# US 2021/0278846 A1 · System and method for controlling speed of a marine vessel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0278846 A1 - Document ID: US20210278846A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/811,538 - Filed: 2020-03-06 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-06 - Assignees: Brunswick Corporation - Applicants: Brunswick Corporation - Inventors: Thomas F. Nickols - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210278846A1 ## CPC - G05D 1/0206: {specially adapted to water vehicles} - B63H 21/21: Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels - B63H 21/22: the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs - B63B 2017/0009: {Methods or devices specially adapted for preventing theft, or unauthorized use of vessels, or parts or accessories thereof, other than by using locks} - B63B 2201/26: signalling anomalies, e.g. rupture of connection - B63H 2021/216: {using electric control means} - G05D 1/0055: {with safety arrangements} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract A system for a marine vessel includes a controller in signal communication with a marine propulsion device and controlling operation of the marine propulsion device to produce thrust to propel the marine vessel at a vessel speed. A user interface receives user inputs and is in signal communication with the controller. A first sensor determines the vessel speed and is in signal communication with the controller. A second sensor determines a non-speed condition of the marine vessel and is in signal communication with the controller. In response to a given user input from the user interface, the controller controls operation of the marine propulsion device based on feedback from the first sensor to prevent the vessel speed from exceeding a maximum speed limit. The controller reduces the maximum speed limit in response to determining that the non-speed condition of the marine vessel meets a predetermined criterion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for a marine vessel, the system comprising: a controller in signal communication with a marine propulsion device and controlling operation of the marine propulsion device to produce thrust to propel the marine vessel at a vessel speed; a user interface configured to receive user inputs and in signal communication with the controller; a first sensor for determining the vessel speed and in signal communication with the controller; a second sensor for determining a non-speed condition of the marine vessel and in signal communication with the controller; wherein, in response to a given user input from the user interface, the controller is configured to control operation of the marine propulsion device based on feedback from the first sensor to prevent the vessel speed from exceeding a maximum speed limit; and wherein the controller is configured to reduce the maximum speed limit in response to determining that the non-speed condition of the marine vessel meets a predetermined criterion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is that the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the second sensor is an accelerometer that determines at least one of pitch, roll, and acceleration or deceleration of the marine vessel, and the controller compares the at least one of pitch, roll, and acceleration or deceleration to at least one of a pitch threshold, a roll threshold, and an acceleration or deceleration threshold, respectively, to determine if the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the second sensor is a strain gauge that determines a strain on a component on the marine vessel to which the strain gauge is coupled, and the controller compares the strain to a strain threshold to determine if the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is a global positioning system receiver, and the predetermined criterion is that the marine vessel is operating in a particular geographical area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is a steering sensor, and the predetermined criterion is that a requested steering position of the marine propulsion device is greater than a given steering position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a vessel speed input device for inputting commands related to the vessel speed and in signal communication with the controller; wherein the controller is configured to determine when launch of the marine vessel is requested via the vessel speed input device; and wherein the controller is configured to select an acceleration profile for launch of the marine vessel based on the given user input from the user interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a series of buttons for inputting a code that allows a user to change or remove the maximum speed limit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a slot or receiver for interacting with a respective key or transmitter that allows a user to change or remove the maximum speed limit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller selects the maximum speed limit from a plurality of maximum speed limits based on the given user input. ### Claim 11 A method for a marine vessel equipped with a marine propulsion device that produces thrust to propel the marine vessel, the method being carried out by a controller in signal communication with the marine propulsion device and comprising: determining a speed of the marine vessel; determining a non-speed condition of the marine vessel; in response to a given user input, controlling operation of the marine propulsion device to prevent the vessel speed from exceeding a maximum speed limit; and reducing the maximum speed limit in response to determining that the non-speed condition of the marine vessel meets a predetermined criterion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined criterion is that the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising determining at least one of pitch, roll, and acceleration or deceleration of the marine vessel and comparing the at least one of pitch, roll, and acceleration or deceleration to at least one of a pitch threshold, a roll threshold, and an acceleration or deceleration threshold, respectively, to determine if the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a strain on a component on the marine vessel and comparing the strain to a strain threshold to determine if the marine vessel is operating in rough external conditions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a geographical position of the marine vessel, wherein the predetermined criterion is that the marine vessel is operating in a particular geographical area. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a requested steering position of the marine propulsion device, wherein the predetermined criterion is that the requested steering position is greater than a given steering position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising determining when launch of the marine vessel is requested; and selecting an acceleration profile for launch of the marine vessel based on the given user input. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising allowing a user to change or remove the maximum speed limit by way of interaction with a user interface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the interaction with the user interface comprises inputting of a code, insertion of a key, or proximity of a transmitter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting the maximum speed limit from a plurality of maximum speed limits based on the given user input.