Abstract: A watercraft propelled by an outboard motor includes an inspection system. The inspection system includes a terminal computer that conducts an inspection of an engine control device and a control unit. The computer includes a program that performs an inspection process that provides the control device with a command signal to start an inspection of the control device and that requests the control device to output a first response signal. The process determines whether the response signal is consistent with a first specified signal. The process provides the control unit with a command signal to start an inspection of the control unit and requests the control unit to output a second response signal. The process determines whether the second response signal is consistent with a second specified signal. The control device controls a throttle actuator and a shift actuator based upon the second response signal and provides the inspection system with an operating signal.

Abstract: A propulsive force controlling apparatus controls a propulsion system attached to a hull of a marine vessel. The propulsion system includes a motor, a propulsive force generating member which receives a torque from the motor to generate a propulsive force, a clutch mechanism which is switched between a coupling state which permits transmission of the torque from the motor to the propulsive force generating member with virtually no slippage and a decoupling state which prohibits the transmission of the torque from the motor to the propulsive force generating member, and a clutch actuator which actuates the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A small watercraft and outboard motor are configured so that operator-activated command signals are communicated from a control unit in the hull of the watercraft via a local area network to engine component actuators in the outboard motor. The local area network enables a simplified connection to be used between the watercraft hull and the outboard motor to provide communication of the command signals as well as to provide communication of navigational and engine parameter information. The local area network enables the user to operate the watercraft with increased reliability. Because of the small number (e.g., one) of control connections required between the hull and the outboard motor, the process for installing the outboard motor onto the watercraft hull is greatly simplified, which reduces the time and the cost initial installation and the cost of repair.

Abstract: An engine control system for a watercraft includes a throttle valve or other engine output adjustment device. A control device controls the a state of the adjustment device (e.g., controls the position of the throttle valve). A controller is located remotely from the engine and provides the control device with an initial control amount to apply to the adjustment device. The control device determines an amount of engine load, preferably based upon signals from an adjustment device sensor (e.g., a throttle position sensor) that detects the state of the adjustment device (e.g., the position of the throttle valve) and an engine speed sensor. The control device stores a control map that has control amounts versus the initial control amounts and the engine load. The control device selects one of the control amounts using one of the initial control amounts and one of the engine loads.

Abstract: A watercraft control system includes a transmitting device and a watercraft control device which receives transmitted signals from the transmitting device and maneuvers the watercraft to a fallen driver, pursues a diver, or the like. The transmitting device can also unlock various devices and systems on the watercraft by generating an authentic ID code. In other embodiments, a signal intensity is monitored to trigger a guidance system, while still other embodiments replace the transmitting device with on-board sonar systems.

Abstract: A network system using a LAN to provide relative position data for a engine in a plurality of outboard motors attached to a watercraft and using that data to display engine condition information for each engine in the array of engines installed on the watercraft.

Abstract: A watercraft has an engine that is controlled to reduce the likelihood of engine damage and rider discomfort when the watercraft engine speed is rapidly increased due to a lack of load on the propulsion unit. The engine is controlled by a method that detects engine speed and reduces the power output of the engine by varying degrees or restores the power output of the engine by varying degrees depending on the speed of the engine relative to plural predetermine speeds.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an engine having a fuel injection system. The fuel injection system is controlled to gradually reduce a speed of the engine if a lubrication pressure detected within the engine is below a predetermined pressure. Additionally, the fuel injection system is controlled to maintain a reduced engine speed until the throttle lever is moved to a position corresponding to a lower speed.

Abstract: A watercraft has an engine that is controlled to reduce the likelihood of engine damage when the watercraft engine speed is rapidly increased due to a lack of load on the propulsion unit. The engine is controlled by a method that detects engine speed and reduces the power output of the engine by varying degrees depending on the speed of the engine relative to plural predetermine speeds.

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 propulsion system for a watercraft includes an engine. An air intake device delivers air to a combustion chamber. A throttle valve regulates an amount of the air. A control device sets the throttle valve to a desired position. A remote controller provides the control device with the desired position. The engine can include an auxiliary intake device that delivers supplemental air to the combustion chamber. A control valve normally shuts the supplemental air from the combustion chamber. The control device determines whether an abnormal condition occurs in setting the throttle valve to the desired position. The control device determines whether the amount of the air is insufficient. The control device controls the control valve to allow the supplemental air to move to the combustion chamber when the control device determines that the abnormal condition occurs and the amount of the air is insufficient.

