Patents Examined by Stephen P. Avila
  • Patent number: 12145704
    Abstract: An outboard drive assembly for a work boat is provided. In embodiments, an outboard drive assembly includes a lower outdrive assembly including: a housing extending between a first and end a second end and having a motor housed therein; a propeller mounted to the first end of the housing; first and second fins extending horizontally from opposing side portions of the motor housing; a third fin extending vertically from the housing; respective cutting blades attached to respective end portions of each of the first, second and third fins adjacent the propeller; an upper outdrive assembly including mounting brackets configure to connect the upper drive assembly to a deck of a work boat; and a drive arm assembly pivotally mounted to the lower outdrive assembly at a first end of the drive arm assembly and mounted to the upper outdrive assembly at a second end of the drive arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Weedoo Greenboat Inc.
    Inventor: Tara Lordi
  • Patent number: 12145707
    Abstract: A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has first and second cowl portions for enclosing a powerhead, and a latching device which is movable into a latched position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the first cowl and second cowl portions and an unlatched position in which the second cowl portion is movable with respect to the first cowl portion so that the powerhead is accessible. The latching device has an electric actuator configured to automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position and a manually-operable input device which is accessible from outside of the cowling and is configured to actuate the electric actuator to thereby automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Devan R. Faust, Brad J. VanRuiswyk, Steven J. Amerling
  • Patent number: 12145708
    Abstract: The present application provides a cooling shell, a chassis, a marine electric propulsor, and a cooling control method. The cooling shell includes a shell body and the shell body includes a fin portion, a heating component installation portion, and a cooling component installation groove. The heating component installation portion is formed on one side of the shell body in the first direction for installing the heating component. The cooling component installation groove is formed on the other side of the shell body for accommodating the cooling component. A connected flow channel is formed between the fin portion and the cooling component installation groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: GUANGDONG EPROPULSION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Haiyang Wang, Qiang Wang, Xing Li, Shizheng Tao, Xiaokang Wan
  • Patent number: 12138976
    Abstract: An offroad vehicle that is operable to be driven across various terrains wherein the offroad vehicle of the invention has an occupant compartment that places individuals disposed therein in axial alignment from the front end to the rear end. The present invention includes a frame and integrated roll-over cage having body panels that define an occupant compartment. The vehicle includes four wheels operably coupled to a power source to be rotatably moved thereby. Adjacent each of the four wheels is a water propulsion member wherein the water propulsion member includes blades configured to apply resistance force to water and move the vehicle therethrough. The frame further includes floatation chambers located at the front end and rear end thereof being operable to float the vehicle in water. The rear seat member is elevated with respect to the front seat member and a joystick style controller is adjacent the front seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventor: Pascal Joseph Francois Richer
  • Patent number: 12139236
    Abstract: A foil displacement system includes one or more foils that can be deployed and stowed. When deployed, each foil can exert downforce or uplift depending on its orientation. For example, each foil may be positioned to have an angle of attack that creates a downward force effectively transmitted to the hull to pull the hull deeper within the water to, for example, create a larger wake. Use of the foil displacement system can enhance or replace the use of a ballast tank system, can be integrated into a new boat or retrofitted to existing boats, can be electronically or manually positioned, can enhance activities such as wake surfing, wake boarding, water skiing or other similar or related water sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Malibu Boats, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Wade Dugger, Rachael Marie Green, Jeffrey Lee Predmore, Scott Thomas Ward, Matthew Welton
  • Patent number: 12139248
    Abstract: Fabric air shaft ventilator with instant opening and fastening for boats. The invention relates to a device for improving air circulation on board boats. It consists of a frustoconical-shaped fabric (8) whose air inlet (1) is maintained in position by two rods (2) and (4) maintained in the form of loops in contact with the deck of the boat and whose air outlet (3) is positioned inside the deck hatch. The device can be oriented in all directions and does not require anchoring at height, so that it can be used on all deck hatches of sailboats and motorboats. The rod (1) is folded in a figure of eight so as to occupy less space when it is not in use. The device according to the invention is particularly intended to improve comfort on board boats by improving air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventor: Vincent Leblond
