ES2655485A1 - Electronic anchor system with geostationary control (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic anchor system with geostationary control, for a boat. It comprises a control unit (3) connected to an anemometer (1) capable of measuring the wind direction and speed, a GPS (2) and a series of correction devices (6) corresponding to the directions: forward, backward, bow to the right, bow to left, stern to right and stern to left, activated by the control unit (3) to keep the boat stopped in a position automatically and with the bow facing the wind. The correction devices (6) can be jet propellers (6 ') or directional propellers (6 "). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

ELECTRONIC ANCHORAGE SYSTEM WITH GEOSTATIONARY CONTROL

PREAMBLE

One of the most frequent problems for those who use a boat, both recreational and professional use, is the anchoring operation. There are several difficulties: to locate the appropriate seabed for anchoring, which is free of rocks that can run aground the anchor, that the depth is compatible with the length of the available chain, that it is not a protected area and therefore, prohibited for anchoring, that other vessels 10 that, in the case of a change of wind direction, due to the effect of the rodeo, cause collisions between the vessels are not nearby.

After anchoring, it is necessary to check, by GPS or even by a steering compass, that the anchor is maintained and that it does not crack. The operation of leaving the anchor can be even more complicated, especially if the anchor ran aground or another vessel placed its own close to it.

All these problems are significantly amplified in vessels used for tourism purposes, because they must repeat the operations before these several times a day, or also in vessels used for excursions that cannot damage marine flora, as well as in the rental of vessels 20 rented to people with little experience in handling them.

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The invention is part of the nautical sector, specifically in the instrumentation and accessories on board vessels.

 25

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

At present, to park or stop a boat in a limited radius or space, either a cove or near a beach or simply for the purpose of swimming outside the boat, it is necessary to anchor, that is, to anchor the anchor with its chain On the seabed. 30

Alternatively, inertia correction systems, called bow and stern propellers (BOW-STERN THRUSTERS), are used, which must however be manually operated, and therefore require the constant presence of a competent person at the controls.

Some marine engine manufacturers have tried to solve problem 35 by using double-propelled or propelled rotary propeller propulsion systems, but, at present, such systems can only be installed on double-engine and high-powered yachts, and not They are compatible with single-engine boats, or with small boats, or with sailboats or catamarans. 40

Recently there is a new correction system based on the principle of water aspiration by means of a centrifugal pump that is then propelled through bow or stern nozzles. This product range is called jet thrusters (JET THRUSTER)

EXPLANATION

The present invention, called ELECTRONIC ANCHORAGE SYSTEM WITH 5 GEOSTATIONARY CONTROL consists of an electronic control unit connected with sensors capable of detecting the GPS position, direction and wind speed, while the start value, that is the time elapsed between the action and the reaction is programmed during its start-up. This value varies according to the type of vessel and is measured in units of a second. All this data 10 is processed by the software that enables the relay devices to operate the correction devices regardless of whether the system used is with bow and stern propellers or water jet. The corrections that can be triggered are the following:

Forward, backward, bow to right, bow to left, stern to right, stern to 15 left.

In addition, for an optimization of the current consumption and not to excessively wear the correction devices, a level of precision can be set depending on the weather conditions and the place where the boat is located: if it is a narrow location (swamps, 20 natural parks, rivers, etc.) the maximum precision level will be used, while if it is in the open sea, with the lightly rough sea and strong wind, the average level of precision can be selected; and, with the calm sea and little wind, it is recommended to use the low level of precision.

In addition, if necessary, the corrections described above can be carried out manually through the joystick by selecting the "MANUAL" mode.

The correction devices referred to may be of the type of propellers or water jet. Both systems are easily available in the market.

The interface of the electronic control unit with the correction devices is very simple: it can be connected in parallel to the original execution systems, since the contact sockets of the control unit relay are electrically isolated, thus being able to operate indifferently with common positive or negative, and with voltage values from 0 to 240 V AC / DC.

In short, the invention consists in replacing or integrating the manual control of the 35 correction devices (Propellers / Thrusters) in an electronic device capable of autonomously controlling the position of the vessel.

In the event that the system could not maintain the position of the vessel in the established tolerance, a sound-visual alarm would be activated.

The control unit can be provided with a GSM module with which to transmit the data related to the beginning and the end of navigation, the route, the navigation speed, the anchoring coordinates, and other alarms. This option is particularly useful for fleet management of rental boats.

Through the Bluetooth interface you can also control the system through an APP compatible with Apple and Android operating systems.

