Apparatus for maintaining a boat in a fixed position
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining the position of a floating boat over a desired position, comprising:
- an electric trolling motor connected to the boat, the electric trolling motor producing a variable magnitude of thrust to propel the boat, the magnitude of the thrust being responsive to a first input signal;
a steering motor coupled to the electric trolling motor, the steering motor being disposed to affect the orientation of the electric trolling motor in response to a second input signal;
a position deviation detection unit for detecting a deviation in the position of the boat from the desired position and for generating position deviation signals indicative of a deviation distance and a return heading, the deviation distance being the distance from the boat to the desired position, the return heading being the direction of the desired position from the boat; and
a control circuit electrically coupled to the position deviation detection unit, the electric trolling motor and the steering motor, the control circuit being configured to receive the position deviation signals from the position deviation detection unit, to generate the second input signal to the steering motor to steer the electric trolling motor in the return heading, and to generate the first input signal to cause the electric trolling motor to propel the boat in the return heading, whereby the boat returns to the desired position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for maintaining a floating boat or water vessel in a desired position is provided. The apparatus includes an electric trolling motor disposed to produce a thrust to pull the boat, a steering motor disposed to affect the orientation of the electric trolling motor, a position deviation detection unit, and a control circuit. The position deviation detection unit detects a deviation in the position of the boat from the desired position and transmits signals indicative of a deviation distance (the distance from the boat to the desired position) and a return heading (the direction of the desired position from the boat) to the control circuit. The control circuit causes the steering motor to steer the electric trolling motor in the return heading, and the electric trolling motor to propel the boat in the return heading, to return the boat to the desired position. [Various] A first embodiment[s] of the position deviation detection unit [are disclosed, including an embodiment which] detects a deviation in position based on signals from a satellite-based global positions system[,]. [an] Another embodiment [which] detects a deviation in position based on a signal from an anchored transmitter[,]. [and an] A third embodiment [which] detects a deviation in position based on the forces caused by the surrounding water when the boat drifts.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining the position of a floating boat over a desired position, comprising:
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an electric trolling motor connected to the boat, the electric trolling motor producing a variable magnitude of thrust to propel the boat, the magnitude of the thrust being responsive to a first input signal; a steering motor coupled to the electric trolling motor, the steering motor being disposed to affect the orientation of the electric trolling motor in response to a second input signal; a position deviation detection unit for detecting a deviation in the position of the boat from the desired position and for generating position deviation signals indicative of a deviation distance and a return heading, the deviation distance being the distance from the boat to the desired position, the return heading being the direction of the desired position from the boat; and a control circuit electrically coupled to the position deviation detection unit, the electric trolling motor and the steering motor, the control circuit being configured to receive the position deviation signals from the position deviation detection unit, to generate the second input signal to the steering motor to steer the electric trolling motor in the return heading, and to generate the first input signal to cause the electric trolling motor to propel the boat in the return heading, whereby the boat returns to the desired position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification