US 12,275,513 B1
Marine propulsion control system and method
Kenneth G. Gable, Oshkosh, WI (US); Daniel E. Clarkson, Oshkosh, WI (US); and Steven J. Andrasko, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Assigned to Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed by Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/296,634.
Application 18/296,634 is a continuation of application No. 17/374,600, filed on Jul. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,655,015.
Application 17/374,600 is a continuation of application No. 16/887,123, filed on May 29, 2020, granted, now 11,091,243, issued on Aug. 17, 2021.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B63H 25/46 (2006.01); B63H 20/00 (2006.01); B63H 20/06 (2006.01); B63H 20/12 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 25/46 (2013.01) [B63H 20/06 (2013.01); B63H 20/12 (2013.01); B63H 2020/003 (2013.01); B63H 2025/465 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A propulsion system for a marine vessel, the system comprising:
at least one propulsion device rotatable to steer a marine vessel;
a steering wheel operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device;
a joystick operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement of the marine vessel and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the marine vessel;
a controller configured to:
determine a steering position of the at least one propulsion device;
determine a difference between the steering position and a centered steering position; and
determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position prior to enabling a joystick thrust control mode wherein thrust by the at least one propulsion device is controllable by the joystick.