Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a battery of a marine propulsion system provides the measuring of a voltage characteristic of the battery, comparing the voltage characteristic to a preselected threshold value, and evaluating the condition of the battery as a function of the relative magnitudes of the voltage characteristic and the threshold value. The voltage characteristic of the battery is measured subsequent to a connection event when a connection relationship between the battery and an electrical load is changed. The electrical load is typically a starter motor which is connected in torque transmitting relation with an internal combustion engine. The voltage characteristic is preferably measured at its minimum value during the inrush current episode immediately prior to cranking the internal combustion engine shaft to start the engine.

Abstract: A security system for a marine vessel uses identification values to ascertain whether or not the devices used in a marine vessel control system are those which are expected. If an identification value is received by one device from another device, appropriate operation of the devices is permitted. However, if an incorrect identification value is received or no identification value is received, continued operation of the marine propulsion system is disabled.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conditioning of bowling lanes, and, more particularly to an apparatus and method for automatically applying a predetermined pattern of dressing fluid along the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of a bowling lane.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring voltage changes along a cable. First and second controllers monitor voltage potentials at first and second locations along the cable and these voltage potentials are compared to determine whether or not voltage drops exist along the cable. These voltage drops would normally be caused by improperly connected or damaged nodes which increase the resistance to the power provided by a power source.

Abstract: A method for starting a marine internal combustion engine is independent of a continued signal received from a starting switch. If the operator of the marine vessel momentarily depresses a starting switch, a predetermined procedure is followed by a microprocessor which does not require continued involvement of the marine vessel operator. Various parameters are checked during the starting sequence and various actuators are activated to assure a safe and reliable starting procedure.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine includes the storing of two or more sets of operational relationships which are determined and preselected by calibrating the engine to achieve predetermined characteristics under predetermined operating conditions. The plurality of sets of operational relationships are then stored in a memory device of a microprocessor and later selected in response to a manually entered parameter. The chosen set of operational relationships is selected as a function of the selectable parameter entered by the operator of the marine vessel and the operation of the internal combustion engine is controlled according to that chosen set of operational parameters. This allows two identical internal combustion engines to be operated in different manners to suit the needs of particular applications of the two internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A calibration procedure involves the steps of manually placing a throttle handle in five preselected positions that correspond with mechanical detents of the throttle control mechanism. At each of the five positions, one or more position indicating signals are received by a microprocessor of a controller and stored for future use. The five positions comprise wide open throttle in forward gear, wide open throttle in reverse gear, the shift position between neutral and forward gear, the shift position between neutral and reverse gear, and the mid-point of the neutral gear selection range. The present invention then continuously monitors signals provided by a sensor of the throttle control mechanism and mathematically determines the precise position of the throttle handle as a function of the stored position indicating signals. In one embodiment, each position indicating signal comprises three redundant signal magnitudes.

Abstract: A self calibration system is provided for a fuel tank in which a method is applied to dynamically determine the relationship between the remaining fuel in the tank and the measured depth of that remaining fuel. It is not necessary to provide the specific volume-to-depth relationship prior to operation of the marine vessel. Based on initial estimation of this relationship, which can be a linear estimation, the actual relationship is determined based on measured fuel depth changes and measured fuel consumptions which are contemporaneous with the measurement of the depth changes.

Abstract: A foot pedal apparatus is provided with a stationary support structure and a shaft supported by the support structure. A bracket and an actuator are attachable to each other for synchronous rotation about an axis of the shaft. A rotational connector is moveable to selectively connect and disconnect the bracket and actuator to allow coordinated rotation about the axis or independent rotation about the axis, respectively. The structure of the foot pedal apparatus allows the “at rest” position of the foot pedal to be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A multipurpose control mechanism allows the operator of a marine vessel to use the mechanism as both a standard throttle and gear selection device and, alternatively, as a multi-axes joystick command device. The control mechanism comprises a base portion and a lever that is movable relative to the base portion along with a distal member that is attached to the lever for rotation about a central axis of the lever. A primary control signal is provided by the multipurpose control mechanism when the marine vessel is operated in a first mode in which the control signal provides information relating to engine speed and gear selection. The mechanism can also operate in a second or docking mode and provide first, second, and third secondary control signals relating to desired maneuvers of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A throttle position sensor is provided with a plurality of sensing elements which allow the throttle position sensor to provide a high resolution output to measure the physical position of a manually movable member, such as a throttle handle, more accurately than would otherwise be possible. The plurality of sensors significantly increases the redundancy of the sensor and allows its operation even if one of the sensing elements is disabled.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper is provided for a steering system, such as that of a boat or watercraft. A manually movable steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel, is connected to a piston and cylinder combination in such a way that rotation of the steering wheel causes relative movement between the piston and cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is disposed within the cylinder in such a way that movement between the cylinder and piston requires the hydraulic fluid to move from one portion of the cylinder to another portion of the cylinder. This fluid movement is conducted through a conduit which can be external to the cylinder or internal to the cylinder and extending through the piston.

Abstract: A magnet rotor assembly is provided with a nonmagnetic ring, which can be made of an elastomeric material, which has at least one locating protrusion extending radially outward from a first surface of the ring. It also comprises at least one locking protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the ring. A plurality of permanent magnets are embedded within the nonmagnetic ring and spaced circumferentially around the nonmagnetic ring. The ring is shaped to be received within a rotatable component of an internal combustion engine, such as a flywheel, which has an internal cylindrical surface. The locking protrusions of the ring are shaped to elastically deflect in a radially inward direction in response to contact between the locking protrusions and the internal cylindrical surface of the rotatable component when the nonmagnetic ring is forced axially into the rotatable component.

Abstract: A personal watercraft has a daytime running headlight that illuminates continuously or stroboscopically when the personal watercraft is operating. The daytime running headlight makes the watercraft more noticeable to other boaters. Several embodiments are shown in which one or more daytime running headlights are mounted to the personal watercraft above the deckline of the watercraft and forward of the handlebars of the watercraft. Such positioning renders the daytime running headlight easily noticeable to other boaters even in relatively choppy water. The daytime running headlights should not only illuminate light forward of the watercraft, but should also illuminate peripherally from the watercraft. A linkage mechanism can be used to turn the one or more headlights in the direction in which the watercraft is turning.

Abstract: A multipurpose control mechanism allows the operator of a marine vessel to use the mechanism as both a standard throttle and gear selection device and, alternatively, as a multi-axes joystick command device. The control mechanism comprises a base portion and a lever that is movable relative to the base portion along with a distal member that is attached to the lever for rotation about a central axis of the lever. A primary control signal is provided by the multipurpose control mechanism when the marine vessel is operated in a first mode in which the control signal provides information relating to engine speed and gear selection. The mechanism can also operate in a second or docking mode and provide first, second, and third secondary control signals relating to desired maneuvers of the marine vessel.