Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to improve transitional operation. This is done by effecting a change in engine speed by effecting a change in fuel injection to a cylinder subsequent to the cylinder being supplied with fuel at the time the change in speed is called for.

Abstract: A start-up strategy for engine feedback control that utilizes a combustion condition sensor associated with only one cylinder. On starting and warm-up, only that one cylinder is feedback-controlled at all times. Under these conditions, the amount of corrected fuel supplied to the feedback cylinder is added to a fixed incremental amount of fuel that will be supplied to the remaining cylinders. This promotes smooth warm-up without backfiring or stalling and a quicker transition to all cylinder feedback control.

Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to avoid excessive hunting due to the close proximity of the sensor to the fuel injector. Both injection initiation and duration are controlled. Under certain conditions such as lean burn, steady state and transition from rich to lean the control is initially of only one of these two factors. If the air fuel ratio is then still out of range, the other control is effected.

Abstract: A direct injection system and control methodology for two-cycle crankcase compression engines wherein the injection timing is advanced from those normally utilized to avoid the incomplete combustion that results from the prior art method. The injection timing is advanced so that it occurs while the exhaust port is still open but it is timed in such a way that the injected fuel will not be swept out of the exhaust port before the exhaust port closes. The initiation of injection timing is adjusted in response to certain parameters such as engine speed and the volume of intake air flow. In addition, the effects of other cylinders sharing a common exhaust manifold is also compensated for.

Abstract: An exhaust timing valve control for an exhaust timing valve of an engine powering a watercraft is disclosed. The engine has an exhaust port leading from a combustion chamber for routing exhaust products therefrom, the exhaust timing valve cooperable with the exhaust port and movable between a first position for delaying the closing of said exhaust port and a second position for advancing the closing of said exhaust port. The watercraft includes a power source which provides power when the engine is started. The exhaust timing valve control includes a mechanism for turning on the control when the engine is started and the power source provides power, and for turning off the control when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A control for a propulsion unit for a watercraft, the unit powered by an internal combustion engine, is disclosed. At least one sensor is associated with the propulsion unit for providing data regarding a condition of the propulsion unit. The control includes a memory for storing sensor data, an input accepting data from the sensor(s) and storing the data in the memory, and an output for reading data from the memory. The memory has a first data position and a last data position. The control is arranged to store data obtained from the sensor(s) through the input sequentially to the first and through the last data position and to then repeat the sequence of storing back at the first position after the last data position is filled.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a planing-type boat having an engine powering a water propulsion device is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, an exhaust port leading from the combustion chamber, and an exhaust timing valve cooperable with the exhaust port. The exhaust timing valve is moveable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, where in the second position a flow of exhaust through the exhaust port has a shorter duration than when the valve is in the first position. A drive unit is associated with the exhaust timing valve. The control is arranged to move the exhaust timing valve with the drive unit from the second position towards the first position at a predetermined high engine speed. The control is arranged to prevent the rapid movement of said exhaust timing valve between its first and second positions when the engine speed fluctuates about the predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: An exhaust timing valve control for an exhaust timing valve of an engine powering a watercraft is disclosed. The engine has an exhaust port leading from a combustion chamber for routing exhaust products therefrom and an exhaust timing valve cooperable with the exhaust port and movable between a first position for delaying the closing of the exhaust port and a second position for advancing the closing of the exhaust port. The engine includes a coil member providing a pulsed output when the engine is running. The exhaust timing valve control controls the position of the exhaust timing valve, the exhaust timing valve control including an engine speed detector which detects the speed of the engine based upon the output of the coil member.

Abstract: An engine control for a planing-type boat having an engine powering a water propulsion unit is disclosed. The engine has an exhaust port leading from a combustion chamber for routing exhaust products therefrom and an exhaust timing valve cooperable with the exhaust port and movable between a first position for delaying the closing of said exhaust port and a second position for advancing the closing of said exhaust port. A valve control mechanism is provided for moving the valve. The engine control is arranged to control the position of the exhaust timing valve with the valve control mechanism. The engine control is arranged to move the valve towards the first position when acceleration of the engine is detected and a speed of the boat is below a planing speed.

