A Study on the Prediction of Propulsive Energy Loss Related to Automatic Steering of Ships

When an automatic course-keeping is introduced as is quite popular in modern navigation the closed-loop steering system consists of autopilot device power unit(or telemotor unit) steering gear ship dynamics and magnetic or gyro compass. We derive the mathematical model of each element of the automatic steering system. We provide a method of theoretical analysis on propulsive energy loss related to automatic steering of ships inthe open seas taking account of the on-off mechanism of power unit. Also we paid attention to dead band mechanism of autopilot device which is normally called weather adjustment. Next we make numerical calculation of the effects of autopilot control constants ont he propulsive energy loss for two kinds of ship a fishing boat and an ore carrier. Realistic sea and wind disturbances are employed in the calculation.