B63H20/00

Top-down serviceable outboard motors

An outboard motor has a top cowl and a service lid on the top cowl is movable into and between a closed position enclosing the powerhead compartment and an open position providing manual access to the powerhead compartment from above the outboard motor. An engine is in the powerhead compartment, wherein a peripheral gap is defined between the top cowl and the engine. A serviceable engine oil device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position. A serviceable transmission fluid device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position. A serviceable gearcase fluid device is in the peripheral gap and is manually accessible from above the outboard motor when the service lid is in the open position.

OUTBOARD MOTOR
20180001983 · 2018-01-04 ·

An outboard motor includes an outboard motor body, a mount mounted on a boat body, and a support member that supports the outboard motor body so as to be steerable with respect to the mount. The support member includes an upper support that surrounds a drive shaft and supports the outboard motor body, a lower support that is spaced below the upper support, surrounds the drive shaft, and supports the outboard motor body, and a coupler that couples the upper support to the lower support.

Multiple motor control system for navigating a marine vessel

A control system for navigating a marine vessel employs at least a first motor and a second motor. The control system is configured to communicate with the first and second motors. The control system is configured to receive a position measurement and an orientation measurement for the marine vessel. The control system is further configured to generate at least one control signal for the first motor based on the position measurement and at least one control signal for the second motor based on the orientation measurement.

Fuel management system capable of improving accuracy of calibration data for converting output value of fuel gauge into remaining amount of fuel in fuel tank
11708802 · 2023-07-25 · ·

A fuel management system to improve accuracy of calibration data to convert an output value of a fuel gauge into a remaining amount of fuel in a fuel tank includes a fuel tank mounted on a hull of a marine vessel, a fuel gauge to measure a liquid level position of fuel in the fuel tank, and a controller configured or programmed so that in a range where an output value of the fuel gauge changes, measurement reference points are set based on the output value of the fuel gauge. When supplying fuel to the fuel tank, the controller is configured or programmed to obtain calibration data showing a relationship between the output value of the fuel gauge and a remaining amount of the fuel in the fuel tank by comparing an amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank at each of the measurement reference points and the output value of the fuel gauge at each of the measurement reference points.

FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CAPABLE OF IMPROVING ACCURACY OF CALIBRATION DATA FOR CONVERTING OUTPUT VALUE OF FUEL GAUGE INTO REMAINING AMOUNT OF FUEL IN FUEL TANK
20230020594 · 2023-01-19 ·

A fuel management system to improve accuracy of calibration data to convert an output value of a fuel gauge into a remaining amount of fuel in a fuel tank includes a fuel tank mounted on a hull of a marine vessel, a fuel gauge to measure a liquid level position of fuel in the fuel tank, and a controller configured or programmed so that in a range where an output value of the fuel gauge changes, measurement reference points are set based on the output value of the fuel gauge. When supplying fuel to the fuel tank, the controller is configured or programmed to obtain calibration data showing a relationship between the output value of the fuel gauge and a remaining amount of the fuel in the fuel tank by comparing an amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank at each of the measurement reference points and the output value of the fuel gauge at each of the measurement reference points.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOADING A WATERCRAFT ON A TRAILER
20230219678 · 2023-07-13 ·

Methods and systems described herein can assist a user when loading a watercraft onto a trailer (e.g., at a boat ramp). For example, position data generated by sensor(s) coupled to the watercraft and/or trailer can cause one or more propulsion devices associated with the watercraft to automatically (e.g., without user intervention) position the watercraft onto the trailer, for example, by controlling the power and/or thrust direction of the propulsion device(s).

Marine propulsion system and control method
11697484 · 2023-07-11 · ·

A marine propulsion system includes marine propulsion devices each including a propeller shaft, an engine, an electric motor, a power transmission, an inverter, a voltage sensor, and a controller. The power transmission transmits mechanical power to the propeller shaft from at least one of the engine and the electric motor. The inverter outputs electric power inputted thereto to the electric motor after converting the electric power. The voltage sensor detects induced voltage generated by the electric motor. The controller executes a protection control to protect the inverter when the induced voltage is greater than a first threshold while the electric motor is not being driven.

Marine vessel propulsion unit calibration method
11548605 · 2023-01-10 · ·

A calibration method for at least one propulsion unit of a marine vessel, the at least one propulsion unit being arranged to provide a propulsive force to the vessel, the at least one propulsion unit being adjustable so as to change a respective steering angle of the at least one propulsion unit in relation to a hull of the vessel. The method includes controlling the at least one propulsion unit so as to provide at least one acceleration sequence, wherein the vessel is accelerated stepwise or continuously in each acceleration sequence, adjusting, continuously or repeatedly, during the acceleration sequence, the steering angle of the at least one propulsion unit, to keep the path of the vessel straight during the acceleration sequence, registering, during the acceleration sequence, a plurality of values of the respective steering angle of the at least one propulsion unit, and determining, based at least partly on the registered steering angle values, a respective reference steering angle of the at least one propulsion unit, which reference steering angle minimizes a deviation of an actual course over ground of the vessel from a desired course over ground of the vessel.

Systems and methods for rotational control of a trolling motor

Trolling motor assemblies and related methods of operation. A method includes providing an assembly comprising a main housing; a shaft rotatably coupled with the main housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; a gear coupled with the shaft; a plate rotatably coupled with one of the shaft and the main housing; and a projecting rib coupled with the other of the shaft and the main housing. The plate is rotated through a first angular displacement about the longitudinal axis. The gear is rotated through a second angular displacement about the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first angular displacement.

Motorized pole mount for sonar transducers
11694667 · 2023-07-04 ·

The present invention is directed to a mounting device for a fish finding apparatus and, more particularly, to a motorized mounting device which includes an adjustable length pole used to mount a sonar transducer or other device an angler may be interested in mounting to the end of the pole that enters the water. The pole is used to spin the transducer or other apparatus in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction with a switch that is adapted to be operated by the angler's foot or a wireless remote. The mounting device is configured to be secured to a boat or mounted on a boat troll motor whereby the adjustable pole is secured and spins independent of the troll motor shaft.