Column based electric assist marine power steering

Abstract

An embodiment of a system for controlling a marine vessel includes an electrical power steering unit coupled to a mechanical control system, the mechanical control system including a steering wheel connected by a shaft to a mechanical cable assembly, the mechanical cable assembly configured to be actuated by the steering wheel to control a steering mechanism of the marine vessel. The electrical power steering unit includes an electric motor configured to apply a torque to the mechanical cable assembly. The system also includes a processor configured to control the electrical power steering unit to provide at least one of steering assist and control of the marine vessel.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a marine vessel comprising:
 an electrical power steering unit coupled to a mechanical control system, the mechanical control system including a steering wheel connected by a shaft to a mechanical cable assembly, the mechanical cable assembly configured to be actuated by the steering wheel to control a steering mechanism of the marine vessel, the electrical power steering unit including an electric motor configured to apply a torque to the mechanical cable assembly; and   a processor configured to control the electrical power steering unit to provide at least one of steering assist and control of the marine vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power steering unit is a column electrical power steering (CEPS) unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power steering unit is disposed within a marine steering column mounting area, and disposed between the steering wheel and a connection to the mechanical cable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power steering unit includes a mechanical gear assembly having an input adapter configured to engage the shaft connected to the steering wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to autonomously control the mechanical control system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a torque and/or position sensor configured to measure at least one of a torque applied by the steering wheel and a rotational position of the steering wheel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to receive rotational position information from the torque and/or position sensor, and generate a motor torque command to the motor to apply an amount of torque to the mechanical control system based on a rotational position of the steering wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to receive rotational position information from the torque and/or position sensor, and autonomously generate a motor torque command to the motor to apply a selected amount of torque to return the steering wheel to a center position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to generate the motor torque command to apply torque based on the rotational position of the steering wheel relative to a mechanical end stop. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a motor torque command to the motor to apply a selected amount of torque to assist an operator, the selected amount of torque based on a speed of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         11 . A method of controlling a marine vessel, the method comprising:
 receiving sensor data from a sensor at a processor, the sensor data including at least one of a rotational position of a steering wheel and a torque applied by the steering wheel, the steering wheel connected by a shaft to a mechanical cable assembly, the mechanical cable assembly configured to be actuated by the steering wheel to control a steering mechanism of the marine vessel;   generating a motor torque command to an electrical power steering unit coupled to at least the mechanical cable, the electrical power steering unit including an electric motor configured to apply a torque to the mechanical cable assembly; and   providing at least one of steering assist and control of the marine vessel by the electric motor in response to the motor torque command.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical power steering unit is a column electrical power steering (CEPS) unit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical power steering unit is disposed within a marine steering column mounting area, and disposed between the steering wheel and a connection to the mechanical cable. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical power steering unit includes a mechanical gear assembly having an input adapter configured to engage the shaft connected to the steering wheel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising autonomously controlling the mechanical cable assembly in response to an instruction by an operator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motor torque command is based on a rotational position of the steering wheel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising autonomously generating a motor torque command to the motor to apply a selected amount of torque to return the steering wheel to a center position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the motor torque command is based on a rotational position of the steering wheel relative to a mechanical end stop. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motor torque command directs the motor to apply a selected amount of torque to assist an operator, the selected amount of torque based on a speed of the marine vessel.