Patent ID: 7311570
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A system for automatically controlling a trim motor coupled to a drive thrust, said system comprising: a control unit operatively coupled to the trim motor to cause the trim motor to adjust the trim of the thrust by pivoting the drive thrust toward a horizontal orientation when the control unit is activated; and a trim sensor mounted directly on the drive thrust to send an activation signal to the control unit to activate the control unit when the trim sensor senses the drive thrust is not horizontal, the trim sensor comprising a member movable between a pair of spaced-apart electronic contacts, the sensor being configured to send the activation signal when the member engages one of the electronic contacts, the trim sensor further comprising a dampening mechanism for slowing the movement of the member; wherein the control unit comprises a manual override switch for deactivating the sensor and permitting manual adjustment of the drive thrust by manual operation of the trim motor; and wherein the control unit further comprises an electronic dampening timer for measuring a time length of the activation signal, the electronic dampening timer activating the control unit when the time length exceeds a predetermined time length.