Steering system for a marine vessel

Abstract

A method and a system for improving the fuel efficiency by controlling the steering system of a marine vessel. In the method the steering system is configured to acquire data related to the fuel efficiency by changing the orientations of steering devices without changing the steering angle of the marine vessel. The acquired data is modeled statistically and an optimum value can be determined from the model. The optimum value is then used for actuating the steering devices to the optimum angle.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling a steering system of a marine vessel having at least two steering devices, which method comprises:
 acquiring data from the steering system of a marine vessel by changing the orientation of each steering device so that the steering angle of the marine vessel is maintained,   creating a statistical model from said acquired data; and,   selecting optimum values for orientation of each steering device based on the created statistical model.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises preprocessing said acquired data. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises a step of actuating the steering devices according to said selected optimum values during same journey. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the acquired data comprises data relating to the fuel efficiency. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the preprocessing of the acquired data further comprises filtering said acquired data, wherein said filtered data is limited to the data relating to at least one predetermined physical phenomenon. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said statistical model is created by using at least one of the following machine learning methods: neural networks, Bayesian regression, or least squares regression. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method is performed by a computer program executed in a computing device. 
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling a steering system of a marine vessel having at least two steering devices, which method comprises the steps of:
 acquiring data from the steering system of a marine vessel by changing the orientation of each steering device so that the steering angle of the marine vessel is maintained;   sending said acquired data to a remote server; and   receiving optimum values for orientation of each steering device from said remote server.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the method further comprises a step of actuating the steering devices according to said selected optimum values during same journey. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the method is performed by a computer program executed in a computing device. 
     
     
         26 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising at least two steering devices and a controller for controlling the steering devices, wherein the steering system is configured to:
 acquire data from the steering system of a marine vessel by changing the orientation of each steering device so that the steering angle of the marine vessel is maintained,   create a statistical model from said acquired data; and,   select optimum values for orientation of each steering device based on the created statistical model.   
     
     
         27 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 26 , wherein the steering system further comprises a computing device, wherein the computing device is configured to perform said acquiring, creating and selecting by executing a computer program. 
     
     
         28 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 26 , wherein said steering system is comprised in said marine vessel. 
     
     
         29 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 28 , wherein said steering devices are rudders or azimuth thrusters. 
     
     
         30 . A steering system for a marine vessel comprising:
 at least two steering devices;   a controller for controlling the steering devices; and   data communication means,   wherein the steering system is configured to:
 acquire data from the steering system of a marine vessel by changing the orientation of each steering device so that the steering angle of the marine vessel is maintained; 
 send said acquired data to a remote server; and 
 receive optimum values for orientation of each steering device from said remote server. 
   
     
     
         31 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 30 , wherein the steering system further comprises a computing device, wherein the computing device is configured to perform said acquiring, sending and receiving by executing a computer program. 
     
     
         32 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 30 , wherein said steering system is comprised in said marine vessel. 
     
     
         33 . A steering system for a marine vessel according to  claim 32 , wherein said steering devices are rudders or azimuth thrusters.