CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/370,062, filed August 1, 2022, and titled “AUTOMATIC RETRACTION OF A SUBMERSIBLE COMPONENT FOR A MARINE VESSEL”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a deployment and retraction system for a thruster (e.g., as part of a trolling motor system) and, more particularly, to a system that can linearly retract a deployed thruster along a transom of a vessel.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A thruster is a generic term for a device that applies a thrust vector affecting the position and/or bearing of a vehicle (e g., a boat), which typically includes a motor that drives a propeller. A thruster may include the boat’s primary motor (i.e., a motor connected to the internal controls and steering mechanism of the boat) or one or more trolling motors (i.e., a self-contained electric motor that can be mounted/de-mounted from the boat and is generally smaller and less powerful than the primary motor).

[0004] Thrusters as part of a trolling motor system may be deployed from a boat. In some cases, the thrusters may be retracted through rotation about a pivot mount. Such retraction of the thruster may require the use of a power supply in order to lift the thruster above the water. Thus, a loss of power, to the trolling motor system for example, may result in the thrusters being unable to be retracted, including in environments that may cause damage to said thrusters. An improved trolling motor system for the retraction of a deployed thruster is needed.

SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to an improved trolling motor system, or specifically to an improved retraction mechanism for a thruster. This application will often describe the deployment and retraction of thrusters of a marine trolling motor but the skilled person will appreciate that the concepts described herein can be applied to other environments as well, e.g., other types of vehicles and non-vehicle applications. Applicant appreciated the significant risk of damage to a thruster and corresponding motor if deployed in the water while a marine vessel is traveling at high speeds. For example, high speeds may cause the propeller on the thruster to spin at much higher than design speeds and generate very high voltage, potentially leading to failure of trolling motor system electronics (for example, as part of a control system). While one solution may be to use a retraction system to enable retraction of the thruster when a marine vessel is traveling at high speeds, this approach typically relies on the use of power, which provides a layer of unreliability. For example, if a power module (e.g., battery) is damaged or depleted, or if the power supply cannot otherwise be delivered to the retraction system, there will be no means of retracting the thruster while the marine vessel is traveling at high speeds.

[0006] Applicant has invented a more reliable solution to the problem. In particular, embodiments of the present invention feature a trolling motor system with a retraction mechanism that is configured to automatically retract a deployed thruster upon a loss of power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or thruster. In some cases, the retraction mechanism is configured to linearly retract the thruster from a deployed position to a fully retracted position. Tn some cases, the retraction mechanism is able to retract the thruster automatically upon detection of the marine vessel traveling at a speed that exceeds a predetermined speed threshold. This approach provides a fail-safe approach for retracting a deployed thruster in the event power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or thruster is lost, or if the marine vessel is traveling at a high speed that would otherwise place the thruster in danger of being damaged. This approach was not previously attempted by others skilled in the art because of the challenges associated with an automatic retraction of a thruster without power input; however, Applicant discovered that the benefits of this approach can outweigh the challenges.

[0007] In general, in one aspect disclosed herein, is a marine vessel system comprising: a) a submersible component coupled to a marine vessel; and b) a retraction mechanism adapted to automatically transition the submersible component from a deployed position to a fully retracted position upon a condition being met. In some embodiments, the condition comprises a lack of power supplied to the retraction mechanism and/or submersible component, a threshold speed of the marine vessel, a threshold force exerted on the submersible component, and/or a threshold strain exerted on the submersible component. In some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises: a power module for providing power to the submersible component and/or the retraction mechanism; wherein the retraction mechanism is configured to automatically retract the submersible component to the fully retracted position when no power is provided to the submersible component and/or the retraction mechanism.

[0008] In some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises a retraction control system in operable communication with the power module, wherein the retraction control system is adapted to detect if the vessel is traveling at a speed greater than a speed threshold, and wherein when the retraction control system detects the vessel traveling at a speed greater than the speed threshold, the retraction control system is configured to prevent power being provided to the submersible component and/or the retraction mechanism, so as to automatically move the submersible component to the fully retracted position. In some embodiments, wherein the retraction control system is in communication with a switch configured to modulate the power provided to the retraction mechanism and the submersible component from the power module. In some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises a sensor to detect the speed of the vessel, wherein the sensor is in communication with the retraction control system. In some embodiments, the retraction control system is adapted to control the retraction mechanism to move the submersible component between the fully retracted position and the deployed position. [00091 I ⁿ some embodiments, the submersible component comprises a thruster, a shallow anchor, an anchor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the marine vessel system comprises a thruster, wherein the thruster comprises an azimuthing thruster. In some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises a second thruster and a second retraction mechanism, wherein the second thruster is optionally a second azimuthing thruster. In some embodiments, the azimuthing thruster comprises a trolling motor. In some embodiments, the azimuthing thruster is configured to rotate 360° about a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises a steering control system adapted to rotate the thruster to a desired orientation Tn some embodiments, the retraction mechanism is adapted to move the thruster substantially vertically between the deployed position and the fully retracted position. Tn some embodiments, the marine vessel system further comprises a mount coupled to the transom of the vessel, wherein the thruster is slidably coupled to the mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. l is a side schematic view of a boat with two thrusters of a respective trolling motor system coupled to the transom of the boat, according to various embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear left perspective view of the boat from FIG. 1, wherein the thrusters are in a retracted position, according to various embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear left perspective view of the boat from FIG. 1, wherein the thrusters are in a deployed position, according to various embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear left perspective view of the rear end of the boat from FIG. 2, according to various embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a rear left perspective view of the rear end of the boat from FIG. 3, according to various embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a rear left perspective view of the rear end of the boat from FIG. 5, according to various embodiments, wherein one of the thrusters has been rotated about a longitudinal axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] Tn various embodiments, the present invention is directed to an improved deployment and retraction system for use with a marine vessel. In some cases, the deployment and retraction system are configured for deployment and retraction of a submersible component. In some cases, the submersible component includes a thruster, a shallow-water anchor, an anchor, and/or other motors and/or other anchors as known in the art. In some cases, the retraction system is configured to automatically retract the submersible component upon a loss of power being supplied to the submersible component. In some embodiments, the retraction system forcibly causes the loss of power upon a condition being met, such as a threshold parameter being met. For example, in some cases, the threshold parameter comprises a threshold force, strain, and/or speed imposed on the submersible component.

[0018] In some cases, the retraction system comprises a control system, and a retraction mechanism for actuating the retraction of a submersible component. In some cases, the retraction system is configured to automatically retract the submersible component upon a loss of power being supplied to the retraction mechanism and/or the submersible component. In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes a mount coupled to a transom of a marine vessel, a hull of a marine vessel, and/or a deck of a marine vessel. In some cases, the retraction mechanism comprises a bracket slidably coupled to a mount, wherein the bracket is coupled to the submersible component, such that the submersible component is configured to slide from a retracted position to a deployed position, and vice versa. In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes a stiffening shaft configure to automatically transition to a flexible configuration upon the condition being met (e.g., a threshold parameter being met, as described herein).

Slidable mount for trolling motor system [0019] Tn some cases, the thruster is part of a trolling motor system, which can include a self- contained electric motor that in some cases is smaller and less powerful than a boat’s primary motor. In some cases, trolling motors are used when fine movement profiles are desired, e.g., during fishing or docking, which can be difficult to accomplish with large primary motors on a boat. FIGS. 1-3 shows a trolling motor system coupled to a transom 102 of a marine vessel (e.g., a recreational fishing boat) 100, according to an embodiment described herein. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the trolling motor system can include one or more thrusters 104, 106 that can move from a fully retracted position (FIG. 2) to a deployed position (FIG. 3), and vice versa. In some cases, the thrusters 104, 106 are configured to be submerged below a water surface when in the deployed position. In some cases, a partially retracted position of the thrusters refers to a position of the thrusters between the fully retracted position and the deployed position.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows the trolling motor system from FIG. 2 with reference to an exemplary mount 108 that can be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled, removably coupled) to the transom 102 of the boat 100. In some embodiments, the thruster 104 is coupled to the mount to allow for axial movement along the mount (and thereby along at least a portion of the transom). For example, FIGS. 2-3 show the thrusters moving in a vertical direction from the fully retracted position to the deployed position. In some embodiments, the mount 108 enables for the thruster to move linearly and parallel with a longitudinal axis of the mount 108. In some embodiments, the thruster 104 is slidably coupled to the mount 108 via a bracket 110, and a steering shaft 112. For example, as shown in FIGS 4-5, the bracket 110 and thruster 104 slide from the fully retracted position to the deployed position (FIG. 5). Accordingly, in some embodiments, relative to the height 101 of the transom, the thruster only moves in a linear direction, and is not configured to be rotated (e g., about a horizontal axis) to transition between a fully retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the mount and corresponding longitudinal axis is positioned parallel with a height 101 of the transom. Thus, in some embodiments, the thruster moves linear and parallel with the height of the transom.

