Abstract: A steering system for a boat includes an auxiliary rudder which is rotatable to effect changes in course of the boat. A servo-pendulum rudder is rotatable by a positioning device. When the servo-pendulum rudder is rotated, it is pivotal transversely to a keel line of the boat by water flowing past the boat. A drive connection is provided between the servo-pendulum rudder and the auxiliary rudder. The drive connection includes a drive member and a driven member. One of the driving and driven members is pivotal between an engaged condition in which the drive connection is effective to transmit force between the pendulum rudder and the auxiliary rudder and disengaged condition in which the drive connection is ineffective to transmit force. The drive and driven members may be provided with teeth which are disposed in meshing engagement when the one of the driving and driven members is in the engaged condition.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a self-steering system on the stern (40) of a boat at a predefined angle determined from the stern configuration and a desired inclination of the self-steering system, comprises a supporting structure (10) for retaining and connecting the self-steering system with a pair of mounting brackets (20A, 20B) for retaining and connecting the supporting structure (10) with the stern of a boat (40), in which the mounting brackets (20A, 20B) have two first elongated holes (21, 22) extending along at least one approximately circular line for clamping the supporting structure (10) fast with at least four threaded bolts or the like such that its angle can be adjusted.

Abstract: A fishing boat has a direction sensor disposed at a midship of the boat for detecting as a vessel direction a direction of a bow of the boat, an outboard motor attached to the bow for controlling the vessel direction, and a control unit responsive to a detected vessel direction to control the outboard motor so that the bow is oriented at a preset vessel direction.

Abstract: A self-steering system for sailboats which operates in conjunction with an auxiliary rudder which is independent of the main rudder and which is operated by a double acting hydraulic pump which derives operative power from an impeller system activated by the movement of the boat through the water and controlled by a windvane.

Abstract: An automatic controller for the helm of a watercraft uses sensors responsive to starboard and port contacts, with the predominating of the starboard and port contacts signalling the heeling of the watercraft. A transmitter attached to the person of the operator of the vessel is triggered should the operator fall into the water, to transmit a signal to the receiver attached to the electronic controller and thereby cause the watercraft to turn into the wind and prevent the distance between the vessel and the overboard person from increasing.

Abstract: A steering device for sailboats comprises a bracket (11), a rocker (12) pivotally mounted on the bracket and including means for connecting it to a rudder, a servo oar (13) rotatably mounted in the rocker (12), a steering lever (17) mounted on the bracket (11) and pivotable in response to a steering signal, and a linkage (17A/18/23) coupling the steering lever (17) to the servo oar (13) to rotate it in response to the steering signal. The linkage comprises a link rod (18) which extends generally transversely of the axis (L) of rotation of the servo oar (13) and generally forwardly from the servo oar to a lever arm (17A) of the steering lever (17).

Abstract: The sailboat control device disclosed herein comprises one actuated by the pulling of a pin positioned therein, whose removal therefrom permits a spring controlled switch to be closed so that the position of the boat rudder is determined by the maneuvering of a wind vane on the boat. A line connected at one end to said pin and at the other end to the sailor on board causes the pin to be pulled or removed from the said device if and when the sailor should fall overboard. Movement of the wind vane and accompanying rotation of the vertical shaft to which it is attached effects movement of the rudder to make the boat travel in a direction not too far from where the sailor has fallen overboard.

Abstract: Apparatus that maintains a sailboat sail in a position where maximum power is derived from the wind. The apparatus includes a wind vane that responds to directional changes in the wind and sends an electrical signal to a motor that adjusts sail-positioning lines as needed. The new position of the sail is communicated to the wind vane and the motor is shut off.

Abstract: There is provided a device useful for adjusting the main sail of a sailboat said device being equipped with apparent wind indicating means and color coded means for indicating desirable position for the boom of said main sail; said device being used alone or in combination with the main sail control sheet having color coded portions or with actual boom position indicating means having color coded sections; said color coded portions and color coded sections coinciding with the color coded desirable boom position indicating means.

