Marine Trim Tab Control Using Single-Input Roll and Pitch Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim-tab-control systems for marine vessels often require manual control of each trim tab, which is cumbersome, or rely on costly angular position sensors that provide unreliable measurements, especially in rough waters.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling at least one trim tab of a marine vessel by causing movement in response to a single user input indicating the amount of change in roll or pitch, without the need for manual control of each trim tab or costly sensors, using a rotatable user-input device and user-configurable sensitivity settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual control of each trim tab is required, then control precision is improved, but operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple trim tab controls into a single integrated control system. The single control input simultaneously adjusts both port and starboard trim tabs, eliminating the need for separate manual control of each tab while maintaining precise control through the unified system's coordinated response.
Solution Approach 2:
The single control input serves multiple functions by controlling both trim tabs universally. One control mechanism performs the work of multiple individual controls, adjusting both port and starboard tabs through a single user action, thereby reducing operator workload while maintaining control precision.
2Measurement precision
If angular position sensors are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for costly angular position sensors from the system. By using alternative sensing methods such as accelerometers or gyroscopes to detect vessel motion, the system achieves the required measurement accuracy without incorporating expensive specialized sensors, thereby reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs more economical sensing components (such as standard accelerometers or gyroscopes) in place of expensive angular position sensors. These alternative sensors provide sufficient measurement accuracy for trim tab control at a lower cost, making the system more economically viable.
3Measurement precision
If angular position sensors are used, then control precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates in rough waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable angular position sensors with more robust alternative sensors such as accelerometers or gyroscopes that are better suited for rough water conditions. These alternative sensing components maintain measurement precision while providing superior reliability when the vessel experiences significant motion and turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameters from direct angular position measurement to alternative measurements (such as acceleration or angular rate) that are more reliable in rough waters. By detecting vessel motion through different physical parameters, the system maintains control precision without the reliability problems associated with traditional angular position sensors in turbulent conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of, and apparatuses for, controlling at least one trim tab of a marine vessel are disclose.