Brunswick Corporation

Bruswick Corporation

Brad E Taylor

Kenneth G Gable

Steven J Andrasko

Benjamin C Wald

Andrew J Przybyl

Matthew W Snyder

David J Belter

David M Van Buren

Glenn E Anderson

Wayne M Jaszewski

Steven M Anschuetz

David Bell

Daniel E Clarkson

Andres Perdomo Tornbaum

William R Robertson

Bret A Martin

Donald F Mason, Jr

Clint Szumal

William Wayne McEathron

Phillip J Niemann

David W Dochterman

Michael S Makus

Christopher R Chapman

Michael R Schlichting

A pair of connectors for electric marine devices is disclosed. The first connector comprises a first housing, a plug provided within the first housing, a sleeve surrounding the first housing, and an asymmetrical key. The second connector comprises a second housing, a receptacle located within the second housing, and an asymmetrical keyway. The first housing of the first connector is configured to receive the receptacle of the second connector via an open first end of the first housing. A gap between an outer surface of the first housing and the sleeve is configured to receive the second housing of the second connector. The keyway of the second connector is configured to receive the key of the first connector.

Connectors for electric marine devices

A method for making a marine propulsion device. The method includes providing a drive housing that extends between a first end and a second end, whereby drive housing has a cavity that extends inwardly from the second end. The method further includes positioning a conductor within the drive housing, whereby the conductor is configured to conduct power for the marine propulsion device. The method further includes inserting a motor assembly into the cavity and electrically coupling the motor assembly and the conductor while the motor assembly is positioned in the cavity and without entering the cavity via the first end of the drive housing.

Marine propulsion devices having electric motors and methods for making marine propulsion devices having electric motors

A system configured for controlling a trim position of a trimmable drive unit with respect to a marine vessel. The system includes a trim actuator coupled to the trimmable drive unit and configured to rotate the trimmable drive unit about a horizontal trim axis, at least one obstruction sensor configured to sense obstructions proximate the trimmable drive unit, and a controller operably coupled to the trim actuator and the at least one obstruction sensor. The controller is configured to operate the trim actuator to rotate the trimmable drive unit about the horizontal trim axis, receive a signal from the at least one obstruction sensor indicating an obstruction within a predetermined threshold distance of the trimmable drive unit, and perform a mitigation operation to prevent the trimmable drive unit from impacting the obstruction.

Systems and methods for controlling trimmable marine devices to prevent object impact

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a marine propulsion device, a plurality of power storage devices, and a charge distribution circuit. The marine propulsion device includes an engine and an alternator driven by the engine to generate a charge current. The plurality of power storage devices includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device, wherein each power storage device is configured to receive current from the alternator. The charge distribution circuit is positioned between the alternator and the plurality of power storage devices and includes an isolator configured to isolate the first power storage device from the second power storage device, a charge sensor configured to sense a charge level of the first power storage device, and a relay configured to connect and disconnect the second power storage device to/from the alternator based on the sensed charge level.

Charge distribution circuit for a marine vessel

A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Methods for maneuvering a marine vessel

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel has a first marine propulsion device coupled to the marine vessel and a second marine propulsion device coupled to the marine vessel. The first marine propulsion device has a first engine controlled by a first electronic control module. The second marine propulsion device has a second engine controlled by a second electronic control module. In response to the first marine propulsion device being keyed ON, the second electronic control module of the second marine propulsion device is turned ON.

Marine propulsion system and method for preventing collision of marine propulsion devices

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a first marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a first steering axis and a first tilt-trim axis and a second marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a second steering axis and a second tilt-trim axis. A first control module controls operation of the first marine propulsion device, and a second control module controls operation of the second marine propulsion device. In response to one of the first and second marine propulsion devices being commanded to rotate about at least one of its respective first or second steering axis and its respective first or second tilt-trim axis, the respective first or second control module of the other of the first and second marine propulsion devices is turned ON.

A method of controlling a plurality of marine drives on a multi-hull marine vessel includes determining, based on steering information, that the multi-hull marine vessel is entering a turn and then receiving a running trim position for each marine drive. A trim position of at least a portion of the plurality of marine drives is then adjusted from each respective running trim position so as to induce roll of the multi-hull marine vessel during the turn.

System and method for controlling trim position of marine drives on a multi-hull marine vessel

A system for measuring angular misalignment between marine propulsion devices. The system includes first and second members with mounting ends and distal ends. Attachment features are positioned at the mounting ends to attach the members to first and second propulsion shafts of the marine propulsion devices. Emitters configured to emit light are coupled to the first and second members. When the first and second member are attached to the propulsion shafts, a first emitter emits the light towards a target on the second member and a second emitter emits the light towards a target on the first member. The angular misalignment between the propulsion shafts is measurable based on a first offset between the target and where the light from the first emitter shines on the second member, and based on a second offset between the target and where the light from the second emitter shines on the first member.

Systems and methods for measuring angular misalignment between marine propulsion devices

A drive-by-wire control system for steering a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel that is manually rotatable and a steering actuator that causes the propulsion device to steer based upon rotation of the steering wheel. The system further includes a resistance device that applies a resistance force against rotation of the steering wheel, and a controller that controls the resistance device to vary the resistance force based on at least one sensed condition of the system.

Drive-by-wire control systems and methods for steering a marine vessel

A controller carries out a method for positioning multiple trimmable marine propulsion devices on a marine vessel transom. The method includes identifying two propulsion devices located one on either side of a transom centerline and defining these as outer propulsion devices. A third propulsion device coupled to the transom between the outer propulsion devices is defined as an inner propulsion device. A user input is received to trim the outer and inner propulsion devices in a single direction with respect to their current trim angles. In response to the user input, the controller outputs a control signal. In response to the control signal, the outer propulsion devices are trimmed in the single direction to a first trim angle and the inner propulsion device is trimmed in the single direction to a second, different trim angle. The controller may rate limit trimming of the outer propulsion devices to accomplish this.

Systems and methods for positioning multiple trimmable marine propulsion devices on a marine vessel

A method of controlling steering loads on a marine propulsion system of a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel has at least two sets of marine drives, each set having at least an inner marine drive and an outer marine drive, and a steer-by-wire steering actuator is associated with each set of marine drives. The method includes determining a maximum required actuator pressure on each steer-by-wire steering actuator, and determining a pressure reduction amount based on the maximum required actuator pressure. A link toe angle has been determined based on the pressure reduction amount. A mechanical link connecting each inner marine drive to the respective outer marine drive is adjusted to achieve the link toe angle.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Brad E Taylor