Marine drive setting apparatus

Claim 2

A marine drive trim setting apparatus for selectively, angularly positioning a pivotally mounted outboard drive unit upon a pivot supporting means including means for pivoting of the drive unit about a vertical axis for steering and a horizontal axis for trim setting, comprising a power positioning trim setting means having an output coupling means for connection to the drive unit and pivoting the drive unit about a generally horizontal axis, a trim position sensing means having a movable means for coupling to the drive unit and generating an electrical position signal having a characteristic related to the angular position of said drive unit with respect to the horizontal axis, a signal generating means operable to produce a reference signal corresponding to the signal of said position sensing means, a signal comparator means connected to said sensing means and said signal generating means and producing an output signal in accordance with the difference therebetween, and energizing control means connected to said positioning means and including circuit controlling means connected to said comparator means and selectively responsive to the output signal to correspondingly drive said output coupling means and setting the trim position of the drive unit.

Claim 3

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 including a dead band means connected to said comparator means to allow selected differences in said references and position signals.

Claim 4

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 including fail-safe means connected to the comparator means to disable the control means in response to an abnormal input signal.

Claim 5

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 3 wherein position sensing means includes variable resistor means and said fail-safe means includes a voltage sensitive switch means connected to said comparator means and to said resistor means and responsive to the open circuit conditions to said resistor means to operatively disable the control means.

Claim 6

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fail-safe means includes a solid state switch connected to disable said down-drive means, said voltage sensitive means connected to the switch to selectively enable the switch.

Claim 7

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 for setting the trim angle of said dRive unit, said drive unit being mounted on a pivot shaft in a gimbal ring member, said position sensing means including a permanent magnet connected to the shaft and rotating therewith, a Hall cell connected to said gimbal ring member and located in the field of the permanent magnet to generate a sine wave voltage with rotational movement of the shaft.

Claim 8

The marine drive trim control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said position sensing means is constructed to produce a signal varying in accordance with a sine wave in response to the angular movement of the drive unit.

Claim 9

The marine drive trim control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said position sensing means includes a variable resistor having a movable means as a movable contact and connected in a series circuit with a fixed resistor, a regulated voltage supply connected across said series circuit to create a sine wave voltage in response to the angular movement of the drive unit.

Claim 10

The marine drive trim control system of claim 7 wherein said position sensing means includes a Hall cell and a permanent magnet mounted for relative movement to generate a sine wave voltage signal in response to the angular movement of the drive unit.

Claim 11

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 wherein position sensing means includes a magnetic unit establishing a flux field and a Hall cell unit mounted in said field, one of said units being connected to the pivot support means and the other of said units being connected to the drive unit, and an output means connected to said Hall cell unit.

Claim 12

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 including a fail-safe circuit connected to said position sensing means and responsive to an abnormal electrical signal, and means connecting the fail safe circuit to said energizing control means to selectively disable said controlling means to prevent operation of said output coupling means.

Claim 13

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said position sensing means is a variable resistor having a movable contact means for coupling to the drive unit and producing a voltage signal related to the angular position of said drive unit, said signal comparator means including amplifier means which is fully on or fully off for said output signal, and a fail-safe circuit means connected to said comparator means and including circuit controlling means connected to said comparator means and selectively responsive to a selected abnormal voltage signal of the sensing means to correspondingly remove said output signal from said energizing control means.

Claim 14

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said fail-safe circuit includes a voltage sensitive switch between the energizing contact means and a second input connected to the output of the position sensing means, a cutoff switch means having an input means connected to said voltage sensitive switch and an output means connected to short the output signal from energizing control means.

Claim 15

The marine drive trim setting apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fail-safe circuit includes time delay means to allow momentary abnormal voltage signals from said position sensing means.

Claim 16

The marine drive setting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said position sensing means and said signal generating means are variable resistor elements, said circuit controlling means including first and second circuits to correspondingly drive said output coupling means, and said signal comparator means is a differential relay connected in circuit through said resistor elements in parallel branch circuits and selectively establishing either of said first and second circuits in accordance with the relative resistance of said resistor elements.

Claim 17

The marine drive setting apparatus of claim 15 wherein said differential relay includes a first and a second winding connected in parallel branch circuits, an armature means pivotally mounted between said first and second windings and positioned in accoRdance with the relative level of energization of said windings, and a lift switch actuated in response to selected pivotal movement of the armature in a first direction, and a lower switch actuated in response to selected pivotal movement of the armature in a second opposite direction.

Claim 18

The marine drive setting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning means include a hydraulic drive including an up-trim line and a down-trim line, a surge valve in the down-trim line, a differential pressure switch means connected across said surge valve and having a switch connected to selectively disable the positioning means in response to a positive lifting force on the coupling means.

Claim 19

The marine drive setting apparatus of claim 1 for setting the trim angle of said drive unit including a manual control switch means connected in the energizing control means to selectively remove the control when the drive unit is turned off.

Claim 20

A marine drive control system for selectively, angularly positioning a pivotally mounted drive unit about a pivot support means comprising an angle sensing means having a magnetic unit coupled to a Hall cell unit, mounting means for attaching one of said units to the pivot support means and the other of said units to the pivot support means, and an output means connected to said Hall cell unit.

