Trolling motor and method for controlling a trolling motor
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a trolling motor including a sonar transducer and an electric motor configured to rotate a propeller of the trolling motor, the method comprising:
- providing a motor controller configured for electrical connection to the electric motor, wherein the motor controller includes a pulse width modulator outputting a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal;
providing a high-side electronic switch between a high-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor and a low-side electronic switch between a low-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor;
configuring the electric motor to be driven by current transmitted via one of the high-side electronic switch and the low-side electronic switch in response to the PWM signal;
selecting an operating frequency of the PWM signal such that an operating frequency of the sonar transducer is approximately centered between harmonic frequencies of the PWM signal; and
utilizing a spread spectrum switching algorithm to reduce a peak noise level of the PWM signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a trolling motor including a sonar transducer and an electric motor rotating a propeller includes providing a motor controller configured for electrical connection to the electric motor. The motor controller includes a pulse width modulator outputting a PWM signal. A high-side electronic switch is provided between a high-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor and a low-side electronic switch is provided between a low-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor. The electric motor is driven by current transmitted via the high-side electronic switch or the low-side electronic switch in response to the PWM signal. An operating frequency of the PWM signal is selected such that an operating frequency of the sonar transducer is approximately centered between harmonic frequencies of the PWM signal. A spread spectrum switching algorithm reduces a peak noise level of the PWM signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a trolling motor including a sonar transducer and an electric motor configured to rotate a propeller of the trolling motor, the method comprising:
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providing a motor controller configured for electrical connection to the electric motor, wherein the motor controller includes a pulse width modulator outputting a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal; providing a high-side electronic switch between a high-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor and a low-side electronic switch between a low-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor; configuring the electric motor to be driven by current transmitted via one of the high-side electronic switch and the low-side electronic switch in response to the PWM signal; selecting an operating frequency of the PWM signal such that an operating frequency of the sonar transducer is approximately centered between harmonic frequencies of the PWM signal; and utilizing a spread spectrum switching algorithm to reduce a peak noise level of the PWM signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A trolling motor comprising:
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an electric motor coupled to and configured to rotate a propeller; a motor controller electrically connected to the electric motor, the motor controller including a pulse width modulator generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal; a high-side transistor between a high-side gate driver output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor and a low-side transistor between a low-side gate driver output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor; a resistor and a diode in parallel between each of the high-side gate driver output and the high-side transistor and the low-side gate driver output and the low-side transistor, respectively; and a user input device in signal communication with the motor controller and configured to input a trolling motor speed command to the pulse width modulator; wherein the pulse width modulator generates the PWM signal in response to the trolling motor speed command, and the motor controller provides current to the electric motor via one of the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor in response to the PWM signal to control a speed of the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification