The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 2026
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2022
Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, MN (US);
James J. Endrizzi, Plymouth, MN (US);
Jacob L. Stock, Dellwood, MN (US);
Austin R. Bartz, Forest Lake, MN (US);
Michael J. Fuchs, Blaine, MN (US);
Erik W. Rogers, Cadillac, MI (US);
Michael T. Yobe, Knoxville, TN (US);
Joseph P. Nuxoll, San Jose, CA (US);
Kevin P. Blair, Forest Lake, MN (US);
John E. Kraus, Forest Lake, MN (US);
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC., Medina, MN (US);
Abstract
Techniques for thruster system control for a pontoon boat or other watercraft. A thruster system may comprise a plurality of thrusters used to control movement of the pontoon boat in addition to an outboard prime mover. The thrusters may be fixed and/or steerable thrusters. In examples, the thrusters may be retracted based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be damaged. The thrusters may be deployed based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be used to recharge an associated energy source. User input to control the thrusters may be adapted to account for external forces acting on the pontoon boat. A user interface is provided with which to control the thruster system, via which an operator manipulates a movement intent line to control the thruster system. The user interface may further comprise obstacle indicators, thereby enabling the operator to maneuver the pontoon boat accordingly.