초록 ▼

This is an apparatus to provide automatic self-steering for seacraft, particularly high speed sailing craft of the multi-hull type such as catamarans and trimarans which tend to respond instantly to small shifts in rudder angle. It includes a wind vane, many types of which are well known, which can

This is an apparatus to provide automatic self-steering for seacraft, particularly high speed sailing craft of the multi-hull type such as catamarans and trimarans which tend to respond instantly to small shifts in rudder angle. It includes a wind vane, many types of which are well known, which can be pre-set to respond to the direction of the apparent wind encountered by the craft while sailing on a pre-selected compass course to control a rudder and a damping mechanism or course stabilizer which is responsive to any temporary attempt of the craft to turn in either direction away from the desired and pre-selected compass course by either opposing the action of the wind vane as the wind vane responds to a temporary shift in apparent wind direction and tries to turn the craft away from the pre-selected course or, if the craft is turned off course as by wave action, acting to help the wind vane turn the rudder so as to bring the craft back onto the pre-selected compass course. Each of two embodiments of the damping mechanism or course stabilizer includes a drogue which is towed behind the craft. When the craft is turned off its course the drogue exerts a turning force upon the rudder, either resisting or helping the force exerted by the wind vane on the rudder. In a first embodiment, both the wind vane and the drogue are connected to the rudder by a mechanical linkage. In a second embodiment the wind vane and the drogue are connected to operate the rudder by electric and electronic means in combination with a mechanical linkage. In a third embodiment a rate gyroscope responsive to the rate of turn of the craft away from a pre-selected course is substituted for the drogue in the second embodiment.

대표청구항 ▼

A self steering device of the type which includes a wind vane responsive to the relative apparent wind and operable normally to exert a turning force in either direction to control a rudder for maintaining a sea craft on a pre-selected course, wherein the improvement comprises a damping means which

A self steering device of the type which includes a wind vane responsive to the relative apparent wind and operable normally to exert a turning force in either direction to control a rudder for maintaining a sea craft on a pre-selected course, wherein the improvement comprises a damping means which is responsive to deviation of the craft in either direction from said pre-selected course independently of forces produced by the wind vane, said damping means being connected to act upon the said rudder with a turning force in either direction which is separate from and additional to the turning force exerted on the rudder by the wind vane, and in such a manner as to substantially reduce such deviation of the craft from said pre-selected course.