For Engine Speed Patents (Class 440/87)
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Patent number: 11912376Abstract: A method to convert a jet board, which may include an electric surfboard, an electric standup paddle board, an electric hydrofoil board, into a personal watercraft (PWC). The method includes attaching an add-on module onto the jet board where the add-on module provides handles and a seat but does not provide a source of propulsion. The resulting personal watercraft is, instead. driven by the propulsion system of the jet board.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: SHANGHAI YUJET CO., LTD.Inventor: Yu Tian
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Patent number: 11820481Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a joystick device (100) operable to provide speed, direction and steering commands for controlling a marine vessel (300). The present disclosure also relates to a marine propulsion control system controlling a set of propulsion units (308, 310, 312 and 314) carried by a hull of a marine vessel (300), wherein the marine propulsion control system is adapted to receive an input command from such a joystick device (100).Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: VOLVO PENTA CORPORATIONInventors: Anders Bondesson, Katarina Hammar, Anders Thorin
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Patent number: 11787517Abstract: Water rescue of an individual whether they be a man overboard (MOB) from a boat or someone close to shore requiring a water rescue by shore lifeguards, can easily become a dangerous and life-threatening situation within a few seconds. The current invention offers a Compact Powered Rescue Apparatus (CPRA), a lightweight and compact powered watercraft that can be deployed from a moving boat in just seconds thanks to an innovative CO2 inflation system. CPRA can be stowed on-board a vessel and automatically inflated in just seconds much like the compulsory life-raft or pre-inflated and ready to deploy immediately from shoreline lifeguard stations. CPRA is a powered watercraft based on U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,029 Motorized Surf Boots (Powered Waterskis), a recreational watercraft. However, in this case the craft is made inflatable, configured with a portable stretcher for water search-and-rescue operations, and driven by battery powered electric marine thrusters.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventor: Keith Maximilian Rudofsky
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Patent number: 11668254Abstract: A throttle operating device includes a fixing member, a throttle lever, and a detection sensor. A drive source of the transport is configured to be controlled based on the rotational operation angle of the throttle lever detected by the detection sensor. The throttle lever is configured to be rotated in a forward direction and a reverse direction. When the throttle lever is rotated in the forward direction, the drive source of the transport can be controlled. When the throttle lever is rotated in the reverse direction, a predetermined device mounted on the transport can be operated or an operation of the predetermined device can be stopped.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ASAHI DENSO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukio Oshiro, Keisuke Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 11649776Abstract: A system and methods for a turbo-boost control system are disclosed for providing a driver of a vehicle with greater control over vehicle performance. The turbo-boost control system instructs an electronic control unit of the vehicle to increase the manifold pressure to a higher level before releasing the pressure through a waste gate so as to provide a greater power output of the engine. The turbo-boost control system includes a control module, a wiring harness, and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness couples the control module with a turbo inlet pressure sensor, a manifold absolute pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The control module sends signals to the electronic control unit based on input readings from the turbo inlet pressure sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the power output of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Steve Williams
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Patent number: 11305841Abstract: An article of manufacture involving a system of molded-in cavities and post-molded cover plates that solve a multitude of problems in applying rotational molding to the construction of plastic-hulled power boats. The article of manufacture includes a body, wherein the body is a plastic molded boat hull comprised of numerous molded-in cavities and molded-in features to create an interior layout that is comparable to a conventional boat built of aluminum or fiber reinforced plastic.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Inventor: Benjamin S. Haas
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Patent number: 11192618Abstract: Systems and methods to allow a user to be both towed by and control a personal flotation craft from behind and underneath while engaging in underwater exploration comprising one or more propulsion devices, an optionally foldable tow shaft and one or more directional controllers. Wherein the systems and methods may further comprises one or more remotely controllable speed modulators, controlled by a user from behind and underneath the personal flotation craft, while engaging in underwater exploration.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Inventor: Jean Ronald Brisard
