Trolling motor battery gauge

• US 6,276,975 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
• Inventors: Knight, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/590,921
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1, 440/2, 440/6, 440/7
• US Class Current: 440/2
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/007 Trolling propulsion units trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/08 Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt initiating means for steering B63H25/02
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/10 Means enabling trim or tilt, or lifting of the propulsion element when an obstruction is hit; Control of trim or tilt
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/106 Means enabling lifting of the propulsion element in a substantially vertical, linearly sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• 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: G01S 15/96 for locating fish

Abstract

A battery gauge for an electric trolling motor is disclosed. The battery gauge includes a battery that is configured to supply power to the trolling motor. The battery gauge also includes a motor speed setting switch that is configured to supply a signal representative of the motor speed setting. The battery gauge also includes an electronic circuit configured to sense at least one battery parameter that is representative of the battery charge. The electronic circuit is also configured to receive an electrical signal that is representative of the speed setting. The electronic circuit further is configured to determine the remaining battery charge time based on the at least one battery parameter and the speed setting.

Claims

1. A battery gauge for an electric trolling motor comprising:

a battery configured to supply power to the trolling motor;

a motor speed setting switch configured to supply a signal representative of the motor speed setting; and

an electronic circuit configured to sense at least one battery parameter representative of the battery charge, and the electronic circuit configured to receive an electrical signal representative of the speed setting, the electronic circuit configured to determine the remaining battery charge time based on the at least one battery parameter and the speed setting.

2. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the battery is a 12 Volt battery.

3. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the battery is a lead-acid battery.

4. The battery gauge of claim 1, further comprising:

a display configured to provide an indication of the time of battery charge remaining.

5. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes a micro controller.

6. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the at least one battery parameter includes the no load battery voltage.

7. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes a state of charge look up table.

8. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes a motor current look up table.

9. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein an approximate travel distance remaining may be calculated based on the remaining battery charge time and the speed setting.

10. The battery gauge of claim 1, wherein an approximate travel distance remaining may be calculated based on the motor speed.

11. The battery gauge of claim 10, wherein the approximate travel distance remaining may be calculated based on operator inputs.

12. The battery gauge of claim 10, wherein the approximate travel distance remaining may be calculated based on boat parameters.

13. The battery gauge of claim 10, wherein an alarm may be provided based on a distance from a reference point and the approximate travel distance remaining.

14. An electric trolling motor comprising:

a propulsion unit configured to provide thrust and having a motor;

a steering unit, coupled to the propulsion unit for steering the propulsion unit;

a battery configured to supply power to the propulsion unit;

a motor speed setting switch coupled to the motor and configured to supply a signal representative of the motor speed setting; and

an electronic circuit configured to sense at least one battery parameter representative of the battery charge, and the electronic circuit configured to receive an electrical signal representative of the speed setting, the electronic circuit configured to determine the remaining battery charge time based on the at least one battery parameter and the speed setting.

15. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, further comprising:

a display configured to provide an indication of the time of battery charge remaining.

16. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the electronic circuit includes a micro controller.

17. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the at least one battery parameter includes the no load battery voltage.

18. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the electronic circuit includes a state of charge look up table.

19. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the electronic circuit includes a motor current look up table.

20. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to compute run time based on state of charge divided by motor current.

21. The electric trolling motor of claim 14, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to compute run time based on state of charge minus total charge used, that difference divided by motor current.

22. A method of providing an indication of battery charge for a trolling motor, comprising:

sensing at least one battery parameter of a trolling motor battery, the battery parameter being representative of battery charge;

receiving, by a processing circuit, the at least one battery parameter;

receiving, by the processing circuit, a signal representative of a trolling motor speed setting;

computing, by the processing circuit, a battery charge time based on the at least one battery parameter and the trolling motor speed setting.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

sensing the no load battery voltage.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

looking up in a table, the state of charge for the battery.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

looking up the motor current in a table.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

accumulating the total charge used.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

providing a signal to indicate reserve power is being used.