[0021] In some embodiments, the mount and corresponding longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle relative to a height 101 of the transom. Thus, in some embodiments, the thruster, being configured to move linearly and parallel with a longitudinal axis of the mount, may also be configured to move at an angle relative to a height of the transom. In some embodiments, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the mount 108 and the height 101 is from about 0 degrees to about 75 degrees, such as about 5 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 25 degrees, or about 45 degrees.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mount 108 is fixed along its length to the transom, and not configured to rotate about an axis. In some embodiments, the bracket 110 is configured only to move along the longitudinal length of the mount 108, and not configured to rotate about an axis. In some embodiments, the steering shaft 112 is configured to rotate only about a longitudinal axis but is not configured to rotate in a manner that would adjust the height of the thruster 104 (for example, relative to the height of the transom).

[0023] In some embodiments, wherein the thruster only moves in a linear manner (direction), the mount can be positioned anywhere on the transom since there is no rotation by the thruster when moving between a deployed configuration and a fully retracted position.

[0024] In various embodiments, the steering shaft 112 is coupled to the bracket 110 (e.g., fixedly coupled, removably coupled, rotatably coupled rotatably). In some cases, the thruster 104 is coupled to the steering shaft (e g., fixedly coupled, removably coupled, rotatably coupled rotatably). In some cases, the shaft 112 is rotatably coupled to the bracket 110, such that the thrusters are azimuthing thrusters. In some cases, the shaft 112 and thruster 104 are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 112. For example, FIG. 5 shows the deployed thruster oriented in a distal direction facing away from the front of the boat, while FIG. 6 shows the deployed thrusted rotated about 180° and oriented in a proximal direction facing toward the front of the boat. The shaft and thruster can rotate between 0° to 360° in any direction from the distal direction and about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In some cases, in addition to or alternative to rotation about a longitudinal axis, the shaft 112 and thruster 104 can be rotatable about a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0025] In some cases, rotating the thruster (e.g., about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft, azimuthal rotation) enables the direction of thrust vector(s) output by the thruster 104 to be changed, thereby enabling the direction of the marine vessel movement to be controlled. Examples of techniques for determining the thrust vector(s) can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,491,636, issued on February 13, 1996 and titled “Anchorless boat positioning employing global positioning system”, and U.S. Patent No. 6,678,589, issued on January 13, 2004 and titled “Boat positioning and anchoring system”, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0026] In various embodiments, the thruster 104 can be any form of thruster, for example, a propeller as shown in FIGS 4-6. In some cases, the thruster is coupled with a motor 105 (e g., trolling motor), such as depicted in FIG. 1 (105). In general, the motor 105 for the thruster 104 can include any appropriate horsepower, e.g., in a range of about 0.25 hp to about 10 hp, about 0.3 hp to about 7.5 hp, about 0.33 hp to about 5 hp, or about 0.5 hp to about 3.5 hp.

