A boat featuring an autopilot-based steering and maneuvering system. The steering system uses a specially integrated autopilot that remains engaged unless the operator is actively commanding the boat to change course. For example, in a boat in which steering is performed using a joystick, course changes can be effected simply by moving (e.g., twisting) the joystick. That movement automatically disengages the autopilot, allowing the operator to achieve the course change. When the operator has completed the course change and released the joystick, a centering spring returns it to a neutral position and the autopilot automatically reengages. In the improved maneuvering system, the autopilot is used for controlling the direction of a waterjet boat during very low speed (e.g., less than 4 knots) maneuvers, such as docking. The autopilot controls the steering system, e.g., rotation of the waterjet nozzle, to maintain a desired bow direction, while the operator uses a manual control device to apply a sideward force (e.g., from a bowthruster) to move the boat sideways. Preferably, a stick control device (e.g., a multi-axis joy stick) is used, and movement of the stick in a selected direction (sideways, fore and aft, or a combination) causes the boat to move in a corresponding direction, but with the direction of the bow maintained by the autopilot.

Autopilot-based steering and maneuvering system for boats

A waterjet-driven boat has a reversing bucket for controlling forward/reverse thrust and a rotatable nozzle for controlling sideward forces. A bucket position sensor is connected to the reversing bucket, and the bucket is controlled using the output of the position sensor to enable the bucket to be automatically moved to a neutral thrust position. Similarly, a nozzle position sensor is connected to the nozzle, and the nozzle is controlled using the output of the nozzle position sensor so that the nozzle may be automatically returned to a zero sideward force position. A joystick with two axes of motion may be used to control both the bucket and the nozzle. The joystick has built-in centering forces that automatically return it to a neutral position, causing both the bucket and nozzle to return to their neutral positions.

Differential bucket control system for waterjet boats

Stick control system for waterjet boats

A tilt-rotor aircraft capable of vertical/short take-off and landing. The aircraft utilizes a co-axial counter rotating rotor system to provide vertical and horizontal thrust. The fuselage is positioned over the forward half of the rotor in the vertical take-off configuration and the rotors rotate ninety degrees to provide horizontal thrust in the forward flight mode. The aircraft uses conventional flight control surfaces during forward flight and uses cyclic rotor pitch control or a series of control surfaces located in the rotor wash to control the aircraft during vertical flight. One or more engines powering the rotor system provide thrust for the aircraft. The engine(s) can be located in the fuselage or in the wings. The aircraft uses lifting airfoils during forward flight which can include a wing/tail or a canard/wing configuration and uses a conventional tail for directional stability and control. The rotor transmission allows one rotor to be braked thus increasing the rotation speed of the other rotor during forward flight.

Vertical/short take-off and landing aircraft

A dual axis joystick control system is used intuitively for maneuvring a waterborne vessel having two or more waterjets with steering deflectors ( 13 ) and reverse ducts ( 14 ) mounted independently of the steering deflectors. The joystick ( 21 ) is operated to actuate the reverse ducts of the port and starboard waterjets for either common or differential deflections of thrust, and to actuate the steering deflectors of the port and starboard waterjets for common deflections of thrust.

Waterjet control system

A planing hull having a conical contour extending from the bow portion to a stern portion having a flat surface on each side of the keel, a wide lip chine having a lip portion, and a transom separating the bow portion and the stern portion creating a step between the bow portion and the stern portion. A flat keel portion extends from the stern to the mid hull transom.

Planing boat hull

A stern drive for an inboard engine mounted in a boat, the stern drive having all of the sensitive bearings inboard of the boat to protect them from water damage, and a screw type trim system mounted on the inside of the boat transom for raising and lowering the stern drive to adjustably trim the surface of the drive unit.

Stern drive for boats

A water propulsion device for boats having a plurality of housings bolted together so as to be partially submerged in water requiring no lift and a minimum of drag to the water passing horizontally therethrough. A shoulder on each side of the housing prevents water from flowing over the housing. A vertical wall in the housing divides the water into two jet streams whose reactive forces are imparted to the boat, each of which water jet impinges on an arcuate deflector plate to effect the steering of the boat. The steering mechanism consists of a slide bar whose position determines the forward and rearward movement of the boat while a cam plate and turn arm cooperate to determine the turning moments of the boat.

Water jet propelling apparatus for boats

A drive apparatus ( 12 ) for a boat having a planing hull ( 14 ) including a notch ( 24 ). An engine ( 30 ) and a transmission ( 32 ) are mounted within the hull. A propeller shaft ( 38 ) is connected to the transmission with a universal joint ( 34 ) and extends rearwardly therefrom into the notch. The propeller shaft passes through a shaft support ( 56 ), and a propeller ( 46 ) is affixed to the propeller shaft behind the shaft support. The shaft support depends from a strut ( 58 ), which is mounted on the underside of a pivot arm ( 50 ). A trim drive ( 62 ) is mounted within the hull and above the notch and the pivot arm. A linearly extendable trim drive shaft ( 64 ) extends between the trim drive and the pivot arm and, when the trim drive is actuated, pivots the pivot arm, and thus the propeller, selectively upwardly and downwardly to adjust trim for maximum drive efficiency under various boat load distribution, water surface and wind conditions.

Trimmable marine drive apparatus

A surface effect vehicle having a pair of lifting scoops, or air foils, mounted on a vehicle body, one in front and the other in the rear. Each lifting scoop has an arched leading edge to collect air under the scoop to lift the vehicle on a cushion of air. The vehicle having a pusher-type engine with a propeller to push the vehicle. There are louvers in the lifting scoops to regulate the height the vehicle travels on a cushion of air, and non-trip appendages on the tips of the lifting scoops to aid the scoops in lifting the vehicle from a surface.

Harry L. Schoell

Papers

Planing boat hull

Stern drive for boats

Water jet propelling apparatus for boats

Trimmable marine drive apparatus

Surface effect vehicle