Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, and a propeller driven by the engine via a drive shaft and a propeller shaft, a tilting mechanism that changes a tilt angle of the propeller shaft and/or the drive shaft, a triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular velocity sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire at least one of a gravity direction, a traveling direction, or a horizontal direction of the hull using the triaxial acceleration sensor, and detect at least one of a first angle of the drive shaft with respect to the gravity direction, a second angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the traveling direction, or a third angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the horizontal direction using the triaxial angular velocity sensor, to thereby control the tilting mechanism to adjust the tilt angle of the drive shaft and/or the propeller shaft.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, and a propeller driven by the engine via a drive shaft and a propeller shaft, a tilting mechanism that changes a tilt angle of the propeller shaft and/or the drive shaft, a triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular velocity sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire at least one of a gravity direction, a traveling direction, or a horizontal direction of the hull using the triaxial acceleration sensor, and detect at least one of a first angle of the drive shaft with respect to the gravity direction, a second angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the traveling direction, or a third angle of the propeller shaft with respect to the horizontal direction using the triaxial angular velocity sensor, to thereby control the tilting mechanism to adjust the tilt angle of the drive shaft and/or the propeller shaft.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, an engine cover with which the engine is covered, an intake pipe disposed between an outer surface of the engine and an inner surface of the engine cover, and a battery. The engine includes a piston that reciprocates rectilinearly and a crankshaft that rotates around a crankshaft axis extending in an up-down direction. The intake pipe is connected to a first outer surface of the engine along the crankshaft axis, and supplies air to the engine. The battery is disposed between a second outer surface of the engine, which is different than the first outer surface, and the inner surface of the engine cover.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, an engine cover with which the engine is covered, an intake pipe disposed between an outer surface of the engine and an inner surface of the engine cover, and a battery. The engine includes a piston that reciprocates rectilinearly and a crankshaft that rotates around a crankshaft axis extending in an up-down direction. The intake pipe is connected to a first outer surface of the engine along the crankshaft axis, and supplies air to the engine. The battery is disposed between a second outer surface of the engine, which is different than the first outer surface, and the inner surface of the engine cover.

Abstract: A display device for a watercraft indicates various status data values regarding the conditions of an outboard motor, such as cooling water temperature, battery voltage, and oil level. The display device has a dot matrix display as a part of display region, in which dots capable of being turned on and off are arranged in the form of a matrix, and the status data values are indicated via the lighting pattern of the dots.

Abstract: On a marine craft that may be equipped with plural outboard motors engine control nodes can be mounted on outboard motors, and a display control node, as well as the network management node can be connected to a bus constructing a network. Receiving a display transmission frame sent out by the engine control nodes, display control node distinguishes the number of engines mounted, determines display layout compatible with the number of engines, and displays navigation information such as engine operational information, and navigation data including boat speed and others on a navigation information display meter in accordance with the determined display layout.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided for a watercraft that is propelled by an outboard drive. Sensors can detect conditions of components related to at least the operation of the outboard drive. The diagnostic system can leave inside and outside computers. The inside computer is placed in the watercraft, while the outside computer is placed out of the watercraft. The outside computer is installed with a program to provide the inside computer with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis on the components. The inside computer is installed with a program to provide sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, to require the sensors to provide a detection signal, to collect detection signals, and to provide the outside computer with a result of the checking based upon the detection signals. The program of the outside computer additionally controls a monitor of the outside computer to indicate the conditions of the components based upon the result of the checking.

Abstract: A control system for watercraft includes a mode switch allowing the watercraft to be operated in a number of different modes. The modes selectable by the rider can include a normal mode, a reduced output mode, a suppressed acceleration mode, an enhanced acceleration mode, and a steering mode, as well as other modes.

Abstract: A display device for a watercraft indicates various status data values regarding the conditions of an outboard motor, such as cooling water temperature, battery voltage, and oil level. The display device has a dot matrix display as a part of display region, in which dots capable of being turned on and off are arranged in the form of a matrix, and the status data values are indicated via the lighting pattern of the dots.

