Steering System for a Marine Vessel

Abstract

A steering system for a waterjet propelled marine vessel is disclosed that incorporates an intelligent control system interfacing a manually steerable control device with a number integrated propulsion systems. The propulsion systems can be controlled by the control system in isolation or in combination with one another in order to propel and steer the marine vessel.

1 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units for propelling the vessel, each having a steering deflector; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system arranged to operate the steering deflectors in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel and also to lower a reverse duct of an inside (to a turn) waterjet unit when a higher rate of turning of said vessel is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       2 . A steering control system according to  claim 1  wherein the control system is arranged to cause the inside reverse duct to lower to an increasing extent when an increasing rate of turning is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A steering system according to  claim 2  wherein the control system is also arranged to increase the thrust generated by the inside waterjet unit when a higher rate of turning is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       5 . A steering system according to  claim 4  wherein the control system is also arranged to increase the thrust generated by the outside waterjet unit when a higher rate of turn is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A steering system according to  claim 1  wherein the control system is arranged to cause the inside reverse duct to lower when the steering control device is moved to command a first extent of turn and to increase the thrust generated by the inside and/or outside waterjet unit(s) when the steering control device is moved to command a greater extent of turning. 
   
   
       8 .- 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A steering system according to  claim 1  wherein the steering control device is operable to steer the vessel at cruise speeds of the vessel and the vessel also comprises a separate manually movable control device operable to manoeuvre the vessel at slow speeds. 
   
   
       12 . A steering system according to  claim 11  wherein the steering device is a helm wheel and the manoeuvre control device is movable in multiple axes. 
   
   
       13 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector, for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system arranged to activate the steering deflectors of the waterjet units and alter the thrust generated by the inside and/or outside waterjet unit(s) in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel. 
   
   
       14 .- 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector, for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system arranged to alter the thrust of the inside and/or outside waterjet units in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel. 
   
   
       28 .- 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector, for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system arranged to operate the steering deflectors of the waterjet units in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel and also to alter the thrust of the inside and/or outside waterjet units in accordance with movement of the steering control device. 
   
   
       40 .- 49 . (canceled) 
   
   
       50 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system operable to alter the thrust of the waterjet units to lower a reverse duct of an inside (to a turn) waterjet unit in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel. 
   
   
       51 .- 61 . (canceled) 
   
   
       62 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system operable to activate the steering deflectors and lower the reverse duct of an inside (to a turn) waterjet unit in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel when turning of the vessel is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       63 .- 71 . (canceled) 
   
   
       72 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising: two or more waterjet units each having a steering deflector for propelling the vessel; a manually moveable steering control device which is movable to steer the vessel to port or starboard; and an associated control system operable to lower said reverse duct of an inside (to a turn) waterjet unit in accordance with movement of the steering control device to cause turning of the vessel and also arranged to alter the thrust of the waterjet units when a higher rate of turning of said vessel is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       73 . A steering system according to  claim 72  wherein the control system is arranged to cause the inside reverse duct to lower to a first extent when the steering control device is moved to command a first extent of turn and lower to a greater extent when the steering control device is moved to command a greater extent of the turn. 
   
   
       74 . A steering control system according to  claim 72  wherein the control system is arranged to cause the inside reverse duct to lower to an increasing extent when an increasing rate of turning is commanded by the steering control device. 
   
   
       75 .- 78 . (canceled) 
   
   
       79 . A steering system according to  claim 72  wherein the steering device is operable to steer the vessel at cruise speeds of the vessel and the vessel also comprises a separate manually movable control device operable to manoeuvre the vessel at slow speeds. 
   
   
       80 . A steering system according to  claim 79  wherein the steering device is a helm wheel and the manoeuvre control device is movable in multiple axes.