US3814910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sailing computer
Assignee: Computer Equipment Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-02
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A computer and a method for sailing a boat to windward to obtain maximum velocity made good. A solution algorithm permitting linear relations and a single multiplier in computing velocity made good, with apparent wind speed and angle and boat speed as the data sources.
Inventors
- 👤 F Palmieri
- 👤 J Pettingell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:24
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/0206; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/48; G06G7/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A velocity made good computer for a sailing boat having an apparent wind velocity sensor, a boat velocity sensor and a wind angle sensor, including in combination: a first scaling and level shifting input buffer amplifier; second and third scaling input buffer amplifiers; circuit means for connecting the output of the wind angle sensor as an input to said first amplifier; circuit means for connecting the output of the boat velocity sensor as an input to said second amplifier; circuit means for connecting the output of the wind velocity sensor as an input to said third amplifier; an analog multiplier having first and second inputs and an output that is the product of the two inputs; circuit means connecting the outputs of said first and second amplifiers as inputs to said multiplier; a fourth summing amplifier; circuit means connecting the outputs of said multiplier and third amplifier as inputs to said fourth amplifier; and means for connecting the output of said fourth amplifier to a velocity indicator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A velocity made good computer for a sailing boat having an apparent wind velocity sensor, a boat velocity sensor and a wind angle sensor, including in combination: a first scaling and level shifting input buffer amplifier; second and third scaling input buffer amplifiers; circuit means for connecting the output of the wind angle sensor as an input to said first amplifier; circuit means for connecting the output of the boat velocity sensor as an input to said second amplifier; circuit means for connecting the output of the wind velocity sensor as an input to said third amplifier; an analog multiplier having first and second inputs and an output that is the product of the two inputs; circuit means connecting the outputs of said first and second amplifiers as inputs to said multiplier; a fourth summing amplifier; circuit means connecting the outputs of said multiplier and third amplifier as inputs to said fourth amplifier; and means for connecting the output of said fourth amplifier to a velocity indicator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer as defined in claim 1 including offset means for connecting an offset signal as another input to said fourth amplifier, and being variable for adjusting the output of said fourth amplifier to a null condition for predetermined speeds and angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer as defined in claim 2 including a variable resistor connected in series between the output of said fourth amplifier and the velocity indicator for setting the indicated velocity to a predetermined value for predetermined speeds and angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer as defined in claim 1 including a variable resistor connected in series between the output of said fourth amplifier and the velocity indicator for setting the indicated velocity to a predetermined value for predetermined speeds and angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the scale and level of said amplifiers are selected such that the following relation substantially exists between the outputs of the amplifiers: third amplifier - 0.05 apparent wind speed VA, second amplifier - -1.0 boat velocity VS, and first amplifier - 10.f (wind angle phi ), where VS is a linear function of phi .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the scale and level of said amplifiers is selected such that the following relation exists between the outputs of the amplifiers: third amplifier - 0.05 apparent wind speed VA, second amplifier - -1.0 boat velocity VS, and first amplifier - 10(1.36-0.025 phi ).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |