Autopilot for Marine Steering Gear System

Autopilot for Marine Steering Gear System

Autopilot, also known as "automatic steering device", the full name is "automatic steering device control system". It refers to a steering device that can automatically and timely correct the yaw of a ship, keeping the ship on the designated course for a longer time and more accurately. 

In order to greatly reduce the labor intensity of the helmsman, correct the yaw in a timely manner, and keep the ship on the designated course more accurately for a long time, generally seagoing ships are equipped with an automatic course-keeping control system (automatic course-keeping control system), referred to as Autopilot.

Its working principle is: when the bow of the ship deviates from the original course by a certain angle (yaw angle) due to external forces such as wind, waves, currents, etc., the device immediately acts to deflect the rudder blades to a certain angle (yaw angle), and the bow of the ship is deflected by the rudder force. Gradually return to the original course. in order to prevent the bow from excessive rotational inertia, when the bow has not reached or is close to the original course, the device will make the rudder straight or generate an anti-rudder angle, thereby returning the bow to the original course. 

In order to adapt to the different loading conditions and sea conditions of the ship, the autopilot is generally equipped with some adjustment knobs. The autopilot simulates and replaces the manual steering method. Its accuracy in maintaining the course is higher than that of manual steering, and it increases the speed over the ground.

There are many types of autopilots used on ships, which can be divided into three types according to their adjustment rules: proportional rudder, proportional-differential rudder, and proportional-differential-integral rudder. Please feel free to contact us to get more details of these autopilot.