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US 2008/0176463 A1Published application
Boat control system with return to center steering command
AssigneeJohnson Outdoors Inc.
InventorPaul D. Salmon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. A user control provides commands to control positioning of the trim tabs and operation of the motors. Steering with the motors is provided by controlling the relative speed and propeller direction of the motors. The user control includes an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the motors to be driven at the same speed and in the same direction.
Claims26
A trim tab system comprising:
- left and right trim tabs;
- left and right trolling motors mounted on the left and right trim tabs, respectively;
- left and right actuators for positioning the left and right trim tabs, respectively, within a trim range and within a troll range;
- a tab controller for controlling positioning of the left and right trim tabs by the left and right actuators;
- a motor controller for controlling operation of the left and right trolling motors;
- and
- a user control for providing commands to the tab controller and the motor controller, the user control including an input for generating a return-to-center command that causes the left and right trolling motors to be driven at a same speed and in a same direction.
4 more elements
A dual trolling motor system comprising:
- a left trolling motor for mounting on a left trim tab;
- a right trolling motor for mounting on a right trim tab;
- a user control for providing speed, steering and return-to-center commands:
- and
- a motor controller for controlling operation of the left and right trolling motors as a function of the speed, steering and return-to-center commands.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.