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.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an engine powering an outboard motor is disclosed. The fuel supply system includes a first pump for delivering fuel from a fuel supply to a fuel reservoir located at the motor. Another pump delivers fuel from the reservoir to a charge former. The rate of fuel delivery into the reservoir is regulated by a valve based upon the level of the fuel within the reservoir. A flow rate sensor is provided for sensing the fuel flow rate into the reservoir. The fuel system is arranged to limit a change in sensed fuel flow rate when a position of the motor is changed, such as when the motor is trimmed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine and particularly an outboard motor. The system includes a fuel vapor separator that is disposed on one side of the throttle bodies at the front of the engine. The fuel vapor separator is comprised of a housing assembly having a cover plate in which an integral fuel inlet fitting, an integral fuel outlet fitting, an integral vent fitting and an integral fuel return fitting are formed. The fuel injectors for the engine are disposed on the opposite side of the throttle bodies from the fuel vapor separator and are supplied with fuel through a vertically extending fuel rail. The pressure regulator is positioned at the top of the fuel rail and the fuel rail is directly affixed to the throttle bodies.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of engine control systems wherein fuel injection and spark timing is controlled by individual sensors associated with each of the combustion chambers. This provides more accurate fuel-air control and ignition control, particularly when operating at low speeds when the angular rotational speed of the crankshaft may vary significantly during a single revolution. However, the system includes a fail-safe mode that will provide continued operation in the event an output is not received from one or more sensors. In this event, the timing of the fuel injection and/or ignition is controlled by the output from another sensor. The timing may be done simultaneously from that other sensor output, or in a timed interval after that other sensor output.

Abstract: An improved propulsion unit control system for marine units having at least two propulsion systems. A single lever control controls the speed of both propulsion systems and if a difference in speed occurs, the speed of the faster propulsion unit is reduced. In addition, each propulsion unit includes a respective abnormal condition sensor which outputs a signal to a common control system. This common control system reduces the speed of both propulsion units when an abnormal condition is sensed in either unit.

Abstract: An engine feedback control system that includes an arrangement for setting lower tolerance limits on the rich and lean side in response to certain engine running characteristics so as to avoid unstable running as might occur under abnormal conditions when wider limits are set as with prior art type constructions. In addition, the increasing limit of fuel supply is set different from the decreasing limits so as to maintain the engine operation within the stable running area regardless of whether the conditions are normal or abnormal.

Abstract: An overheat protecting system and method for an internal combustion engine wherein a preventive action is initiated if the engine temperature exceeds normal temperature but is still below the danger level. The engine is protected by providing additional cooling such as by supplying additional fuel to the engine. The dangerous condition may also be sensed if the engine temperature increases at more than a predetermined rate for more than a predetermined time or if the engine temperature is more than a predetermined amount for more than a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A fuel induction system for an internal combustion engine which includes a throttle valve that is positioned substantially open under idle and near idle engine running conditions. The system includes means for disabling one or many of the cylinders in order to maintain a low engine rotational speed at idle and near idle and also means for selectively disabling the cylinders in such a manner as to provide the smoothest running engine possible in those instances where one or many of the engine's cylinders are disabled. Smooth transitional control is achieved by varying ignition and/or fuel control.

Abstract: A fuel induction system for an internal combustion engine which includes a throttle valve that is positioned substantially open under idle and near idle engine running conditions. The system includes means for disabling one or many of the cylinders in order to maintain a low engine rotational speed at idle and near idle and also means for selectively disabling the cylinders in such a manner as to provide the smoothest running engine possible in those instances where one or many of the engine's cylinders are disabled.

Abstract: An engine speed control system for an engine of the type having a throttle position sensor for outputting throttle position data, from which engine control parameters are determined, is disclosed. In accordance with this system, an output value of the throttle position sensor is obtained. If the output value is within a predetermined range, an adjustment value is calculated. If the adjustment value is within a predetermined range, a new throttle position value is calculated based on the output value of the throttle position sensor as adjusted by the adjustment value. Engine control parameters, such as timing and fuel injection volume, are then determined based on the adjusted throttle position value.

Abstract: A fuel induction system for an internal combustion engine which includes a throttle valve that is positioned substantially open under idle and near idle engine running conditions. The system includes means for disabling one or many of the cylinders in order to maintain a low engine rotational speed at idle and near idle and also means for selectively disabling the cylinders in such a manner as to provide the smoothest running engine possible in those instances where one or many of the engine's cylinders are disabled. The number of cylinders disabled also depends on the load driven by the engine.