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:
Apr. 21, 1992
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1990
Rebecca A Bird, Earlysville, VA (US);
David A Bennett, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Albert L Coleman, Scottsville, VA (US);
Jeffrey C Johnson, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Ronald K Richey, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Gregory Schluge, Afton, VA (US);
Steven E Schubert, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Eldon J Thompson, Ruckersville, VA (US);
John F Yancey, Jr, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Sperry Marine Inc., Charlottesville, VA (US);
Abstract
A ship steering system has a multiplicity of selectable steering stations. A continuously rotating helm at each steering station generates digital rudder control signals which cause a predetermined rudder movement for each 360.degree. of helm rotation. Steering stations are selected through a multiplexer controlled at a command steering station. The steering system is operable from the command steering station in a plurality of modes, which includes auto-pilot, helm (full-follow-up), and tiller (non-follow-up). Helm and/or tiller modes of operation are available at steering stations remote from the command steering station. The system provides for an emergency takeover from the helm or autopilot modes by automatically establishing the tiller mode when the tiller stick is moved. When in the autopilot mode an alarm system provides an alert should the course deviate from a selected course tolerance.