and stress.
Innovation Solution
A system with a steerable component and controller that automatically adjusts the vessel's direction by outputting commands to an actuator when the operator's steering command is within a predetermined threshold, using sensors to detect course changes and counteract them, while maintaining manual steering authority when commands exceed the threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual steering control is used, then operator control authority is maintained, but operator fatigue and stress increase due to constant correction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vessel to self-correct course deviations by automatically adjusting the steerable component based on sensor feedback, reducing the need for constant manual operator intervention while maintaining overall operator authority and vessel stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vessel course through sensors and provides automatic corrections by adjusting the steerable component, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains course stability without requiring constant manual input from the operator
2Ease of operation
If automatic course correction is implemented, then operator fatigue is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions including manual steering control, automatic course correction, and threshold-based mode switching within a single system, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems while providing comprehensive control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between manual and automatic control modes based on the operator's steering commands and predetermined thresholds, allowing the control strategy to adapt to current operating conditions rather than being fixed
3Reliability
If automatic counteraction is always active, then course stability is improved, but operator responsiveness to intentional steering commands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic counteraction is activated only partially, specifically when operator steering commands are below a predetermined threshold, allowing full automatic stabilization during straight-line operation while preserving operator responsiveness during intentional maneuvering
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively counteracts undesired course changes by detecting them through sensors and automatically adjusting the steerable component before significant deviations occur, while being conditioned to not interfere with intentional operator commands
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are for controlling handling of a marine vessel having a steerable component that is steerable to a plurality of positions to vary a direction of movement of the vessel. A controller is communicatively connected to an actuator of the steerable component and a user input device provides to the controller an operator-initiated steering command to steer the steerable component to one of the plurality of positions. A sensor provides to the controller an indication of an undesired course change of the marine vessel. The controller has a vessel direction control section that outputs a command to the actuator to change a position of the steerable component from the one of the plurality of positions so as to automatically counteract the undesired course change. The vessel direction control section is active only when the operator-initiated steering command is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.