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WO2024030874A1 - Système de commande de direction d'unité inférieure - Google Patents

Système de commande de direction d'unité inférieure Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024030874A1
WO2024030874A1 PCT/US2023/071374 US2023071374W WO2024030874A1 WO 2024030874 A1 WO2024030874 A1 WO 2024030874A1 US 2023071374 W US2023071374 W US 2023071374W WO 2024030874 A1 WO2024030874 A1 WO 2024030874A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
submersible
shaft
control system
steering control
thruster
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2023/071374
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English (en)
Inventor
Lindsay Ambler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rhodan Marine Systems of Florida LLC
Original Assignee
Rhodan Marine Systems of Florida LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rhodan Marine Systems of Florida LLC filed Critical Rhodan Marine Systems of Florida LLC
Priority to AU2023320351A priority Critical patent/AU2023320351A1/en
Priority to EP23761707.1A priority patent/EP4565482A1/fr
Priority to CA3264013A priority patent/CA3264013A1/fr
Publication of WO2024030874A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024030874A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H20/007—Trolling propulsion units

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a steering system for a thruster (e.g., a trolling motor) and, more particularly, to a submersible steering system that can reduce the force reacted about a pivot mount when the motor is subjected to high loads.
  • a thruster e.g., a trolling motor
  • submersible steering system that can reduce the force reacted about a pivot mount when the motor is subjected to high loads.
  • a thruster is a generic term for a device that applies a thrust vector affecting the position and/or bearing of a vehicle (e g., a boat), which typically includes a motor that drives a propeller.
  • a thruster may include the boat’s primary motor (i.e., a motor connected to the internal controls and steering mechanism of the boat) or one or more trolling motors (i.e., a self-contained electric motor that can be mounted/de-mounted from the boat and is generally smaller and less powerful than the primary motor). As shown in FIG.
  • a typical trolling motor includes a steering control system located somewhere substantially above the main thruster, typically above the water line. Such systems often include a shaft to connect the steering controls (e.g., steering control system) to the main thruster. Tn some cases, the steering control system includes a dedicated motor that acts to rotate the shaft. As trolling motor makers have pushed the boundaries of the amount of thrust and shaft length to accommodate larger vessels, it has created a significant moment about the pivot mount of the trolling motor. In some cases, the need to run power and control cables through the shaft to the main thruster has further contributed to weakness of the shaft. Although stronger pivot mounts with better bearing systems have been created to accommodate these forces, it is reaching the point where it is excessively costly and burdensome. An improved trolling motor with a lower unit steering control system that can accommodate the increased force and reduce the moment about the pivot mount is needed.
  • Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to an improved trolling motor.
  • This application will often describe the steering control system used to rotate the steering shaft thruster of a marine trolling motor.
  • the ideas described herein can apply to any steering of any type of motor (e.g., automobile, droid, machinery, etc.) and to any steering control action (e.g., crankshaft, linkage assembly, etc.).
  • any steering of any type of motor e.g., automobile, droid, machinery, etc.
  • any steering control action e.g., crankshaft, linkage assembly, etc.
  • embodiments of the present invention feature a trolling motor with a submersible steering control system that locates the steering control unit closer to the lower unit (e.g., main thruster) of the trolling motor.
  • the steering control system can be integrated with the lower unit. This approach significantly reduces the moment generated about the pivot mount and also between the steering control system and the lower unit.
  • inventions of the invention feature a trolling motor.
  • the trolling motor can include a mount adapted to removably couple to a marine vessel, a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the mount and a submersible distal end, a submersible steering control system coupled to the shaft distal end, and a submersible thruster rotatably coupled to the steering control system.
  • the mount can be adapted to be removably coupled to a deck of the marine vessel.
  • the marine vessel can include a recreational fishing boat.
  • the shaft can include a length in a range from three to ten feet and can be a solid cross section.
  • the shaft can include a plurality of vertebrae stacked to form a column.
  • the shaft can include at least one inelastic tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae, wherein at least a portion of the shaft has a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react torque and bending moments on the shaft.
  • the submersible steering control system can include a brushed DC motor.
  • the submersible steering control system can be rotatably coupled to the submersible thruster with a steering shaft.
  • the submersible thruster can include a horsepower in a range from about 0.25 hp to about 10 hp, about 0.3 hp to about 7.5 hp, about 0.33 hp to about 5 hp, or about 0.5 hp to about 3.5 hp.
  • embodiments of the invention feature a method of manufacturing a trolling motor.
  • the method can include the steps of coupling a mount to a proximal end of a shaft, such that the mount is adapted to removably couple to a marine vessel; coupling a submersible thruster to a distal end of the shaft; and coupling a submersible steering control system adapted to control the submersible thruster to the shaft.
  • the submersible steering control system can be coupled proximate to the submersible thruster.
  • the marine vessel can include a recreational fishing boat.
  • the shaft can include a length in a range from three feet to ten feet and can be a solid cross section.