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Patent number: 11084563Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor powered by an engine includes a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end. A throttle grip is on the distal end of the tiller body. An idle speed control switch is located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The idle speed control switch is a momentary switch that can be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the idle speed control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller to change an idle speed of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Madalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus, Robert A. Podell
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Patent number: 10696367Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor has a throttle grip that is manually rotatable through first and second ranges of motion into and between an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at an idle speed, and first and second open-throttle positions, respectively, in which the outboard motor is controlled at an above-idle speed. A throttle shaft is coupled to the throttle grip and is configured so that rotation of the throttle grip causes rotation of the throttle shaft, which changes a throttle position of a throttle of the outboard motor. A rotation direction switching mechanism is manually positionable into a first position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the first range of motion controls the throttle of the outboard motor and alternately manually positionable into a second position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the second range of motion controls the throttle position.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jolayne K. Ingebritson, James E. Erickson
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Patent number: 10557251Abstract: The first engine speed or a work machine is higher than the minimum engine speed, and the second engine speed is higher than the first engine speed and lower than the maximum engine speed. The ratio of the change in the target engine speed to the change in the operation amount of the engine speed instructing device when the operation amount of the engine speed instructing device is changed from the operation amount for instructing the minimum speed to the operation amount for instructing the first engine speed is larger than the ratio of the change in the target engine speed to the change in the operation amount of the engine speed instructing device when the operation amount of the engine speed instructing device is changed from the operation amount for instructing the second engine speed to the operation amount for instructing the maximum speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Imura, Shinji Nishikawa, Manabu Edamura, Kouji Ishikawa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara
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Patent number: 9897014Abstract: A variable rate throttle for controlling a vehicle carburetor having control cables. The variable rate throttle includes a housing surrounding a cavity, a plurality of interchangeable throttle reels, each throttle reel having a different track radius, where a particular one of the throttle reels is positioned at a time in the cavity of the housing and which engages the control cables. A throttle handle engages the interchangeable throttle reel so that rotation of the handle causes rotation of the throttle reel and thus moves the control cables of the vehicle carburetor.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Motion Pro, INC.Inventors: Steven Richard Scott, Chris Van Andel
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Patent number: 9803599Abstract: The present invention is a system for air supply to the engine of a motor float comprising a bottom part and an upper part of the body defining the inner space of the float, in which a combustion engine is arranged, wherein the upper part of the body is in its front part provided with an air supply, characterized in that the combustion engine is arranged in the engine compartment and separated from the rest of the inner space of the float by means of a partition provided with a suction opening in its front part, wherein to provide the circulation of air in the inner space of the float a sealing rib extends from the front part of the partition towards the tip of the float, separating the air supply and suction opening from one another, wherein at least one rear pump for sucking the leaking water is arranged in the rear part of the inner space of the float.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Inventor: Martin Sula
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Patent number: 9764813Abstract: A tiller is for an outboard motor. The tiller comprises a tiller body that is elongated along a tiller axis between a fixed end and a free end. A throttle grip is disposed on the free end. The throttle grip is rotatable through a first (left handed) range of motion from an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at idle speed to first (left handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed and alternately through a second (right handed) range of motion from the idle position to a second (right handed) wide open throttle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at wide open throttle speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Zarembka, Travis J. Vaninetti, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Jolayne K. Ingebritson
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Patent number: 9056149Abstract: An improved bodyboard and bodyboard shape are presented. The bodyboard includes both a hull section and a planar section formed in the bottom surface of the bodyboard. The bodyboard presented herein provides a hydrodynamically-shaped object that allows a rider to ride waves, typically in a prone or kneeling position on top of at least a portion of the bodyboard. The bodyboard provides the rider more control, speed and maneuverability, without adding substantially to costs to manufacture and maintain the bodyboard.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Inventor: Michael Bianchi
