Patent ID: 11878783
Assignee: NAVICO, INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, the trolling motor assembly comprising:
a shaft extending along a central axis from a first end to a second end;
a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein, when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in a body of water, the trolling motor, when operating, is configured to propel the watercraft to travel along the body of water;
a trolling motor adjustment assembly configured to adjust at least one of a rotational position or a vertical position of the trolling motor, the trolling motor adjustment assembly comprising:
a plurality of rotatable drums surrounding the shaft, wherein each drum comprises a plurality of rollers disposed about an outer surface of the shaft and configured to be in contact therewith; and
a trolling motor adjustment assembly control system, comprising:
a processor;
a memory including program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive a position adjustment command;
apply a first drive signal to cause a first drum of the plurality of rotatable drums to rotate about the shaft in one of a first or second circumferential direction in response to the position adjustment command; and
apply a second drive signal to cause a second drum of the plurality of rotatable drums to rotate about the shaft in one of a first or second circumferential direction in response to the position adjustment command;
wherein the first and second drive signals are configured to cause the trolling motor assembly to at least one of rotate about the central axis of the shaft or to translate along the central axis of the shaft.