Claim 21

A marine drive control system for selectively, angularly positioning a pivotally mounted drive unit about a pivot support means comprising an angle sensing means having a magnetic unit coupled to a Hall cell unit, mounting means for attaching one of said units to the pivot support means and the other of said units to the pivot support means, and an output means connected to said Hall cell unit.

Claim 22

A marine trim setting control apparatus for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means for trim setting, comprising a sine wave signal generator coupled to the drive unit to provide position sensed signals, a regulated direct current power supply, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means to provide a plurality of D.C. reference signals, an operational amplifier comparator having a first input means connected to the sine wave signal generator and a second input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band means connected to said input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal at either of said output means, feedback means connected between the output and input of the comparator to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, a pair of rapid acting electronic switching means having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means, and each of said switching means including a timing circuit creating an operative rapid turn-off of the switching means and an operative delayed turn-on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit.

Claim 23

A marine trim setting control apparatus for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means for trim setting, comprising a sine wave signal generator coupled to the drive unit to provide position sensed signals, a regulated direct current power supply, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means to provide a plurality of D.C. reference signals, an operational amplifier comparator having a first input means connected to the sine wave signal generator and a second input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band means connected to said input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal at either of said output means, feedback means connected between the output and input of the comparator to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, a pair of rapid acting electronic switching means having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means, and each of said switching means including a timing circuit creating an operative rapid turn-off of the switching means and an operative delayed turn-on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit.

Claim 24

The trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 having a hydraulic power system including a reversible electric motor-pump unit, and an input power connection connected to said motor-pump unit and said switching means for reversibly driving said motor-pump unit.

Claim 25

The trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 wherein said sine wave signal generator includes a Hall cell unit mounted to the pivot axis means in fixed relation to said drive unit and generally coaxial of the pivot axis means with the magnetic input radially oriented, said regulated power supply means connected to said Hall cell, an annular permanent magnet means encircling said Hall cell unit and secured to the pivot axis means to rotate therewith about the horizontal axis of movement, and said magnetic means being diametrically polarized and thereby establishing an operative flux field which varies as a sine wave with the angular orientation of the magnet means to establish a corresponding sensed signal of voltage.

Claim 26

The marine trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 wherein said operational amplifier comparator includes at least fouR input means including a first pair of corresponding input means connected to the sine wave signal generator and a second pair of corresponding input means connected to the adjustable resistance means for establishing said signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, said dead band means including resistors connected to said second pair of input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal.

Claim 27

The marine trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 wherein said feedback means includes a first paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the input means and includes a second paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the input means, said resistive portion of said network being selected to establish said full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, said capacitive portion of each of said networks limiting the frequency response to prevent positive feedback conditions.

Claim 28

The marine trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 wherein said comparator includes a pair of operational amplifiers oppositely connected to respond to the inputs, said dead band means each including a pair of input bias resistor means connected to the opposite one of the comparator input means, said resistor means permitting a selected input voltage difference to the corresponding amplifier before producing a signal to complete the circuit to the comparator for the delayed turn on of the switching means.

Claim 29

The marine trim setting control apparatus of claim 20 including a fail-safe electronic switching circuit having an input connected to the signal generator and an output connected to the one output means and responsive to an abnormal signal voltage for locking of the drive unit in the set position and preventing removal of the corresponding output means from the corresponding electronic switching means.

Claim 30

A marine trim setting control system for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means, comprising a Hall cell unit mounted to the pivot axis means in fixed relation to said drive unit and generally coaxial of the pivot axis means with the magnetic input radially oriented, a regulated power supply means connected to said Hall cell, an annular permanent magnet means encircling said Hall cell unit and secured to the pivot axis means to rotate therewith about the horizontal axis of movement, said magnetic means being diametrically polarized and thereby establishing an operative flux field which varies as a sine wave with the angular orientation of the magnet means to establish a corresponding sensed signal of voltage, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means, an operational amplifier comparator having at least four input means including a first pair of corresponding input means connected to the Hall cell and a second pair of corresponding input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band resistance means connected to said second pair of input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal, a first paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the one input of the first pair of input means, a second paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and one input means of the second pair of input means, said resistive portion of said network having selected to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, said capacitive pOrtion of said network limiting the frequency response to prevent positive feedback conditions, a pair of output electronic switching means each including a Darlington transistor pair having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means and responsive to a selected threshold voltage signal, each of said switching means including a capacitive feedback circuit having a rapid turn off of the switching means and a delayed turn on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit, a hydraulic power system including an electric motor-pump unit and said switching means for reversibly driving said motor-pump unit.

