JRC Alphatron Marine Rudder Feedback Unit HD User manual

Rudder Feedback
Unit MD/HD
Installation and Operation Manual
www.jrc.am

2 | Contents
Contents
I Preface..........................................................................................................4
I.1 Revision History........................................................................................................................................................4
I.2 Glossary.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
I.2.1 Definitions.........................................................................................................................................................4
I.2.2 Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................................5
I.3 Norms and Standards...............................................................................................................................................6
II Warnings and Cautions.............................................................................7
II.1 Warranty...................................................................................................................................................................8
II.2 Storage.....................................................................................................................................................................8
III Introduction................................................................................................9
1 Installation Instructions...........................................................................10
1.1 Mechanical Installation...........................................................................................................................................10
1.1.1 Supplied Parts...............................................................................................................................................10
1.1.2 Dimensions....................................................................................................................................................10
1.1.3 Installing Rudder Feedback Unit...................................................................................................................10
1.1.4 Module Electric Connections........................................................................................................................ 14
1.1.4.1 Opening Rudder Feedback Unit MD....................................................................................................14
1.1.4.2 Opening Rudder Feedback Unit HD....................................................................................................16
1.1.5 Cable............................................................................................................................................................. 18
1.1.6 Grounding Modules.......................................................................................................................................18
2 Operation...................................................................................................19
I Operating the Rudder Feedback Unit........................................................................................................................19
3 Maintenance..............................................................................................21
3.1 Rudder Feedback Unit Maintenance..................................................................................................................... 21
3.1.1 RFU Chain Transmission Maintenance.........................................................................................................21
3.1.2 RFU Linkage Transmission Maintenance..................................................................................................... 21
4 Appendix A................................................................................................22
4.1 Specifications......................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.1.1 Specifications Rudder Feedback Unit MD/HD..............................................................................................22
4.2 Mechanical Drawings.............................................................................................................................................23
4.2.1 Mechanical Drawing Rudder Feedback Unit MD..........................................................................................23
4.2.2 Mechanical Drawing Rudder Feedback Unit HD..........................................................................................24
4.2.3 Mechanical Drawing RFU Linkage Transmission..........................................................................................25
4.2.4 Mechanical Drawing RFU Chain Transmission.............................................................................................26
4.3 Electric Diagrams...................................................................................................................................................27
4.3.1 Connection Diagram Rudder Feedback Unit MD......................................................................................... 28
4.3.2 Connection Diagram Rudder Feedback Unit HD..........................................................................................29
4.4 Thales Certificates................................................................................................................................................. 30

3 | Contents
4.4.1 Thales Certificate Rudder Feedback Unit MD..............................................................................................30
4.4.2 Thales Certificate Rudder Feedback Unit HD.............................................................................................. 31
5 Appendix B................................................................................................32
5.1 ISO 9001 Certificate Alphatron Marine R&D.........................................................................................................32
6 Appendix C................................................................................................33
6.1 EC Declaration of Conformity................................................................................................................................33

4 | Preface
I Preface
The Rudder Feedback Unit is a high quality, ruggedized, easy to install rudder feedback unit.
• Thoroughly read this instruction manual before installation and operation of the equipment.
• We recommend to keep this manual nearby the equipment to ensure ready access to it.
I.1 Revision History
Revision No. Description Date
V1.0 First issue 2 March 2016
I.2 Glossary
The glossary contains a list of definitions and a list of abbreviations.
I.2.1 Definitions
The meaning of standard definitions as used in this manual are explained in Table 1: Definitions on page 4.
Redundant A device that is equipped with multiple part of the same type, for example a double pow-
er supply. This equipment will continue to function when one of the redundant part fails.
Heading users Navigation equipment that uses heading/course information for functioning.
Hardware The physical parts of the AlphaLine instrument.
LEDs Light-emitting diodes. These are used for signaling statuses of hardware and software
signals to the user.
Central alarm system /
Bridge watch monitoring System that is connected to all vital systems on a ship and that is able to give a central- ized indication of the (alarm)status of all connected systems.
NMEA protocol Protocol standard for transmitting and receiving of asynchronous serial data sentences.
Talker Device which transmits data. This is usually called transmitter or TX.
Listener Device which receives data. This is usually called receiver or RX.
ISO GND Isolated Ground. This is a ground connection to be used for reference signal. It is differ-
ent from EARTH and should normally not be connected to EARTH.
Grounding point/stud Point on the chassis of the AlphaLine instrument which should be connected to the ship's
mass.
Printed Circuit Board A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect
electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets,
laminated onto a non-conductive substrate.
(Galvanic) isolated Electrical separation of two circuits. There is no current flowing directly from one circuit
to another. Electrical energy and/or information can still be exchanged between the sec-
tions by other means, such as by induction or by optical means (like transformers or opto
couplers).
CAN bus Controller Area Network. This is a network based serial bus system used for exchanging
information. It is the advanced version of RS485/422 serial buses.
Reverse polarity protection This is a part of the power supply hardware that prevents any damage to the equipment
when the power supply is connected to the wrong polarity.
ROT signal Rate Of Turn (ROT) signal indicates the course change of a ship in degrees per minute.
This signal can be analog using voltage or current, or can be an NMEA data signal.
Heading/bearing repeaters Navigation type of instruments displaying the heading/course of a ship.

