Abstract: A fluid sensor system capable of sensing a fluid level or a volume of fluid held by a reservoir, such as a container or a tank. In one embodiment, the system may include a magnetic element in a flotation device that suspends the magnetic element in the fluid held by the reservoir, so that the magnetic element randomly floats in proximity to a top of the fluid surface. Two or more magnetic field sensors or magnetometers are associated with the reservoir in at least two different locations, spaced apart from one another. The system further includes a processor coupled to the sensors. The magnetic field sensors may sense the strength of the magnetic field around the magnetic element to generate signals that are sent to the processor. The processor may then determine the location of the magnetic element within the reservoir based on the signals. The determined location can be correlated to a volume of fluid within the tank which is output to another device and/or a user.

Abstract: An interface panel or graphical gauge that can host applications from a mobile application platform and display content from the hosted applications on a display of the graphical gauge. The interface panel may include a native operating system supporting an interface application that generates interface graphical output fed by the native operating system to a graphics controller. The interface control system may be configured to support a guest system that generates guest graphical output fed to the graphics controller. The guest graphical output is representative of graphic information generated by the mobile application platform.

Abstract: A fluid sensor system capable of sensing a fluid level or a volume of fluid held by a reservoir, such as a container or a tank. In one embodiment, the system may include a magnetic element in a flotation device that suspends the magnetic element in the fluid held by the reservoir, so that the magnetic element randomly floats in proximity to a top of the fluid surface. Two or more magnetic field sensors or magnetometers are associated with the reservoir in at least two different locations, spaced apart from one another. The system further includes a processor coupled to the sensors. The magnetic field sensors may sense the strength of the magnetic field around the magnetic element to generate signals that are sent to the processor. The processor may then determine the location of the magnetic element within the reservoir based on the signals. The determined location can be correlated to a volume of fluid within the tank which is output to another device and/or a user.

Abstract: A battery indicator system for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the battery indicator system includes a power port for the vehicle, the power port having a socket and battery monitor in electrical communication with a power source on a vehicle. The battery monitor is operable in a status mode in which it indicates or communicates to an indicator at least one of the state of charge and the state of health of the power source on the vehicle while a device is being charged or powered via the power port. The power port can include an integrated indicator, such as one or more lighting elements. The power source can provide power to the device to charge and/or power the device and provides power to the battery monitor so that a viewer of the port can easily monitor the status of the charge of the power source itself (versus the charging status of the device) via the power port to ensure the power source is not inadvertently drained.

Abstract: A system including an instrument and a vehicle control system is provided. The instrument can include a display and a vehicle controller in communication with the vehicle control system. The instrument can be docked in a docking station of the vehicle, for example in a driver space, and used as primary instrumentation for a driver to directly control the vehicle. The instrument can be undocked and removed physically from the vehicle and used to remotely control vehicle operations from a location distant from the vehicle. A method of using the system and instrument is also provided in which a user can directly or remotely operate a vehicle with the instrument in communication with the vehicle control system. A method of using the system and/or instrument to directly or remotely operate one or more vehicles is also provided.

Abstract: A ballast system and method use a situational adaptive approach to measure, control and monitor the level of liquid in an onboard ballast tank. A baseline level of liquid in the tank, established while the watercraft is static, is stored in memory associated with a controller. While the watercraft is moving, the controller monitors pump conditions, e.g., run time, flow, vacuum, etc., and extrapolates the amount of water added to or drained from the tank. The baseline level and extrapolated added/drained amount are added to accurately determine the true liquid level in the tank. That information is displayed to the watercraft operator. The system can automatically adjust watercraft attitude by adding/draining water from the ballast tank based on preset values to provide a desired wake. The system can display ballast levels in volume, percentage of full, and weight; and can provide estimated times to achieve preset levels, empty or full.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a profile storage module, a profile playback module, and a speed control module. The profile storage module stores an acceleration profile specifying a manner of accelerating a marine vessel. The profile playback module, in response to a play command received from a vessel operator, retrieves the acceleration profile and adjusts a desired engine speed based on the acceleration profile. The speed control module controls an engine speed of the marine vessel based on the desired engine speed.

Abstract: A machine is provided for making a fluid level sender assembly having a first mounting member with a flange and a fluid level sender including a second mounting member that telescopically connects with the first mounting member. The machine has a base, a holding member to support the first mounting member, a head member having an outer ring configured to rotate the flange, the head member moving between a first and second position to allow placing the first mounting member on the holding member and a second position to allow the outer ring to rotate the flange and a sensor receiving member to engage the fluid level sender. The sensor receiving member may move with respect to the holding member to telescopically position the fluid level sender and the plurality of different longitudinal positions such that a plurality of differently sized fluid level sender assemblies can be constructed.

Abstract: A fluid level sender mount assembly includes a first mounting member having a chamber and a second mounting member having an elongate docking portion. The docking portion may be sized to slidably fit and rotate within the chamber to permit positioning the second mounting member at a plurality of different linear and angular positions with respect to the first mounting member. The second mounting member may be affixed to the first mounting member to retain the second mounting member in a desired position W/R/T the first mounting member. One of the first and second mounting members may be adapted to be attached to a fluid container. The other of the first and the second mounting members may be adapted to be attached to a fluid level sender.

Abstract: A fluid level sender mount assembly includes a first mounting member having a chamber and a second mounting member having an elongate docking portion. The docking portion may be sized to slidably fit and rotate within the chamber to permit positioning the second mounting member at a plurality of different linear and angular positions with respect to the first mounting member. The second mounting member may be affixed to the first mounting member to retain the second mounting member in a desired position W/R/T the first mounting member. One of the first and second mounting members may be adapted to be attached to a fluid container. The other of the first and the second mounting members may be adapted to be attached to a fluid level sender.

Abstract: A machine is provided for making a fluid level sender assembly having a first mounting member with a flange and a fluid level sender including a second mounting member that telescopically connects with the first mounting member. The machine has a base, a holding member to support the first mounting member, a head member having an outer ring configured to rotate the flange, the head member moving between a first and second position to allow placing the first mounting member on the holding member and a second position to allow the outer ring to rotate the flange and a sensor receiving member to engage the fluid level sender. The sensor receiving member may move with respect to the holding member to telescopically position the fluid level sender and the plurality of different longitudinal positions such that a plurality of differently sized fluid level sender assemblies can be constructed.