Steering system and method for a motor driven craft

Abstract

A steering system for craft turns a motor from a fixed position to a secondary position. As a result, the craft turns right or left as desired by a user of the craft. A control unit instructs the steering system to turn the craft to a desired orientation. A steering motor is activated that turns a cam attached to a shaft. The shaft is attached to the motor. The cam also includes an indent and sensors to indicate when the motor is in the fixed position or a secondary position that corresponds to a maximum angle for turning the motor. The steering system returns the motor back to the fixed position when the user indicates the steering system is to stop turning, or when the secondary position is reached. The steering system returns the motor back to the fixed position without knowledge of the user. Thus, the motor stays in one of three positions unless instructed by the control unit to turn.

1 . A method for orienting of a craft in a direction, the method comprising:
 propelling the craft in a forward or backward orientation using a trolling motor and a steering motor in a fixed position;   repositioning the steering motor towards a desired orientation of the craft by turning the trolling motor away from the fixed position; and   returning the trolling motor to the fixed position when the steering motor stops turning the trolling motor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising turning the craft to a right or a left direction using the trolling motor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repositioning step includes turning the steering motor back to a position corresponding to the fixed position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repositioning step includes turning the trolling motor using a shaft coupled with the steering motor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repositioning step includes turning the trolling motor towards an angle, wherein the angle comprises an angle between 15 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a command to orient the craft using the trolling motor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stopping the steering motor when the steering motor turns the trolling motor to another fixed position. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stopping steps includes the another fixed position being at an angle to the fixed position. 
     
     
         9 . A method for positioning a craft using a motor, the method comprising:
 turning the motor from a fixed position to a secondary fixed position using a steering system operatively connected to the motor; and   returning the motor to the fixed position upon disengagement of the steering system or reaching the secondary position without instruction from a user.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the turning step includes rotating a shaft connected to the motor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising rotating a cam with the steering motor, wherein the cam is attached to the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary fixed position is located at an angle from the fixed position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the angle is between 15 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A steering system for a craft having a motor, the steering system comprising:
 a steering motor to rotate a shaft attached to the motor from a fixed position towards a secondary position, wherein the secondary position corresponds to a right or left turn;   a cam surrounding the shaft to engage the steering motor; and   means for positioning the motor back to the fixed position upon the motor reaching the secondary position or the steering motor ceasing rotation of the shaft.   
     
     
         15 . The steering system of  claim 14 , wherein the motor positions back to the fixed position without knowledge of a user of the steering system. 
     
     
         16 . The steering system of  claim 15 , wherein the means for positioning includes an indent in the cam that corresponds to the secondary position. 
     
     
         17 . The steering system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one sensor interacts with the indent to indicate the secondary position. 
     
     
         18 . The steering system of  claim 14 , further comprising a control unit to relay an instruction to the steering motor to the right or left turn. 
     
     
         19 . The steering system of  claim 18 , wherein the control unit interacts with at least one switch to instruct the steering motor. 
     
     
         20 . A steering system comprising:
 a steering motor;   a cam to engage the steering motor that turns in response to the steering motor;   a shaft attached to a propulsion motor and to the cam, wherein the shaft turns the motor as the cam turns;   means to indicate a fixed position and a secondary position for the motor, wherein the means determines the fixed and secondary positions using the cam as it turns; and   the steering motor returns the motor back to the fixed means when the means to indicate determines the motor reached the secondary position or upon an instruction to stop turning.