Modifying marine vessel propulsor steering angle

Abstract

An apparatus for modifying an effective steering angle of a steerable propulsor of a marine vessel includes a structure configured to deflect at least a portion of a stream produced by the steerable propulsor to modify the effective steering angle. The structure is configured to be attached to a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor, positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, or both.

1 . An apparatus for modifying an effective steering angle of a steerable propulsor of a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:
 a structure configured to deflect at least a portion of a stream produced by the steerable propulsor to modify the effective steering angle, the structure being configured to be:   A) attached to a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor; and/or   B) positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, wherein the at least a portion of the stream deflected by the structure has a directional component in an aft direction of the marine vessel,   wherein the structure does not include a reversing deflector.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a deflector or an interceptor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the structure comprises a deflector including at least one vane. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to move to change the effective steering angle of the steerable propulsor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to move in a direction toward or away from the stream. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the structure is configured to be actuated in a direction toward or away from the stream. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be permanently attached to the marine vessel or detachable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to the steering nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the structure is configured to move with the steering nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to an inside of the steering nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached behind the steerable propulsor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an interceptor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the interceptor is curved or straight. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, wherein the at least a portion of the stream deflected by the structure has a directional component in an aft direction of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to a transom of the marine vessel or a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to a transom of the marine vessel and comprises at least one vane. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the steerable propulsor comprises a steerable propeller. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure maintains a forward-aft directional component of the at least a portion of the stream primarily in the aft direction of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         20 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:
 a processor configured to receive a steering command for the marine vessel, and, when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, the processor is configured to control a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.   
     
     
         26 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of operating a control system of a marine vessel, comprising:
 receiving, by a processor, a steering command for the marine vessel; and   when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, controlling, by the processor, a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.   
     
     
         29 .- 33 . (canceled)