A steering control system for a watercraft includes a device locking a steering tiller, which can be activated or deactivated for maintaining the tiller in, or moving it from, a predetermined angular position. The locking device includes a hydraulic cylinder having a rod fastened to the transom of the watercraft and a cylindrical body movable along the rod and connected to a steering arm of the motor or of the rudder member. A closed circuit, opened or closed by a valve, flows oil between the two chambers of the hydraulic cylinder and the locking device can be activated or deactivated by an actuator that opens or closes the valve. An interposition element between the steering tiller and a watercraft direction changing member is pivotably articulated to the tiller, and a member transforms the pivoting movement of the tiller relative to the interposition element into commands actuating the valve.

A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

A control system for a marine vessel includes an autopilot system and a power steering system. The autopilot system is arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information and output a second signal indicative of a steering action. The power steering system is in communication with the autopilot system and is arranged to pivot or turn at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit based on the second signal.

A control system for a marine vessel includes an autopilot system and a power steering system. The autopilot system is arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information and output a second signal indicative of a steering action. The power steering system is in communication with the autopilot system and is arranged to pivot or turn at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit based on the second signal.

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.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate, low lag, and reliable autopilot autorelease in a hydraulic steering system for mobile structures. A hydraulic steering system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an autopilot pump controller, a control surface reference sensor, an orientation sensor, and/or a gyroscope. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller and/or the various sensors are used to selectively enable and/or disable an autopilot release signal. The autopilot release signal enables or disables the autopilot pump controller and/or an autopilot pump, or controls the autopilot pump controller to enable or disable the autopilot pump.

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 novel design of a hydraulic steering arrangement for a thruster of a marine vessel is specifically designed for thrusters intended to operate in an arctic environment where ice is present. To meet the arctic demands the steering arrangement is provided with a cross-over safety block arranged close to the hydraulic steering motor for absorbing the torque subjected to the thruster by ice for instance.

A novel design of a hydraulic steering arrangement for a thruster of a marine vessel is specifically designed for thrusters intended to operate in an arctic environment where ice is present. To meet the arctic demands the steering arrangement is provided with a cross-over safety block arranged close to the hydraulic steering motor for absorbing the torque subjected to the thruster by ice for instance.

A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to an actuator comprising a variable speed prime mover drivingly coupled to a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The system is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid via fluid conduits to an actuator. It may deliver hydraulic fluid to an actuator at a first hydraulic pressure at a first rate of pressure rise; and at a second hydraulic pressure at a second rate of pressure rise. The first hydraulic pressure may be greater than the second hydraulic pressure; and the first hydraulic rate of pressure rise may be lower than the second hydraulic rate of pressure rise.