Dredge position controller
OwnerPeter B. Lindgren, Timothy Pickettinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A position controller for electronically monitoring the position and speed of a dredge. The position controller consists of an electric powered line winding spool with an electric encoder to indicate line speed and position to a microprocessor. A drag control assembly with electric control is used to increase, decrease or set the drag at desired setting by microprocessor control. Touch screen microprocessor interface is the preferred method to enter settings into the system and allow display/control through multiple preexisting marine electronic devices throughout a fishing boat.
Claims16
A position controller for electronically monitoring the position and speed of a towing load comprising:
- a winding spool housing;
- a spool rotatably secured in said winding spool housing for securing a length of tow line having at least 200 lb test, said tow line having a distal end attached to a teaser lure assembly for trolling behind a vessel;
- a drive motor coupled to a gear and drag clutch assembly for rotation of said spool;
- a drag feedback assembly coupled to a drag motor and said drive motor through said gear and drag clutch assembly;
- an encoder providing line speed and line position;
- and
- a microprocessor to calculate drag feedback and encoder line and position;
- wherein said position controller is used in setting and hauling said teaser lure assembly using protocols for communicating on a wired digital bus to allow position commands and screen display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.