This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

A marine propulsion system includes a controller configured or programmed to perform a rudder angle change control to change a rudder angle of an auxiliary propulsion device by a predetermined angle to one side in a right-left direction of a hull with respect to a forward-rearward direction of the hull so as to move the hull along the forward-rearward direction without rotating the hull when motorized forward-rearward movement is performed to move the hull along the forward-rearward direction by driving the auxiliary propulsion device that is provided to one side of the hull in the right-left direction without generating a thrust from a main propulsion device.

This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

A traction control system is for a marine vessel. The traction control system comprises a first internal combustion engine that causes rotation of a first propulsor to thereby propel the marine vessel in the water. A second internal combustion engine causes rotation of a second propulsor to thereby propel the marine vessel in water. A sensor senses a change in operation of the first internal combustion engine that is indicative of a loss of traction between the first propulsor and the water. A control circuit is programmed to temporarily slow rotation of the first propulsor when the sensor senses the change in operation of the first internal combustion engine, thereby allowing the first propulsor to regain traction with the water. When the control circuit slows rotation, the control circuit is further programmed to temporarily slow rotation of the second internal combustion engine, thereby preventing unintended movement of the marine vessel.

A remote controller (4) for watercraft (6) includes a rod (21) extending downward from the free end part of a lever along a lengthwise direction thereof, a lock release button (14) slidably provided in the free end part so as to be slidable in a first direction different from the lengthwise direction of the lever, and a conversion mechanism provided between the lock release button and the first end of the rod to covert a movement of the lock release button in the first direction to a movement of the rod in a second direction extending along the lengthwise direction of the lever.

A remote controller (4) for watercraft (6) includes a rod (21) extending downward from the free end part of a lever along a lengthwise direction thereof, a lock release button (14) slidably provided in the free end part so as to be slidable in a first direction different from the lengthwise direction of the lever, and a conversion mechanism provided between the lock release button and the first end of the rod to covert a movement of the lock release button in the first direction to a movement of the rod in a second direction extending along the lengthwise direction of the lever.

A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.

A steering control system of a marine vessel includes a controller configured or programmed to perform a control to turn the marine vessel so as to change a target orientation in an automatic marine vessel maneuvering mode to hold a course in which the marine vessel is moved to the target orientation, and an operator to receive an operation to cause the controller to turn the marine vessel to the target orientation. The controller is configured or programmed to perform a control to increase a turning amount of the marine vessel according to an operation duration time in which a predetermined operation state of the operator continues.

A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.