Methods for maneuvering a marine vessel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11565783-B1
Application number	US-202017115059-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 8, 2020
Priority date	Apr 4, 2019
Publication date	Jan 31, 2023
Grant date	Jan 31, 2023

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for maneuvering a marine vessel, the method being carried out by a control module and comprising:
receiving an input signal from a single user input device;
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, actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust in only one of a port direction or a starboard direction; and
in response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, actuating the first marine propulsion device to produce thrust in only the one of the port direction or the starboard direction and actuating a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust in only the other of the port direction or the starboard direction;
wherein the control module does not actuate the second marine propulsion device to produce thrust in response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises a command to rotate the marine vessel about a predetermined point on the marine vessel.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving an additional input signal from the user input device comprising a command to translate the marine vessel in a fore direction or in the fore direction combined with the port or starboard direction;
wherein in response to receiving the additional input signal, the control module sets the first marine propulsion device as one that is located at a bow of the marine vessel, and sets the second marine propulsion device as one that is located at a stern of the marine vessel.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving an additional input signal from the user input device comprising a command to translate the marine vessel in an aft direction or in the aft direction combined with the port or starboard direction;
wherein in response to receiving the additional input signal, the control module sets the first marine propulsion device as one that is located at a stern of the marine vessel, and sets the second marine propulsion device as one that is located at a bow of the marine vessel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first marine propulsion device is one of a bow thruster or a stern thruster, and the second marine propulsion device is the other of the bow thruster or the stern thruster.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the bow and stern thrusters are configured as non-proportional output devices.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user input device is a joystick.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises a command to rotate the marine vessel about a predetermined point on the marine vessel only, with no translation, and the first and second marine propulsion devices are configured to produce thrust purely in the port and/or starboard direction.

9. A method for maneuvering a marine vessel, the method being carried out by a control module and comprising:
receiving from a single user input device an input signal comprising a command to rotate the marine vessel about a predetermined point on the marine vessel;
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, actuating a first marine propulsion device in a manner that will cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the command; and
in response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device in manners that will cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the command;
wherein the control module does not actuate the second marine propulsion device in response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold;
wherein the user input device has a handle that is rotatable about an axis of the handle and the input signal is generated by rotation of the handle about the axis;
wherein the first marine propulsion device is located at one of a bow or a stern of the marine vessel and the second marine propulsion device is located at the other of the bow or the stern;
wherein the first marine propulsion device is one of a bow thruster or a stern thruster, and the second marine propulsion device is the other of the bow thruster or the stern thruster; and
wherein the method further comprises receiving from the user input device an additional command to translate the marine vessel purely in a port direction or purely in a starboard direction,
wherein in response to the additional command, the control module actuates both the bow and stern thrusters to cause the marine vessel to translate in the port or starboard direction, regardless of the magnitude of the input signal.

10. A method for maneuvering a marine vessel, the method being carried out by a control module and comprising:
receiving from a single user input device an input signal comprising a command to rotate the marine vessel about a predetermined point on the marine vessel;
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, actuating a first marine propulsion device in a manner that will cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the command; and
in response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device in manners that will cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the command;
wherein the control module does not actuate the second marine propulsion device in response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold;
wherein the first marine propulsion device is one of a bow thruster located at a bow of the marine vessel or a stern thruster located at a stern of the marine vessel, and the second marine propulsion device is the other of the bow thruster or the stern thruster; and
wherein the method further comprises receiving from the user input device an additional command to translate the marine vessel purely in a port direction or purely in a starboard direction, wherein in response to the additional command, the control module actuates both the bow and stern thrusters to cause the marine vessel to translate in the port or starboard direction, regardless of the magnitude of the input signal.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user input device is a joystick.

12. A system for maneuvering a marine vessel, the system comprising:
first and second marine propulsion devices configured to produce thrust to maneuver the marine vessel;
a user input device configured to generate an analog input signal comprising a yaw command in response to manipulation thereof; and
a control module receiving the input signal;
wherein the control module compares a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold;
wherein in response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the control module actuates only one of the first and second marine propulsion devices to cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the yaw command;
wherein in response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the control module actuates both the first and second marine propulsion devices to cause the marine vessel to yaw according to the yaw command; and
wherein the input signal comprise

Assignees

• Brunswick Corp

Inventors

• Wald Benjamin C
• Taylor Brad E
• Gable Kenneth G

Classifications

• B63H25/02 Primary

  Initiating means for steering {, for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring} · CPC title

• B63H25/42

  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 title

• B63H20/12 Primary

  Means enabling steering · CPC title

• B63H2025/026

  using multi-axis control levers, or the like, e.g. joysticks, wherein at least one degree of freedom is employed for steering, slowing down, or dynamic anchoring · CPC title

• B63H2020/003

  Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units · CPC title