[0027] In various embodiments, where the boat has two or more trolling motor systems (e.g., see 104, 106 in FIG. 4), each trolling motor system includes a respective mount, bracket, shaft, and thruster (including motor) as described herein. Each trolling motor system can have a slidable configuration and/or rotatable configuration(s) as described herein with FIGS. 4-6. In some cases, each trolling motor system is configured to be individually and independently controlled (as described herein). For example, thrusters 104 and 106 may individually and independently be retracted, deployed, and/or rotated, as described herein. Accordingly, controlling the orientation of each trolling motor thruster individually and/or concurrently can enable for fine movement profiles of the marine vessel, e.g., during fishing or docking.

[0028] The mount 108 can have a length that spans a substantial length of the transom 102 of the marine vessel. In some cases, the mount 108 has a length in a range from 0 to 20 ft, about 5 to 15 ft, at least about 1 ft, 3ft, 5ft, or 10ft.

Retraction System

[0029] In various embodiments, a trolling motor system described herein further includes a power module, retraction mechanism, a retraction control system, and/or a steering control system.

[0030] In various embodiments, the power module includes a battery. In some cases, the power module supplies power to the retraction mechanism and/or the submersible component (e.g., thruster, shallow anchor, etc.). In some cases, power supplied to and/or power ceased to be supplied to a submersible component refers to power supplied to and/or ceased to be supplied to the motor (e g., 105) of the thruster, to enable and/or disable actuation of the thruster. In some cases, the power module can also supply power to a main motor of a marine vessel. In some cases, the power module is a standalone power supply (e g., battery) dedicated for the trolling motor system.

[0031] In various embodiments, the retraction mechanism is configured to deploy and retract the submersible component (e.g., thruster), as described herein. The following description of a retraction mechanism is with reference to FIG. 4, but is applicable for any type of submersible component and/or retraction mechanism described herein (including stiffening shaft, etc.). In some cases, the retraction mechanism is operably coupled to the bracket 110 and configured to move the bracket along the mount 108. In some cases, the power module is configured to supply power to the retraction mechanism, such that the retraction mechanism can be activated via the power received from the power module. In some cases, when power is not supplied to the retraction mechanism, the retraction mechanism is not activated. In some cases, the retraction mechanism is configured such that the thruster is located in a fully retracted position when in a non-activated state. In some cases, activation of the retraction mechanism moves the thruster from the fully retracted position to the deployed position. In some cases, deactivation of the retraction mechanism results in the thruster to automatically return to the fully retracted position. In some cases, power supply to the retraction mechanism can be modulated by the retraction control system, as described herein.

[0032] In various embodiments, the retraction mechanism (for any embodiment of a retraction mechanism described herein) includes a spring, a piston, a hydraulic cylinder, and/or gravity actuation. In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes a spring configured to maintain the thruster in a fully retracted position. For example, in some cases, with reference to FIG. 4 (as an example), the spring prevents the bracket from moving to a bottom portion of the mount (corresponding to a deployed position for the thruster) by holding up the bracket 110 within the mount 108 (for example, when the retraction mechanism is not activated, such as when power is not supplied, as described herein). In some cases, activation of the retraction mechanism (for example, via power supply to the retraction mechanism) provides a force on the bracket that compresses the spring and moves the thruster axially to the deployed position. In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes a piston that provides the force on the bracket. Accordingly, deactivation of the retraction mechanism (for any reason, including inadvertent failure of the power module) results in the spring pushing the bracket (and thruster) automatically up the mount into the deployed position.

[0033] In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder that is operatively coupled to the bracket 110, shaft 112 and/or thruster 104, and configured to provide a force to move the thruster into the deployed configuration upon activation (as described herein, and as an example of a type of submersible component). In some cases, the hydraulic cylinder is activated with a solenoid and/or magnetic coupling, which upon losing power or a threshold parameter being met (as described herein), enables a spring to rapidly retract a submersible component (e.g., thruster) to the retracted position. In some embodiments, the hydraulic cylinder includes a breakaway so as to enable the rapid retraction of the submersible component by a spring, for example.

[0034] In some cases, the retraction mechanism includes gravity actuation to retract the submersible component. For example, in some cases, the gravity actuation enables to move the bracket and thruster along the mount (based on activation, deactivation of the retraction mechanism).