  • the shaft can include a plurality of vertebrae stacked to form a column.
  • the shaft can include at least one inelastic tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae, wherein at least a portion of the shaft has a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react torque and bending moments on the shaft.
  • the submersible steering control system can include a brushed DC motor.
  • the method can also include the step of coupling the submersible steering control system to the submersible thruster with a steering shaft, such that the submersible steering control system is rotatably coupled to the submersible thruster.
  • the submersible thruster can include a horsepower in a range from about 0.25 hp to about 10 hp, about 0.3 hp to about 7.5 hp, about 0.33 hp to about 5 hp, or about 0.5 hp to about 3.5 hp.
  • FIG. 1 is an example diagram depicting various forces that act on a boat, according to various embodiments
  • FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a trolling motor with a conventional steering control system, according to various embodiments
  • FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of a trolling motor with a lower unit steering control system, according to various embodiments.
  • FIG. 4 is a parameter chart listing exemplary low, nominal, and high values of various parameters related to the submersible steering system, according to various embodiments.
  • the present invention is directed to an improved trolling motor with a lower unit (e.g., submersible) steering control system.
  • a trolling motor can provide for positioning and anchoring of a marine vessel. Examples of boat positioning and anchoring systems can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,491,636, issued on February 13, 1996 and titled “Anchorless boat positioning employing global positioning system,” and U.S. Patent No. 6,678,589, issued on January 13, 2004 and titled “Boat positioning and anchoring system,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • FIG. 2 shows a trolling motor with a steering control system 1 located somewhere substantially above a main thruster 2, typically above the water surface 7.
  • Trolling motor systems can include a shaft 4 that is rotatably coupled to a pivot mount 5 to removably couple the trolling motor system to a marine vessel (e.g., a recreational fishing boat).
  • the shaft 4 can have a length in a range from three feet (36 inches) to ten feet (120 inches), e.g., in a range from 42 inches to 114 inches, in a range from 48 inches to 108 inches, in a range from 54 inches to 102 inches, in a range from 60 inches to 96 inches, in a range from 66 inches to 90 inches, in a range from 72 inches to 84 inches, or in some cases above or below these ranges.
  • Example standard issue lengths of the shaft 4 are 84 inches and 96 inches.
  • a steering handle (not shown) can be coupled to the top of the shaft 4.
  • the lower unit 3 can be coupled to the bottom (e.g., a submersed end) of the shaft 4.
  • the steering handle 6 (or another manual or powered mechanism of the steering control system 1) can rotate the shaft 4 about the pivot mount 5 to change the direction of the thrust vector(s) output by the main thruster 2 of the lower unit 3. Examples of techniques for determining the thrust vector(s) can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,491,636, issued on February 13, 1996 and titled “Anchorless boat positioning employing global positioning system”, and U.S. Patent No. 6,678,589, issued on January 13, 2004 and titled “Boat positioning and anchoring system”, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
  • the invention includes a trolling motor with a lower unit steering control system 1 located closer to the lower unit 3 than in conventional trolling motor system.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 is either fully or partially submerged and located fully or partially below the water surface 7.
  • the steering control system 1 can be located at any appropriate distance from the lower unit 3, e.g., within 0.5 inches, within 1 inch, within 2 inches, within 4 inches, within 10 inches, within 20 inches, within 40 inches, within 60 inches, within 80 inches, or within 100 inches.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can be integrated with the lower unit 3. As an example, if the lower unit 3 resembles the body of a submarine, the lower unit steering control system 1 can be housed in an area resembling the conning tower of the submarine.
  • the point of rotation is located at or about the lower unit 3 (e.g., via the lower unit steering control system 1).
  • placing the point of rotation at or about the lower unit allows forces associated with rotating the thruster (e.g., thruster 2) to be reduced as compared to if the steering control system 1 or other point of rotation was located higher (e.g., at or about the mount 5, also see FIG. 2 for exemplary existing design), thereby improving the overall structural design of the motor (compared to existing designs).
  • FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of a trolling motor with a submerged lower unit steering control system 1.
  • the trolling motor system can include a mount 5 adapted to removably couple to a marine vessel.
  • the trolling motor system can include a shaft 4 coupled (e g , fixedly coupled, removably coupled, rotatably coupled) to the mount 5 and a bottom end submersed below the water surface 7.
  • the shaft comprises a hollow portion therein.
  • the hollow portion acts as a passageway coupling one or more components to the trolling motor 3 and/or steering control system 1. For example, one or more wires, cables, etc. can be directed through the shaft hollow portion.
