1.PRINCIPLE OF THE AUTOPILOT
Principle of Autopilot
Autopilot is an automatic device for steering a vessel maintaining its heading in an intended direction. Anyone can appreciate the advantages of the autopilot – being free to carry out navigational checks, trim adjustments or simply to relax and enjoy.
The autopilot utilizes a proportional rate system to steer the boat. The proportional rate system is similar to the highly accurate and reliable system used on aircraft, missiles and space vehicles. The proportional rate autopilot provides the necessary course correction to the steering gears in proportion to the speed and amount the boat moves off course.
With the removal of the dead band, the autopilot no longer wanders within a dead band but now steers a prescribed course, taking action within the presence of even a minute course error. The amount of action depends on the course error detected; that is, when the course error rate is small a very low helm correction rate is applied.
Because the wandering is eliminated, the proportional rate autopilot has the advantages of low power consumption and low wear and tear on the autopilot and the steering system.