Patents by Inventor Steven J. Gonring

Steven J. Gonring 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).

  • Patent number: 12230774
    Abstract: A marine battery pack including an enclosure defining a cavity, a plurality of cell modules within the cavity, each comprising a plurality of battery cells, and at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a presence of water, and a gas content within the cavity. A controller is configured to detect an event warranting decommission of the battery pack based on the temperature, the pressure, the presence of water, and/or the gas content within the cavity, and then to automatically operate a pump to intake water from outside of the enclosure and pump water through the cavity from an inlet port in the enclosure to an outlet port in the enclosure so as to cool the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: John N. Oenick, Eric S. Mueller, Steven J. Gonring, Trevor George
  • Patent number: 12208877
    Abstract: A power storage system for a marine vehicle is provided. The power storage system includes marine battery systems configured to provide energy to a marine vehicle load. Each marine battery system includes a battery and a three-position contactor configured to operate the marine battery system in one of a connected state, a disconnected state, or a bypass state. The power storage system further includes a controller coupled to each of the marine battery systems. The controller is configured to retrieve a preferred fault action for the marine battery systems, and in response to detection of a fault condition in the marine vehicle, control at least one three-position contactor of the marine battery systems according to the preferred fault action. The preferred fault action includes operating the marine battery system in the disconnected state or operating the marine battery system in the bypass state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 12113225
    Abstract: A marine battery system configured to provide energy to a marine vessel load is provided. The marine battery system includes a main enclosure body and an auxiliary enclosure body that is detachably coupled to the main enclosure body to define a sealed battery volume. The auxiliary enclosure body is configured to perform a pressure accommodation action responsive to an increase in a temperature within the sealed battery volume. The marine battery system further includes a battery disposed within the sealed battery volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 12071213
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel is provided. The system includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft; at least one battery configured to power a load; an alternator having a rotor that is driven into rotation by the output shaft and that outputs a charge current to the at least one battery; and a control system configured to operate the engine in a propulsion mode to rotate a propulsor to propel the marine vessel and a generator mode to charge the at least one battery while the marine vessel remains stationary. The control system is further configured to receive a generator mode command to start the engine in the generator mode; determine whether at least one generator start condition is satisfied; and responsive to a determination that the at least one generator start condition is satisfied, operate the engine in the generator mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 12065224
    Abstract: A lanyard system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device includes an operator device worn by an operator of the marine vessel, a receiver device at a helm area of the marine vessel, wherein the receiver device is configured to detect whether the operator is within a permitted zone with respect to the helm area, and a control configured to generate a lanyard event when the operator is not detected within the permitted zone and, upon generating a lanyard event, reduce an rpm of the propulsion device at a pre-set reduction rate to an idle rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 12043359
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system for marine vessel includes at least one battery configured to power a vessel load, a plurality of marine drives, and a control system. Each of the plurality of marine drives includes an engine, an alternator driven by the engine to charge the battery, and a propulsor selectively driven by the engine to propel the marine vessel. Each of the plurality of marine drives is configured to operate in a propulsion mode in which the engine is operated to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel in a generator mode in which the engine is operated to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary. The control system is configured to select a subset of the plurality of marine drives and then to operate the subset of marine drives in the generator mode to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Michael J. Lemancik, Jason S. Arbuckle
  • Patent number: 12037953
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft, multiple batteries configured to power a marine vessel load, and an alternator having a rotor that is driven into rotation by the output shaft and that outputs a charge current to the batteries. The marine propulsion system further includes a control system configured to operate the engine in a propulsion mode and a generator mode. Upon receiving a generator mode command to start the engine in the generator mode, the control system operates the engine in accordance with a set of generator parameters to charge the batteries while a shift system of the marine propulsion system is locked in a neutral position such that the propulsor cannot be engaged and the marine vessel remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Eric S. Mueller, Michael J. Lemancik
  • Patent number: 12010978
    Abstract: A livewell system comprises a tank for holding water and aquatic life. A scale measures a weight of the tank and any contents of the tank. At least one sensor determines a property of the water in the tank. A pump pumps water into the tank. A controller is provided in signal communication with the scale, the at least one sensor, and the pump. The controller controls the pump based on information from the scale and the at least one sensor. A kit for a livewell system on a marine vessel, including a scale and a measurement module in signal communication with a controller, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Troy J Kollmann, Cody Sullivan, Andrew Peoples, Simon H. McFarland, Steven J Gonring
  • Patent number: 12003133
    Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes an alternator configured to alternately output at least a low charge voltage to charge a low voltage storage device and a high charge voltage to charge a high voltage storage device, and a switch configured to switch between at least a first switch position connecting the alternator to the low voltage storage device and a second switch position connecting the alternator to the high voltage storage device. A controller is configured to control operation of the alternator and the switch between at least a low voltage mode and a high voltage mode based on at least one of an engine RPM and a temperature. In the low voltage mode the alternator outputs the low charge voltage and the switch is in the first switch position and in the high voltage mode the alternator outputs the high charge voltage and the switch is in the second switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11970251
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a marine vessel is configured to operate a lanyard system to detect at least one fob worn by an individual present on the marine vessel and determine that a missing fob of the at least one fob is no longer detected, wherein the missing fob is either an operator fob or a passenger fob. A man overboard event is generated based on the missing fob, wherein the man overboard event is an operator overboard event if the missing fob includes the operator fob or a passenger overboard event if the missing fob is the passenger fob. One or more search assistance functions are automatically activated based on the man overboard event, wherein the search assistance functions activated depend on whether the man overboard event is the operator overboard event or the passenger overboard event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Walter B. Ross, Fredrik Eriksen, Christian Frost Røine
  • Patent number: 11897591
