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US 10,850,820 B1Granted
Control system for multiple trolling motors
OwnerSean P. Minogueinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiple motor control system is provided for manipulating a propulsion system consisting of electric motors mounted on a water traversing vessel or watercraft. The control system incorporates a main shaft on which the electric motors are mounted and includes a steering system for turning the motors relative to the watercraft, a lifting system for raising and lowering the electric motors relative to the surface of the water and a trim mechanism for angling the direction of thrust of the electric motors so as to trim or level out the path of the watercraft as it travels through the water.
Claims25
A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising:
- a main shaft;
- a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted to the main shaft, and configured to provide a thrust;
- a control system attached to the main shaft, the control system including:
- a steering mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to rotate the main shaft about an axis of the main shaft,
- a trim mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to pivot the main shaft relative to a horizontal axis, and
- a lifting mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to translationally raise and lower the main shaft;
- and
- a threaded bolt configured to thread into and through the a portion of the trim mechanism and to press downward on a surface of the propulsion system, wherein the surface is fixed in relation to the trim mechanism such that a threading of the threaded bolt into the portion of the trim mechanism and onto the surface is configured to cause an upward rotation of the trim mechanism and main shaft relative to the watercraft, and further wherein the threaded bolt is selectively operable to thread into or from the portion of the trim mechanism to pivot the trim mechanism and main shaft upward or downward relative to the watercraft.
5 more elements
A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising:
- a main shaft;
- a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted to the main shaft, and configured to provide a thrust;
- and
- a control system attached to the main shaft, the control system including:
- a steering mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to rotate the main shaft about an axis of the main shaft,
- a trim mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to pivot the main shaft relative to a horizontal axis, and
- a lifting mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to translationally raise and lower the main shaft;
- wherein
- the steering mechanism is carried by the lifting mechanism and configured to be translationally raised and lowered jointly with the main shaft;
- and further wherein
- the trim mechanism is carried by the lifting mechanism and configured to be translationally raised and lowered jointly with the main shaft;
- and
- a threaded bolt configured to thread into and through the a portion of the trim mechanism and to press downward on a surface of the propulsion system, wherein the surface is fixed in relation to the trim mechanism such that a threading of the threaded bolt into the portion of the trim mechanism and onto the surface is configured to cause an upward rotation of the trim mechanism and main shaft relative to the watercraft, and further wherein the threaded bolt is selectively operable to thread into or from the portion of the trim mechanism to pivot the trim mechanism and main shaft upward or downward relative to the watercraft.
10 more elements
A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising:
- a main shaft;
- a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted to the main shaft, and configured to provide a thrust;
- and
- a control system attached to the main shaft, the control system including:
- a steering mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to rotate the main shaft about an axis of the main shaft,
- a trim mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to pivot the main shaft relative to a horizontal axis, and
- a lifting mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to translationally raise and lower the main shaft;
- wherein
- the steering mechanism comprises a crank arm extending from the main shaft and jointly rotatable with the main shaft about the axis of the main shaft.
6 more elements
A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising:
- a main shaft;
- a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted to the main shaft, and configured to provide a thrust;
- and
- a control system attached to the main shaft, the control system including:
- a steering mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to rotate the main shaft about an axis of the main shaft,
- a trim mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to pivot the main shaft relative to a horizontal axis, and
- a lifting mechanism attached to the main shaft and operable to translationally raise and lower the main shaft;
- wherein
- the lifting mechanism comprises a bracket configured to mount to a watercraft and a jack plate slidably positioned within the bracket, wherein the main shaft is translationally movable upward and downward jointly with the jack plate;
- and wherein
- the lifting mechanism further comprises an actuator affixed to the bracket and the jack plate, the actuator operable to raise and lower the jack plate relative to the bracket.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.