Trolling motor and method for controlling a trolling motor
US9966895B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02P2201/11
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for controlling a trolling motor including a sonar transducer and an electric motor rotating a propeller includes providing a motor controller configured for electrical connection to the electric motor. The motor controller includes a pulse width modulator outputting a PWM signal. A high-side electronic switch is provided between a high-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor and a low-side electronic switch is provided between a low-side output of the pulse width modulator and the electric motor. The electric motor is driven by current transmitted via the high-side electronic switch or the low-side electronic switch in response to the PWM signal. An operating frequency of the PWM signal is selected such that an operating frequency of the sonar transducer is approximately centered between harmonic frequencies of the PWM signal. A spread spectrum switching algorithm reduces a peak noise level of the PWM signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.