Regal 53 SC Owner's Manual page 321

SEAKEEPER (Stabalizer)
Introduction-
Resonant boat roll is the most disorienting contrast with
dry land experience and the least desirable motion on a
boat. Uncomfortable, tiring, and probably the greatest
cause of seasickness, it has been an unavoidable price to
pay for many for the pleasure of being on the waterways.
Seakeeper's® unique state-of-the-art motion control sys-
tem actively regulates the hydraulic braking system to en-
sure the anti-roll torque is maximized for all hull designs
and for the ever-changing operating and sea conditions.
Theory Of Operation-
Read the following pages for an introduction to operating
the gyro. For more detailed information refer to the Sea-
keeper Operation Manual. Read and understand all safety
warnings before attempting to operate the device.
If installed, the Seakeeper® uses a gyroscope (gyro) to
reduce boat roll motion. The gyro gimbal rotation angle
around a predetermined axis (precession rate) is the
basis of its operation. The amount of torque applied to
the vessel hull to counter a wave induced roll is directly
proportional to the gyro precession rate.
The further the gyro is from a vertical zero degree position
the lower the anti-roll torque. The entire cycle is actively
controlled by an electronic controller and a hydraulic brake
system during each roll. At this point the gyro supplies the
maximum rolling torque and avoids mechanical contact
with hard stops. The mechanism is limited to a maximum
gimbal swing of +/- 60 degrees.
The gyro features a fl ywheel integrated inside a cast alumi-
num vacuum-tight enclosure. The fl ywheel spins around
the vertical axis and is supported by bearings. A brushless
motor found inside the enclosure turns the fl ywheel at
high velocity.
The gyro enclosure is secured to two gimbal shafts that
are supported by a pair of gimbal bearings on each side.
These shafts produce an athwart ship gimbal axis for the
gyro to precess to the specifi ed angles.
The gyro enclosure is secured to two gimbal shafts that
are supported by a pair of gimbal bearings on each side.
These shafts produce an athwart ship gimbal axis for the
gyro to precess to the specifi ed angles.
Each gimbal bearing is supported by saddle beams which
are bonded to the hull stringers. These beams transfer the
loads that the gyro produces to the hull.
An active hydraulic brake mechanism regulates the rota-
tion about the gimbal shaft.
The gyro features a closed cooling system with heat ex-
changer and reservoir, and temperature regulating valve.
System uses glycol anti-freeze routed through the motor
drive box, hydraulic manifold, and the end caps of the
enclosure to remove heat.
There is a helm mounted display panel used to start, op-
erate, monitor and shutdown the gyro.
Display provides information in the event of an alarm.
Alarms cause the precession process to stop (Lock) and
the gyro to start coasting down (Stop).
Precession
Axis-Up To
60º
Gyroscope
Enclosure
Control
Box
24 Volts
60
Chapter 7
Seawater
Cooling
System
Active
Brake
Gimbal
Bearing
Motor Drive
Box