Patent ID: 7524219
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. Steering control system for a vessel including at least two propulsion units pivotally arranged in relation to the hull of the vessel for generating a driving thrust of the vessel in a desired direction, wherein each propulsion unit is moveable within a working volume defined for each propulsion unit and wherein the working volume for neighboring propulsion units of the at least two propulsion units have a common space, the control system including at least two separate control units each controlling an associated propulsion unit, and a steering control instrument for determining a desired angular position of the propulsion units, where each of the separate control units are arranged for receiving a first input signal from the steering control instrument for determining the desired angular position of its associated propulsion unit and second input signal(s) originating from the other separate control units, associated with neighboring propulsion units, which second input signal(s) indicating the status of the their associated propulsion units wherein each separate control unit is arranged to admit its propulsion unit to be positioned within a first angular interval if the second input signal(s) indicates that the position of respective neighboring propulsion unit is known and admit its propulsion unit to be positioned within a second angular interval where the propulsion unit does not enter the common space of the neighboring propulsion unit(s) if the second input signal(s) indicates that the position of respective neighboring propulsion unit is not known.