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公开(公告)号:US12282121B2
公开(公告)日:2025-04-22
申请号:US17326409
申请日:2021-05-21
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Jayme Caspall
Abstract: Sonar steering systems offering improved functionality and ease of use for an operator (e.g., an angler) are provided. A sonar steering system is configured to automatically adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar system in a hands-free manner to allow the operator to focus on other tasks. Some such sonar steering systems are configured to adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar transducers to maintain a target such as an area of interest (AOI) within the sonar display despite movement of the watercraft relative to the target. Accordingly, the coverage volume may be automatically adjusted to maintain the aim of the sonar transducers at a target that is moving through the water, such as a school of fish.
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公开(公告)号:US12269568B2
公开(公告)日:2025-04-08
申请号:US17842896
申请日:2022-06-17
Applicant: NAVICO, INC.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Blaine Kuehmichel
Abstract: A trolling motor assembly including a main housing and a shaft rotatably coupled therewith. The shaft is rotatable through a first angular displacement about its longitudinal axis that exceeds 360 degrees. A first gear coupled with the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A second gear coupled with the first gear has an axis of rotation spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and is rotatable through a second angular displacement that exceeds the first angular displacement. A plurality of discs coupled with the second gear are rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to one another and to the second gear. A first disc defines a first stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a second stop coupled with the second gear. A second disc defines a third stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a fourth stop coupled with the main housing.
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公开(公告)号:US20240239462A1
公开(公告)日:2024-07-18
申请号:US18155947
申请日:2023-01-18
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford
CPC classification number: B63H20/12 , B63B79/10 , B63H20/007 , B63H20/10
Abstract: Trolling motor assemblies, systems, and methods configured for prevention of ice buildup are provided herein. A trolling motor assembly has a trolling motor with a shaft, a head housing, and a trolling motor housing. One or more actuators are configured to adjust at least one of a pointing direction or a depth of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft. The trolling motor has a processor and a memory including code configured to cause the processor to activate the one or more actuators to cause automatic execution of a movement routine. The movement routine at least temporarily adjusts at least one of the depth or the pointing direction of the trolling motor housing to reduce a likelihood of ice buildup. Various assemblies, systems, and methods are also applicable to steerable and/or movable sonar transducer assemblies.
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公开(公告)号:US11971478B2
公开(公告)日:2024-04-30
申请号:US17884807
申请日:2022-08-10
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
Inventor: Neal S. Combs , Jeremiah D. Clark , Christopher D. Crawford , Jayme Caspall
CPC classification number: G01S15/93 , B63H21/21 , G01S7/521 , G01S7/56 , G01S15/89 , G05D1/0206 , B63H2021/216
Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.
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公开(公告)号:US20240092464A1
公开(公告)日:2024-03-21
申请号:US17740696
申请日:2022-05-10
Applicant: NAVICO, INC.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Zachary E. Vincent
CPC classification number: B63C9/0011 , B63H21/213 , G05D1/0016 , G05D1/0206 , B63H2021/216
Abstract: A system for a marine vessel propelled by a propulsion device includes a controller operable in an automatic navigation mode in which the controller automatically controls a thrust of the propulsion device to propel the marine vessel through a body of water. A portable device is carried on an individual on the marine vessel. The controller enables a person overboard detection algorithm in response to enablement of the automatic navigation mode. The person overboard detection algorithm disables the automatic navigation mode in response to detecting a given status of the portable device.
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公开(公告)号:US12263928B2
公开(公告)日:2025-04-01
申请号:US17589025
申请日:2022-01-31
Applicant: NAVICO, INC.
Inventor: Lonnie Shere, Jr. , Christopher D. Crawford
Abstract: A system for locking a trolling motor assembly in a stowed position on a watercraft is provided herein. The system comprises a trolling motor assembly attached to the watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly is movable between the stowed position and a deployed position. The system further includes a locking mechanism mounted to the watercraft and configured to interact with the trolling motor assembly when the trolling motor assembly is in the stowed position. The locking mechanism defines a locked state and an unlocked state and is configured to transition between the states. The system additionally includes a controller having a memory including program code configured to, when executed, cause a processor to determine an instance in which to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and, in response, cause the locking mechanism to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.
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公开(公告)号:US12179896B2
公开(公告)日:2024-12-31
申请号:US17490144
申请日:2021-09-30
Applicant: NAVICO, INC.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Peter Ver Brugge , Blaine Kuehmichel
Abstract: A trolling motor is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor includes a system for steering and trimming a trolling motor. The system includes a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotate with a trolling motor shaft about a trolling motor shaft axis. The system further includes a steering system having a steering motor configured to rotate the shaft attachment feature and shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor. The trim system includes a trim module having a trim motor configured to cause the trolling motor shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft. The trim module is disposed on the shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis.
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公开(公告)号:US20240246643A1
公开(公告)日:2024-07-25
申请号:US18158028
申请日:2023-01-23
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
CPC classification number: B63B34/05 , B63H20/007 , B63H21/21 , B63B2201/18 , B63H2021/216
Abstract: Example systems and methods are provided herein for controlling a watercraft in response to a bite on a fishing line. A system includes a memory and a processor, and the processor is configured to receive data via user input or one or more sensors to determine whether a fish has bitten on a fishing line. In response to a determination that the fish has bitten on the fishing line, the processor causes the watercraft to operate according to a fish-on operation, which includes at least one of altering a speed of the watercraft, altering a direction of the watercraft, altering a rate of change of the speed of the watercraft, altering a direction of a trolling motor, notifying other watercrafts, or engaging an autopilot to navigate the watercraft according to a preset route. The fish-on operation is designed to aid a user in catching the fish.
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公开(公告)号:US12208871B2
公开(公告)日:2025-01-28
申请号:US17740696
申请日:2022-05-10
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Zachary E. Vincent
Abstract: A system for a marine vessel propelled by a propulsion device includes a controller operable in an automatic navigation mode in which the controller automatically controls a thrust of the propulsion device to propel the marine vessel through a body of water. A portable device is carried on an individual on the marine vessel. The controller enables a person overboard detection algorithm in response to enablement of the automatic navigation mode. The person overboard detection algorithm disables the automatic navigation mode in response to detecting a given status of the portable device.
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公开(公告)号:US20240239469A1
公开(公告)日:2024-07-18
申请号:US18155949
申请日:2023-01-18
Applicant: Navico, Inc.
Inventor: Christopher D. Crawford , Guy Allen Coonts , Jeffery Lyle Osterchill
CPC classification number: B63H21/302 , B63H20/06 , B63H20/007
Abstract: A trolling motor assembly having improved shock absorption is provided. The trolling motor assembly includes a trolling motor, a first member, a second member, an actuator that is configured to be activated to cause the trolling motor to move between a first position and a second position, and a compliant member connected to the actuator. When the trolling motor is in a first position, the first member dampens shock loading at the actuator or transfers shock loading to a first shock absorber to dampen shock loading. When the trolling motor is in a second position, the second member dampens shock loading at the actuator or transfers shock loading to at least one of the first shock absorber or a second shock absorber to dampen shock loading. The compliant member dampens shock loading to protect the actuator from shock loading as the trolling motor moves between the first and second position.
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