Abstract: A wind vane steering gear for a yacht comprises a bracket adapted for attachment to the transom of the yacht, a rocker which is pivotally movable on the bracket about a rocker axis in the longitudinal vertical center plane of the yacht, rudder coupling tackle connecting the rocker with the yacht rudder, a servo oar mounted on the rocker and pivotally movable therewith and rotatable relative to the rocker about an oar axis perpendicular to the rocker axis, and a steering arm which is provided with a wind vane and pivotally mounted on a support member carried by the bracket with the pivot axis situated in the same plane as the rocker axis, the steering arm being coupled to the servo oar by a linkage so that pivotal motion of the steering arm causes the servo oar to be rotated and thereby, under the action of hydrodynamic forces, to be pivotally moved together with the rocker about the rocker axis.

Abstract: An apparent-wind direction indicator for day and night sailing has a hollow conical section with an axial counterbalancing rod extending forward from the apex of the cone. The wind direction indicator is mounted to pivot about a hollow tube extending above the top of a mast. The top of the hollow tube extends within the conical section. An electric lamp is mounted at the top of the hollow tube within the hollow conical section and is illuminated by means of wires through the tube connecting to the ship's power supply. A substantial portion of the underbody of the hollow conical section is made of light-transmitting material so that the light from the electric lamp will be visible from the deck below. The light-transmitting material, as well as the conical section is formed to suggest an arrow to indicate the direction of the wind to the deck below.

Abstract: Self steering apparatus for a boat comprising a motion transfer apparatus for converting pivotal movement of a wind vane into rotational movement of a rudder. The latter is located in a support which is pivotable about the fore and aft axis of the boat. A rotatable connection is provided between a control arm arranged for movement with the vane and a rudder arm arranged for movement with the rudder, such that, when movement of the vane is initiated, there is resultant movement of the rudder arm about the fore and aft axis with movement of the rudder about its axis, and subsequent movement by the water of the rudder support about the fore and aft axis, and movement of the control arm is effected on initial movement of the rudder about its axis but does not result from movement of the rudder support about the fore and aft axis. Lines transmit movement of the rudder support about the fore and aft axis to the main rudder or tiller of the boat.

Abstract: A self-steering system particularly suitable for maintaining a sailing craft such as a yacht on a preselected heading relative to the apparent wind. An oar member which forms a hydrodynamic servo is mounted on a center body for rotational motion. Also supported on the center body above the oar member is a wind vane which is mounted for rotational adjustment and for pivotal motion substantially normal to its rotational axis. The center body is pivotally supported on the transom of the yacht for motion about an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal center line of the boat. The wind vane is coupled to the oar member such that when the heading of the yacht changes relative to the apparent wind, the wind vane is pivotally driven sidewise by the wind and through its linkage thereto rotatably drives the oar member.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for sailing a wind-propelled vehicle whereby when a rig positioning indicator identifies the same portion of an identifiable code on a second coded structure that a wind indicator identifies on a first coded structure, the sails of the wind-propelled vehicle are in the appropriate position for that particular wind direction.

Abstract: A weather-vane steering-device comprises a gearbox secured to a boat, a turntable rotatable in the gearbox, a weather-vane rotatable in the turntable, a steering element rotatable in the gearbox, a first differential gear between the weather-vane and the steering element, and a second differential gear between the turntable and the gearbox, a freely rotating member of the first differential gear being connected to a freely rotating member of the second differential gear.

Abstract: A self steerer for use in sailing vessels is described. The device comprises a balance reel and associated control lines. The steerer balance reel is mounted on the tiller and uses both sail and rudder corrections simultaneously to keep the boat on a preselected course.

Abstract: A self-steering mechanism for a sailboat is disclosed in which a chain connects the boom to a stabilizer, and transmits a force proportional to the resultant force of the velocity and angle of the wind caught by the mainsail. The stabilizer presses against a pressure sensing member linked to the boat's rudder, causing the rudder to rotate to set and maintain a tack for a particular wind velocity and angle. The steering mechanism automatically responds to changes in the wind by adjusting the rudder to keep the boat on its original course, or by setting a new tack.