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Patent number: 9014909Abstract: A system and method are for diagnosing a fault state of a shift linkage in a marine propulsion device. A control lever is movable towards at least one of a maximum reverse position and a maximum forward position. A shift linkage couples the control lever to a transmission, wherein movement of the control lever causes movement of the shift linkage that enacts a shift change in the transmission. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of the shift linkage. A control circuit diagnoses a fault state of the shift linkage when after the shift change the position signal that is output by the shift sensor is outside of at least one range of position signals that is stored in the control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dengel, Gene A. Smedema, Lance W. Ziemer
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Patent number: 8992274Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel having a first marine propulsor that propels the marine vessel, a first internal combustion engine that selectively powers the first marine propulsor, and a first electric motor that selectively powers the first marine propulsor. The system also has first and second user input devices and a control circuit that controls operation of the system in at least a first control mode and a second control mode. In the first control mode, the control circuit controls operation of both the first internal combustion engine and the first electric motor based upon actuation of the first user input device. In the second control mode, the control circuit controls operation of the first internal combustion engine based upon actuation of the first user input device and the control circuit controls operation of the first electric motor based upon actuation of the second user input device.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Aaron J. Ward, Brett J. McNalley
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Patent number: 8925414Abstract: A device for inputting command signals to a marine vessel control system includes a lever that is selectively operable in a joystick mode and a lever mode. In the lever mode, the lever is confined to pivoting about a horizontal axis to thereby input throttle and shift commands to the control system. In the joystick mode, the lever is freely pivotable in all directions away from a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis to thereby input throttle, shift, and directional commands to the control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John I. S. Park, Steven J. Gonring
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Patent number: 8930050Abstract: A method of adjusting engine throttle in an electronic shift and throttle system comprises determining a position of a control lever which allows an operator to manually control throttle functions. A throttle command is calculated based on the position of the control lever. The throttle command is adjusted in response to an input received from an input means. The position of the control lever remains constant as the throttle command is being adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.Inventors: Pierre Garon, Neil Garfield Allyn, Ray Tat Lung Wong
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Patent number: 8926383Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift shaft to be rotated in response to manipulation by an operator to switch a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of a prime mover to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear, and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, comprising a neutral operation detector connected to the shift shaft and adapted to detect a neutral operation in which the shift position is switched from the in-gear position to the neutral position; and a driving force controller adapted to conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the prime mover when the neutral operation is detected.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20140295718Abstract: A ski boat throttle control system incorporating a rotary assembly such as a thumbwheel within the control lever knob which is part of the control lever assembly that is gripped and held by the operator of the boat during use. The incorporation of such a thumbwheel assembly allows the operator to make more controlled adjustment to the speed of the boat when the boat is in normal operational mode and to intuitively make adjustments to the cruise control speed of the boat when in cruise control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Enovation Controls, LLCInventor: Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 8808040Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Tomohiro Miyauchi, Kazumi Miyashita
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Patent number: 8727820Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a ship, designed as a parallel hybrid drive system, and comprising an internal combustion engine (103), an electric machine (105), acting as a generator or motor, depending on switching an electric controller (107), a battery (106), at least one switching clutch (115, 116), and a drive device (109) for transferring the drive power to at least one propeller (108). The electric machine (105) together with a first (115) and a second switched clutch (116), form a drive unit (140), that can be modularly disposed between the internal combustion engine (103) and the drive device (109). The first switched clutch (115) is disposed between the electric machine (105) and the internal combustion engine (103) and the second switched clutch (116) is disposed between the electric machine (105) and the drive device (109).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Paolo Stasolla, Andrea Pellegrinetti, Adriano Zanfei, Michele Zottele
