Joystick controls sails and bow thrust for the world's largest single-masted yacht

Citation

(2006), "Joystick controls sails and bow thrust for the world's largest single-masted yacht", Sensor Review, Vol. 26 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2006.08726aaf.004

Joystick controls sails and bow thrust for the world's largest single-masted yacht

Joystick controls sails and bow thrust for the world's largest single-masted yacht

Keywords: Control equipment, Sensors

Penny + Gile has supplied Mirabella V (Plate 6), the largest single-masted luxury yacht in the world, with a total of 25 joysticks in a number of applications including bow thrust and sail winch controls. Chosen for its proven potentiometer technology, ergonomic design and high IP rating, JC150 is a large, robust, single-axis joystick that offers excellent repeatability.

Plate 6 The Mirabella V

“There were a number of key factors in determining which joysticks to use,” comments Peter Medcalf, Electrical Design Engineer, VT Shipbuilding. “The joysticks needed to be weather resistant, functional and look good too; the JC150 matched all these criteria.”

The joysticks are exposed to the harsh weather conditions and a high IP rating is essential to ensure the mechanical/electrical parts are sealed and protected from ingress of rain and seawater.

The joysticks are reliable, because the technology is inherently stable and the JC150 offers excellent repeatability. There is no need for recalibration and the joystick has an expected life in excess of five million cycles, and can withstand forces up to 300 N applied to the handle.

Designed for use with an electronic controller, the conductive plastic potentiometer track in the JC150 generates analogue and switched reference signals, proportional to the distance and direction over which the handle is moved. The signal is then passed to the machinery control system and the winches and bow thrust are positioned accordingly.

The functionality of the JC150 can be increased by the selection of a variety of ergonomically designed handles that can offer push-button and rocker switch functions, membrane keypads and LED displays. “Person present” switches or center lock mechanisms can also be specified to improve the integrity of the control system without compromising the quality and mechanical design and the long operational life.