Trim Tabs Control

Electro-hydraulic Trim Tabs Control System

Developed and patented by Böning, the electro-hydraulic trim tabs control system was designed for use with fast yachts whose cruising behaviour is significantly affected by controlling the trim tabs. The backboard or starboard trim tabs’ single or dual action electrohydraulic cylinders are controlled with the electronic directional valves of the hydraulic aggregates AHD-TCS HYD. A particular characteristic of the system is the dispensation of cabling, which is often prone to error, on the vessel’s exterior. Instead of customary hydraulic displacement transducers, special flow meters converting the movement of the hydraulic fluid into impulses are used. These impulses are processed by the electronic control unit AHD-TCS A and are used for the exact calculation of the trim tab positions.

Automatic trim tab retraction ensures that the cylinders’ pistons and gaskets are protected from fouling. If the system is expanded with a GPS receiver, the trim tabs can also be controlled in automatic mode. For this purpose, the optimal trim tabs’ position at various cruising speeds is determined and saved during the shipyard side commissioning. The electronic control unit AHD-TCS A transmits all data over a CAN bus. Thus, the trim tabs position can be depicted graphically (visually) on a color display.