Claim 31

A marine trim setting control system for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means, comprising a Hall cell unit mounted to the pivot axis means in fixed relation to said drive unit and generally coaxial of the pivot axis means with the magnetic input radially oriented, a regulated power supply means connected to said Hall cell, an annular permanent magnet means encircling said Hall cell unit and secured to the pivot axis means to rotate therewith about the horizontal axis of movement, said magnetic means being diametrically polarized and thereby establishing an operative flux field which varies as a sine wave with the angular orientation of the magnet means to establish a corresponding sensed signal of voltage, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means, an operational amplifier comparator having at least four input means including a first pair of corresponding input means connected to the Hall cell and a second pair of corresponding input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band resistance means connected to said second pair of input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal, a first paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the one input of the first pair of input means, a second paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and one input means of the second pair of input means, said resistive portion of said network having selected to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, said capacitive pOrtion of said network limiting the frequency response to prevent positive feedback conditions, a pair of output electronic switching means each including a Darlington transistor pair having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means and responsive to a selected threshold voltage signal, each of said switching means including a capacitive feedback circuit having a rapid turn off of the switching means and a delayed turn on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit, a hydraulic power system including an electric motor-pump unit and said switching means for reversibly driving said motor-pump unit.

Claim 32

A marine trim setting control system for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means, comprising a linear resistor mounted to the pivot axis means in fixed relation to said drive unit and generally coaxial of the pivot means, a reference resistor in series circuit with said linear resistor, a regulated power supply means connected across said series circuit, a wiper rotatably mounted in engagement with the resistor and secured to the pivot axis means to rotate therewith about the horizontal axis of movement, said wiper establishing a signal varying as a sine wave with the angular orientation of the drive unit to establish a corresponding sensed signal of voltage, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means, an operational amplifier comparator having at least four input means including a first pair of corresponding input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band resistance means connected to said second pair of input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal, a first paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the one input of the first pair of input means, a second paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and one input means of the second pair of input means, said resistive portion of said network having selected to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, said capacitive portion of said network limiting the frequency response to prevent positive feedback conditions, a pair of output electronic switching means each including a Darlington transistor pair having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means, each of said switching means including a capacitive feedback circuit having a rapid turn off of the switching means and a delayed turn on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit, a hydraulic power system including an electric motor-pump unit, an input power connection connected to said motor-pump unit and said switching means for reversibly driving said motor-pump unit.

Claim 33

A marine trim setting control system for the selective angular orientation of a pivotally outboard mounted drive unit for a watercraft, said drive unit having a horizontal pivot axis means, comprising a linear resistor mounted to the pivot axis means in fixed relation to said drive unit and generally coaxial of the pivot means, a reference resistor in series circuit with said linear resistor, a regulated power supply means connected across said series circuit, a wiper rotatably mounted in engagement with the resistor and secured to the pivot axis means to rotate therewith about the horizontal axis of movement, said wiper establishing a signal varying as a sine wave with the angular orientation of the drive unit to establish a corresponding sensed signal of voltage, an angle selection means connected to said power supply means and including an adjustable resistance means, an operational amplifier comparator having at least four input means including a first pair of corresponding input means connected to the adjustable resistance means and establishing signals at a pair of output means related to the relative magnitude of sensed signal and the reference signal, dead band resistance means connected to said second pair of input means to allow a selected error voltage at the input means without an output signal, a first paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and the one input of the first pair of input means, a second paralleled resistive-capacitive feedback network connected between the output of the comparator and one input means of the second pair of input means, said resistive portion of said network having selected to establish a full on or full off output at the respective first and second output means of the comparator, said capacitive portion of said network limiting the frequency response to prevent positive feedback conditions, a pair of output electronic switching means each including a Darlington transistor pair having an input bias means connected to a corresponding one of the comparator output means, each of said switching means including a capacitive feedback circuit having a rapid turn off of the switching means and a delayed turn on of the switching means to eliminate outputs related to momentary disturbances of the outboard drive unit, a hydraulic power system including an electric motor-pump unit, an input power connection connected to said motor-pump unit and said switching means for reversibly driving said motor-pump unit.

Claim 34

A marine means for angularly positioning in a pivotally mounted outboard drive unit having a pivot support means comprising a power positioning means having an output coupling means for connection to the drive unit for pivoting of such drive unit, angular position sensing means having a movable means for coupling to the drive unit and generating an electrical position signal having a characteristic related to the angular position of said drive unit, said position sensing means generating a sine wave signal, a sine wave signal generating means operable to produce a corresponding reference sine wave signal corresponding to the signal of said position means, a signal comparator means connected to said sensing means and said signal generating means and producing an output signal in accordancE with the difference therebetween, an energizing control means connected to said positioning means and including circuit controlling means connected to said comparator means and selectively responsive to the output signal to correspondingly drive said output coupling means and thereby reposition said drive unit.

Claim 35

A marine means for angularly positioning in a pivotally mounted outboard drive unit having a pivot support means comprising a power positioning means having an output coupling means for connection to the drive unit for pivoting of such drive unit, angular position sensing means having a movable means for coupling to the drive unit and generating an electrical position signal having a characteristic related to the angular position of said drive unit, said position sensing means generating a sine wave signal, a sine wave signal generating means operable to produce a corresponding reference sine wave signal corresponding to the signal of said position means, a signal comparator means connected to said sensing means and said signal generating means and producing an output signal in accordancE with the difference therebetween, an energizing control means connected to said positioning means and including circuit controlling means connected to said comparator means and selectively responsive to the output signal to correspondingly drive said output coupling means and thereby reposition said drive unit.