Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.

Abstract: A system for a marine vessel propelled by a propulsion device includes a controller operable in an automatic navigation mode in which the controller automatically controls a thrust of the propulsion device to propel the marine vessel through a body of water. A portable device is carried on an individual on the marine vessel. The controller enables a person overboard detection algorithm in response to enablement of the automatic navigation mode. The person overboard detection algorithm disables the automatic navigation mode in response to detecting a given status of the portable device.

Abstract: A trolling motor assembly including a main housing and a shaft rotatably coupled therewith. The shaft is rotatable through a first angular displacement about its longitudinal axis that exceeds 360 degrees. A first gear coupled with the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A second gear coupled with the first gear has an axis of rotation spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and is rotatable through a second angular displacement that exceeds the first angular displacement. A plurality of discs coupled with the second gear are rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to one another and to the second gear. A first disc defines a first stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a second stop coupled with the second gear. A second disc defines a third stop that is rotatable into and out of engagement with a fourth stop coupled with the main housing.

Abstract: A system for locking a trolling motor assembly in a stowed position on a watercraft is provided herein. The system comprises a trolling motor assembly attached to the watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly is movable between the stowed position and a deployed position. The system further includes a locking mechanism mounted to the watercraft and configured to interact with the trolling motor assembly when the trolling motor assembly is in the stowed position. The locking mechanism defines a locked state and an unlocked state and is configured to transition between the states. The system additionally includes a controller having a memory including program code configured to, when executed, cause a processor to determine an instance in which to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and, in response, cause the locking mechanism to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

Abstract: A trolling motor is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor includes a system for steering and trimming a trolling motor. The system includes a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotate with a trolling motor shaft about a trolling motor shaft axis. The system further includes a steering system having a steering motor configured to rotate the shaft attachment feature and shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor. The trim system includes a trim module having a trim motor configured to cause the trolling motor shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft. The trim module is disposed on the shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis.

Abstract: Trolling motor assemblies and related methods of operation. A method includes providing an assembly comprising a main housing; a shaft rotatably coupled with the main housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; a gear coupled with the shaft; a plate rotatably coupled with one of the shaft and the main housing; and a projecting rib coupled with the other of the shaft and the main housing. The plate is rotated through a first angular displacement about the longitudinal axis. The gear is rotated through a second angular displacement about the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first angular displacement.

Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.

Abstract: Sonar steering systems offering improved functionality and ease of use for an operator (e.g., an angler) are provided. A sonar steering system is configured to automatically adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar system in a hands-free manner to allow the operator to focus on other tasks. Some such sonar steering systems are configured to adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar transducers to maintain a target such as an area of interest (AOI) within the sonar display despite movement of the watercraft relative to the target. Accordingly, the coverage volume may be automatically adjusted to maintain the aim of the sonar transducers at a target that is moving through the water, such as a school of fish.

Abstract: A sonar assembly for a watercraft, including an elongated shaft having a top end and a bottom end, and defining a bore that extends from the top end to the bottom end of the elongated shaft, a transducer assembly secured to the bottom end of the elongated shaft, an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end, the elongated member being disposed within the bore of the elongated shaft, the bottom end of the elongated member being operatively connected to the transducer assembly such that movement of the elongated member with respect to the elongated shaft rotates the transducer assembly within a vertical plane with respect to the watercraft.

Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.

Abstract: Trolling motor assemblies and related methods of operation. A method includes providing an assembly comprising a main housing; a shaft rotatably coupled with the main housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; a gear coupled with the shaft; a plate rotatably coupled with one of the shaft and the main housing; and a projecting rib coupled with the other of the shaft and the main housing. The plate is rotated through a first angular displacement about the longitudinal axis. The gear is rotated through a second angular displacement about the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first angular displacement.

Abstract: Trolling motor assemblies and related methods of operation. A method includes providing an assembly comprising a main housing; a shaft rotatably coupled with the main housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; a gear coupled with the shaft; a plate rotatably coupled with one of the shaft and the main housing; and a projecting rib coupled with the other of the shaft and the main housing. The plate is rotated through a first angular displacement about the longitudinal axis. The gear is rotated through a second angular displacement about the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first angular displacement.

