초록 ▼

A stabilizer system is used to stabilize a marine vessel hull. The system includes at least one stabilizer assembly attached to the hull and the stabilizer assembly is capable of moving with respect to the hull in response to ambient sea surface conditions detected by the system. Each stabilizer ass

A stabilizer system is used to stabilize a marine vessel hull. The system includes at least one stabilizer assembly attached to the hull and the stabilizer assembly is capable of moving with respect to the hull in response to ambient sea surface conditions detected by the system. Each stabilizer assembly includes an outrigger arm and a float arm which has a float attached to one end. The float arm can expand and contract in order to keep the float in contact with the sea surface or lift it from contact. Additionally, the float can have the ability to change its cross-sectional shape and volume with respect to the waves. The entire stabilizer assembly, and various components thereof, have the ability to position themselves in response to commands generated by the system. The system predicts impending adverse motions, such as oncoming waves, in order to position the stabilizer assemblies and the vessel in optimum positions so as to negate the effect of the oncoming wave on the vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method to stabilize marine vessels, said marine vessel floating on a water surface and being equipped with a gyroscope system and at least one stabilizer assembly, said method comprising the steps of:(a) sensing ambient sea surface and atmospheric conditions relat

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method to stabilize marine vessels, said marine vessel floating on a water surface and being equipped with a gyroscope system and at least one stabilizer assembly, said method comprising the steps of:(a) sensing ambient sea surface and atmospheric conditions relative to the position of said marine vessel as a function of time, producing condition sensor readings, to estimate wave velocity and changing wave profiles relative to said marine vessel;(b) referencing said condition sensor readings with vessel orientation readings provided by said gyroscopic system to account for differences in sensor orientation as the pitch, roll, and yaw of said marine vessel changes with respect to time;(c) sensing the positions of said at least one stabilizer assembly relative to said marine vessel to produce position sensor readings;(d) inputting said condition sensor readings, gyroscopic system readings and said position sensor readings into a control computer provided on said marine vessel;(e) analyzing said condition sensor readings, said gyroscopic system readings, and said position sensor readings in said control computer to produce computer data for determining the optimum location of said marine vessel and orientation of said at least one stabilizer assembly relative to sea surface conditions as a function of time;(f) positioning said marine vessel and said at least one stabilizer assembly to optimum positions to effectively negate adverse sea surface conditions thereby stabilizing said marine vessel; and,(g) repeating steps (a) through (f) at predetermined intervals so as to provide for the continuous stabilization of said marine vessel.