Modifying marine vessel propulsor steering angle
AssigneeVector Controls Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Morvillo, Edmund B. Roessler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for modifying an effective steering angle of a steerable propulsor of a marine vessel includes a structure configured to deflect at least a portion of a stream produced by the steerable propulsor to modify the effective steering angle. The structure is configured to be attached to a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor, positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, or both.
Claims24
An apparatus for modifying an effective steering angle of a steerable propulsor of a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:
- a structure configured to deflect at least a portion of a stream produced by the steerable propulsor to modify the effective steering angle, the structure being configured to be:
- A) attached to a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor;
- and/or
- B) positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, wherein the at least a portion of the stream deflected by the structure has a directional component in an aft direction of the marine vessel,
- wherein the structure does not include a reversing deflector.
(canceled)
-24. (canceled)
A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:
- a processor configured to receive a steering command for the marine vessel, and, when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, the processor is configured to control a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.
-27. (canceled)
A method of operating a control system of a marine vessel, comprising:
- receiving, by a processor, a steering command for the marine vessel;
- and
- when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, controlling, by the processor, a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.
-33. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.