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Patent number: 8684776Abstract: A single switch unit having a pair of switches is provided in the vicinity of a throttle grip which is provided in a distal end of a tiller handle. The single switch unit is provided with a function of performing the operation for changing a tilt angle of an outboard motor body with respect to a hull and a function of performing the operation for adjusting a rotational speed of an engine of the outboard motor at the time of trolling operation. Upon simultaneous pressing of a pair of the switches, these two functions of the switch unit are switched.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Yukihiro Yoshikawa, Kotaro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8682515Abstract: A marine vessel control system includes a control unit, a first communication bus, a second communication bus, and an auxiliary device connection section. The control unit includes a main output section arranged to output marine vessel maneuvering control information including starting information of a marine vessel propulsion device, and a sub output section arranged to output backup information including the starting information of the marine vessel propulsion device. The first communication bus is connected to the marine vessel propulsion device and the control unit, and is arranged to transmit the marine vessel maneuvering control information to the marine vessel propulsion device. The second communication bus is connected to the marine vessel propulsion device and the control unit, and is arranged to transmit the backup information to the marine vessel propulsion device.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Ito
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Patent number: 8655522Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a rotational speed detector, and a controller. The drive shaft transmits power from the engine. The propeller shaft is rotationally driven by power transmitted from the drive shaft. The rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed. The controller executes a suppression control to suppress the engine rotational speed when a change rate of the engine rotational speed is equal to or larger than a prescribed value.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takuya Kado
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Patent number: 8628364Abstract: An outboard motor in which exhaust of an engine is emitted into water via an exhaust passage. The outboard motor comprises a throttle valve connected to an air intake port of the engine via an air intake manifold, a control motor for driving the throttle valve to open and close, and a controller for controlling the control motor. The controller controls the control motor such that the throttle valve fully closes when a determination is made that reverse rotation is occurring in the engine. The exhaust passage is communicated with the air intake manifold via a communication passage. A communication valve which opens only when reverse rotation is occurring in the engine is located at a portion where the communication passage and the air intake manifold connect.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiko Yamazaki, Hideaki Takada
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Patent number: 8577524Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a rotational speed detector, and a controller. The drive shaft transmits power from the engine. The propeller shaft is rotationally driven by power transmitted from the drive shaft. The rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed. The controller executes a suppression control to suppress the engine rotational speed when a change rate of the engine rotational speed is equal to or larger than a prescribed value.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takuya Kado
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Patent number: 8555856Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a speed of an internal combustion engine installed in an outboard motor and having an actuator connected to a throttle valve of the engine to open and close the throttle valve, and up/down command signal outputting devices that output an up/down command signal to increase/decrease the engine speed when manipulated by an operator, the engine speed is controlled to change in response to the up or down command signal with an engine speed change amount per unit time made different depending on whether the detected engine speed exceeds a reference speed or not, thereby enabling to finely and precisely control the engine speed in the low speed range, while facilitating speed regulation.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Shimamura, Yoshio Ohtomo, Mitsuaki Kubota, Takeshi Inaba, Hikaru Ikeda
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Patent number: 8491348Abstract: A lever position sensor assembly (90) has a main housing (92), a lever (48) pivotally connected to the housing about a first axis (100), and a lever position sensor (84). The lever has at least a portion thereof extending outside the housing. The lever position sensor has a fixed portion (120) and a pivoting portion (122). The fixed portion is connected to the housing. The pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the fixed portion about a second axis (124). The second axis is generally parallel to the first axis. The second axis is spaced from the first axis. The lever is operatively connected to the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor such that pivoting the lever about the first axis pivots the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor about the second axis. A vehicle having a lever position sensor assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Richard Simard, Francois Giroux, Etienne Girard
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Patent number: 8460040Abstract: An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Ito
