The invention provides a device which can reduce the drag and assist the steering of the ship, mainly to set up a 3-way pipe in the bow where is below the water level. The 3-way pipe leads to three openings at the stem, the port side and the starboard side respectively. At least one control valve (or deflector) can be provided in the 3-way piping system. The valve (or deflector) can be controlled from the bridge, with a diversion device. When the ship sails forward, water flows into the 3-way pipe from the forward pipe, distributed to both side pipes and then outflow, so that it can reduce the pressure drag to the stem, improve the ship's speed and save bunker. When the valve (or deflector) is set as neutral, the water will be distributed evenly to both side pipes, which will not affect the ship's heading. When the valve (or deflector) deflects more water to either side's pipe, the ship will turn to the opposite side.

The invention relates to a bearing for supporting a shaft, in particular a rudder shaft, or a rudder blade, by means of which bearing the bearing clearance or the bearing wear can be continuously monitored, determined, and optionally documented. According to the invention, for a bearing for supporting a shaft, in particular a rudder shaft, comprising a first bearing element and a second bearing element, wherein the first bearing element has a sliding surface for contacting the second bearing element in a sliding manner, and a measurement-value sensor having a wear surface for contacting the second bearing element in a sliding manner, the at least one measurement-value sensor is not pin-shaped.

The invention relates to a bearing for supporting a shaft, in particular a rudder shaft, or a rudder blade, by means of which bearing the bearing clearance or the bearing wear can be continuously monitored, determined, and optionally documented. According to the invention, for a bearing for supporting a shaft, in particular a rudder shaft, comprising a first bearing element and a second bearing element, wherein the first bearing element has a sliding surface for contacting the second bearing element in a sliding manner, and a measurement-value sensor having a wear surface for contacting the second bearing element in a sliding manner, the at least one measurement-value sensor is not pin-shaped.

Steering control system for a watercraft with a steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder plate or an outboard motor; a device locking the steering tiller in the steering position. which can be activated for maintaining the tiller in a predetermined angular position and can be deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a different angular position to carry out a change in the direction. The locking device is of the hydraulic type, that is, oil-hydraulic type, and includes a hydraulic cylinder having a rod that is fastened stationary to the transom of the watercraft and a cylindrical body that is movable along the rod and is connected to a steering arm of the motor or of the rudder member, or vice versa, there being provided a closed circuit for flowing the oil between the two chambers of the cylinder, within which circuit there is provided a valve opening and closing the circuit, which locking device can be activated/deactivated by an actuator that opens/closes the valve opening and closing the circuit. The system further includes an interposition element between the steering tiller and the watercraft direction changing member, the tiller being pivotably articulated to such element, and a member transforming the pivoting movement of the tiller with respect to the interposition element into commands actuating the valve.

Steering control system for a watercraft with a steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder plate or an outboard motor; a device locking the steering tiller in the steering position. which can be activated for maintaining the tiller in a predetermined angular position and can be deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a different angular position to carry out a change in the direction. The locking device is of the hydraulic type, that is, oil-hydraulic type, and includes a hydraulic cylinder having a rod that is fastened stationary to the transom of the watercraft and a cylindrical body that is movable along the rod and is connected to a steering arm of the motor or of the rudder member, or vice versa, there being provided a closed circuit for flowing the oil between the two chambers of the cylinder, within which circuit there is provided a valve opening and closing the circuit, which locking device can be activated/deactivated by an actuator that opens/closes the valve opening and closing the circuit. The system further includes an interposition element between the steering tiller and the watercraft direction changing member, the tiller being pivotably articulated to such element, and a member transforming the pivoting movement of the tiller with respect to the interposition element into commands actuating the valve.

A sonar transducer mount and aiming system for attachment to an electric trolling motor, which includes a rotary actuator assembly and a rotating shaft. The rotary actuator assembly includes a housing that is secured to the electric trolling motor and a rotating coupler is rotationally driven. The rotating shaft is connected to and rotates with the rotating coupler and includes a sonar transducer mounting point. The rotating shaft of the sonar transducer mount and aiming system and the electric trolling motor shaft have a common axis of rotation and are configured to rotate independently from one another about the common axis of rotation.

A sonar transducer mount and aiming system for attachment to an electric trolling motor, which includes a rotary actuator assembly and a rotating shaft. The rotary actuator assembly includes a housing that is secured to the electric trolling motor and a rotating coupler is rotationally driven. The rotating shaft is connected to and rotates with the rotating coupler and includes a sonar transducer mounting point. The rotating shaft of the sonar transducer mount and aiming system and the electric trolling motor shaft have a common axis of rotation and are configured to rotate independently from one another about the common axis of rotation.

A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.

An unmanned water vessel can include a body defining an internal volume and having a shape adapted to travel through water, with a front and a back; at least one directional device that is exposed to the flow of water past the vehicle when the vehicle travels in a forward direction, the directional device having a first position that provides an angle of attack through the water flow and a second position that provides a second angle of attack through the water flow; and a control system that provides commands to the at least one directional device in view of a starting point, an end point, and at least information about water flow expected to be encountered by the water vessel during travel.

An unmanned water vessel can include a body defining an internal volume and having a shape adapted to travel through water, with a front and a back; at least one directional device that is exposed to the flow of water past the vehicle when the vehicle travels in a forward direction, the directional device having a first position that provides an angle of attack through the water flow and a second position that provides a second angle of attack through the water flow; and a control system that provides commands to the at least one directional device in view of a starting point, an end point, and at least information about water flow expected to be encountered by the water vessel during travel.