Systems and Methods for Automatically Controlling Attitude of a Marine Vessel with Trim Devices

摘要

A system and method control a trim device that positions a trimmable marine apparatus with respect to a marine vessel. A trim system is operated in an automatic mode, in which a controller sends signals to actuate the trim device automatically as a function of vessel or engine speed, or a manual mode, in which the controller sends signals to actuate the trim device in response to commands from an operator input device. An operating speed of the propulsion system is determined. When the operating speed has crossed a given operating speed threshold, the trim system is subsequently operated in the automatic or manual mode depending on whether the operating speed increased or decreased as it crossed the operating speed threshold and whether the trim system was operating in the automatic or manual mode as the operating speed crossed the operating speed threshold.

主权项

1. A method for controlling, a trim device that positions a trimmable marine apparatus with respect to a marine vessel having a propulsion system powered by an engine, the method comprising:
operating a trim system in one of an automatic mode, in which a controller sends signals to actuate the trim device automatically as a function of one of a speed of the vessel and a speed of the engine, and a manual mode, in which the controller sends signals to actuate the trim device in response to commands from an operator input device; determining an operating speed of the propulsion system; and in response to a determination by the controller that the operating speed has crossed a given operating speed threshold, subsequently operating the trim system in one of the automatic and manual modes depending on:
whether the operating speed increased or decreased as it crossed the operating speed threshold; andwhether the trim system was operating in the automatic or manual mode as the operating speed crossed the operating speed threshold.