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Patent number: 8315750Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the propulsion efficiency of vessels. The improvement is obtained by utilizing wave induced variations in propeller inflow, i.e. the speed of water flowing towards the propeller. The wave induced water speed variation is used to calculate the propeller speed in a way so that the propeller speed is optimal with respect to the total propulsion efficiency. The optimal propeller speed is determined by solving an optimization problem formulated as the maximization of the ratio of energy delivered by the propeller and the energy delivered to the propeller. The method may be used for vessels with one or more propellers.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Propeller Control ApSInventors: Mogens Blanke, Luca Pivano
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Patent number: 8303360Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor mounted on a boat and having a torque converter equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a clutch controller that controls the lockup clutch to ON when a speed ratio of the torque converter is equal to or greater than a reference value, the clutch controller being configured to determine whether a throttle valve is at about a fully-opened position and to control the lockup clutch to ON when the speed ratio becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value set smaller than the reference value before the speed ratio reaches the reference value, and the throttle valve is discriminated to be at about the fully-opened position. With this, it becomes possible to reliably make a lockup clutch ON when the acceleration is completed, so that the boat speed can reach the maximum speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hajime Yoshimura
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Patent number: 8292679Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, a drive shaft that connects the engine and the propeller, a torque converter that is interposed between the engine and the drive shaft and is equipped with a lockup clutch, a water pump connected to the drive shaft to be driven by the drive shaft, and a shift mechanism interposed between the drive shaft and the propeller, comprising a neutral position detector that detects the shift mechanism being set in a neutral position; and a clutch ON unit that makes the lockup clutch ON to increase operation speed of the water pump when it is detected that the shift mechanism is set in the neutral position. With this, it becomes possible to improve cooling performance, thereby preventing a defect such as overheat of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hajime Yoshimura, Hikaru Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Matsuda
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Patent number: 8272906Abstract: An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Ito
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Patent number: 8257122Abstract: The present application includes a multi-function throttle shaft that combines the motor speed-control and the motor direction-control in one tiller handle. Co-functionally, the throttle shaft is rotated clockwise/counterclockwise to control motor speed while intuitively allowing the user to push the throttle in for reverse direction and pull the throttle out for forward direction or vise-versa, based on whether the trolling motor is mounted on the transom or bow of a boat. In either case, the handle is always moved in the same direction that the operator wants the boat to travel.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Steven E. Holley
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Patent number: 8249764Abstract: The invention relates to a motorized watercraft with a control device (1) and with a drive unit (30) having a water propeller that is driven by an electric motor (31). The electric motor (31), an operating unit (10), a motor controller (20), a battery controller (50) and a battery (60) are placed in a vehicle hull, and the water propeller is mounted in a flow channel in the vehicle hull. In order to connect the controlling components and the components to be controlled by means of a system architecture, a system bus and of a man-machine interface, the invention provides that the operating unit (10), the motor controller (20), and the battery controller (50) are data-connected by means of a communications device controlled by the control device (1). This enables an, in particular, fail-safe transmission of data, a constant monitoring of the system components, and when required, an emergency shut-down.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Rotinor GmbHInventors: Ralf Bauer, Jürgen Grimmelsen
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Patent number: 8244419Abstract: A marine power system comprises a motor for providing propulsion. It also comprises an energy storage unit (ESU) for storing and supplying energy to the motor. A prime power system is connected to the ESU and motor for selectively providing energy to these subsystems through a bus. The motor selectively receives energy from the prime power system and the ESU and can supply regenerative braking energy to the bus. The system can also accommodate multiple generator sets providing system power. The ESU can also provide starting power for the prime power system. Alternately, the prime power system drives a mechanical power system output shaft connected to the motor, and the marine system comprises an alternator driven by the prime power system output shaft. The ESU can transmit energy to the alternator. The prime power system can be located on a tugboat displacing a barge carrying the energy storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Mi-Jack Canada, Inc.Inventors: Frank Wegner-Donnelly, John David Watson
