Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-12
2003-06-24
Lieu, Julie (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S686300, C114S1440RE, C114S285000, C114S286000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06583728
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a trim tab position monitor and, more particularly, to a monitoring circuit which determines the position of a trim tab of a marine vessel by determining the number of changes in magnitude of an electrical characteristic of a motor which is attached to the trim tab.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many different ways are known for measuring the angular position of a trim tab relative to a transom of a marine vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,741, which issued to West on Dec. 13, 1983, describes a trim tab position monitor and display device. An electric position monitor and read out device for trim tabs on boats is described in which the monitor and read out device are connected to the trim tab controls. The device is electronic and position display is based on the time required for trim tab movement. Signals from the trim tab controls produce signals from timers which in turn are directed to enabling circuits. If the enabling circuits pass the timer signals, they are counted in counter circuits and hence directed to a decoder and finally to the display panel. The display panel is arranged to show the precise angular position of the trim tabs to the boat operator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,893, which issued to Zepp on Feb. 24, 1987, describes a position indicating apparatus for use in a boat leveling system. The boat leveling system has a pair of trim tabs which are pivotal between a horizontal position and a downward inclined position. Each trim tab is actuatable between the horizontal and inclined positions by a separate fluid motor which includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a rod connected to the piston. The position of each trim tab is indicated by apparatus which includes a linear potentiometer attached to the rod of the associated fluid motor, the potentiometer having a flexible plastic envelope and a pair of normally spaced apart conductive strips sealed in the envelope, a ball and spring carried by the cylinder for contacting the envelope and forcing the strips into electrical contact with each other, and a resistance measuring device connected in circuit with the potentiometer and to provide a readout in degrees of the downward angle from the horizontal of the trim tab.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,259, which issued to Cluett on Aug. 8, 1989, describes an improved trim tab control system for power boats. The trim tab control for boats has for each trim tab a yoke movably secured to a frame, a mechanical link between the yoke and the trim tab such that yoke and trim tab move in unison, a lever pivotably mounted with respect to the yoke and having first and second engagement surfaces, and a pair of switches on the yoke positioned for selective engagement with the lever surfaces to actuate a hydraulic device for moving the trim tab in opposite directions. Tab adjustment is carried out by continuing movement of the lever with respect to the yoke, which the yoke moves in response to such adjustment. A scale is secured adjacent to the lever such that the lever position provides visual indication of the trim tab position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,110, which issued to Bennett et al on Jan. 31, 1995, describes a boat trim control and monitor system. A boat trim control system that includes a boat having a hull and means such as trim tabs mounted on the hull for trimming attitude of the boat as the hull is propelled through the water. The system includes facility for selectively adjusting the trim tabs to maintain a desired boat attitude under varying load and sea conditions. A sensor is mounted on the boat hull to provide an electrical sensor signal as a function of boat attitude, and is connected to electronic control circuitry responsive to the sensor signal for determining attitude of the boat hull. This electronic control circuitry further includes facility for operator setting of a desired boat attitude. The electronic control circuitry is coupled to an operator display for indicating departure of actual boat attitude indicated by the sensor from the boat attitude desired by the operator, and/or to automatic control circuitry for automatically varying trim tab orientation with respect to the boat hull so as to maintain the boat attitude desired by the operator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,013, which issued to Wittmaier on Dec. 12, 1995, describes a trim tab auto-retract and multiple switching device. Electromechanical control circuit for causing trim tabs attached to the stern of a hull of a motorized marine vessel, and used to trim the attitude of the vessel, to be automatically fully retracted by activating means independently of the boat ignition switch to cause a capacitor in the circuit to discharge is described. The means can include at least one switch connected between the capacitor and the electrical power source to which the control circuit can be connected such that the means are activated when the switch is opened. The switch can be positioned at multiple locations throughout the boat or, alternatively, controls to cause the switch to open can be mounted to the boat at multiple locations throughout the craft, including at the main control panel. The means can also be in communication with the boat engine gear shift controls such that the means are activated when the vessel engine is shifted into reverse gear. The control circuit further includes means for preventing damage to the circuit components if the circuit is improperly connected to the electrical power source.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,771, which issued to Buckley et al on Aug. 14, 2001, discloses a control system for a marine vessel. A control system incorporates a marine propulsion system that can be attached to a marine vessel and connected in signal communication with a serial communication bus and a controller. A plurality of input devices and output devices are also connected in signal communication with the communication bus and a bus access manager, such as a CAN Kingdom network, is connected in signal communication with the controller to regulate the incorporation of additional devices to the plurality of devices in signal communication with the bus whereby the controller is connected in signal communication with each of the plurality of devices on the communication bus. The input and output devices can each transmit messages to the serial communication for receipt by other devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,794, which issued to Hagstrom on May 10, 1988, describes a trim tab indicator system. The indicator system comprises a pair of trim members hinged to the stern of a boat, one on each side of the center line of the boat and a hydraulic cylinder attached to each trim member having a first head at one end and a second head at the other end. The cylinder includes a piston and a tubular shaft connected to the piston and extending through the first end of the cylinder. A bracket is connected to the first head and has a surface complementary to the transom of the boat and is mounted on the transom. A tubular coil is fixed on the first head and extends axially within the cylinder, and a floating rod of magnetically permeable material is provided in the tubular shaft with a lower end engaging the base of the tubular opening of the shaft with its upper end extending into the coil such that movement of the trim tab changes the inductive relationship between the rod and the coil to provide a signal representing the position of the tab.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,269, which issued to Gaynor on Aug. 28, 2001, discloses an operator display panel control by throttle mechanism switch manipulation. A throttle control mechanism is provided with a plurality of buttons and a control unit that interprets the state of the various buttons and switches in different ways, depending on the state of a first operating parameter. The first operating parameter can be the gear selector position or the status of a manual selector switch or push button. Based on the state of the first operating parameter, at least one switch is interpreted to re
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
Lieu Julie
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