STATUS INDICATORS FOR USE WITH A WATERCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM

• US 20090042460A1
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Suhre, Karen, Schey, Tyson
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/2
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/213 Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/42 Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements by jets B63H25/46; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

Status indicators for use with a watercraft propulsion system are described. An example indicator includes a light operatively coupled to a propulsion system of a watercraft, wherein an operation of the light indicates a status of a thruster system of the propulsion system.

Claims

1. An indicator for use with a watercraft propulsion system comprising:

a light operatively coupled to a propulsion system of a watercraft, wherein an operation of the light indicates a status of a thruster system of the propulsion system.

2. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the light is disposed on a thruster system control mechanism.

3. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the status includes a capacity level of the thruster system.

4. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the status is based on a temperature of a thruster.

5. An indicator as defined in claim 4, wherein the status is based on the temperature of the thruster and a voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to the thruster.

6. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the status is based on a voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to a thruster.

7. An indicator as defined in claim 6, wherein the status is based on the voltage level of the battery and an operational status of the thruster.

8. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the light flashes to warn a user of a decreased capacity of the thruster system.

9. An indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the light illuminates to indicate a condition that requires the thruster system to be disabled.

10. An indicator as defined in claim 9, wherein the light remains illuminated until the condition is no longer present.

11. An indicator as defined in claim 9, wherein the condition includes a low capacity of the thruster system.

12. An indicator as defined in claim 9, wherein the thruster system is disabled in response to a low capacity level.

13. A method of for use with a watercraft comprising:

operatively coupling a light to a thruster system of a propulsion system;

detecting a status of the thruster system; and

operating the light to indicate the status of the thruster system.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the light is disposed on a thruster system control mechanism.

15. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein detecting the status of the thruster system includes detecting a voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to a thruster.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein detecting the status of the thruster system includes detecting the voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to the thruster and detecting an operational status of the thruster.

17. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein detecting the status of the thruster system includes detecting a temperature of a thruster.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein detecting the status of the thruster system includes detecting the temperature of the thruster and detecting a voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to the thruster.

19. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising flashing the light in response to a detection of a decreased capacity level of the thruster system.

20. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising illuminating the light in response to a detection of a condition that requires the thruster system to be disabled.

21. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the light remains illuminated until the condition is no longer present.

22. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the condition includes a low capacity level of the thruster system.

23. A watercraft comprising:

a propulsion system including a thruster;

a first sensor to detect a temperature of the thruster;

a second sensor to detect a voltage level of a battery operatively coupled to the thruster;

a light operatively coupled to the thruster; and

a means for determining a capacity level of the thruster based on the voltage level of the battery or the temperature of the thruster, wherein the light operates to indicate the capacity level to a user.

24. A watercraft as defined in claim 23, wherein the light flashes to indicate a warning level of thruster capacity and illuminates to indicate a condition that requires the thruster to be disabled.