Abstract: A thruster system for a marine vessel includes an electric motor having an output shaft. The thruster system also includes a housing having a first housing opening and a second housing opening, the first housing opening defining a water intake, the second housing opening defining a water discharge. The thruster system further includes a rotatable member operatively coupled to, and driven by, the output shaft of the electric motor, wherein rotation of the rotatable member results in water brought into the housing through the first housing opening and expelled through the second housing opening to generate a thrust force in a direction that is greater than 45 degrees relative to a propeller direction of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A thruster system for a marine vessel includes an electric motor having an output shaft. The thruster system also includes a housing having a first housing opening and a second housing opening, the first housing opening defining a water intake, the second housing opening defining a water discharge. The thruster system further includes a rotatable member operatively coupled to, and driven by, the output shaft of the electric motor, wherein rotation of the rotatable member results in water brought into the housing through the first housing opening and expelled through the second housing opening to generate a thrust force in a direction that is greater than 45 degrees relative to a propeller direction of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A method for sensor diagnostics in a seat suspension system includes: generating, by a first rotational position sensor, a motor position signal representing a rotational position of a motor shaft, the motor shaft being coupled to an output shaft, such that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the output shaft; generating, by a second rotational position sensor, an output signal representing a rotational position of the output shaft coupled to a suspension mechanism to move a vehicle seat relative to a vehicle body; determining a diagnostic indicator value as a function of the motor position signal and the output signal; and determining, based on the diagnostic indicator value, an accuracy of the output signal to represent the rotational position of the output shaft.

Abstract: A method for sensor diagnostics in a seat suspension system includes: generating, by a rotational position sensor, based on a rotational position of an output shaft coupled to a suspension mechanism to move a vehicle seat relative to a vehicle body, an output signal including a sine output and a cosine output; determining, based on the sine output and the cosine output, a diagnostic indicator value; and determining, based on the diagnostic indicator value, an accuracy of the output signal to represent the rotational position of the output shaft. A second method determines accuracy of an output signal to represent a rotational position of the output shaft in a seat suspension system using the output signal and a motor position signal representing a rotational position of a motor shaft coupled to the output shaft such that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A thruster system for a marine vessel includes an electric motor having an output shaft. The thruster system also includes a housing having a first housing opening and a second housing opening, the first housing opening defining a water intake, the second housing opening defining a water discharge. The thruster system further includes a rotatable member operatively coupled to, and driven by, the output shaft of the electric motor, wherein rotation of the rotatable member results in water brought into the housing through the first housing opening and expelled through the second housing opening to generate a thrust force in a direction that is greater than 45 degrees relative to a propeller direction of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A method for sensor diagnostics in a seat suspension system includes: generating, by a rotational position sensor, based on a rotational position of an output shaft coupled to a suspension mechanism to move a vehicle seat relative to a vehicle body, an output signal including a sine output and a cosine output; determining, based on the sine output and the cosine output, a diagnostic indicator value; and determining, based on the diagnostic indicator value, an accuracy of the output signal to represent the rotational position of the output shaft. A second method determines accuracy of an output signal to represent a rotational position of the output shaft in a seat suspension system using the output signal and a motor position signal representing a rotational position of a motor shaft coupled to the output shaft such that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel includes a cable translatable in response to a steering input command. The steering system also includes a rudder pivotable to steer the marine vessel. The steering system further includes a link member operatively coupled to the rudder. The steering system yet further includes a sensor positioned to detect a load associated with the cable in response to the steering input command. The steering system also includes an electric power steering system in operative communication with the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor and provide a powered assist to the link member.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel includes a cable translatable in response to a steering input command. The steering system also includes a rudder pivotable to steer the marine vessel. The steering system further includes a link member operatively coupled to the rudder. The steering system yet further includes a sensor positioned to detect a load associated with the cable in response to the steering input command. The steering system also includes an electric power steering system in operative communication with the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor and provide a powered assist to the link member.

Abstract: A steering system includes a steering sensor, a gear motor assembly, and a controller. The steering sensor is disposed at a helm. The gear motor assembly at least partially extends between a mid-unit and a lower unit of an outboard motor. The controller is in communication with the steering sensor and the gear motor assembly. The controller is programmed to command the gear motor assembly to pivot the lower unit relative to the mid-unit in response to a signal provided by the steering sensor.

Abstract: A marine electric power steering system includes an actuator assembly, a power steering module, and a cable assembly. The actuator assembly includes an actuator assembly input and an actuator assembly output. The actuator assembly input is operatively coupled to a steering shaft. The power steering module includes a power steering module input that is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and a power steering module output. The cable assembly is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and the power steering module input.

Abstract: A steering system includes a steering sensor, a gear motor assembly, and a controller. The steering sensor is disposed at a helm. The gear motor assembly at least partially extends between a mid-unit and a lower unit of an outboard motor. The controller is in communication with the steering sensor and the gear motor assembly. The controller is programmed to command the gear motor assembly to pivot the lower unit relative to the mid-unit in response to a signal provided by the steering sensor.

Abstract: A marine electric power steering system includes an actuator assembly, a power steering module, and a cable assembly. The actuator assembly includes an actuator assembly input and an actuator assembly output. The actuator assembly input is operatively coupled to a steering shaft. The power steering module includes a power steering module input that is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and a power steering module output. The cable assembly is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and the power steering module input.