Suzuki Motor has been granted a patent for a ship maneuvering system. The system includes a turning operation device, a turning control device, an output operation device, and an output control device. In the event of a failure of the turning control device, the output control device adjusts the outputs of the ship propulsion machines to turn the ship. The output control device also limits the output of the power source and calculates the output based on various factors. GlobalData’s report on Suzuki Motor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Suzuki Motor, HEV energy management was a key innovation area identified from patents. Suzuki Motor's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A ship maneuvering system with backup turning control
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11685498B2) describes a ship maneuvering system that enables ship control in the event of a failure in the turning control device. The system is designed for ships equipped with two or more ship propulsion machines.
The ship maneuvering system consists of several components. Firstly, there is a turning operation device that generates a turning operation signal to change the direction of each ship propulsion machine, thereby turning the ship. A turning control device receives this signal and adjusts the direction of the ship propulsion machines accordingly. An output operation device is responsible for setting the output of the power source for each ship propulsion machine, and an output control device increases or decreases the output of the power source based on the output setting signal.
In the event of a failure in the turning control device, the output control device takes over the ship's turning function. It achieves this by adjusting the outputs of the power sources of the ship propulsion machines differently from each other, based on the turning operation signal. Additionally, the output control device limits the output of each power source compared to a situation where the turning control device is functioning correctly. The output control device determines the output of each power source through calculations using the turning operation signal, the output setting signal, and a correction value that restricts the power source output.
Furthermore, the patent describes specific scenarios for turning the ship during a failure in the turning control device. When turning left, the output control device increases the output of the ship propulsion machine located on the right side of the ship's center in the left-right direction, compared to the machine on the left side. Conversely, when turning right, the output control device increases the output of the ship propulsion machine on the left side of the ship's center, compared to the machine on the right side.
The patent also mentions that the ship propulsion machines are internal combustion engines, and the output control device controls the throttle opening degree of each machine. Additionally, the turning control device includes an actuator that rotates each ship propulsion machine horizontally.
Overall, this patent presents a ship maneuvering system that ensures ship control even in the event of a failure in the turning control device. The system employs output control and specific adjustments to the ship propulsion machines to achieve desired turns.
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