Patent ID: 6354237
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A coordinated trim tab control method for a marine vessel having port and starboard trim tabs, comprising the steps of:sensing a port trim tab position; sensing a starboard trim tab position; receiving a manually generated vessel trim command signal; determining a preferred coordinated movement of both said port and starboard trim tabs as a function of said manually generated vessel trim command signal, said port trim tab position, and said starboard trim tab position, said determining step comprising the steps of comparing said port trim tab position to a predetermined maximum range of movement of said port trim tab, comparing said starboard trim tab position to a predetermined maximum range of movement of said starboard trim tab, and determining a preferred magnitude of movement of both of said port and starboard trim tabs as a function of said manually generated vessel trim command signal and the relationships of said positions of said port and starboard trim tabs to their respective maximum ranges of movement; providing a port trim tab output signal to a port trim tab actuator to achieve said preferred coordinated movement; and providing a starboard trim tab output signal to a starboard trim tab actuator to achieve said preferred coordinated movement.