Abstract: A radio housing (100) is formed of a front plate (102) having screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) and first and second side plates (104, 106). The first and second side plates (104, 106) have a plurality of non-symmetrical, three-dimensional (3-D), dovetail sections (108, 110, 112, 114) for aligning and capturing the screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) of the front plate (102). The front plate (102) and first and second side plates (104, 106) are formed of an injection molded thermoplastic material. The three pieces (102, 104, 106) are coupled together. The three-piece injection housing formed of injunction molded materials allows the housing (100) to be customized to specific customer requests not currently available with past overmolded materials.

Abstract: A radio housing (100) is formed of a front plate (102) having screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) and first and second side plates (104, 106). The first and second side plates (104, 106) have a plurality of non-symmetrical, three-dimensional (3-D), dovetail sections (108, 110, 112, 114) for aligning and capturing the screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) of the front plate (102). The front plate (102) and first and second side plates (104, 106) are formed of an injection molded thermoplastic material. The three pieces (102, 104, 106) are coupled together. The three-piece injection housing formed of injunction molded materials allows the housing (100) to be customized to specific customer requests not currently available with past overmolded materials.

Abstract: A battery connector system for connecting a battery to a battery powered device is provided herein that includes an insert molded contact block comprising a contact block, a plurality of electrical contacts insert molded into the contact block, and an outer electrical connection for electrically coupling the plurality of electrical contacts to the battery powered device. The battery connector system further includes an inner electrical connection located on a housing enclosure for electrically coupling the battery housed in the housing enclosure to the outer electrical connection through the plurality of electrical contacts. The battery connector system further includes a sealed electrical path between the inner electrical connection and the outer electrical connection, wherein the sealed electrical path is formed by over molding the insert molded contact block with the housing enclosure.

Abstract: A battery interface assembly for a communication device (100), such as a portable radio, is provided to ensure a reliable interconnection between battery contacts (230) and radio contacts (108). Communication device (100) includes a casting (110) having a cavity (112) with two apertures formed therein (114, 228). The two apertures (114, 228) open into the cavity (112) to provide a point of contact for mating radio contacts (108) to the battery contacts (230). The battery contacts (230) are wiping contacts which mate with the radio contacts (108) as the battery is slid into the casting (110). A compression seal (126) is provided to the radio contacts (108) while a radial seal (120) is provided about the battery contacts (230) to ensure reliable electrical and physical connection under a variety of environments.

Abstract: A battery connector system for connecting a battery to a battery powered device is provided herein that includes an insert molded contact block comprising a contact block, a plurality of electrical contacts insert molded into the contact block, and an outer electrical connection for electrically coupling the plurality of electrical contacts to the battery powered device. The battery connector system further includes an inner electrical connection located on a housing enclosure for electrically coupling the battery housed in the housing enclosure to the outer electrical connection through the plurality of electrical contacts. The battery connector system further includes a sealed electrical path between the inner electrical connection and the outer electrical connection, wherein the sealed electrical path is formed by over molding the insert molded contact block with the housing enclosure.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a component (102) within an electronic device (100) is provided. The system includes one or more apertures (206) within an internal housing (202). Further the system includes an adhesive (602), adhered on a first surface to a ledge (502) and bottom perimeter surface 402 of the component. Furthermore, the system includes an external housing (204). The external housing presses the perimeter of the component onto the ledge.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for a clam style portable communication device (100) provides for a hermetically sealed device that prevents water intrusion. A flex (106) electrically interconnects a flip compartment (102) to a main radio compartment (104). First and second seals (112, 114) coupled to the ends (108, 110) of the flex (106) provide independent sealing of the flip compartment (102) from the main radio compartment (104). Thus, the flex (106) provides both electrical interconnect and independent mechanical sealing of the two compartments (102, 104).

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a component (102) within an electronic device (100) is provided. The system includes one or more apertures (206) within an internal housing (202). Further the system includes an adhesive (602), adhered on a first surface to a ledge (502) and bottom perimeter surface 402 of the component. Furthermore, the system includes an external housing (204). The external housing presses the perimeter of the component onto the ledge.