Marine Vessel Thrust Vectoring for Trolling Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling the speed of marine vessels with direct-drive transmissions do not provide for trolling speeds, as they lack trolling valves that allow propellers to turn at slower engine speeds, limiting the ability to achieve slower vessel speeds without altering direction.
Innovation Solution
The system controls the orientation of first and second propulsion devices between an aligned and unaligned position, where thrust vectors are parallel and non-parallel respectively, to maintain desired direction at varying speeds, allowing for slower propulsion without altering thrust magnitudes, thus enabling trolling speeds without traditional trolling valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional direct-drive transmissions are used without trolling valves, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to achieve slow vessel speeds is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical trolling valve system with a control system that uses differential thrust vectoring. Instead of mechanically controlling propeller pitch or slip, the system uses electronic control to adjust the thrust of each propulsion device independently, creating a virtual trolling effect through vector cancellation. This substitutes complex mechanical components with a control-based approach using sensors and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the propulsion system by independently controlling thrust magnitude and direction for each propulsion device. By adjusting the thrust parameters (magnitude and angle) of individual propulsion devices, the system achieves variable vessel speeds including slow trolling speeds, without changing the mechanical structure of the transmission system.
2Speed
If thrust magnitudes are reduced to achieve slower speeds, then vessel speed decreases, but thrust vector control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical control of thrust magnitude with a control system that achieves speed reduction through vector cancellation. Instead of mechanically reducing thrust magnitude, the system uses differential orientation of propulsion devices to create opposing thrust components that cancel each other, effectively reducing net vessel speed while maintaining individual propeller thrust levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trolling valves are added to enable slow speeds, then speed control versatility improves, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the propulsion system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both high-speed propulsion and slow-speed trolling operations using the same hardware configuration. The control system automatically adapts the thrust vectoring strategy based on the desired operating mode, eliminating the need for separate trolling valve mechanisms and simplifying overall system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the dedicated mechanical trolling valve with an integrated control system that manages all propulsion functions. This electronic control approach consolidates multiple functions (high-speed propulsion, slow-speed trolling, maneuvering) into a single unified system, reducing mechanical complexity and improving ease of operation through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that controls speed of a marine vessel includes first and second propulsion devices that produce first and second thrusts to propel the marine vessel. A control circuit controls orientation of the propulsion devices between an aligned position in which the thrusts are parallel and an unaligned position in which the thrusts are non-parallel. A first user input device is moveable between a neutral position and a non-neutral detent position. When the first user input device is in the detent position and the propulsion devices are in the aligned position, the thrusts propel the marine vessel in a desired direction at a first speed. When a second user input device is actuated while the first user input device is in the detent position, the propulsion devices move into the unaligned position and propel the marine vessel in the desired direction at a second, decreased speed without altering the thrusts.