  • the portion of the shaft 4 between the mount 5 and the steering control system 1 can be substantially solid or have a reduced hollow portion therein, because there is a reduced amount of power and control / connection wires needed to traverse the shaft over that portion. In some cases, there are no power and control / connection wires traversing the shaft over that portion. In some embodiments, locating the steering control system 1 closer to the lower unit 3 than conventional systems results in a much longer solid portion of the shaft than conventional systems (where most if not all of the shaft is hollow). Accordingly, the shaft 4 in Applicant’s invention can be much stronger and counteract significantly more force than a hollow shaft, thereby reducing the amount of force counteracted by the mount 5, which eliminates or reduces failure of the mount 5. In some embodiments, the trolling motor system having the shaft 4 fixedly coupled to the mount 5 can have increased stability / strength at the coupling mechanism, which can further eliminate or reduce failure at the mount 5.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled, removably coupled, rotatably coupled) to the bottom end of the shaft 4.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can be any type of steering control mechanism.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can be a gear or belt drive driven by a DC motor, direct drive stepper motor, or any other appropriate actuator.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can include means of positional feedback (e g , encoder, potentiometer, etc.) that provides angular position feedback to an operator or an external control system.
  • the angular positional feedback can be used to determine the direction of the thrust vector(s) output by the main thruster 2 of the lower unit 3 as described herein.
  • the steering control system is located from about 0 to 10 ft, about 1 to 8 ft, about 2 to 6 ft, or about 3 to 5ft below the water line surface 7. In some embodiments, the steering control system is located from about 0 to 12 inches, about 1 to 10 inches, about 2 to 8 inches, or about 3 to 5 inches above the water line surface 7.
  • placing the point of rotation at or about the lower unit allows the thruster 2 to be a standalone azimuthing thruster. Accordingly, this provides for greater flexibility in mounting methods.
  • one or more of the mount 5, the shaft 4, the steering control system 1, and the trolling motor 3 represents a modular component of the invention.
  • the shaft is removably coupled to the mount and/or one or both of the steering control system and the trolling motor. Accordingly, in some cases, various types of shafts can be swapped based on action by the marine vessel (e.g., remaining at a stationary position in the open water, docking at a marina, etc.).
  • Other mounting methods e.g., flex shaft, stern thruster, etc.
  • providing a standalone azimuthing thruster allows for it to be used with multiple mounting methods.
  • the lower unit 3 can include any form of thruster, for example, a propeller as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the thruster 2 can include any appropriate horsepower, e.g., in a range of about 0.25 hp to about 10 hp, about 0.3 hp to about 7.5 hp, about 0.33 hp to about 5 hp, or about 0.5 hp to about 3.5 hp.
  • the steering control system 1 is fixedly coupled with the lower unit 3 and corresponding thruster 2.
  • the steering control system 1 and the lower unit 3 are rotatable about the shaft 4 (e.g., about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 4), such that the steering control system 1 and the thruster 2 rotate in unison.
  • the steering control system 1 is mounted onto and/or integrated with lower unit 3.
  • the steering control system 1 is coupled to the lower unit 3 via a steering shaft 8 that may rotate in unison with the steering control system 1 and lower unit 3.
  • the steering shaft 8 has a length (e.g., between the steering control system and lower unit) of about 0.1 inches to about 24 inches, of about 0.5 inches to about 16 inches, of about 1 inch to about 12 inches, of about 3 inches to about 9 inches, or about 4 to 5 inches.
  • the steering control system 1 and lower unit 3 can be deployed and retracted from an underwater environment using any known technique.
  • the steering control system 1 and lower unit 3 can be coupled to a shaft 4.
  • the shaft can be rigid (as depicted) and deployed/retracted by linear motion or flexible and deployed/retracted by a coiling/uncoiling motion.
  • the steering control system 1 and lower unit 3 can be coupled to a transom mounted deployment system that can deploy/retract (motorized or manually) in a linear or non-linear manner.
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can be rotatably coupled to the lower unit 3 with the shaft 4 or a steering shaft 8 (e.g., a secondary shaft located between the lower unit 3 and the steering control system).
  • the lower unit steering control system 1 can rotate the lower unit 3 (e.g., by shaft 4 or the steering shaft 8) to change the direction of the thrust vector(s) output by the thruster 2 of the lower unit 3.
  • the steering shaft 8 has a length (e.g., between the steering control system and lower unit) of about 0.1 inches to about 24 inches, of about 0.5 inches to about 16 inches, of about 1 inch to about 12 inches, of about 3 inches to about 9 inches, or about 4 to 5 inches.
  • the shaft 4 can be configured to have a flexible configuration to enable improved storage and a stiffened configuration to be used during operation.
  • the shaft 4 can include a plurality of stacked vertebrae to form a column.
  • the shaft 4 can include a tension element (e.g., an inelastic tension element) threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae.
  • a tension element e.g., an inelastic tension element
  • Some or all of the vertebrae of the plurality of stacked vertebrae can be in a flexible configuration when the tension element is released, and some or all of the vertebrae of the plurality of stacked vertebrae can have a linear and/or stiffened configuration when the tension element is tensed.
  • FIG. 4 is a chart including example parameters related to the submersible steering system.
  • Each numerical value presented herein is contemplated to represent a minimum value or a maximum value in a range for a corresponding parameter. Accordingly, when added to the claims, the numerical value provides express support for claiming the range, which may lie above or below the numerical value, in accordance with the teachings herein. Every value between the minimum value and the maximum value within each numerical range presented herein (including the low, nominal, and high values shown in the chart shown in FIG. 4), is contemplated and expressly supported herein, subject to the number of significant digits expressed in each particular range.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Steering Mechanism (AREA)

