CapeHorn Self-Steering, Руководство пользователя

Страница: 6 / 40

6
a : Operation
Operating principle of the Servo-Pendulum Self-Steering
The turret is rotated until the apparent wind hits the windvane on its edge. As long as
the boat is on course, the wind
pressure on both sides of the vane
is equal so that it stays vertical, and
the steering oar stays vertical in the
water. If the direction of the boat
changes in relation to the wind, the
vane is tilted by the wind hitting it on
one side. This tilt of the vane turns
the stock of the steering oar.
Because of the forward movement
of the boat through the water, this
turn of the steering oar (also called
“Servo-pendulum”) causes it to be
pushed with great force sideways,
turning the horizontal shaft that
passes through the transom,
rotating the quadrant at its the
steering oar comes back to vertical.
The steering oar (servo-
pendulum) can also be controlled by
a small electric auto-pilot placed
inside the lazarette. The power
needed to steer the boat is still
provided by the servo-pendulum
and the autopilot, providing only the
information, uses only a few milli-
amperes from the batteries.