Abstract: On a marine craft that may be equipped with plural outboard motors engine control nodes 4L and 4R can be mounted on outboard motors 2L and 2R, and a display control node 16, as well as the network management node 18 can be connected to a bus 17 constructing a network. Receiving a display transmission frame sent out by the engine control nodes 4L and 4R, display control node 16 distinguishes the number of engines mounted, determines display layout compatible with the number of engines, and displays navigation information such as engine operational information, and navigation data including boat speed and others on a navigation information display meter 12 in accordance with the determined display layout.

Abstract: A malfunction diagnosis system is provided to aid a technician or engineer in diagnosing an internal combustion engine. The diagnostic system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to a data storage device and to one or more engine sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to collect data from the one or more engine sensors, compare the collected data with predetermined engine parameter values, and store the collected and compared data in the data storage device in various formats. A computer is selectively coupled to the data storage device. The computer program is configured to display specific sets of data and to clearly display any faulty engine parameter values resulting from the collected data comparison.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an engine output control device that can adjust the maximum output of the engine. The output device can be constructed of mechanical devices for adjusting the relationship between the movement of a throttle lever and a throttle valve, an electronic device for proportionally controlling the position of throttle valves in relation to the movement of the throttle lever, are other devices for controlling engine speeds in other ways.

Abstract: A control system for watercraft includes a mode switch allowing the watercraft to be operated in a number of different modes. The modes selectable by the rider can include a normal mode, a reduced output mode, a suppressed acceleration mode, an enhanced acceleration mode, and a steering mode, as well as other modes.

Abstract: A watercraft is equipped with an outboard motor and an inboard local area network (LAN) that communicates control signals to the outboard motor. An outboard motor operating device retains the ability to operate the outboard motor even if part of the inboard LAN develops an abnormality. In particular, a control signal that controls the outboard motor and a conditional information signal that indicates a condition of the watercraft are transmitted by independent cables that are mutually separated. Even if the cable for transmitting the conditional information signal or equipment connected to the cable develops an abnormality, transmission of the control signal for controlling the outboard motor is not hindered since the control signal is on the other cable, which is not affected by the abnormality. The conditional information signals are processed to generate and display return-to-port warnings based on the watercraft conditions and other operator issued constraints.

Abstract: A service alarm system for a boat propulsion unit monitors a lubricant service life. The system informs the watercraft operator when the lubricant is no longer suitable to provide proper lubricating properties for the boat propulsion unit. The alarm system informs the operator by sounding an audible alarm or illuminating a visual alarm through at least one light. By informing the operator inadequate lubrication properties, the user can perform proper service of the watercraft to ensure safe and enjoyable watercraft operation.

Abstract: A watercraft has a throttle position sensor, an engine speed sensor, and a start switch. The sensors communicate with a controller. The controller can regulate engine speed. The controller regulates or limits the engine to a low speed when the throttle angle is above a predetermined value during startup, and/or when the engine temperature is too low.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided to aid a technician or engineer in diagnosing an internal combustion engine. The diagnostic system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to a data storage device and to one or more engine sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to collect data from the one or more engine sensors and to store that data in the data storage device. A computer is selectively coupled to the data storage device. The computer program is configured to display specific sets of data stored in the data storage device in various formats.

Abstract: A malfunction diagnosis system is provided to aid a technician or engineer in diagnosing an internal combustion engine. The diagnostic system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to a data storage device and to one or more engine sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to collect data from the one or more engine sensors, compare the collected data with predetermined engine parameter values, and store the collected and compared data in the data storage device in various formats. A computer is selectively coupled to the data storage device. The computer program is configured to display specific sets of data and to clearly display any faulty engine parameter values resulting from the collected data comparison.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided for aiding a technician or engineer in verifying that a fuel injector in a fuel injected engine is operating properly. The diagnostic system comprises a controller operatively coupled to an actuator for the fuel injector and to a fuel pressure sensor. The controller is configured such that, during a fuel injector test, the controller outputs a signal to the fuel pump so that pressurized fuel is supplied to the fuel injector. After the pressurized fuel is supplied to the fuel injector, the controller outputs a signal to the actuator to operate the fuel injector for a predetermined amount of time. The controller is also configured such that after the predetermined amount of time the fuel pump is turned off.

Abstract: An engine control system and method that utilizes throttle position as one of its control parameters. The throttle position sensor is checked by sensing changed values in a time period when the engine is operating within a predetermined speed range during which changes in throttle position are not normally encountered.