METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF MARINE VESSEL

An improved autopilot system securely attached to a steering helm unit and mounted within the dashboard or pedestal of a marine vessel for automatic control over a vessel's direction of movement. One embodiment of an improved actuator utilizes endless belt members 212, a driven pulley 210 attached to a steering shaft extension 208 passing through an axial bore in a back wall of a steering helm unit 52, a drive pulley 206 to impart mechanical power to endless belt members 212, and a tensioning pulley 306 connected to a clutch unit for controlling belt tension. A control box 58 provides electrical control over drive pulley 206 and clutch unit using motors. A time varying rotational position of driven pulley 210 is measured, from which a vessel's attempted steering direction can be deduced. The measurement of electrical current during clutch unit engagement and disengagement, can be used to gauge and control belt tension. A manual emergency override complements failsafe nature of clutch unit.