Abstract: An automatic control device for ships, more especially sailing ships, consisting of a feeler for detecting a difference between an actual value and a required value of the ship's direction and a regulator which is controlled by the feeler and positions a rudder of the ship, when a difference between the actual value and the required value occurs, in such a way that the difference is reduced.

Abstract: This is an apparatus to provide automatic self-steering for seacraft, particularly high speed sailing craft of the multi-hull type such as catamarans and trimarans which tend to respond instantly to small shifts in rudder angle. It includes a wind vane, many types of which are well known, which can be pre-set to respond to the direction of the apparent wind encountered by the craft while sailing on a pre-selected compass course to control a rudder and a damping mechanism or course stabilizer which is responsive to any temporary attempt of the craft to turn in either direction away from the desired and pre-selected compass course by either opposing the action of the wind vane as the wind vane responds to a temporary shift in apparent wind direction and tries to turn the craft away from the pre-selected course or, if the craft is turned off course as by wave action, acting to help the wind vane turn the rudder so as to bring the craft back onto the pre-selected compass course.

Abstract: A wind-operated automatic steering gear for water-going vessels includes a wind vane, a main steering rudder, and a servo-rudder hinged to the rear end of the steering rudder. The wind vane is connected to the servo-rudder to move the latter and correct deviations in the course of vessel travel. A resetting mechanism is connected between the steering rudder and the wind vane to move the wind vane in response to movement of the steering rudder and thereby cause the wind vane to return to neutral position so that over correction of the vessel travel is prevented.

Abstract: A device for mounting on a sailboat to provide a visual indication of the optimum boat-to-wind angle to achieve maximum distance per unit of time to windward. A pivotally mounted wind vane includes a pair of flexible struts extending outwardly at equal angles on each side of the vane centerline and are deflected from a normal, unflexed position inwardly in proportion to apparent wind velocity. A flexible elongated member is affixed at one end to the support upon which the vane is pivotally mounted and is likewise flexed in accordance with apparent wind direction and velocity. Steering the boat to bring the flexible member into predetermined positional relationship to one of the flexible struts provides the desired optimization, for upwind travel, of boat-to-wind angle. The device is also useful in downwind sailing by aligning one of the struts on the windvane with either the transverse or longitudinal axis of the boat, depending on apparent wind velocity.

Abstract: A wind powered, self-steering device for sailboats of the type employing a main steering rudder and auxiliary steering rudder. The wind vane pivots about an axis that is tiltably adjustable with respect to the horizontal so as to adjust the sensitivity thereof in accordance with the type of keel associated with the boat its point of sailing and prevailing wind and sea conditions. The wind vane axis is also rotatably adjustable with respect to the center line of the sailboat to provide course adjustment. When engaged for operation, the wind vane senses the relative shipwind direction and, when a boat is off course, translates the wind forces on the wind vane into corrective movements of the auxiliary rudder to return the sailboat to course.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering watercraft in response to changes of the wind. The craft is steered by the combination of a horizontal wind vane pivoted about an axis which is 30.degree. to the horizontal, an auxiliary rudder, an extended trim tab, and a cable control system. The extended trim tab is coupled to the auxiliary rudder. Also, the vane is coupled to the extended trim tab by the cable control system such that movement of the vane results in movement of the trim tab. Since the trim tab is coupled to the auxiliary rudder, changes in the position of the trim tab result in changes in position of the auxiliary rudder thereby steering the craft.

