Marine Trim Tab Yaw Compensation for Stable Vessel Heading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling marine vessel heading using trim tabs induce unpredictable yaw effects that require manual or reactive autopilot corrections, leading to instability and a less desirable boating experience.
Innovation Solution
A control system that proactively adjusts the heading of a marine vessel by compensating for yaw induced by trim tabs using a controller that calculates expected yaw values based on tab deployments and vessel speed, and adjusts the steering angle accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trim tabs are deployed to control vessel pitch and roll, then vessel attitude control is improved, but unpredictable yaw effects are induced causing heading instability
Solution Approach 1:
The control system proactively applies a counteracting steering command to the marine drive based on predicted yaw effects from trim tab deployment. By calculating the expected yaw moment and applying an opposing steering angle, the system prevents heading deviation before it occurs, rather than reacting after the vessel has already turned.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates the expected yaw effect in advance based on the planned trim tab deployment and current vessel state. This preliminary calculation allows the control system to prepare and apply the appropriate compensation steering command before the yaw deviation actually occurs, ensuring smoother heading control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual or reactive autopilot corrections are used to counteract yaw, then heading control is eventually achieved, but vessel instability and poor boating experience persist
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the expected yaw effect based on trim tab deployment commands and current vessel state. This allows the control system to proactively apply compensation before the yaw deviation occurs, eliminating the need for reactive corrections and providing a smoother, more stable boating experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors actual vessel state (heading, pitch, roll, speed) and compares it with the expected state. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust the compensation steering command in real-time, ensuring accurate heading control while maintaining smooth operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a heading of a marine vessel having first and second trim tabs and at least one marine drive is provided. The method includes obtaining first and second deployments of the first and second trim tabs, obtaining a speed of the marine vessel, and determining an expected yaw value based on the first and second deployments and the speed of the marine vessel. The method further includes determining a steering angle compensation based on the expected yaw rate value, and controlling steering of the at least one marine drive based on the steering angle compensation.