US 11,618,541 B2Granted

Control system and method for controlling marine vessels

AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.

InventorsBrian Philip Neathery, Cameron Scott Gandy

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Abstract

Control system for controlling operations of a marine vessel having a first engine and a second engine is provided. Parity switches are operable to start/stop first and second engine. Each parity switch is actuated for first time to activate remote start/stop control of respective engine. Each switch is actuated for second time to switch respective engine to ON or OFF state. Operator console is communicatively coupled to parity switches to receive first and/or second user inputs. Propulsion control unit is communicably coupled to operator console via network communication channel, first engine control unit of first engine and second engine control unit of second engine. Propulsion control unit receives operational parameters for engines from engine control units and receives first and second user inputs from operator console. Propulsion control unit transmits engine operating signals for operating respective engines in response to first and/or second user input and based on operational parameters.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A control system for controlling operations of a marine vessel having a first engine and a second engine operable to propel the marine vessel, the control system comprising:

a first parity switch being operable to start and stop the first engine and a second parity switch being operable to start and stop the second engine;
wherein each of the first parity switch and the second parity switch being configured to be:
actuated for a first time for a first time period to receive a first user input to activate a remote start/stop control of the respective one of the first engine and the second engine;
and
actuated for a second consecutive time for a second time period to receive a second user input to switch the respective one of the first engine and the second engine to one of an ON state and an OFF state;
an operator console positioned in a deck of the marine vessel, the operator console being communicatively coupled to each of the first parity switch and the second parity switch to receive one or more of the first user input and the second user input from the respective first parity switch and the second parity switch;
and
a propulsion control unit communicably coupled to the operator console via a network communication channel, a first engine control unit associated with the first engine and a second engine control unit associated with the second engine, the propulsion control unit being configured to:
receive one or more of operational parameters associated with each of the first engine and the second engine from the respective first engine control unit and the second engine control unit;
receive the second user input from each of the first parity switch and the second parity switch via the operator console;
and
transmit one or more engine operating signal for operating each of the first engine and the second engine to the respective first engine control unit and the second engine control unit, the one or more engine operating signal being in response to the second user input and the received one or more engine operational parameters.

9 more elements

A method for controlling operations of a marine vessel having a first engine and a second engine operable to propel the marine vessel, the method comprising:

operating a first parity switch to start and stop the first engine and a second parity switch to start and stop the second engine, wherein operating each of the first parity switch and the second parity switch comprising:
actuating the respective first parity switch and the second parity switch for a first time and for a first time period to receive a first user input to activate a remote start/stop control of the respective one of the first engine and the second engine;
and
actuating the respective first parity switch and the second parity switch for a second time and for a second time period to receive a second user input to switch the respective one of the first engine and the second engine to one of an ON state and an OFF state;
receiving, by an operator console positioned in a deck of the marine vessel, one or more of the first user input and the second user input from the respective first parity switch and the second parity switch;
receiving, by a propulsion control unit from the operator console over a network communication channel, one or more of the first user input and the second user input from each of the first parity switch and the second parity switch;
receiving, by the propulsion control unit, one or more operational parameters associated with each of the first engine and the second engine from a respective first engine control unit associated with the first engine and a second engine control unit associated with the second engine;
and
transmitting, by the propulsion control unit, one or more engine operating signals for operating each of the first engine and the second engine to the respective first engine control unit and the second engine control unit, the one or more engine operating signals being in response to the one or more first user input and the second user input and are based on the received one or more engine operational parameters.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/443,185Filed 22 Jul 2021
Published: US 2023/0028299 A126 Jan 2023
Granted: 4 Apr 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

B63H 21/21
Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels: control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
B63H 21/213
Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels: levers or the like for controlling the engine or the…
B63B 17/00
Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
B63H 25/42
Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements ; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary…:…