G05D1/0875

HULL BEHAVIOR CONTROL SYSTEM AND MARINE VESSEL

A hull behavior control system includes a memory and at least one controller coupled to the memory. The at least one controller is configured or programmed to control a propulsion force of the marine vessel using a propeller of the marine vessel, obtain a water surface shape around the marine vessel, estimate movement of a wave based on the water surface shape, and reduce the propulsion force by controlling the propeller when it is determined that an impact force equal to or greater than a threshold value will act on the hull after the hull travels over the wave whose movement has been estimated.

Control system for a floating wind turbine structure
11204018 · 2021-12-21 · ·

A method of controlling a turbine of a floating wind turbine structure to reduce fatigue of moorings of the floating wind turbine structure includes curtailing the turbine based on a pitching motion of the floating wind turbine structure and on a wind direction at the floating wind turbine structure relative to an orientation of the moorings of the floating wind turbine structure. Optionally, the curtailment may be further based on a degree of displacement of the floating wind turbine structure from a reference location.

Methods and systems for controlling propulsion of a marine vessel to enhance proximity sensing in a marine environment

A propulsion control system for a marine vessel includes a plurality of propulsion devices steerable to propel the marine vessel, at least one proximity sensor that determines a relative position of the marine vessel with respect to an object, wherein the at least one proximity sensor has a field of view (FOV). A controller is configured to identify a trigger condition for expanding the FOV of the at least one proximity sensor and control thrust and/or steering position of at least one of the plurality of propulsion devices to expand the FOV of the at least one proximity sensor by inducing a roll movement or a pitch movement of the marine vessel.

Marine steering system and method

A steering system on a marine vessel includes at least one propulsion device, a steering actuator that rotates the propulsion device to effectuate steering, at least one trim device moveable to adjust a running angle of the vessel, and a trim actuator configured to move the trim device so as to adjust the running angle. The system further includes a control system configured to determine a desired roll angle and at least one of a desired turn rate and a desired turn angle for the marine vessel based on a steering instructions. The control system then controls the steering actuator to the rotate the at least one propulsion device based on the desired turn rate and/or the desired turn angle, and to control the trim actuator to move the at least one trim device based on the desired roll angle so as to effectuate the steering instruction.

Vessel steering system and vessel steering method
11370520 · 2022-06-28 · ·

In a vessel steering system including three or more propulsion devices, unintentional turning of a vessel is prevented when the vessel moves in an oblique direction. When a tilt direction of a joystick is an oblique direction between a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, a controller is configured or programmed to correct at least one steering angle of a left propulsion device, a right propulsion device, and a central propulsion device so that a resultant force of propulsive forces of the left propulsion device, the right propulsion device, and the central propulsion device acts in a direction passing through a center of gravity of the vessel.

MOBILE OBJECT, COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM, AND CONTROL METHOD
20220190934 · 2022-06-16 ·

Provided is a mobile object including: a mobile object information transmitting unit configured to transmit, to another mobile object by optical wireless communication by a first optical wireless communication unit, first mobile object information including first inertial measurement information and first body control information; a mobile object information receiving unit configured to receive, from the another mobile object by optical wireless communication by the first optical wireless communication unit, second mobile object information including second inertial measurement information and second body control information; and an optical axis direction control unit configured to control a direction of an optical axis of the first optical wireless communication unit on a basis of the first mobile object information and the second mobile object information.

Two-wheel mobile apparatus
11351824 · 2022-06-07 ·

A two-wheel mobile apparatus that is movable on land and water includes a cabin and a propulsion unit. The cabin is configured to be watertight to a height above a waterline when the mobile apparatus moves on water. Further, the cabin accommodates an occupant and isolates the occupant from the outside of the cabin. The propulsion unit includes a rotatably driven impeller and moves the mobile apparatus on water. An orientation detection unit that detects orientation of the mobile apparatus. A tilt correction unit corrects tilt of the mobile apparatus on land. An oscillation reduction unit reduces oscillation of the mobile apparatus on water. An orientation control unit switches between actuation of the tilt correction unit and actuation of the oscillation reduction unit based on a detection value of the orientation detection unit.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SURVEYING USING DEEP-WATER VESSELS
20220161912 · 2022-05-26 · ·

A method for surveying a body of water includes providing a plurality of vehicles to a body of water. Each the plurality of vehicles includes a vehicle body, an electric-propulsion motor system mounted on the vehicle body, a rechargeable battery, at least one sonar device attached to the vehicle body, and a first communication device. The method also includes submerging each of the plurality of vehicles in the body of water, surveying an area, using the at least one sonar device, to map the body of water and to determine a location of each of the plurality of vehicles, and determining, based on the surveying, that a target object is detected within the area. The method also includes resurfacing each of the plurality of vehicles and transferring data, using the first communication device, between at least two of the plurality of vehicles at the surface of the body of water.

Training Device for Hydrofoil Watercraft and Methods of Use Thereof
20230264787 · 2023-08-24 · ·

A training hydrofoil system for connection with a watercraft comprises a first wing including at least one adjustable surface and a second wing including at least one adjustable portion. The system further includes a fuselage extending longitudinally and the first and second wing connected to the fuselage and extending latitudinally relative to the fuselage, the fuselage including an attachment feature for attaching to the watercraft. The system further includes an electronic control unit capable of actuating at least one of the adjustable surface and adjustable portion to modify a course of the watercraft, and a power source. Both the power source and the electronic control unit are positioned in the fuselage.

Autonomous ocean data collection
11731748 · 2023-08-22 · ·

A system for autonomous ocean data collection includes at least one sensor capable of collecting sensor data, at least one transmission device, and at least one computing device comprising one or more hardware processors and memory coupled to the one or more hardware processors, the memory storing one or more instructions which, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the at least one computing device to generate data for transmission based on the sensor data collected by the at least one sensor, and cause the at least one transmission device to transmit the data.