Systems and methods for wireless charging on a marine vessel

Inventors: Brennan J. Kelly (Urbana, IL); David J. Belter (Oshkosh, WI); Eric J. Rego (Fond du Lac, WI)

Assignee: Brunswick Corporation

H02J50/10 B60P3/1033 B60R16/033 H02J50/40 H02J50/90 B60L53/38

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12695328
App. No.: 18/118,531
Granted: Jul 28, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

A system for charging at least one electrical energy storage device on a marine vessel is provided. The system includes a charging structure having at least one structure charging pad. The at least one structure charging pad is coupled to a power source and is configured to wirelessly transfer power to at least one vessel charging pad on a marine vessel in order to charge the at least one electrical energy storage device on the marine vessel. The at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one charging structure pad are configured to be moved relative to each other to bring the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad proximate each other such that a predetermined parameter is satisfied to charge the at least one electrical energy storage device using the power source for a sustained period.

Claims (32)

1 . A system for charging at least one electrical energy storage device on a marine vessel, the system comprising:

a charging structure comprising at least one structure charging pad, the at least one structure charging pad coupled to a power source and configured to wirelessly transfer power to at least one vessel charging pad on the marine vessel in order to charge the at least one electrical energy storage device on the marine vessel;

wherein the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad are configured to be moved relative to each other to bring the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad proximate each other such that a predetermined parameter is satisfied to charge the at least one electrical energy storage device using the power source for a sustained period; and

wherein the at least one vessel charging pad is located on a hull of the marine vessel configured to be supported by the charging structure.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the charging structure is a trailer configured to support the marine vessel during travel of the charging structure over land.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the charging structure is a lift configured to support the marine vessel.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuating system configured to move at least one of the marine vessel, the charging structure, the at least one vessel charging pad, or the at least one structure charging pad to align the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad such that the predetermined parameter is satisfied.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the actuating system is coupled to the charging structure.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the actuating system is coupled to the marine vessel.

7 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising:

at least one sensing device configured to determine a sensed position of at least one of the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad; and

a charging controller configured to operate the actuating system based on the sensed position of the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensing device comprises at least one of a camera, a LIDAR sensor, an RFID sensor, a radar sensor, a volt meter, and a current meter.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vessel charging pad comprises at least two vessel charging pads, and wherein the at least one structure charging pad comprises at least two structure charging pads.

10 . A method for charging an electrical energy storage device on a marine vessel, the method comprising:

providing a charging structure comprising at least one structure charging pad, the at least one structure charging pad coupled to a power source, and configured to wirelessly transfer power to at least one vessel charging pad on the marine vessel in order to charge the electrical energy storage device on the marine vessel; wherein the at least one vessel charging pad is located on a hull of the marine vessel configured to be supported by the charging structure;

generating an electrical current on the charging structure using the power source;

supplying the electrical current to the at least one structure charging pad;

inducing an electrical current for a sustained period in the at least one vessel charging pad; and

supplying the induced electrical current to the electrical energy storage device.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising, prior to inducing the electrical current for the sustained period in the at least one vessel charging pad, moving the marine vessel and the charging structure relative to each other to bring the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad proximate each other such that a predetermined parameter is satisfied.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein inducing the electrical current for the sustained period in the at least one vessel charging pad automatically occurs responsive to the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad being located proximate each other such that the predetermined parameter is satisfied.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein inducing the electrical current for the sustained period in the at least one vessel charging pad occurs responsive to an operator input once the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad are located proximate each other such that the predetermined parameter is satisfied.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the marine vessel and the charging structure relative to each other comprises operating an actuating system.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the actuating system is coupled to the charging structure.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the actuating system is coupled to the marine vessel.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising determining a sensed position of at least one of the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad using at least one sensing device and operating the actuating system based on the sensed position.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one sensing device comprises at least one of a camera, a LIDAR sensor, an RFID sensor, a radar sensor, a volt meter, and a current meter.

19 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the charging structure is a trailer configured to support the marine vessel during travel of the charging structure over land.

20 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the charging structure is a lift configured to support the marine vessel.

21 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising, prior to inducing the electrical current for the sustained period in the at least one vessel charging pad, moving the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad relative to each other to bring the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad proximate each other such that a predetermined parameter is satisfied.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein moving the at least one vessel charging pad and the at least one structure charging pad relative to each other comprises operating an actuating system.