Watercraft steering mechanism and trimmer

Abstract

The invention concerns a steering and trimming system for a watercraft ( 1 ) whereby control is exercised via the steering wheel ( 2 ) at low speed by means of crossbeam rudders ( 13,14 ) and when planing via a rudder ( 29 ). In addition, during the craft's acceleration phase, the trim arms ( 22 ) are more quickly brought into position.

1 . Control for a watercraft with at least one engine and one steering device is characterized by the fact that direction control is achieved at slow speed by the steering wheel by means of the crossbeam rudders and at greater speed automatically by means of rudders, or for a twin motor craft using pitch changes of propellers, or when reversing with instantaneous steering lock at low speed, the direction of thrust of the crossbeam rudders or the pitch of the blades of propeller is turned as a mirror image. 
   
   
       2 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the steering angle of steering wheel determines the number of turns of the crossbeam rudders and as such the transverse thrust of the crossbeam rudders 
   
   
       3 . Control in accordance with  claim 2  wherein with a turn of the steering wheel and the associated activation of the bow cross rudder and of a rear cross rudder, the direction of thrust of both crossbeam rudders is in the opposite direction. 
   
   
       4 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein above a predetermined speed the crossbeam rudder is disengaged electronically. 
   
   
       5 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein, with twin motors, the steering angle of steering wheel and the positioning of the blade of one variable pitch propeller relative to the other leads to a pitch difference between the two propellers. 
   
   
       6 . Control in accordance with  claim 5  wherein, upon turning the steering wheel to port, that port side variable pitch propeller reduces its pitch and when turning to starboard, the starboard side variable pitch propeller reduces its pitch. 
   
   
       7 . Control in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the revs of both motors are electronically controlled so that the revs of both motors remain constant when the steering wheel is turned and the blade is consequently displaced. 
   
   
       8 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the position of the propeller blade with both motors is dependent upon the speed component, the position of the reverse lever and the steering angle position of the craft's steering wheel. 
   
   
       9 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein when the steering lock of steering wheel is to port, that port side steering arm is lowered down and when the steering lock is put to starboard the starboard side steering arm is lowered. 
   
   
       10 . Control in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the steering arm is angled towards the craft producing a lateral thrust. 
   
   
       11 . Control in accordance with  claim 9  wherein that steering arm is located at the stern and bottom of the craft. 
   
   
       12 . Control in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the section of the steering arm, acting as a flow deflector, has the profile of a partial or full pipe. 
   
   
       13 . Control in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the steering arm can be disengaged electronically below a defined speed. 
   
   
       14 . Control in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the composite arm forms a common flow body consisting of the steering arm and the trim arm together with two independent activating cylinders. 
   
   
       15 . Control in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the composite arm also has an arm frames, a longitudinal guide and a pivot bearing. 
   
   
       16 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the rudder can be a steering arm, a composite arm, a vertical rudder or a trim wedge plate. 
   
   
       17 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the steering wheel shaft is attached to a path measuring device which sends a measured value  3   a  as well as values  3   b  and  3   c  to the controller for a nominal/actual comparison and this is corrected to the nominal value by the hydraulic system. 
   
   
       18 . Control in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the speed component of the vessel is measured using an engine rev factor or engine revs×propeller pitch or GPS and is passed on to the controller. 
   
   
       19 . Control in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the path measuring devices are fitted to the reverse lever, the activator and the steering activator. 
   
   
       20 . Control in accordance with  claim 14  wherein when the vessel accelerates, the trim arms are quickly and automatically pointed downwards and at a predetermined speed, the trim arms are raised so that the vessel, when planing, takes up an optimal planing angle. 
   
   
       21 . Control in accordance with  claim 8  wherein information on how quickly the motor accelerator is operated, the direction of the reverse lever and the speed components is available in the controller when the trim arm is automatically lowered. 
   
   
       22 . Control in accordance with  claim 20  wherein the hydraulic system has a hydraulic accumulator to assist the trim activator when moving the trim arm. 
   
   
       23 . Control in accordance with  claim 20  wherein a second element for the trim activator operates at twice the speed of a standard unit. 
   
   
       24 . Control in accordance with  claim 14  wherein at least one of the activator cylinders is mechanically locked and the lock is activated automatically as soon as the desired height is reached.