Rudder angle indicator system with active sector sensing
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Corporation
InventorEldon John Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The rudder angle indicator system utilizes a low cost potentiometer coupled to the rudder to provide a signal proportional to rudder angle. A stepper motor positions, in open loop arrangement, the dial of a rudder angle indicator, such as a large three-faced rudder angle display, in accordance with the potentiometer signal. An active sector tab and sensor are utilized to provide a signal in accordance with when the indicator is in the active sector of the display so as to minimize the search for the indicator zero index tab.
Claims29
A system for providing a position indication of the position of a member, said position being in a position range through which said member may be moved, said system comprising,
- sensor means coupled to said member for providing a position signal in accordance with the position of said member,
- indicator means for providing said position indication in an active sector of said indicator means, said active sector corresponding to said position range,
- drive means for driving said indicator means open loop in response to said position signal so as to drive said indicator means to provide said position indication,
- initializing means for activating said drive means in accordance with first and second initializing procedures so as to drive said indicator means to a predetermined initial indication, said initial indication providing a reference for said position indication, and
- active sector means for detecting when said indicator means is and is not positioned in said active sector and providing an active sector signal in accordance therewith,
- said initializing means being responsive to said active sector signal for activating said drive means in accordance with said first initializing procedure when said indicator means is positioned in said active sector and in accordance with said second initializing procedure when said indicator means is not positioned in said active sector.
A low cost rudder angle indicator system for providing a plurality of rudder angle indications of the angular position of the rudder of a marine vehicle, said system comprising
- potentiometer means coupled to said rudder for providing a rudder angle signal in accordance with the position of said rudder,
- a large rudder angle display having a plurality of display faces for providing said plurality of rudder angle indications, respectively, said display adapted for mounting in a predominantly viewable location on the bridge of said marine vehicle, said display including a rotatable cylindrical member, a plurality of rudder angle scales and a plurality of scale pointers, one of said plurality of scales and plurality of pointers being disposed on said rotatable cylindrical member so that said plurality of scales and said plurality of pointers rotate with respect to each other, said plurality of scales and said plurality of pointers comprising said plurality of display faces, respectively,
- a stepper motor coupled to said rotatable cylindrical member for positioning said rotatable cylindrical member open loop in response to said rudder angle signal so as to provide said plurality of rudder angle indications, and
- initializing means for driving said stepper motor to position said rotatable cylindrical member to a predetermined initial position, said initial position providing a reference for said rudder angle indications.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.