5 | Preface
Baud rate This is the transmission speed of serial interfaces in characters per second.
Transmitting interval The frequency at which complete NMEA sentences are being transmitted in number of
times per second.
Factory setting Instrument setting for backlight color, language, number of connected apparatus, etc. as
configured as a new instrument by the factory.
Flash memory Non-volatile type of memory. This type of memory retains its contents even when the in-
strument is turned off.
Firmware (Embedded) software inside the processors of the AlphaLine instrument.
Compass safe distance The minimum distances to equipment that will not cause an unacceptable deviation of
the ship's standard and steering compasses.
Table 1: Definitions
I.2.2 Abbreviations
Abbreviations as used in this manual are explained in Table 2: Abbreviations on page 5.
A Ampere
ARD AlphaLine Repeater Display
CAN Controller Area Network
CT Chain Transmission
DC Direct Current
DP Dynamic Position
ECDIS Electronic Chart Display Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
I/O Inputs and Outputs
I.S. Inter Switch
LED Light-Emitting Diode
LT Linkage Transmission
mA Milliampere
mm Millimeter
NC Normally Closed
NMEA National Marine Electronics Association
NO Normally Open
OA Operational Alarm
TAP Type Approval Program
PCB Printed Circuit Board
RCU Remote Control Unit
RFU Rudder Feedback Unit
RFU HD Rudder Feedback Unit High Duty

6 | Preface
RFU MD Rudder Feedback Unit Medium Duty
ROT Rate Of Turn
VAC Volts Alternating Current
VDC Volts Direct Current
VDR Voyage Data Recorder
W Watt
Table 2: Abbreviations
I.3 Norms and Standards
The complies with the applicable standards, norms and regulations:
• IEC 60945 (2002) including IEC 60945 Corrigendum 1 (2008)
• Standard DNV 2.4
• IEC 61162 series

7 | Warnings and Cautions
II Warnings and Cautions
The signal words WARNING and CAUTION used in this manual indicate the degree of hazard that may be encountered
by the user. These words are defined as:
• WARNING
• A WARNING indicates potential risk of injury or death to users of the product.
• CAUTION
• A CAUTION indicates potential risk of damage to equipment.
To safely install and operate this instrument, so as not to adversely affect the warranty, the following WARNINGS and
CAUTIONS must be adhered to.
• WARNING
• Do not disassemble or modify the equipment. Failure to observe this instruction may cause a fire, electric
shock, or equipment failure.
• WARNING
• Do not insert or remove the power cord or operate switches with a wet hand. Otherwise, you may suffer an
electrical shock.
• WARNING
• Operate the equipment only at the power supply voltage of 24 VDC. Failure to observe this instruction can
cause a fire, electric shock, or equipment failure
• WARNING
• Do not scratch, damage, modify, heat, pull, excessively bend, or heavily load the power supply cable. It may
cause a fire, or electric shock.
• WARNING
• Immediately turn off the power and disconnect the power supply cable if the equipment is generating any
smoke or odor, or is overheated. Immediately inform your local service agent of the symptom to have it
repaired. Prolonged equipment operation under such a condition can cause a fire or electric shock.
• WARNING
• Do not place a vessel containing liquid on the equipment. It may cause a fire, electrical shock, or a failure to
the equipment if knocked over.
• WARNING
• The axle of the Rudder Feedback Unit has to be zeroed before the rudder feedback unit can be operated.
Damage to the rudder feedback unit, or any of its components, can occur when the axle is not properly
zeroed. Moreover, without zeroing the axle the rudder readings can be completely wrong and so endanger
ships operation and its personnel.
• WARNING
• The maximum angle (135 degrees) of the Rudder Feedback Unit may not be exceeded, since this will
compromise the accuracy of the potentiometer output.
• CAUTION
• Any modification to this equipment without prior written permission from ALPHATRON MARINE will void the
warranty.
• CAUTION
• Installation of this product shall only be done by a certified installation company approved by either
ALPHATRON MARINE or by an official ALPHATRON MARINE distributor. Acting otherwise will void the
warranty.
• CAUTION
• This product must be installed in accordance with the installation methods described in this manual. Acting
otherwise will void the warranty.
• CAUTION

