Marine electric power steering autopilot system

Abstract

A control system for a marine vessel includes an autopilot system and a power steering system. The autopilot system is arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information and output a second signal indicative of a steering action. The power steering system is in communication with the autopilot system and is arranged to pivot or turn at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit based on the second signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:
 an autopilot system arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information and output a second signal indicative of a steering action; and   a power steering system in communication with the autopilot system and is arranged to pivot or turn at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit based on the second signal.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal is provided by at least one of a GPS module and a nomadic device. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 2 , wherein the first signal is based on an operator selected destination, an operator selected bearing, an operator selected route, or an operator selected waypoint. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal is a standardized NMEA message. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the autopilot system, comprising:
 a converter that is arranged to receive the first signal; and   a processor arranged to provide the second signal.   
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 5 , wherein the converter is a RS-232 to TTL converter. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the second signal is based on at least one of a marine vessel speed, a marine vessel course over ground, a bearing to destination, a cross track error value, and the first signal. 
     
     
         8 . A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:
 an autopilot system, comprising:
 a processor arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information from at least one of a GPS module and a nomadic device and is arranged to provide a second signal indicative of a steering action based on the first signal; and 
   a power steering system, comprising:
 a steering assist unit that is operatively connected to at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit, and 
 a controller arranged to receive the second signal, the controller being programmed to command the steering assist unit to move at least one of the rudder and the propulsion unit based on the second signal. 
   
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an actuator in communication with the controller and is arranged to provide an input to a steering shaft associated with a steering wheel.   
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further programmed to command the actuator to rotate the steering wheel responsive to movement of at least one of the rudder and the propulsion unit. 
     
     
         11 . A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:
 an autopilot system arranged to selectively autonomously control the marine vessel, comprising:
 a processor arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information from at least one of a GPS module and a nomadic device and is arranged to provide a second signal indicative of a steering action based on the first signal; and 
   a power steering system, comprising:
 a steering assist unit that is operatively connected to at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit, and 
 a controller arranged to receive the second signal, the controller being programmed to command the steering assist unit to move at least one of the rudder and the propulsion unit based on the second signal. 
   
     
     
         12 . The control system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an actuator in communication with the controller and is arranged to provide an input to a steering shaft associated with a steering wheel.   
     
     
         13 . The control system of  claim 12 , wherein responsive to an operator input to the steering wheel greater than a threshold, while the autopilot system is guiding the marine vessel, the controller is programmed to command the actuator to provide haptic feedback to the steering wheel. 
     
     
         14 . The control system of  claim 12 , wherein responsive to an operator input to the steering wheel greater than a threshold, while the autopilot system is guiding the marine vessel, the controller is programmed to command the actuator to impart angular rotation to the steering within a predetermined range of angular rotation. 
     
     
         15 . The control system of  claim 12 , wherein responsive to an operator input to the steering wheel greater than a threshold, while the autopilot system is guiding the marine vessel, the controller is programmed to output for display an indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The control system of  claim 12 , wherein responsive to an operator input to the steering wheel less than a threshold, while the autopilot system is guiding the marine vessel, the controller is programmed to command the actuator to impart an angular bi-directional rotation or pivot to the steering wheel within a predetermined range of angular rotation.