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Patent number: 8224512Abstract: A control system is provided which allows the operator of a marine vessel to select a transmission position (e.g. forward, neutral, or reverse) and an engine speed in the event that a throttle lever malfunctions. By providing messages to the operator on an annunciator and receiving selections from the operator on a plurality of push button switches, a microprocessor selects gear positions and engine operating speed in response to commands received from the operator.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dengel, Gene A. Smedema
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Patent number: 8172628Abstract: Pivot arm supported by a base is pivotable about an arm support shaft by being pulled via a throttle cable, and a throttle cam supported by the base via a cam support shaft and having a guide groove that has a guide section of the pivot arm movably therein. The arm support shaft and the cam support shaft are disposed in non-parallel relation to a valve shaft of the throttle valve and at such positions as not to overlap the throttle valve as viewed from a lateral side of the throttle valve drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Yazaki, Teruhiko Otsuki
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Single lever control for combined control of the throttle in a marine engine and of a reversing gear
Patent number: 8128443Abstract: A single lever control for combined control of the throttle in a marine engine and of a reversing gear includes a rocking lever mounted onto a supporting arm, which is connected to an actuator causing a reversing gear to transmit engine motion to a shaft driving a propeller or the like either in the same direction of rotation as the drive shaft or opposite thereto. The supporting arm is also dynamically connected to position sensors sensing the angular position of the lever and generating a signal uniquely related thereto. The signal is transmitted to a controller of a motorized actuator of the engine throttle. The angular displacement of the lever is transmitted to a transducer converting rotary motion into an electric signal uniquely related thereto via a gear drive having an input gear controlled by the supporting arm and an output gear connected to a transducer control shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna -
Patent number: 8121775Abstract: A misfire detecting device is provided for a water jet propulsion watercraft in which a propulsion unit operates through an operation of an engine to propel the water jet propulsion watercraft. The misfire detecting device includes injectors arranged to inject fuel into the engine under a fuel injection amount adjusting control implemented by an electric control device, ignition plugs arranged to ignite the fuel injected into the engine from the injectors to operate the engine, an oxygen sensor arranged to detect that a misfire occurs in the engine, a warning lamp and buzzer arranged to inform that the misfire occurs, etc. The misfire detecting device prevents the warning lamp and the buzzer from informing the warning if the misfire is caused through the control by the electric control device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Fujino, Shigeyuki Ozawa
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Patent number: 8109801Abstract: A boat propulsion system that easily and finely adjusts the rotational speed of a propeller includes an outboard motor including a power source, a propeller, a control lever to which an accelerator opening is input, an accelerator opening detection section arranged to output an operating amount of the control lever, a sensitivity switching section, and a control device. A degree of the accelerator opening relative to the operating amount of the control lever is switched by the sensitivity switching section operated by a boat operator. The sensitivity switching section outputs the degree of the accelerator opening relative to the input operating amount of the control lever as a sensitivity switching signal. The control device controls output of the power source based on the operating amount of the control lever and the sensitivity switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayoshi Suzuki, Daisuke Nakamura
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Patent number: 8096844Abstract: An engine control system, for controlling an engine of a jet-propulsion boat, includes a cavitation-control-mode determination unit, which starts a cavitation-control mode when an engine speed not faster than 3200 rpm is maintained for a predetermined time period. During a normal sailing operation, ignition timing is set by a first ignition-timing setting unit. Upon detection of a cavitation-control-mode by the cavitation-control-mode determination unit, an engine speed is raised up to a speed not slower than 3200 rpm, which makes an ignition-timing switching unit to select a second ignition-timing setting unit. The second ignition-timing setting unit retards the ignition timing for the normal sailing operation when the engine speed becomes 6500 rpm or faster. In addition to retardation of the ignition timing, a boost pressure control command upper-limit value is switched to a value at a startup operation, which is less than a value at the normal sailing operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Maeda, Makoto Tsuyuguchi, Junji Higashiyama