8 | Warnings and Cautions
• This product contains no operator serviceable parts. Service and repair shall only be carried out by personnel
trained and certified by ALPHATRON MARINE.
• CAUTION
• Do not allow the instrument to fall or immerse into water. The equipment can be damaged.
• CAUTION
• When unplugging the instrument, be sure to remove the cord terminal correctly. If the cord is pulled, the cord
may get damaged resulting in a fire or an electrical shock.
• CAUTION
• If the instruments are not stored as described, it will void the warranty.
• CAUTION
• When cleaning the surface, do not use any organic solvent such as thinner or benzine. Otherwise, the paint
and markings on the surface may get damaged. For cleaning the surface, remove the dust and debris and
wipe with a clean dry cloth.
II.1 Warranty
Non-compliance with the installation, operation and maintenance requirements may void the warranty. Read Warnings
and Cautions on page 7.
Contact the Alphatron dealer regarding the terms of the warranty.
II.2 Storage
The AlphaLine range of instruments are sensitive to humidity, temperature fluctuations and aggressive substances. Store
them appropriately.
• CAUTION
• If the instruments are not stored as described, it will void the warranty.

9 | Introduction
III Introduction
The Rudder Feedback Unit can be used in a rudder angle indicator system and as a part of the control loop in a steering
control system. There are two types of Rudder Feedback Units available: Rudder Feedback Unit MD and Rudder
Feedback Unit HD.
The Rudder Feedback Unit contains a potentiometer which is proportional to the rudder angle. The output can be
connected to an Analog Interface Mk.2. The Rudder Feedback Unit can be mechanically coupled to the rudder post via a
RFU Chain Transmission or a RFU Linkage Transmission.

10 | Installation Instructions
1 Installation Instructions
This chapter describes the installation of the Rudder Feedback Unit MD/HD.
1.1 Mechanical Installation
• CAUTION
• This product must be installed in accordance with the installation methods described in this manual. Acting
otherwise will void the warranty.
1.1.1 Supplied Parts
The Rudder Feedback Unit MD/HD is delivered as a fully assembled product. No additional assembly is required.
1.1.2 Dimensions
Carefully check the applicable drawing(s) of the instrument. See Mechanical Drawings on page 23.
1.1.3 Installing Rudder Feedback Unit
Installing the Rudder Feedback Unit
The Rudder Feedback Unit should be installed so that the Linkage Transmission or the Chain Transmission is exactly
horizontal. The horizontal distance between the rudder center and the center of the Rudder Feedback Unit should be
between 400 to 800 mm, see Figure 1: RFU Linkage Transmission Installation on page 10 and Figure 2: RFU Chain
Transmission Installation on page 10.
Figure 1: RFU Linkage Transmission Installation Figure 2: RFU Chain Transmission Installation
The Rudder Feedback Unit should be mounted on a foundation (yard supply), see Figure 3: Example of a Foundation on
page 11. Use 4 M8 bolts (not included) to mount the Rudder Feedback Unit.
Put the Rudder Feedback Unit in a location and facing a direction so that the cables can be installed through the cable
guides and the Rudder Feedback Unit can be easily reached for installation, calibration and service.