Abstract

La présente application concerne un système de commande de direction submersible, par exemple, un système de commande de direction submersible utilisé pour diriger un propulseur électrique pour un bateau. Un tel système de commande de direction submersible peut réduire le moment autour d'un support de pivot couplé au bateau lorsque le propulseur électrique comprend un arbre de longueur accrue et un propulseur submersible à l'aide d'une force accrue (par exemple, pour une utilisation avec des navires plus grands). Le système de commande de direction submersible décrit dans cette application peut être utilisé pour comprendre un arbre qui est sensiblement solide (par exemple, dépourvu de câbles pour l'alimentation et/ou la commande), ce qui permet d'augmenter la résistance de l'arbre et d'augmenter davantage la durée de vie du propulseur électrique. Dans certains cas, le système de commande de direction submersible est intégré au propulseur submersible, réduisant en outre le moment entre le système de commande de direction et le propulseur submersible.
PCT/US2023/071374 2022-08-01 2023-07-31 Système de commande de direction d'unité inférieure Ceased WO2024030874A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2023320351A AU2023320351A1 (en) 2022-08-01 2023-07-31 Lower unit steering control system
EP23761707.1A EP4565482A1 (fr) 2022-08-01 2023-07-31 Système de commande de direction d'unité inférieure
CA3264013A CA3264013A1 (fr) 2022-08-01 2023-07-31 Système de commande de direction d’unité inférieure

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263369991P 2022-08-01 2022-08-01
US63/369,991 2022-08-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024030874A1 true WO2024030874A1 (fr) 2024-02-08

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ID=87845600

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2023/071374 Ceased WO2024030874A1 (fr) 2022-08-01 2023-07-31 Système de commande de direction d'unité inférieure

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4565482A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2023320351A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3264013A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024030874A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5491636A (en) 1994-04-19 1996-02-13 Glen E. Robertson Anchorless boat positioning employing global positioning system
US6678589B2 (en) 2002-04-08 2004-01-13 Glen E. Robertson Boat positioning and anchoring system
US20160096607A1 (en) * 2014-10-07 2016-04-07 Stephen W. DeLise, SR. Inboard/outboard with portable outdrive
US20200247516A1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2020-08-06 Garmin Switzerland Gmbh Boat steering and propulsion system
US20200290714A1 (en) 2019-03-11 2020-09-17 Rhodan Marine Systems Of Florida, Llc Stiffening shafts for marine environments

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5491636A (en) 1994-04-19 1996-02-13 Glen E. Robertson Anchorless boat positioning employing global positioning system
US6678589B2 (en) 2002-04-08 2004-01-13 Glen E. Robertson Boat positioning and anchoring system
US20160096607A1 (en) * 2014-10-07 2016-04-07 Stephen W. DeLise, SR. Inboard/outboard with portable outdrive
US20200247516A1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2020-08-06 Garmin Switzerland Gmbh Boat steering and propulsion system
US20200290714A1 (en) 2019-03-11 2020-09-17 Rhodan Marine Systems Of Florida, Llc Stiffening shafts for marine environments

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3264013A1 (fr) 2024-02-08
EP4565482A1 (fr) 2025-06-11
AU2023320351A1 (en) 2025-02-27

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