US3685478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind control steering system for sailboats
Assignee: Signet Scientific Co
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Filing: 1970-08-19
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A sailboat has a wind control steering system including a windvane located on the boat and coupled to the shaft of a first potentiometer for producing a first set of electrical signals representing the direction of the apparent wind relative to the actual heading of the boat. A manually operative selector device coupled to a second potentiometer develops a second set of electrical signals representing the desired heading of the boat relative to the direction of the apparent wind, and the first and second sets of signals are fed to a closed loop feedback system that compares the signals and produces a steering signal representing the instantaneous heading error. A reversible motor coupled to the tiller controls the position of the rudder, and a feedback potentiometer produces an electrical signal proportional to the instantaneous position of the rudder relative to the actual heading of the boat. The rudder position signal is compared with the steering signal to produce an error signal for driving the motor to position the rudder so as to reduce the heading error.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Casani
- 👤 Edwin Pounder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:29
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A wind control steering system for steering a boat with a rudder so the boat maintains a substantially constant heading relative to the direction of the wind, the system including wind sensing means for continuously sensing the apparent direction of the wind, the wind sensing means being mounted on the boat to move independently of rudder movement, means responsive to movement of the wind sensing means for producing a first electrical signal representing the apparent direction of the wind relative to the actual heading of the boat, course selector means to be positioned for indicating the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent direction of the wind, means responsive to the position of the course selector means for producing a second electrical signal representing the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent direction of the wind, and closed loop feedback means responsive to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal for adjusting the position of the rudder so the boat maintains the desired heading relative to the apparent wind direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A wind control steering system for steering a boat with a rudder so the boat maintains a substantially constant heading relative to the direction of the wind, the system including wind sensing means for continuously sensing the apparent direction of the wind, the wind sensing means being mounted on the boat to move independently of rudder movement, means responsive to movement of the wind sensing means for producing a first electrical signal representing the apparent direction of the wind relative to the actual heading of the boat, course selector means to be positioned for indicating the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent direction of the wind, means responsive to the position of the course selector means for producing a second electrical signal representing the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent direction of the wind, and closed loop feedback means responsive to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal for adjusting the position of the rudder so the boat maintains the desired heading relative to the apparent wind direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop feedback means includes means for sensing rudder position to prevent oversteering of the boat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop feedback means includes: a. means for producing a heading error signal representing the difference between the magnitudes of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal; b. sensor means for producing a signal representing the instantaneous position of the boat rudder relative to the actual heading of the boat; c. means for producing a steering signal representing the difference between the magnitudes of the heading error signal and the rudder position signal; and d. actuator means responsive to the steering signal and coupled to the rudder for adjusting the position of the rudder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the wind sensing means includes a windvane mounted on the boat and adapted to position itself with the apparent direction of the wind, and a rotatable shaft on which the windvane is mounted, and including first electrical circuit means coupled to the shaft for producing the first electrical signal, the magnitude of said signal varying in accordance with the instantaneous position of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein the selector means is mounted on a shaft separate from that of the windvane, and including second electrical circuit means coupled to the selector means shaft for producing the second electrical signal, the magnitude of the second electrical signal varying in accordance with the instantaneous position of the selector means shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein the rudder position sensor means includes means responsive to the angular adjustment of the rudder for producing a first electrical signal representing the instantaneous deflection of the rudder relative to the centerline of the boat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the rudder rotates about an elongated shaft, and wherein the means responsive to the angular adjustment of the rudder includes a potentiometer having a wiper arm coupled to the rudder shaft and adapted to move in response to rotation of the shaft to produce an electrical siGnal having a magnitude representing the angular position of the shaft centerline relative to the centerline of the boat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 6 including a second electrical signal representing the magnitude of the heading error signal, and wherein the steering signal producing means includes comparison means for producing an electrical signal representing the difference between the magnitudes of the first and second signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the actuator means includes a reversible electric motor having an output shaft rotatable in response to the steering signal, and means for coupling the output shaft of the motor to the rudder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein the rudder rotates about an elongated shaft; wherein the coupling means includes a tiller for controlling the angular position of the shaft; and wherein the actuator means further includes means coupled between the output shaft of the motor and the tiller for moving the tiller in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein the rudder position sensing means includes means for sensing the angular position of the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a sailboat steered by a rudder, a wind control steering system for steering the boat so it maintains a substantially constant heading relative to the apparent direction of the wind, the system including wind sensing means movably mounted on the boat for continuously sensing apparent wind direction, the wind sensing means being mounted only for movement independent of that of the rudder, means responsive to the movement of the wind sensing means for producing a first electrical signal representing the apparent direction of the wind, course selecting means movably mounted on the boat for indicating a desired heading relative to the apparent wind direction, means responsive to movement of the course selecting means for producing a second electrical signal representing the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent wind direction, and closed loop feedback means responsive to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal for adjusting the rudder position to maintain the heading.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a sailboat steered by a rudder, a wind control steering system for steering the boat so it maintains a substantially constant heading relative to the apparent direction of the wind, the system including wind sensing means movably mounted on the boat for continuously sensing apparent wind direction, the wind sensing means being mounted only for movement independent of that of the rudder, means responsive to the movement of the wind sensing means for producing a first electrical signal representing the apparent direction of the wind, course selecting means movably mounted on the boat for indicating a desired heading relative to the apparent wind direction, means responsive to movement of the course selecting means for producing a second electrical signal representing the desired heading of the boat relative to the apparent wind direction, and closed loop feedback means responsive to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal for adjusting the rudder position to maintain the heading.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 12 including means for sensing rudder position to prevent oversteering of the boat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein the wind sensing means includes a windvane mounted on a first shaft adapted to rotate in response to the direction of the apparent wind, and including a first shaft angle encoder coupled to the first shaft for producing the first electrical signal; wherein the course selecting means is mounted on a rotatable second shaft separate from that of the windvane, and including a second shaft angle encoder coupled to the second shaft for producing the second electrical signal; and wherein the feedback means includes a shaft angle decoder responsive to the first and second signals for producing a heading error signal for controlling rudder position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1681415A
Cited
US3517285A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |