791 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.

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.

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.

A lift-propulsion assembly and a watercraft. The watercraft includes a buoyant body having upper and lower surfaces on respective upper and lower sides thereof; a lift-propulsion system including a mast connected to the buoyant body, the mast having a proximal end and a distal end, the mast extending from the lower side of the buoyant body; and the lift-propulsion assembly. The assembly includes an assembly frame connected to the distal end of the mast; a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the watercraft, the propulsion unit being connected to the assembly frame; a hydrofoil for providing lift to the watercraft, the hydrofoil being selectively connected to the assembly frame; and a manually-operable attachment system connecting the hydrofoil to the assembly frame.

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.

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.

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).

Methods of situationally controlling marine devices connected via a one boat network on a watercraft are presented. The marine devices are selected from fishfinders or other OBN devices, trolling motors, heading sensors, main propulsion engine, i-Pilot Link, shallow water anchors, AIS / MARPA, smart chargers or power monitors, downriggers, trim tabs, drift paddles, lighting, sonar and imaging transducers, chart plotters, foot pedals, handheld remote controls, and mobile marine apps. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one situational condition of at least one first marine device, identifying at least one second marine device, and triggering a situational control action for the at least one second marine device when the at least one situational condition for the at least one first marine device is met. The methods include situationally controlling a speed of a trolling motor and anchoring of the watercraft, as well as providing advanced power management thereon.

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.

A watercraft comprises a motor, an inertial mass, and a fin. The motor oscillates the inertial mass about an axis, producing a torque reaction on and oscillation of the motor. Oscillation of the motor is communicated to the fin, producing thrust. The system can be operated in reverse, to generate electric power when the system is in a flowing stream of thrust fluid.

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 watercraft propulsion system (100) includes an engine propulsion device (OM) including a power generator (38), an electric propulsion device (EM) connected to a battery (145) charged by the power generator (38), and a controller (101). The controller (101) includes an extender mode in which the electric propulsion device (EM) generates a propulsive force and the power generator (38) of the engine propulsion device (OM) is driven to charge the battery (145). The controller (101) is configured or programmed to change an engine speed of the engine propulsion device (OM) according to a watercraft speed in the extender mode.

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.