  • Patent number: 12134450
    Abstract: A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis. A motor is positioned within the cavity. The motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis. The shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Kass W. Sawyer, Laura K. Mueller, David J. Waldvogel, John O. Scherer
  • Patent number: 12134451
    Abstract: A marine vessel includes a hull assembly, and the hull assembly includes a deck assembly, a first battery assembly, a second battery assembly and an electric motor assembly. The deck assembly is contained within the hull assembly. The first battery assembly is located completely under the deck assembly. The second battery assembly is located completely under the deck assembly and is physically separate from the first battery assembly. The electric motor assembly receives electric power from the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly to propel the hull assembly through water during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Voltaic LLC
    Inventors: Richard Phamdo, Paul Lackey, Robert D Simpson, Wariz Abdul
  • Patent number: 12129004
    Abstract: An outboard propulsion system comprising: a first portion for attachment to a boat comprising a stern, the first portion comprising an engine including a crankshaft; and a second portion comprising at least one propeller shaft having a longitudinal axis along the elongate length of the at least one propeller shaft, wherein the at least one propeller shaft is operably connected to the crankshaft via at least one drive shaft configured to transmit motive power therebetween, wherein the at least one drive shaft comprises a drop shaft and wherein the drop shaft is substantially perpendicular to the at least one propeller shaft, wherein the second portion is configured to pivot relative to the first portion about a steering axis, wherein the steering axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the at least one propeller shaft at an obtuse angle, wherein the first portion and second portion are configured to tilt together about a single axis of rotation substantially parallel to the stern of the boat, and wherein the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Caudwell Marine Limited
    Inventor: Scott Bredda
  • Patent number: 12127676
    Abstract: A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a back frame and leg frame pivotally coupled thereto. Buoyant cushions are attached to the frame members to form a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest. A pair of rear pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies are coupled to the seat frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of recline of the back frame relative to the seat frame. Similarly, a pair of front pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies coupled to the leg frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: TRC Recreation, LP
    Inventors: Matthew J. Iles, Christopher B. Holland, Michael V. Nelson
  • Patent number: 12122201
    Abstract: An Amphibious Vehicle (AV) is capable of planing with less power than prior similar size amphibious vehicles and using mostly off-the-shelf part. Leading rear wheel well flaps are biased forward against the hull bottom for on-road use, and pivot back to fill a gap between the hull and retracted rear wheel, reducing drag during in-water use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Patent number: 12122496
    Abstract: A method of controlling at least one marine drive on a marine vessel includes determining that a trim position sensor has failed for a first marine drive, determining an allowable steering angle range for the first marine drive based on a first assumed trim position, and determining a steering position adjustment based on the allowable steering angle range. A steering actuator is controlled to automatically adjust the steering position of the marine drive based on the steering position adjustment. A trim position adjustment is determined based on a second assumed trim position for the marine drive and a trim actuator is controlled to adjust the trim position of the first marine drive based on the trim position adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Travis C. Malouf, Matthew W. Snyder, Jason S. Arbuckle
  • Patent number: 12116086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrofoil system the includes a controller; a foil for engagement with the waterborne vessel, the foil comprising a plurality of adjustment members operable to vary the lift characteristics of the waterborne vessel; a propeller; an engine and gearbox located adjacent the foil and operable/in mechanical communication with the propeller; a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the controller, each sensor configured to monitor flight parameters of the waterborne vessel and generate measured flight parameter data; wherein the controller is in communication with the adjustment members, the engine and the sensors and wherein the controller is configured to receive measured flight parameter data from the sensors and to control the operation of the engine and the position of the adjustment members in dependence upon the received measured flight parameter data. Further provided is a waterborne vessel including such a hydrofoil system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ARTEMIS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Iain Percy, Romain Ingouf
  • Patent number: 12116093
