679 results about "Watercraft" patented technology

The invention discloses an unmanned ship displacement attitude high-precision fusion method based on adaptive Kalman filtering, and belongs to the technical field of ship sensing positioning, and the method comprises the steps: building a discrete time state space model of a navigation data state through employing a discrete integration mode based on the navigation data state; obtaining a system state equation by means of a rotation matrix and a median theorem; obtaining an observation transfer matrix through coordinate system information, a geodesic line length between two points and an azimuth angle, and obtaining a state observation equation by combining noise data; based on the system state equation and the state observation equation, using an adaptive Kalman filtering algorithm to obtain displacement attitude information of the unmanned ship; detecting the prediction data of the unmanned ship by using a sliding window method; and when the predicted data is detected to be abnormal, substituting the predicted data into Kalman filtering for correction. According to the invention, through state modeling, fusion algorithm, anomaly detection and anomaly correction, the precision, reliability and robustness of obtaining the displacement attitude information of the unmanned ship are improved.

In one aspect, a wireless remote controller for a personal watercraft is provided that includes a watertight body and a rotatable thumbwheel disposed on an upper surface of the watertight body. The remote controller includes at least one magnet affixed to the thumbwheel such that the at least one magnet rotates with the thumbwheel. The remote controller includes a magnetic sensor configured to produce magnetic field data in at least two axes. The remote controller includes a processor operably coupled to the magnetic sensor and communication circuitry configured to communicate control signals to an associated personal watercraft. The processor is configured to determine an angular position of the thumbwheel based at least in part on the magnetic field data in each of the at least two axes and to generate a control signal based at least in part on the determined position of the thumbwheel.

A fail-safe sealing system for a watercraft includes a self-bailing drain plug having an outer wall with a proximal end having a proximal opening, a distal end having a distal opening, and a fluid conduit that extends from the proximal opening to the distal opening. The sealing system includes a check valve including a ball disposed within the fluid conduit and being surrounded by the outer wall, and a ball retaining pin extending between opposite lateral sides of the outer wall adjacent the proximal opening for preventing the ball from passing through the proximal opening. The sealing system includes a sealing cap having a bayonet-style locking assembly that locks onto the ball retaining pin for securing the sealing cap to the proximal end of the outer wall for forming a water-tight seal with the proximal end of the outer wall of the self-bailing drain plug.

A sensor calibration system (5) for watercraft (1), comprising: a primary environment sensor (6. 7) configured to detect an external object including a region of the watercraft and a distance to the external object, and mounted to a part of the watercraft; and a processor (11) for processing an output of the environment sensor, wherein the processor is configured to identify a bow of the watercraft from the output of the primary environment sensor, and calibrate a position and an orientation of the primary environment sensor relative to the bow.

A watercraft for retrieving an object on a body of water, comprising (i) a containment structure having an interior defining an internal cargo area of the watercraft, an open front side, and a partially or fully submerged lower containment element through which water can freely pass while obstructing the object from exiting the internal cargo area; and (ii) one or more floatation members coupled to an exterior of, or defining at least a portion of, the containment structure. A modular watercraft comprising first and second floatation members configured to be deployed on an exterior, and stowed in an interior, of the containment structure. A system comprising a watercraft having one or more rotating capture assemblies onboard, configured to actively pull or push the object into an internal cargo area through the open front side of the containment structure.

A system for generating live sonar images is provided having a first and second sonar transducer assembly. The sonar transducer assemblies each have sonar transducer elements configured to transmit sonar beam(s) into an underwater environment to form respective coverage volumes. The sonar transducer assemblies each define a respective facing direction. The system includes bracket(s) having alignment feature(s). The bracket(s) are configured to mount the sonar transducer assemblies to a watercraft, and the alignment feature(s) are configured to position the sonar transducer assemblies so that the facing directions are different and relative to each other so as to create continuous coverage of the underwater environment. Continuous coverage has an overall coverage volume that is greater than either of the coverage volumes individually. Sonar return data from the sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.

A swimmer emergency alerting, tracking, rescue assistance, and rip current mapping system includes a stand and a life preserver that is removably mounted to the stand. The stand includes a solar panel or other charger, and the life preserver includes a battery receiving power from the charger and a sensor that is driven by the battery, such as to detect a location of the life preserver. The stand and the life preservers may wirelessly communicate with another device, such as a user device, to provide information on a status of the stand and the life preserver. A drone may fly from the stand and collect images of a shore, and the drone may process the images to identify a rip current. The drone may use data from a watercraft identifying rip current to train the processing of the images.

An electrically actuated propeller pitch control system includes a propeller hub assembly, a propeller assembly, and a crosshead drive system. The propeller hub assembly rotates about the central axis during operation of watercraft. The propeller assembly is configured to selectively rotate a propeller blade. The crosshead drive system includes an electric motor, a transmission, and a lead screw that rotates about the central axis.

A sand anchoring kit for watercraft including a floating raft assembly, a rope assembly, and a bag assembly. The floating raft assembly includes a floating raft. The floating raft can be inflated or deflated. The rope assembly includes a rope. The bag assembly includes a bag. The bag can store the floating raft when deflated and the rope. The bag can be filled with sand and attached to the floating raft through the rope to be used as an anchor. The bag is closed with the sand thereinto. The bag sinks and anchors the floating raft when inflated in a predetermined position in a water body.

An accessory mount allows accessories to be removably and adjustably mounted to a surface. In an example, the surface may be that of a watercraft, and the accessory may be a fishing rod. The mount may be used with a track fixable to an environmental surface or mounted directed to the environmental surface. When used with a track, a post of the accessory mount releasably engages the track. Slidable engagement of the post allows lateral or horizontal adjustment of the accessory. An accessory engaging member is adjustable in relation to the post about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, so that angular and azimuthal rotational adjustments of the accessory are enabled. A single lever is used to make angular and rotational adjustments, and to release the accessory engaging member from the post.

Systems and method for providing navigational control of a watercraft are provided herein. The system comprises a display, processor and memory. The memory including computer program code is configured to cause presentation of a chart on the display including at least a portion of the body of water. The system further receives user input indicating initiation of a drift protocol, including indication of a boundary area for which the watercraft will drift through, and causes presentation of the boundary area on the chart. The system determines an instance when the watercraft drifts outside of the boundary area and provides an alert when the watercraft exits or nears the boundary area. The system determines a starting position corresponding to the boundary area and engages an autopilot to cause the watercraft to navigate to the starting position or provides instructions to enable the user to navigate the watercraft to the starting position.

An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.

A sonar target locking system to position a sonar assembly to maintain the sonar array of the sonar assembly pointing at a position of a user-set (desired) target even when the watercraft is rotating or moving in various motions. The sonar target locking system includes electro-mechanical assembly that can be steered electrically to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target. The system may be activated using at least one of a foot pedal, handheld remote control, or a display of a fish finder head unit. The system may use GPS and IMU inputs to generate control signals to steer the electro-mechanical assembly to maintain the sonar array pointing at the position of the desired target.

Methods and systems described herein can assist a user when loading a watercraft onto a trailer (e.g., at a boat ramp). For example, position data generated by sensor(s) coupled to the watercraft and / or trailer can cause one or more propulsion devices associated with the watercraft to automatically (e.g., without user intervention) position the watercraft onto the trailer, for example, by controlling the power and / or thrust direction of the propulsion device(s).