Abstract: An engine includes an engine body and a generator. The engine body has a stator bracket mounted to the cylinder block. The generator incorporates a rotor flywheel and an armature assembly consisting of armature legs. Various metal plates with high magnetic permeability make up the armature legs and are securely fastened in a radial manner to the similar plate made of aluminum. The stacked armature legs surround the crankshaft and are mounted to the stator bracket. The preferred heat conduction path travels from the armature legs through the aluminum plate on onto the stator bracket in order to improve the heat dissipation of the generator.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an engine having a fuel injection system. The fuel injection system is controlled to gradually reduce a speed of the engine if a lubrication pressure detected within the engine is below a predetermined pressure. Additionally, the fuel injection system is controlled to maintain a reduced engine speed until the throttle lever is moved to a position corresponding to a lower speed.

Abstract: A four-cycle engine for a marine drive has an air induction device introducing air to a combustion chamber. The air induction device defines an intake port next to the combustion chamber. An intake valve is movable between open and closed positions of the intake port. A valve actuator is journaled on the engine body for rotation to actuate the intake valve at a set angular position. A setting mechanism is arranged to set the valve actuator to the angular position between advanced and delayed angular positions. A sensor is arranged to sense an amount of the air within the induction device. A control system is configured to control the setting mechanism based upon the signal of the sensor. The control system controls the setting mechanism to set the valve actuator to an angular position that is closer to the first angular position than a present angular position when the signal indicates that the amount of the air increases and a change rate of the amount is greater than a preset change rate.

Abstract: A personal watercraft includes a hull and a jet propulsion unit that propels the hull. An engine powers the jet propulsion unit. The engine includes an air intake system to introduce air to a combustion chamber. The intake system includes a throttle valve to regulate an amount of the air. The throttle valve is moveable generally between a closed position and an open position. A fuel injection system is arranged to spray fuel for combustion in the combustion chamber. The engine also includes an intake pressure sensor, a throttle valve position sensor and an engine speed sensor. A control device is provided to control an amount of the fuel using either a D-j control mode or an &agr;-N control mode. The D-j control mode is based upon a signal from the intake pressure sensor and a signal from the engine speed sensor. The &agr;-N control mode is based upon a signal from a throttle valve position sensor and the signal from the engine speed sensor.

Abstract: A fuel injection control for an engine includes an improved construction that can hold an accurate atmospheric pressure data during and after starting of the engine. The engine includes an air intake passage. A throttle valve is moveably disposed within the air intake passage. A first sensor is arranged to sense an opening degree of the throttle valve. A fuel injector is arranged to spray fuel toward a combustion chamber of the engine. A control unit is configured to determine an amount of the fuel at least based upon an opening degree data sensed by the first sensor. A second sensor is primarily arranged to sense an intake pressure of the air flowing through the air intake passage. The second sensor is positioned downstream the throttle valve. The control unit adjusts a fuel amount based upon a reference data corresponding to an atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A watercraft has an overturn detector. The detector communicates with a controller to prevent a false overturn signal. The controller does not act on overturn signals when the watercraft is operating above a preset engine speed associated with planning mode. The controller stops the engine when the overturn signal persists for longer than a predetermined period of time while the engine is operating below the preset engine speed. The controller also monitors the overturn detector for failure. In the event of a failure during engine starting, the engine is allowed to run while the operator is alerted. In the event of a failure during engine operation, the engine is stopped and the operator is alerted if the watercraft is not in planing mode. If the failure during engine operation occurs when the watercraft is in planing mode, the operator is alerted but the engine is not stopped.

Abstract: An electrical control system for an engine includes a power supply system that supplies electric power to an engine control unit. The system has a power source connected to the engine control unit via a locking relay. The relay includes an exciting coil that is energized by electrical power when a main switch is closed. The control unit comprises a tacho-pulse shaping circuit or a fuel pump drive circuit that outputs a signal that prolongs the energized state of the coil after the main switch is opened. The signal prolongs the energized state of the coil for a preset time.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an anti-theft switch which disables the starter button and provides a kill signal to the engine, thereby preventing unauthorized use and inadvertent draining of the battery.

Abstract: A small watercraft and outboard motor are configured so that operator-activated command signals are communicated from a control unit in the hull of the watercraft via a local area network to engine component actuators in the outboard motor. The local area network enables a simplified connection to be used between the watercraft hull and the outboard motor to provide communication of the command signals as well as to provide communication of navigational and engine parameter information. The local area network enables the user to operate the watercraft with increased reliability. Because of the small number (e.g., one) of control connections required between the hull and the outboard motor, the process for installing the outboard motor onto the watercraft hull is greatly simplified, which reduces the time and the cost initial installation and the cost of repair.