[0035] In various embodiments, the retraction control system is configured to stop power being supplied from the power module to the retraction mechanism and/or submersible component (e.g., thruster). In some cases, the retraction control system is in operable communication with a switch that stops power supply to retraction mechanism and/or submersible component. In some cases, the retraction control system can also permit power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or submersible component. Thus, in some cases, the retraction control mechanism is configured to control i) activation and/or deactivation of the retraction mechanism, and/or ii) operation of the submersible component (e.g., thruster).

[0036] In some cases, the retraction control system is manually operated and/or automatically operated. In some cases, the retraction control system includes a user interface (e.g., a switch, on/off button, etc.) to enable manual operation of the retraction control system, thereby allowing a user to allow / disallow power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or thruster.

[0037] In some cases, the retraction control system is automatically operated based on one or more predetermined conditions (e.g., occurrence of a condition, such as a threshold parameter being met). For example, in some cases, the retraction control system is configured to automatically retract a deployed thruster to a fully retracted position based on the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions. The one or more predetermined conditions can include, for example, loss of power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or thrusters, the marine vessel traveling at a speed exceeding a speed threshold, a threshold force exerted on the submersible component (and/or shaft) being met, a threshold amount of strain exerted on the submersible component (and/or shaft) being met, or any combination thereof.

[0038] In some cases, the retraction control mechanism is in operative communication with one or more sensors configured to detect a threshold parameter being met. For example, in some cases, the retraction control system includes and/or is in communication with a sensor for detecting the speed of the marine vessel, so as to deactivate the retraction mechanism upon the sensor detecting the marine vessel traveling at a speed exceeding the speed threshold. In some cases, the sensor comprises one or more Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors to monitor the speed of the marine vessel. In some cases, the sensor comprises a speed gauge. In some cases, the speed threshold is at least 2 mph, 3 mph, 4 mph, 5 mph, 6 mph, 10 mph, 15 mph. In some cases, the speed threshold is from about 1 mph to about 10 mph. In some cases, as described herein, the retraction control system is in communication with a switch configured to remove power input to the retraction mechanism, such that upon receiving a signal that the marine vessel is exceeding the speed threshold, the retraction control system will stop power supply to the retraction mechanism and/or thruster via said switch.

[0039] In general, in various embodiments, each steering control system is configured to orient the respective thruster in a desired direction. As described herein, in some cases, the thruster can be an azimuthing thruster, and can be configured to rotate, for example, about a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. In some cases, the steering control system is in communication with the steering shaft and configured to control the orientation of the respective thruster. Tn some cases, the steering control system is located closer to the thruster than in conventional trolling motor system. In some embodiments, the steering control system is either fully or partially submerged and located fully or partially below the water surface. Tn general, the steering control system can be located at any appropriate distance from the thruster, e.g., within 0.5 inches, within 1 inch, within 2 inches, within 4 inches, within 10 inches, within 20 inches, within 40 inches, within 60 inches, within 80 inches, or within 100 inches. In some embodiments, the steering control system can be integrated with the shaft, bracket, and/or thruster. As an example, if the lower unit 3 resembles the body of a submarine, the lower unit steering control system 1 can be housed in an area resembling the conning tower of the submarine. In some cases, the power module, as described herein, supplies power for operation of the steering control system.

[0040] In various embodiments, the steering control system can be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled, removably coupled, rotatably coupled) to the steering shaft. The steering control system can be any type of steering control mechanism. For example, the steering control system 1 can be a gear or belt drive driven by a DC motor, direct drive stepper motor, or any other appropriate actuator. In some embodiments, the steering control system can include means of positional feedback (e.g., encoder, potentiometer, etc.) that provides angular position feedback to an operator or an external control system. The angular positional feedback can be used to determine the direction of the thrust vector(s) output by the thruster.

[0041] Having described herein illustrative embodiments of the present invention, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate various other features and advantages of the invention apart from those specifically described above. It should therefore be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications and additions, as well as all combinations and permutations of the various elements and components recited herein, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims shall not be limited by the particular features that have been shown and described but shall be construed also to cover any obvious modifications and equivalents thereof.