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a collection arm configured to collect an aerosol sample from a cloud and a detection module operatively connected to the collection arm configured to analyze a composition of the sample from the cloud. In certain embodiments, one or more of the collection arm and / or the detection module can be configured to couple to a mobile platform, including for example, a land vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. In certain embodiments one or more of the collection arm and / or the detection module can be configured to couple to a stationary structure, for example a building

A watercraft maneuvering control apparatus for controlling a propulsion device of a watercraft includes an obstacle sensor to detect an obstacle around the watercraft, a pattern sailing commander operated by a user to provide a command to sail the watercraft in a sailing pattern, and a controller configured or programmed to control the propulsion device. The controller is configured or programmed to function as a pattern sailing controller to control the propulsion device to sail the watercraft in the sailing pattern, an expected sailing water area computer to compute an expected sailing water area when the watercraft is sailed in the sailing pattern, and a pattern sailing intervener to suspend or cancel the pattern sailing of the watercraft when the obstacle sensor detects an obstacle interfering with the expected sailing water area.

An antenna arrangement for a watercraft is disclosed. In an embodiment, the antenna arrangement comprises a first antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless user device, the first antenna for securement to a top-side of a watercraft; a second antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless control unit, the second antenna for securement to an underside of the watercraft to place the second antenna in juxtaposed relationship with a third antenna of a wireless control unit; and a radio frequency (RF) transmission line conductively coupling the first antenna and the second antenna.

Systems and methods for alerting personnel (e.g., workers, emergency responders, pedestrians, observers, etc.) that a vehicle (e.g., car, truck, watercraft, etc.) has entered into, or crossed a boundary of, a protected area or zone.

A tow attachment for a watercraft is disclosed. The tow attachment is configured to attach a tow rope to the watercraft, and has a first part and a second part that is connected to the first part by a connecting portion. The first part is configured for rigid connection to the watercraft, and the second part is configured to attach to the tow rope. The second part disconnects from the first part about the connecting portion in response to the tow rope applying a load above a predetermined load to the second part. A tow pylon assembly having a tow pylon and the tow attachment connected to the tow pylon is also disclosed. A watercraft with the tow attachment and a watercraft with the tow pylon assembly are also disclosed.

A safety system for a boat, watercraft or other vehicle includes a kill switch connected to the motor for preventing the motor from running under dangerous circumstances. The system may include proximity sensors operatively connected to the kill switch, so that the motor only runs when the proximity sensor detects a person properly positioned at the captain's console. Other sensors may form an array to communicate with the kill switch, to automate certain features and systems, or to otherwise provide alarms upon detection of dangerous situations, including a carbon monoxide detection sensor system, gate sensors, anchor-down sensors, ladder sensors, ambient light sensors, optical rain sensors for operating an automated windshield wiper safety system, an array of cameras strategically positioned around the periphery of the watercraft for monitoring purposes, and an automated anchor / navigation light system.

A cover for a personal watercraft, the cover comprising a shield member that attaches to a dock; and a cover member that is moveable relative to the shield member between a retracted position and an extended position. The shield member has an open back end for receiving a front of the personal watercraft when the personal water craft is positioned on the dock. The shield member also has a right side wall and a left side wall, and a storage space that is located between the right side wall and the left side wall. The cover member is substantially received within the storage space when the cover member is in the retracted position, and is configured to be moveable from the retracted position to the extended position while the personal watercraft is positioned on the dock. When in the extended position, the cover member substantially covers the personal watercraft.

A watercraft mooring system comprising a plurality of interchangeable mooring members for the temporary mooring of one watercraft to another watercraft or one watercraft to a stationary object such as a dock. The interchangeable mooring members comprising connecting rod member embodiments with adjustable lengths and connecting rod members without adjustable lengths, vacuum-handle member embodiments that provide an initial vacuum and a continuous vacuum to one or more vacuum cup assemblies, and a cleat connector member embodiment that is interchangeable with a vacuum-handle member. Embodiments of vacuum-handle member providing up to three points of omni-directional pivot functionality between the present invention and a temporarily moored watercraft.

A marine rail lift has a lift deck assembly configured to receive a watercraft thereupon and move between a raised position and a lowered position relative to a parent dock. A plurality of track rails connected to the side walls of a berth of the parent dock define a movement path of the lift deck assembly between the raised position and the lowered position. A plurality of retractable track pins engage the lift deck assembly to the track rails. A lift control system is operatively engaged with the lift deck assembly and configured to displace the lift deck assembly between the raised position and the lowered position. The lift control system manages the volume of air contained within one or more lift tanks of the lift deck assembly to control displacement of the lift deck assembly through buoyant force.

