초록 ▼

A control system for a SWATH type vessel has control fins mounted on the pontoons of the vessel to improve seakeeping. The control system includes roll angle and pitch angle sensors, and can include roll rate and pitch rate sensors or calculations for developing damping signals, with all the signals

A control system for a SWATH type vessel has control fins mounted on the pontoons of the vessel to improve seakeeping. The control system includes roll angle and pitch angle sensors, and can include roll rate and pitch rate sensors or calculations for developing damping signals, with all the signals used to control the control fins to counteract roll and pitch. In addition, individual accelerometers are provided mounted to the vessel in a sufficient number and at sufficently diverse locations to sense vertical acceleration of the vessel, and vertical acceleration signals are used to control the control fins to provide improved control of roll and pitch, and also to counteract any heave or vertical movement of the vessel. Additionally, draft sensors are provided mounted to the vessel to generate draft or depth of immersion signals. These signals override the roll, pitch and heave signals to cause vertical movement of the vessel to counteract incipient slamming or broaching of the vessel. If desired, a predetermined threshold for draft discrepancies can be provided before any such overriding control is initiated.

대표청구항 ▼

A pontoon vessel comprising: a superstructure; at least first and second pontoons disposed parallel to one another beneath the superstructure; at least one strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for supporting the superstructure, so that the combined buoyancy of the pontoons and

A pontoon vessel comprising: a superstructure; at least first and second pontoons disposed parallel to one another beneath the superstructure; at least one strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for supporting the superstructure, so that the combined buoyancy of the pontoons and submerged portions of the struts is sufficient to support the superstructure spaced above the waterline by a prescribed distance; engine means for propelling the vessel; control fins mounted to the pontoons and having a controller mechanism for individually varying the lift generated thereby as the vessel is moving through water; roll sensing means for sensing roll angle; pitch sensing means for sensing pitch angle; computer means responsive to roll angle for developing a roll control signal which is applied to said controller mechanism for controlling the lift generated by said control fins to counteract roll; said computer means also responsive to pitch angle for developing a pitch control signal which is applied to said controller mechanism for controlling the lift generated by said control fins to counteract pitch; accelerometers mounted to the vessel for sensing vertical acceleration of the vessel and providing indications thereof to said computer means, with said computer means incorporating vertical acceleration indications with the roll and pitch control signals, whereby the vertical acceleration indications provide earlier indications of undesirable vessel movement than conventional roll and pitch indications and provide tighter control of roll and pitch motions in a platforming mode and control the control fins to oppose vertical motions of the vessel to provide heave control.