| 摘要 |
A helm apparatus for a marine craft or other vehicle having a steered member such as a rudder includes a mechanically rotatable steering device and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering device when the craft is steered. A communication link to the rudder enables the helm to monitor the rudder position. A bi-directional stop mechanism is actuated when the helm determines that the rudder position is beyond starboard or port hard-over thresholds, indicating that the rudder has reached a limit of travel. The helm can cause the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering device to stop further rotation of the steering device in a first rotational direction, corresponding to rotational movement towards said limit of travel. Rotational play is provided between the sensor and the stop mechanism, whereby the steering device can be rotated a limited amount, relative to the sensor, when the stop mechanism is fully engaged. The stop mechanism is released from engagement with the steering device when the sensor senses that the steering device is rotated, as permitted by said play, in a second rotational direction which is opposite the first rotational direction. Additionally, the same stop mechanism, or an optional steering effort mechanism, can be used to provide a dynamic steering effort, whereby the torque required to rotate the steering shaft is varied based on system inputs and configurations. The required torque is changed by fluctuations of the amount of friction between the steering effort mechanism and steering shaft, based on system inputs and configurations.
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