Research on Marine Autopilot and its Performance Test

Shipborne steering system is the main heading control device for marine vehicle. Advanced autopilots are researched and equipped. However, there were still a considerable number of aged ships using hydraulic steering system. It is quite difficult to install novel electromagnetic steering aiming to replace the existed hydraulic ones for their extremely complex hydraulic tube. In this paper, we present an effective hydraulic steering system upgrade solution. As additional components, rudder and heading angle sensors are installed to measure steering and ship turning parameters. Then, a double close-loop control mode is established to generate control instructions. The connect section of wheel and hydraulic steering gear mounts with a automatic wheel drive, which conduct the steering instructions. Simulation shows that the proposed upgraded marine autopilot has an excellent steering and heading maintain performance.