Brunswick Corporation

Mitchell J Baer

Matthew W Snyder

Jared D Kalnins

Justin R Poirier

Robert Raymond Osthelder

David M Van Buren

William P O'Brien

Corey L Bruno

Daniel A Roske

Charles A Lubitz

Lukas G Neveau

An electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel includes a power storage system comprising a plurality of batteries and at least one electric motor powered by the power storage system and configured to rotate a propulsor to propel the marine vessel. A control system is configured to identify a charge level for each of the plurality of batteries and determine which of the plurality of batteries are active batteries based at least in part on the charge level on each of the plurality of batteries. A minimum power limit is then identified for the active batteries and a system power limit is determined based on the minimum power limit and the number of active batteries. The at least one electric motor is then controlled based on the system power limit such that the system power limit is not exceeded.

Electric marine propulsion system and control method

An electric marine propulsion system for a marine vessel is provided. The system includes a power storage system, an electric motor powered by the power storage system and configured to rotate a propulsor to propel the marine vessel, and a control system. The control system is configured to operate the electric motor according to an operator demand signal, determine whether at least one filter latch condition is satisfied, and responsive to a determination that the at least one filter latch condition is satisfied, operate the electric motor according to a filtered motor input.

A method of controlling an electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel includes receiving a user-set distance, identifying a battery charge level of a power storage system on a marine vessel and identifying an energy utilization value. An output limit is then determined based on a remaining distance, the battery charge level, and the energy utilization value. The propulsion system is then automatically controlled so as to not exceed the output limit, enabling the marine vessel to travel the user-set distance without recharging the power storage system.

A method for shifting multi-speed transmissions of marine propulsion devices each having a power head and a shift schedule for shifting between first and second gears to transmit torque from the powerhead. The method includes configuring the transmissions of leader and follower marine propulsion devices to shift when shift schedules of the leader and of the follower indicate shift recommendations, respectively. The method further includes receiving a request to shift the transmission of the leader when the shift schedule of the leader indicates the shift recommendation. The method further includes determining whether conditions are met for the follower to follow the leader in shifting. The method further includes automatically requesting, when conditions are determined to be met for the follower to follow the leader, to shift the transmission of the follower so as to be coordinated with shifting the transmission of the leader.

Systems and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions

An electric marine propulsion system for a marine vessel is provided. The system includes a power storage system, an electric motor powered by the power storage system and configured to rotate a propulsor to propel the marine vessel, and a control system configured to operate the electric motor in a speed control mode to generate a variable propulsion output so as not to exceed a rated operation value and an open loop parameter control mode such that the electric motor is operated to exceed the rated operation value to generate a maximum propulsion output. The control system is further configured to receive an operator demand to accelerate the marine vessel; determine whether the operator demand exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold; and operate the electric motor in the open loop parameter control mode to generate the maximum propulsion output.

Systems and methods for improving acceleration performance of marine vessels

A method for shifting a multi-speed transmission of a marine propulsion device between a first gear and a second gear each configured to transmit torque from a powerhead to a transmission output shaft. The method includes determining an actual power level requested for operating the marine propulsion device and measuring a transmission output shaft speed in which the transmission output shaft is rotating. The method further includes comparing the actual power level to a shift threshold, the shift threshold corresponding to expected power levels for operating the marine propulsion device as a function of the transmission output shaft speed of the transmission output shaft. The method further includes controlling the multi-speed transmission to shift when the actual power is outside the shift threshold.

A method for shifting a multi-speed transmission for transmitting rotation between an input shaft and an output shaft for a marine vessel. The method includes providing a multi-speed transmission having first and second gears engaged by actuating first and second clutches, and providing first and second pressure sensors that measure first and second pressures within the first and second clutches, respectively. The method further includes performing a first shift from the first gear to the second gear by de-actuating the first clutch a first delay after the second clutch is actuated, then measuring the first and second pressures and determining a first shift pressure at which the first and second pressures are substantially equal while performing the first shift. The method further includes comparing the first shift pressure to a first pressure threshold range and adjusting the first delay when the first shift pressure is outside the first pressure threshold range.

Multi-speed transmissions and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions for marine vessels

A method for synchronizing shifting of transmissions across marine propulsion devices. The method includes receiving a signal to shift the transmissions and identifying a predetermined shifting time for each of the transmissions, where the predetermined shifting time represents an elapsed time between starting the shifting and completing the shifting. The method further includes comparing the predetermined shifting times to determine a longest shifting time, calculating for each of the transmissions an offset time that is a difference between the corresponding predetermined shifting time and the longest shifting time, and sending a signal to start the shifting of each of the transmissions after waiting the offset time for that transmission such that the transmissions all complete the shifting at the same time.

Growing community of inventors

Fond Du Lac, WI, United States of America

Mitchell J Baer