Patents by Inventor Eric Nofsinger

Eric Nofsinger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260028112
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. The electrical control system includes a control mechanism integrated with the steering wheel and/or throttle of the marine vessel and operates independently of the main propulsion and steering systems of the marine vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Patent number: 12434805
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: LIQUID PROPULSION, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Publication number: 20250269948
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/driver units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each driver (e.g., propeller or impeller) of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, Kaulin Curtis
  • Patent number: 12336066
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, measuring, altering, optimizing, and/or modifying electrical power delivered to a power consuming device. The power consuming device can be a light, speakers, fans, motors, any household electronic appliance, or other power consuming device. Also disclosed are light assemblies including a first plurality of strings of red LED lights, a second plurality of strings of green LED lights, and a third plurality of strings of blue LED lights (e.g., SMD LEDs). The light assembly also includes a driver configured to intermittently supply power from a power source to the red LED lights, green LED lights, and blue LED lights. The light assembly also includes a housing to house the light assembly, the driver, the power source, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: LIQUID LUMENS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Jonathan Jensen, Eric Nofsinger
  • Patent number: 12319397
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: LIQUID PROPULSION, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Publication number: 20240336344
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Publication number: 20240270368
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Patent number: 12006015
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: LIQUID PROPULSION, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Patent number: 11827318
    Abstract: A submersible marine lighting apparatus is provided that includes voltage up-conversion and that is configured to intensify emitted light by reducing a transmission angle of the light through one or more techniques including increasing the distance between the light emitter and an optical lens. The submersible marine lighting apparatus includes a circular base, an LED array positioned in a recess in the base, an optical lens, a lens gasket, and a retaining ring. The lens gasket cooperating with the circular base, optical lens and retaining ring to form a waterproof seal between the circular base and the retaining ring. When attached to a watercraft, the interior of the lighting apparatus is sealed from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Liquid Lumens, LLC
    Inventors: K. Ryan Christensen, Eric Nofsinger, Robert D. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20230105448
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, measuring, altering, optimizing, and/or modifying electrical power delivered to a power consuming device. The power consuming device can be a light, speakers, fans, motors, any household electronic appliance, or other power consuming device. Also disclosed are light assemblies including a first plurality of strings of red LED lights, a second plurality of strings of green LED lights, and a third plurality of strings of blue LED lights (e.g., SMD LEDs). The light assembly also includes a driver configured to intermittently supply power from a power source to the red LED lights, green LED lights, and blue LED lights. The light assembly also includes a housing to house the light assembly, the driver, the power source, and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Jonathan Jensen, Eric Nofsinger
  • Publication number: 20210354803
    Abstract: A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Robert D. Christensen, Martin Johnson, Eric Nofsinger, K. Ryan Christensen
  • Publication number: 20200172212
    Abstract: A submersible marine lighting apparatus is provided that includes voltage up-conversion and that is configured to intensify emitted light by reducing a transmission angle of the light through one or more techniques including increasing the distance between the light emitter and an optical lens. The submersible marine lighting apparatus includes a circular base, an LED array positioned in a recess in the base, an optical lens, a lens gasket, and a retaining ring. The lens gasket cooperating with the circular base, optical lens and retaining ring to form a waterproof seal between the circular base and the retaining ring. When attached to a watercraft, the interior of the lighting apparatus is sealed from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: K. Ryan Christensen, Eric Nofsinger, Robert D. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20180362126
    Abstract: A submersible marine lighting apparatus is provided that includes voltage up-conversion and that is configured to intensify emitted light by reducing a transmission angle of the light through one or more techniques including increasing the distance between the light emitter and an optical lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Christensen, Eric Nofsinger, Robert D. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20180009513
    Abstract: A submersible marine lighting apparatus is provided which converts electrical input to 25 or 34 volts and provides optimal underwater illumination. The marine lighting apparatus comprises a plano-convex light-focusing lens that concentrates emitted light into a more focused beam, as well a thermal switch and COB LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Christensen, Eric Nofsinger