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Patent number: 8092264Abstract: A marine vessel includes a hull, a propulsion device arranged to propel the hull by a driving force of an engine that has a throttle valve arranged to be electrically controlled so as to open and close, an operation lever arranged to be operated by a marine vessel operator to adjust a throttle opening degree of the throttle valve and arranged to hold an operation position, a fine adjustment switch arranged to be operated by the marine vessel operator to increase or decrease the throttle opening degree to finely adjust the throttle opening degree that has been adjusted by the operation lever, and a control unit arranged to adjust the throttle opening degree based on an operation amount of the operation lever and an operation state of the fine adjustment switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshimasa Kinoshita, Wataru Ikeya
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Patent number: 8078347Abstract: A control device for a watercraft propulsion system can reduce wear of a shift mechanism, can achieve an automated extremely slow speed navigation and easy watercraft navigation, and can negate differences between watercraft navigation skills of watercraft operators. A remote control operation section includes a remote controller shift lever. A watercraft propulsion section includes a shift change unit and a shift actuator arranged to drive the shift change unit, a main control section arranged to control an operation of the shift actuator based upon an operational amount of the remote controller shift lever, an auxiliary control section arranged to control a watercraft to move at an extremely slow speed, and a changeover section arranged to select one of the main control section and an auxiliary control section.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Minoru Minoura
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Patent number: 8033878Abstract: A speed control system for a small planing boat can comprise a speed sensor to detect a vessel speed of a boat body, a speed information storing unit on which data of a previously set maximum speed limit of the boat body is stored, and a speed control device for controlling the cruising speed of the boat body not to exceed the maximum speed limit based on a result of a correlation between the cruising speed and the maximum speed limit. The speed control device can comprise a revolution speed sensor, a revolution speed acquiring unit and a revolution speed control unit. The speed control device can also work in conjunction with an intake air mass amount control device which can include an electronically-controlled throttle valve, an air mass amount acquiring unit and a throttle opening degree control unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Susumu Shibayama, Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, Yoshimasa Kinoshita
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Patent number: 7997222Abstract: In a system for controlling outboard motors each mounted on a boat and each having an internal combustion engine and a shift mechanism, an actuator driving at least one of the shift mechanism and a throttle valve of the engine, and a controller controlling operation of the actuator, comprising: a navigation unit having a steering wheel installed to be freely operable by an operator and a steering angle detector producing an output indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein the outboard motors are immovably fastened to the boat, such that each of the controllers controls the operation of the actuator cooperatively based on the output of the steering angle detector, to regulate traveling direction of the boat. With this, it becomes possible to control a traveling direction of the boat based on a steering command issued by the operator, while achieving a compact outboard motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Hiroshima, Yoshinori Masubuchi
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Patent number: 7993171Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a small boat having a hull and two outboard motors mounted on a stern of the hull and an actuator adapted to open/close a throttle valve of each engine of the motors for regulating speed of the engine, acceleration acting on the boat in a direction of gravity axis when the boat ascends or descends the ocean wave and angular acceleration about the gravity is detected and a correction amount of the engine speed is calculated based on the detected acceleration so as to change behavior of the boat, thereby mitigating a burden on the operator and improving stability of the boat.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Hiroshima, Norikazu Shimizu, Kentaro Furuya, Shinsaku Nakayama
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Patent number: 7976354Abstract: An operating handle of an outboard motor is provided with a rotatable grip and a low-speed mode switch unit. A controller performs control so that when the low-speed mode switch unit is “on,” the ratio at which the target speed varies with the manipulated variable of the grip is reduced in comparison with when the low-speed mode switch unit is “off.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuaki Kubota, Takeshi Inaba, Yoshio Ohtomo, Hikaru Ikeda, Hideaki Shimamura
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Patent number: 7972243Abstract: A control device for propulsion units is adapted to synchronize the engine rotational speeds of a plurality of propulsion units arranged in a row on a vessel and operatively and electrically connected to two control levers that are positioned adjacent to each other. The control device synchronizes the engine rotational speeds by correcting the throttle opening of a target propulsion unit or units based on a deviation between the engine rotational speed of a reference propulsion unit and the engine rotational speed of the target propulsion unit. Upon cancellation of synchronization, the throttle opening correction is reduced stepwise from its corrected throttle opening to its natural throttle opening based on the position of the corresponding control lever. As such, large fluctuations in engine speeds are avoided upon cancellation of synchronization.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Kado, Shu Akuzawa