FIGURES

A diagram of the equipment that forms the system in a preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 1. 5

Several examples of ways of carrying out the invention are shown in Figure 2: A) with water jets, B) with electric activation directional propellers, C) with hydraulic activation directional propellers.

DETAILED COMPOSITION OF AN EXAMPLE OF REALIZATION

The electronic anchoring system with geostationary control consists essentially of:

3.1. ANEMOMETER;

3.2. GPS;

3.3. ELECTRONIC COMPASS;

3.4. CONTROL UNIT; fifteen

3.5. EXECUTION SYSTEMS;

3.6. BLUETOOTH INTERFACE

3.7. GSM MODULE

3.1. ANEMOMETER (1): 20

A standard component can be used, provided it is provided with NMEA 2000 - 183. communication protocol. This solution offers the possibility of using existing equipment on the boat, without having to install a new one.

3.2. GPS (2):

The control unit (3) is provided with its own GPS receiver, but in the 25 most demanding installations, it can be interconnected with an external GPS receiver, provided it is compatible with the NMEA 2000 - 183 communication protocol.

3.3. ELECTRONIC COMPASS (4):

The control unit (3) already incorporates its electronic compass (4), but in the most demanding installations it can be interconnected with a on-board compass or a dedicated compass, provided it has the NMEA 2000 - 183 communication protocol.

3.4. CONTROL UNIT (3):

The control unit (3) consists mainly of an electronic card with microprocessor and a dedicated firmware. The microprocessor receives the data of 35 heading, wind speed, direction, GPS position and compass, according to the set start value and the required degree of precision, actuates the solenoid valves of the execution system to keep the vessel in the radius of rodeo and bow to the wind.

3.5 EXECUTION SYSTEMS:

The control unit (3) has 6 relay outputs, electrically insulated, to make their respective corrections from correction devices (6): 5 Forward, backward, bow to right, bow to left, stern to right, stern to left.

The correction devices (6) may correspond to jet propellants (6 ’) (Figure 2A) or directional propellers (6”) (Figures 2B and 2C). In your case, it will carry power batteries (7). 10

3.6. BLUETOOTH INTERFACE (5):

Through the Bluetooth interface, the control unit can be connected with smartphones and laptops for system diagnosis and monitoring.

3.7. GSM MODULE (8):

The GSM module (8) allows remote transmission of the status of the vessel 15 and the alarms of the vessel.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• This system, using inertial correction devices, is able to keep a vessel stopped at a rodeo radius without the need to use the physical anchor.

• The system can be powered by 12Vdc or 24Vdc.

• It is equipped with self-diagnosis and alerts the user of a possible malfunction.

• The values can be modified with APP with most 25 smartphones or smartphones.

• Access to the configuration is password protected.

• All data can be transmitted through the GSM module, previously establishing the phone numbers of the recipients.

• Route data can be consulted through a specific web page, 30 with password-protected personalized access.

• Does not pollute, does not damage flora and fauna and is of low acoustic emissions.

1) Keeps the boat stopped in a position automatically, without the intervention of the rudder. 35

2) Keeps the boat stopped without the use of engines and without having to anchor.

3) Keep the bow of the boat to the wind to avoid drifting.

4) If combined with a jet propellant correction system, it can be used safely for swimmers or divers or snorkel users.

5) Simulates the behavior of a boat anchored, so it can also be used in places where there are other boats anchored in a traditional way. 5

6) It allows simulated anchoring in places where the seabed is very deep, and where traditional anchoring would not be possible.

7) It can work with all kinds of correction devices (Propellers) available in the market, both those of propellers and those that run with water jet, even in those already installed. 10

Claims (1)

one Electronic anchoring system with geostationary control, for a vessel, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (3) connected to an anemometer (1) capable of measuring wind direction and speed, a GPS (2) and a series of devices of correction (6) corresponding to the 5 directions: forward, backward, bow to the right, bow to the left, stern to the right and stern to the left, activated by the control unit (3) to keep the vessel stopped in a position of shape automatic and with the bow facing the wind 2  System according to claim 1, whose correction devices (6) are 10 jet propellants (6 ’). 3  System according to claim 1, whose correction devices (6) are directional propellers (6 "). 4  System according to claim 1, which has a GSM module (8). 5  System according to claim 1, which has a Bluetooth interface (5). fifteen 6  System according to claim 1, whose accuracy is configurable. 7  System according to claim 1, which has an electronic compass (4). .