Wakeboat with dynamic wave control

• US 9,689,395 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2015
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skier's Choice Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Skier's Choice Incorporated
• Inventors: Hartman, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A
• Application Number:
  US14/834,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20160097393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 114125, 114284, 114285
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2207/02 Variable ballast or buoyancy
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/00 Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure; Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure water sports boards B63B32/00; swimming frameworks A63B35/00; propulsion arrangements actuated by muscle power B63H16/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/70 Arrangements on vessels specially adapted for generating waves for surfing, wakeboarding or the like, e.g. ballast tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/75 Arrangements of wake plates
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/03 by transferring liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/061 by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/08 for submerged use
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/12 Combinations of two or more pumps combinations with priming pumps or booster pumps to counteract vapour-lock F04D9/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0072 Installation or systems with two or more pumps, wherein the flow path through the stages can be changed, e.g. series-parallel

Abstract

Wakeboat ballast pump systems and methods are provided to monitor the operational condition and parameters of wakeboat ballast components. Systems and methods for sensing and measurement are provided to detect parameters associated with wakeboat ballast pumps and compartments, including systems and methods that can economically retrofit into existing wakeboat ballast systems. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action based on various operational conditions and parameters to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast pumps.

Claims

1. A wakeboat control system comprising:

the wakeboat having a hull and a transom;

a first sensor configured to measure a change in the angle of the hull;

a plurality of ballast pumps;

trim plates movably attached to the transom;

processing circuitry coupled to the sensor and the plurality of ballast pumps, wherein the processing circuitry automatically controls operation of the ballast pumps and trim plates in response to inputs received from the first sensor.

2. The wakeboat control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor rotation of the hull about a longitudinal axis of the hull.

3. The wakeboat control system of claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry provides the ability to store and recall the longitudinal angle of the hull and thereby automatically adjust the attitude of the hull by operation of the ballast pumps and the trim plates.

4. The wakeboat control system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor, the second sensor configured to monitor rotation of the hull about a lateral axis, the second sensor coupled to the processing circuitry and wherein the processing circuitry controls operation of the ballast pumps in response to inputs received from the second sensor.

5. The wakeboat control system of claim 4, further comprising trim plates carried by the hull, the processing circuitry controls the position of the trim plates in response to inputs received from the first and second sensors.

6. The wakeboat control system of claim 1, further comprising a draft sensor, the draft sensor coupled to the processing circuitry.

7. The wakeboat control system of claim 4, further comprising a draft sensor, the draft sensor coupled to the processing circuitry.

8. A method for producing a desired wake of a wakeboat comprising:

using a first sensor to monitor the angle of rotation of the hull about a longitudinal axis and generate a first signal associated with the angle of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal axis;

inputting the first signal from the sensor into processing circuitry;

using the processing circuitry to automatically control the operation of ballast pumps in response to the first signal generated by the first sensor to change the angle of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal axis thereby controlling the hull to produce the desired wake; and

,

recording the angle of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal and lateral axes and storing the recorded angles of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal and lateral axes in a memory function of the processing circuitry.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

using the processing circuitry to automatically control the operation of at least one trim tab in response to the first signal generated by the first sensor thereby controlling the hull and the trim tab to produce the desired wake.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

using a second sensor to monitor the angle of rotation of the hull about a lateral axis and generate a second signal associate with the angle of rotation of the hull about the lateral axis;

inputting the first and second signals from the sensor into processing circuitry;

using the processing circuitry to automatically control the operation of ballast pumps in response to the first and second signals thereby changing the angle of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis to control the hull and produce the desired wake.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

using the processing circuitry to automatically control the operation of at least one trim tab in response to the first and second signals thereby controlling the hull and the trim tab to produce the desired wake.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

using the processing circuitry to recall stored angles of rotation of the hull about the longitudinal and lateral axes; and

,

using the processing circuitry to operate the ballast pumps and the trim tab to adjust the angle of the hull to the recalled stored angles.

13. A wakeboat control system comprising:

the wakeboat having a hull and a transom;

a first sensor configured to measure a change in the angle of the hull;

a plurality of ballast pumps;

trim plates movably attached to the transom;

processing circuitry coupled to the sensor and the plurality of ballast pumps, wherein the processing circuitry automatically controls operation of the ballast pumps in response to inputs received from the first sensor and wherein the processing circuitry provides the ability to store and recall longitudinal hull angle and thereby automatically adjust the longitudinal hull angle by operation of the ballast pumps and the trim plates.