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a fishing tool loss monitoring system comprises at least one buoy providing sensing information and buoy identification information and buoy position information, a fishing vessel terminal device providing fishing vessel information including fishing vessel identification information, fishing vessel position information, the fishing tool identification information, and the buoy position information, and a land control center performing transmitting/receiving information to/from the fishing vessel terminal device or the buoy through a communication network to gather the sensing information including underwater temperature information and overwater temperature information from the buoy during a preset time, measuring a speed of the buoy using the buoy position information when a difference between respective averages of the underwater temperature information and the overwater temperature information falls outside a preset error range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Inventors: Ki Seon Kim, Myoung Shin Kwak, Pranesh Psthapit, Min Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 12116097
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is for a cowling on a marine drive. The cowling has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion which together enclose a cowl interior. The hinge assembly has a first base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the first cowl portion and a second base frame configured for fixed attachment to an interior surface of the second cowl portion. The second base frame is pivotally coupled to the first base frame by a connection device that enables manual removal of the second base frame from the intermediate frame without use of a tool, thus facilitating manual removal of the second cowl portion from the first cowl portion without the use of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Amerling, Brad J. VanRuiswyk, Devan R. Faust
  • Patent number: 12110079
    Abstract: A boat including first and second aft-facing seats. The first aft-facing seat has a first seating surface. The second aft-facing seat has a second seating surface. The second seating surface is forward of the first seating surface. The second seating surface may be at a level higher than the first seating surface. The second seating surface may be moveable between a retracted position and at least one raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Daniel P. Vieira, Michael J. Uggeri, Michael D. Myers
  • Patent number: 12103653
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes: an upper case supported on a hull; a lower case pivotably supported on the upper case; a first drive source disposed within the upper case; a planetary gear mechanism connected to the first drive source via an upper drive shaft; a propeller shaft connected to the planetary gear mechanism via a lower drive shaft; and a second drive source that provides the lower case with a torque. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear, a planetary carrier supporting planetary gears and connected to an upper end of the lower drive shaft, and an internal gear. One of the sun gear and the internal gear is connected to the lower end of the upper drive shaft, and the other is connected to the lower case to provide the lower case with a torque in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the lower drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 12103652
    Abstract: An Axial Flux Propulsion System for an Electric Boat which includes interconnecting subsystems including a mounting system, a traction system, a transmission system, an electrical power distribution system, a control system, and a fluid management system among other boat systems. The traction system being an axial flux motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: EVOA, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond L. Jesewitz, Michael J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 12104572
    Abstract: A semi-submersible floating wind power generator includes a wind power generator set, a post device, a load carrying device and a mooring device. The wind power generator set is disposed at a first end of the post device. The load carrying device is disposed at a second end of the post device. The mooring device is disposed at the second end of the post device. The post device includes a main post and multiple auxiliary posts. The main post is disposed in parallel with the multiple auxiliary posts, and second ends of the multiple auxiliary posts are aligned such that the second ends of the multiple auxiliary posts form a first plane, and the second end of the main post is disposed at a position closer to the first end of the main post than the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yanping He, Yongsheng Zhao, Zhe Chen, Yadong Liu, Chao Huang, Jie Yang, Haoyu Wu, Mingzhi Li, Xiaoli Gu
  • Patent number: 12097934
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a floating foundation having a plurality of buoyancy bodies, the buoyancy bodies being formed from a plurality of buoyancy body elements designed as hollow bodies, which are arranged adjacent to one another in a first plane concentrically around each central element extending from the floating foundation and are connected to said central element. Each buoyancy body element has a surface supported on the central element, a convex surface arranged opposite the central element, and two lateral surfaces each supported on a lateral surface of an adjacent buoyancy body element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Aerodyn Consulting Singapore PTE LTD
    Inventor: Sönke Siegfriedsen