A marine cleat with fastener retention is provided. The marine cleat can be a folding cleat and can include a cleat body configured to operably couple to a mounting surface of the watercraft, and a cleat head extending away from the cleat body. The cleat head can have first and second projections configured to receive a portion of a line, e.g., for mooring the watercraft. A bottom side of the cleat body can include first and second fastener retention slots, each having an insertion cavity that is configured to receive a head of a fastener therein, and a retention end that is configured to laterally receive the head of the fastener and fix the fastener in both axial translation and axial rotation with respect to the cleat body. The insertion cavities of the first and second fastener retention slots can be positioned outwardly from the retention ends.

In one aspect, a wireless remote controller for a personal watercraft is provided that includes a watertight housing forming a watertight compartment. The housing includes a through hole extending through the housing from an upper side of the housing to a lower side of the housing. The remote controller includes a throttle interface removably attached to the housing such that the throttle interface is movable between a first position and a second position and at least a portion of the throttle interface positioned within the through hole of the housing. The remote controller further includes a sensor positioned within the watertight compartment of the housing to detect a position of the throttle interface.

The present invention relates to a method for predicting the operational capability of ship systems on a watercraft after enemy action, wherein the method is carried out in three steps, wherein a ship model for the watercraft is specified, wherein the ship model is specified functional chains with the locations of components of the functional chains, wherein each functional chain has components, wherein at least one damage event and a location of the damage event are specified.

A cleat adapter connectable to a U-shaped tow eye includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion that define an adapter body. The adapter body defines a passage to receive and capture a portion of the U-shaped tow eye. The adapter body includes: a first member, a second member, and an arm extending therebetween. The first member, the second member and the arm together defining a generally U shape and a space for receiving a tow cord. The adapter body further includes a first protrusion for retaining a first portion of the tow cord and a second protrusion for retaining a second portion of the tow cord. The first protrusion extending laterally outward from the first member and the second protrusion extending laterally outward from the second member. A watercraft having a cleat adapter and a method for attaching the cleat adapter are also disclosed.

A system is provided for determining an angular offset for a device attached to a watercraft. The system comprises an electronic device including a camera, one or more processors, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the one or more processors to determine, based on an image via the camera, a first direction associated with the watercraft. The image includes at least a portion of the watercraft and at least a portion of the device mounted to the watercraft. The computer program code is also configured to, when executed, determine, based on the image via the camera, a second direction associated with the device, determine an angular offset between the first direction and the second direction, and store an indication of the angular offset in the memory for use with one or more functions associated with the device.

An apparatus for securing watercraft against tidal action, wind and weather has an elongate vertical shaft having a top end and a bottom end and a slide block slidably attached to the elongate vertical shaft. The slide block slides between the top end and the bottom end and has a pair of slots therein and an opening positioned between the slots. The slots and opening are configured to allow a mooring line to be secured to the slide block. A top mounting bracket and bottom mounting bracket are attached to the top end and bottom end, respectively, of the elongate vertical shaft. The top and bottom mounting brackets are configured for attachment to mooring structures. The top mounting bracket includes an integral mooring line hook. A compression spring is mounted on the elongate vertical shaft and seated upon the bottom mounting bracket and absorbs the impact of the slide block.

One example provides a canopy assembly including a canopy frame to support a flexible cover to form a canopy, the canopy frame including at least a first beam and a second beam and a plurality of trusses to extend between the first beam and the second beam. A plurality of columns is to support the canopy frame, each column including a leg having a lower end to couple to a floating watercraft port, a gusset to connect to an upper end of the leg, the gusset to engage the corresponding one of the first beam and the second beam, and at least one binding device to hold the corresponding one of the first beam and the second beam to the gusset to form a flexible joint there between to enable the canopy frame and the column to move relative to one another at the flexible joint.