The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 1985
Filed:
Aug. 06, 1982
Melvin G Kramer, Riverton, WY (US);
The Brunton Company, Riverton, WY (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for steering a vessel and maintaining it on a preset course through the combination and arrangement of an incremental encoder and a heading reference circuit is disclosed. The encoder includes circuitry operative to generate a directional signal and count pulse for each incremental movement of the vessel away from the preset heading and for transmitting same into a heading reference circuit. Counting means are included in the heading reference circuit including adjustable reference setting means to set the counter at a reference position corresponding to the preset heading. The counter is responsive to the pulses received from the incremental encoder to count in a positive or negative direction under the control of the directional signals. A sign-detector in the counter detects whether the total number of pulses is positive or negative with respect to the reference position and generates a signal representative of the direction of the net change.