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US 12,179,889 B2Granted
Boat maneuverability and stability control systems and methods
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsBrian D. Krosschell, Blair A. Donat, Louis J. Brady, Patrick D. Weldon, Bradley R. Fishburn, Chiao George Liu, Michael F. Donoughe, Aidan B. Shaughnessy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Boat handling and control systems and methods related to one or more of steering and propulsion of a pontoon boat.
Claims30
A pontoon boat for navigation on water, comprising
- a plurality of water support members including at least a first water support member and a second water support member spaced apart from the first water support member;
- a frame supported by the plurality of water support members;
- a water propulsion system coupled to the frame to propel the boat through the water, the water propulsion system including a plurality of moveable motors, each of the plurality of moveable motors has an adjustable torque output and an adjustable thrust direction;
- an operator interface including an operator steering input, a thrust demand input;
- at least one sensor supported by the plurality water support members to monitor a movement characteristic of the pontoon boat through the water;
- and
- an electronic controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the operator interface, and the water propulsion system, the electronic controller altering at least one of the adjustable torque and the adjustable thrust direction of at least one of the plurality of moveable motors based on a relationship between:
- at least one of the operator steering input and the thrust demand input;
- and
- the movement characteristic monitored by the at least one sensor.
7 more elements
A method of operating a pontoon boat for navigation on water, comprising the steps of:
- supporting an accelerometer on the pontoon boat;
- and
- altering an output of a propulsion system of the pontoon boat based on an output of the accelerometer supported by the pontoon boat, wherein the accelerometer provides at least one of:
- a lateral acceleration of the pontoon boat along an axis intersecting the port side of the pontoon boat and a starboard side of the pontoon boat;
- or
- a longitudinal acceleration of the pontoon boat along an axis intersecting a bow of the pontoon boat and a stern of the pontoon boat.
3 more elements
A method of operating a pontoon boat for navigation on water, comprising the steps of:
- powering movement of the pontoon boat simultaneously with a first number of motors, the first number being at least two;
- detecting at least one characteristic of a first one of the first number of motors;
- based on the detected at least one characteristic of the first one of the first number of motors, powering movement of the pontoon boat with a second number of motors;
- and
- controlling at least one of a trim, a steer angle, and a thrust demand for the second number of motors to maintain a desired course of the pontoon boat.
2 more elements
A method of operating a pontoon boat for navigation on water, comprising the steps of:
- powering movement of the pontoon boat simultaneously with a first number of motors, the first number being at least two;
- detecting at least one characteristic a power source of the pontoon boat;
- based on the detected at least one characteristic of the power source, powering movement of the pontoon boat with a second number of motors, the second number being less than the first number;
- and
- controlling at least one of a trim, a steer angle, and a thrust demand for the second number of motors to maintain a desired course of the pontoon boat.
2 more elements
A method of operating a pontoon boat for navigation on water, comprising the steps of:
- powering movement of the pontoon boat simultaneously with a first number of motors, the first number being at least two;
- detecting at least one characteristic a power source of the pontoon boat;
- determining a distance to a power supply location;
- determining with an electronic controller an estimated range of the boat when powered by the first number of motors;
- based on a comparison of the estimated range and the distance, powering movement of the pontoon boat with a second number of motors, the second number being less than the first number.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.