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft, a battery, an alternator having a rotor driven into rotation by the output shaft and that is configured to generate a charge output to the battery, a battery state of charge sensor configured to measure a battery charge value of the battery, and a control system. This control system is configured to receive a demand value and/or a temperature, receive the battery charge value from the battery state of charge sensor; and control the alternator to adjust the charge output based on at least one of the battery charge value and the demand value and/or temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11884176
    Abstract: A method of operating a charging station for a marine battery on a marine vessel is provided, wherein the charging station includes a charger configured to deliver a DC charge current from an AC power source and wherein the charger is at least partially encapsulated in an enclosure located on a dock structure in or adjacent to a body of water. Upon the marine battery being operatively coupled to the charging station, charging the marine battery with the charger using the power source. At least one pump is controlled to draw in cooling water from the body of water and to circulate the cooling water through the enclosure to cool the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11866139
    Abstract: A power storage system for a marine vehicle is provided. The power storage system includes marine battery systems configured to provide energy to a marine vehicle load. Each marine battery system includes a battery and a three-position contactor configured to operate the marine battery system in one of a connected state, a disconnected state, or a bypass state. The power storage system further includes a controller coupled to each of the marine battery systems. The controller is configured to retrieve a preferred fault action for the marine battery systems, and in response to detection of a fault condition in the marine vehicle, control at least one three-position contactor of the marine battery systems according to the preferred fault action. The preferred fault action includes operating the marine battery system in the disconnected state or operating the marine battery system in the bypass state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11718375
    Abstract: A wireless lanyard system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device, the system comprising an operator fob configured to be worn by an operator of the marine vessel, a helm transceiver configured to receive radio signals from the operator fob an a controller. The controller is configured to define a permitted zone with respect to a helm area of the marine vessel based on at least one vessel condition, determine based on communications between the operator fob and the helm transceiver whether the operator is within the permitted zone with respect to the helm area, and generate a lanyard event when the operator is not within the permitted zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Publication number: 20230227132
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a marine vessel is configured to operate a lanyard system to detect at least one fob worn by an individual present on the marine vessel and determine that a missing fob of the at least one fob is no longer detected, wherein the missing fob is either an operator fob or a passenger fob. A man overboard event is generated based on the missing fob, wherein the man overboard event is an operator overboard event if the missing fob includes the operator fob or a passenger overboard event if the missing fob is the passenger fob. One or more search assistance functions are automatically activated based on the man overboard event, wherein the search assistance functions activated depend on whether the man overboard event is the operator overboard event or the passenger overboard event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicants: Brunswick Corporation, FELL Marine Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Walter B. Ross, Fredrik Eriksen, Christian Frost Røine
  • Patent number: 11702179
    Abstract: A remote control system for a marine vessel includes at least one fob and a configuration control system configured to detect available devices on the marine vessel to be controlled remotely for the marine vessel, generate a list of available functions for at least one user-selectable fob command based on the detected available devices, present the list of available functions to the user via a fob configuration user interface such that the user can select one or more functions in the list of available functions, identify a system command associated with each selected function so as to configure a set of system commands based on the user-selected functions, and store the user-configured set of system commands in association with the fob identification and the selected fob command. The system further includes a helm transceiver module to effectuate activation/deactivation of the available devices based on the user-configured set of system commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Publication number: 20230174215
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system for marine vessel includes at least one battery configured to power a vessel load, a plurality of marine drives, and a control system. Each of the plurality of marine drives includes an engine, an alternator driven by the engine to charge the battery, and a propulsor selectively driven by the engine to propel the marine vessel. Each of the plurality of marine drives is configured to operate in a propulsion mode in which the engine is operated to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel in a generator mode in which the engine is operated to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary. The control system is configured to select a subset of the plurality of marine drives and then to operate the subset of marine drives in the generator mode to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Michael J. Lemancik, Jason S. Arbuckle
  • Publication number: 20230175447
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft, multiple batteries configured to power a marine vessel load, and an alternator having a rotor that is driven into rotation by the output shaft and that outputs a charge current to the batteries. The marine propulsion system further includes a control system configured to operate the engine in a propulsion mode and a generator mode. Upon receiving a generator mode command to start the engine in the generator mode, the control system operates the engine in accordance with a set of generator parameters to charge the batteries while a shift system of the marine propulsion system is locked in a neutral position such that the propulsor cannot be engaged and the marine vessel remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Eric S. Mueller, Michael J. Lemancik
  • Patent number: 11661165
    Abstract: A method of controlling an alternator in a marine propulsion system includes receiving a demand value, wherein the demand value relates to an amount of output power produced by the engine that is demanded for propulsion of the marine vessel, and determining whether the demand value exceeds a demand threshold. The alternator is then controlled to reduce the charge current output to the battery and/or reduce a portion of engine output power from the engine that is utilized by the alternator when the demand value exceeds the demand threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11618538
    Abstract: A vessel control system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device includes a wireless lanyard system including at least one fob worn by an individual on the marine vessel and a helm transceiver at a helm area of the marine vessel configured to receive radio signals from the at least one fob. A controller is configured to detect, based on communications between each of the at least one fob and the helm transceiver, that each of the at least one fob is present on the marine vessel. A missing fob is detected if at least one of the fobs is no longer detected at the helm transceiver, and then a man overboard event is generated. The vessel control system is configured to automatically activate one or more search assistance functions based on the man overboard event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Brunswick Corporation, FELL Marine Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Gonring, Walter B. Ross, Fredrik Eriksen, Christian Frost Røine