Abstract: An automatic pilot for a sailboat includes a mode switching arrangement which permits a person to operate the sailboat in any one of several modes. One is the STEER mode, a second is the OFF mode, a third is the STANDBY mode, a fourth is the WIND mode and a fifth is the COMPASS mode. Another switching arrangement enables either the WIND mode or COMPASS mode to be operated in COURSE CHANGE sub-mode manners. Various mechanisms and circuitry further are included to enable the sailboat to be manually steered, to stabilize the rate of change of rudder position, to null a control that is a function of the change in heading error, to wash out certain signals under certain conditions, to inhibit certain signals under certain conditions, and to provide a steering command that furnishes a visual direction to the steersman when the automatic pilot is in a COURSE CHANGE sub-mode.

Abstract: A wind vane and rudder combination, the vane composed of twin fins which are spaced apart and disposed at opposed angles to each other. The twin fins are supported by a beam which is gear connected to the rudder post. The pivot point of the driving gear is thus substantially inboard of the twin fins which considerably enhances the leverage required to turn the rudder as compared with that attainable by placing the vane in line with the pivot point. As a consequence increased efficiency is provided by the spaced fins; suction and turbulence is eliminated allowing a smoother flowing wind stream with minimal drag.

Abstract: A self-steering mechanism for a sailboat comprising the combination of a wind vane mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, which wind vane is coupled to a differential hydraulic pressure regulator. A hydraulic motor and pump is provided, the pressure regulator being located in between the motor and pump. The arrangement is such that the hydraulic pump, which can be driven by movement of the vessel through the water, the wind or other suitable sources, provides the hydraulic pressure required to operate the hydraulic motor, which motor is controlled by a differential hydraulic pressure regulator that is mechanically coupled to the wind vane. In this fashion the sailboat rudder which is coupled to the hydraulic motor can be controlled relative to the angle of attack of the wind against the wind vane.

Abstract: A steering device which is particularly suitable for the automatic steering of a sailboat on a preselected heading relative to the apparent wind incorporates a hydrodynamic servo device. An oar member which forms the hydrodynamic servo is mounted in a support housing and positioned in the water behind the boat for both rotational and pendulous motion. Also mounted in the support housing and positioned in the water behind the boat for solely rotational motion is a rudder member which is coupled to the oar member to provide a rotational input thereto in response to steering control signals. These steering control signals may be provided by a dual axis wind vane which generates an output when the heading of a sailboat relative to the apparent wind changes. When the oar member is rotatably driven from its neutral position (i.e., the position where the sidewise hydrodynamic forces balance each other out), the water force pendulously drives this member substantially sidewise.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically maintaining a ship on a pre-selected course in which a trim tab is secured to a rudder. The trim tab contains a motor therein which is responsive to an electric signal such that the motor will actuate the trim tab when a signal is applied thereto such as when the ship deviates from its pre-selected course. The trim tab can be released from the rudder so that it can be manually operated if so desired.

Abstract: An electrical signal in accordance with the direction of the wind relative to the heading of a sailboat is generated by means of a wind direction sensor and a transducer. This signal is fed to a summing device where it is summed in opposite polarity relationship with a signal in accordance with changes in rudder position from its neutral position, signals representing a steady state condition of the rudder being "washed out." The output of the summing device which represents the apparent wind direction (relative to boat heading) as modified by a change of rudder signal provides an "apparent wind track" error signal which is used to drive a servo motor. The output of the motor is coupled to a gear, this gear driving an indicator which provides a reading which can be used by the helmsman in reaching a desired wind track. The output of the gear is also used to drive the transducer means so as to zero its output to complete the servo loop formed.

Abstract: A windvane powered, self-steering device for sail boats of the type employing a steering rudder and trim tab. The windvane pivots about an axis that is tiltably adjustable for light or heavy winds. The windvane axis is also rotatably adjustable with respect to the center line of the sail boat to provide course adjustment. When engaged for operation, the windvane senses the relative ship-wind direction and, when the ship is off course, translates the wind forces on the windvane into corrective movements of the trim tab and rudder to return the sail boat to course. In this operational or steering mode, the self-steering device is characterized by its ability to fully transmit wind power at all angles of tilt of the windvane axis, also, by its ability to be separately adjusted to any desired angle of tilt (wind sensitivity adjustment) or rotation (course adjustment).