COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF AUTOPILOTS FOR SURFACE SHIPS

A simplified mathematical model is used which contains coefficients that can be determined from sea-trials using given helm-angle forcing functions and measurement of ship yaw-rate responses. For larger rudder-signals it is found necessary to include nonlinearity in the ship dynamics which can also be determined from the sea-trials. Inclusion of the non-linearity prevents direct use of conventional graphical control systems analysis. Feedback of yaw-angle data from the ship's gyro-compass is used to give suitable steering transient response. In the single-loop considered the nonlinearity is associated with linear dynamics which gives a frequency-dependent describing-function for use with a gain-phase plot analogous to the Nichols chart for linear systems.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for IEEE Meeting, Southampton University, Hamps, England, April 8-11, 1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Electrical Engineers

  Savoy Place
  London WC2R 0BL, NY  England  10016-5997
• Authors:
  • Linkens, D A
  • Clark, A S
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 70-75
• Serial:
  • IEE CONFERENCE PUBLICATION
  • Issue Number: 111
  • Publisher: Institution of Electrical Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic pilot (Aircraft); Automatic pilot (Ships); Automatic steering control; Mathematical models; Rudders; Ship motion; Steering systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Steering response
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128735
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 14 1976 12:00AM