Systems and methods for controlling a wake behind a watercraft

Abstract

Example systems and methods are provided herein for controlling a wake behind a watercraft. Such systems include a ballast system, an actuator, and a sensor for determining a pitch, roll, and/or yaw of the watercraft. A processor is configured to determine or receive a desired orientation of the watercraft based on producing a desired wake behind the watercraft, determine a current orientation of the watercraft relative to a water level of the body of water based on sensor data received from the sensor, determine instructions to send to at least one of the ballast system or the actuator based on the current orientation of the watercraft and the desired orientation of the watercraft, and cause adjustment of the ballast system or the actuator according to the instructions such that the watercraft achieves the desired orientation so that the desired wake is produced by the watercraft.

1 . A system for controlling a wake behind a watercraft, the system comprising:
 a ballast system comprising at least one pump;   at least one actuator;   a sensor for determining at least one of a pitch, roll, or yaw of the watercraft;   a processor; and   a memory including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 determine or receive a desired orientation of the watercraft based on producing a desired wake behind the watercraft; 
 determine a current orientation of the watercraft relative to a water level of the body of water based on sensor data received from the sensor; 
 determine instructions to send to at least one of the ballast system or the at least one actuator based on the current orientation of the watercraft and the desired orientation of the watercraft; and 
 cause adjustment of the at least one of the ballast system or the at least one actuator according to the instructions such that the watercraft achieves the desired orientation so that the desired wake is produced by the watercraft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of the instructions is part of a feedback loop. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to control positioning of at least one of a set of trim tabs, a wedge, one or more interceptors, or a surf gate on the watercraft. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ballast system comprises a first ballast tank with a at least one first pump and a second ballast tank with at least one second pump. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the ballast system comprises a third ballast tank with at least one third pump and a fourth ballast tank with at least one fourth pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first ballast tank is positioned on or in a bow of the watercraft, wherein the second ballast tank is positioned on or in a stern of the watercraft, wherein the third ballast tank is positioned on a starboard side of the watercraft, and wherein the fourth ballast tank is positioned on a starboard side of the watercraft. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the instructions based on at least one of the following: watercraft speed, hull displacement, design and position of an element connected to the at least one actuator, water depth, water speed, weather conditions, surfer weight, or tow rope fixing point. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the instructions based on information that indicates that the watercraft is turning. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is part of a marine electronics device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is positioned at a remote location. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an inertial measurement unit. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the instructions based on a time requirement. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the wake is within a predetermined threshold of a height of the desired wake. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined threshold is less than 10 percent. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the instructions based on a number of passengers in the watercraft. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the instructions based on one or more detected positions of one or more passengers in the watercraft. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the instructions based on one or more of a fuel level, an equipment weight, or an equipment distribution. 
     
     
         19 . A marine electronic device comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 determine or receive a desired orientation of a watercraft based on producing a desired wake behind the watercraft; 
 determine a current orientation of the watercraft relative to a water level of the body of water based on sensor data received from a sensor, the sensor being configured to determine at least one of a pitch, roll, or yaw of the watercraft; 
 determine instructions to send to at least one of a ballast system or an actuator based on the current orientation of the watercraft and the desired orientation of the watercraft; and 
 cause adjustment of the at least one of the ballast system or the actuator according to the instructions such that the watercraft achieves the desired orientation so that the desired wake is produced by the watercraft. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method for controlling a wake behind a watercraft, the method comprising:
 determining or receiving a desired orientation of the watercraft based on producing a desired wake behind the watercraft;   determining a current orientation of the watercraft relative to a water level of the body of water based on sensor data received from a sensor, the sensor being configured to determine at least one of a pitch, roll, or yaw of the watercraft;   determining instructions to send to at least one of a ballast system or an actuator based on the current orientation of the watercraft and the desired orientation of the watercraft; and   causing adjustment of the at least one of the ballast system or the actuator according to the instructions such that the watercraft achieves the desired orientation so that the desired wake is produced by the watercraft.