The Mega-Guard Heading Control System (HCS) Praxis

The Praxis Ship Course Control System (HCS) with dynamic positioning functions is designed to automate ship course control, including control of rudders and thrusters. HCS Praxis fully complies with the standards of classification societies and can control both one and two independent steering devices. If necessary, the system can be supplemented with several control panels.

The main components of HCS Praxis:

• Color LCD display: 8.4 inches, with 12 control buttons and a joystick. The display shows the actual course, the set course, the angular rate of rotation, the angle of the rudder and the coordinates of the vessel.
• Control and control: The buttons and joystick are used to adjust the direction of movement, track tracking, turning radius and angular rotation speed. The joystick also allows for manual control.

The HCS Controller includes highly reliable controllers based on solid-state components and is installed on a bulkhead or inside a bridge console.
The controller connects to the operator's HCS panel and motors via an Ethernet network. It supports up to 8 NMEA0183 inputs, 2 gyrocompass inputs, and connects to a magnetic compass, GPS, and VDR. The controller software complies with the IEC61131 standard. 
The system also includes:

• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Provides stable power supply and fault protection.
• I/O module: Has 4 analog outputs and up to 20 configurable inputs/outputs (AI, AO, DI, DO). Supports motors with digital signal transmission (solenoid valves for PS and SB) and analog signal transmission (proportional solenoid valves).

The NFU backup system functions independently of the main controller and directly controls the PS and SB solenoid valves.

Power supply and distribution: Integrated into the system control unit, two power supplies are required:

• Main source: 230VAC
• Backup source: 24VDC

All other components of the HCS Praxis system are powered by the control unit.