Dredge swinging system

Claim 1

A dredge swinging system comprising: a dredge; a first and second comparator; an electronic compass connected to said dredge and coupled to said comparators for generating compass output signals to said comparators representative of the position of said dredge; a first electronic memory coupled to said first comparator, said first memory being programmed to identify a predetermined degree to which it is desired that said dredge be swung in a leftward direction and to generate memory output signals representative thereof; a second electronic memory coupled to said second comparator, said second memory being programmed to identify a predetermined degree to which it is desired that said dredge be swung in a rightward direction and to generate memory output signals representative thereof; a first relay, coupled to said first comparator, the contact of which is automatically closed only when receiving output signals from said first comparator, said first comparator output signals being emitted from the point in time when said compass output signals equal said first memory output signals until such time as said compass output signals equal said second memory output signals; a second relay, coupled to said second comparator, the contact of which is automatically closed only when receiving output signals from said second comparator, said second comparator output signals being emitted from the point in time when said compass output signals equal said second memory output signals until such time as said compass output signals equal said first memory output signals; a first dredge control means coupled between said first relay and said dredge for causing said dredge to swing to the right when said first relay contact is closed; and, a second dredge control means coupled between said second relay and said dredge for causing said dredge to swing to the left when said second relay contact is closed.