Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine that includes a fuel injection system. The fuel injection system is monitored in the event of certain abnormalities, either warnings and/or adjustments in the amount of fuel injected are made to compensate for the abnormality. The abnormality may be by sensed by determining the voltage in the actuating coil of the injector or the input signals to the injector. In addition, certain other abnormality controls, such as knocking and temperature controls, are incorporated.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine particularly adapted for driving a vehicle, such as a watercraft, that includes accessories and an engine management system for controlling certain functions of the engine electrically. In order to prevent misadjustment in the event of low available battery voltage, a number of arrangements are depicted for maintaining battery voltage when the normal battery voltage falls. This may be done by increasing engine speed when operating in neutral, discontinuing the operation of other accessories and/or switching a second battery into the power circuit. In addition, an arrangement is provided wherein a battery may be supplied for utilization in starting of the engine to avoid depletion of the main battery's voltage so that the engine control can be maintained even during starting.

Abstract: An engine control arrangement including a fuel injector and an engine stop for disabling the running for the engine. In order to facilitate restarting, the fuel injector is permitted to continue to discharge fuel for a time period after the engine stop control is initiated.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of engine control systems wherein the engine speed is controlled during a range of movement from idle to a pick-up position by varying primarily the spark timing and thereafter the throttle valve is opened. The throttle valve is maintained in its idle position in a partially open position which will permit greater air flow than required for idle and the speed is controlled by retarding the spark. In addition, further spark retardation is accomplished if the temperature of the engine is below a predetermined minimum desired operating condition for transferring more fuel energy to engine heating than power output for promoting more rapid warmup.

Abstract: A spark timing control arrangement for an internal combustion engine that employs a manually operated spark timing control in response to operator demand and an electronically controlled spark timing in response to engine speed, thus permitting adjustment in response to a variety of engine parameters without requiring large computer capabilities.

Abstract: A system for providing an indicator light operated by a fluid level sensor, including a power source providing the voltage to a first node, a first LED and a first circuit branch connecting the first node to ground, a voltage dropping component in the first circuit branch, a second circuit branch including a second LED connected to the first node in parallel with the first LED, and a normally open first fluid level switch that can close to connect the second circuit branch to ground. The sum of the turn on voltage of the first LED and the voltage drop across the voltage dropping component when the first LED is on is greater than the voltage drop from the first node to ground through the second LED when the first switch is closed, so that the first LED is normally on when the first switch is open, and the second LED is on and the first LED is off when the first switch is closed.

Abstract: A warning system embodied in a remote control system which includes a warning circuit and which alerts the individual operating the system if the position of a controlled member of the system does not correspond with the position of the remote operator of the system within a preset period of time after the operator is moved.

Abstract: An improved speed detecting system for a marine propulsion unit that can be integrated into the unit and which comprises an element driven by water flow contained within the propulsion unit and means for generating a digital electrical signal depending upon the rate of travel.

Abstract: A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a throttle and transmission actuator of an outboard drive unit having an engine. The system preferably includes two remote control units each having an operator that is movable between a plurality of positions and is mechanically connected to an actuator unit. A transmitter wire mechanically connects the actuator unit to the throttle actuator for actuating it to open or close the throttle valve(s) of the engine in response to movement of a selected one of the operators. A position detector detects the position of the selected operator and another position detector detects the position of the transmission actuator and each detector outputs a signal to a controlling unit indicative of its detection result. An electric motor driven actuator is electrically connected to the controlling unit and is operated to effect movement of the transmission actuator when the signals outputted by the position detectors are not in agreement.

Abstract: An improved speed detecting system for a marine propulsion unit of the pressure sensing type. The pressure sensing port is connected to the indicator by a conduit which has a high portion where the conduit passes over the transom into the hull. The volume between the pressure sensing portion and this high point is greater than the volume of water displaced when the watercraft is traveling at the highest speed so that no water will pass over the high portion and be trapped in the remainder of the conduit. In addition, the water will drain out of the system when the watercraft is at rest.

Abstract: A fuel-flow alarm includes a fuel-flow detector for detecting the volume of fuel flowing in a conduit connecting a fuel tank to an engine fuel supply device and provides a warning when the volume of fuel is either above or below predetermined limits. The fuel-flow alarm includes a setting unit used to pre-set fuel-flow limit values for various operational states of the engine, detectors which detect the operational status of the engine, a compensation unit for adjusting the pre-set fuel flow limit values in dependence upon the operational status of the engine and a comparator which compares the limit values outputted from the compensation unit with the actual, detected flow rate. When a determination is made that the fuel flow rate exceeds at least one permissible limit value, the alarm is activated.

Abstract: A remote shifting system for a marine propulsion unit that employs only forward, neutral and reverse sensing switches for the transmission. A control routine is established whereby when a shift is initiated, the transmission is first moved to its neutral position and then moved to the desired shift position if it is other than a neutral condition. A warning circuit is incorporated for providing a warning and/or protective action in the event a shift does not occur within a predetermined normal time period.

Abstract: An adjusting device embodied in a remote control system which adjusts the output potential characteristics of one or more of the system's detector's relative to their associated inputs and/or relative to each other to improve the motion transmissibility of cables in the system. The system includes a movable operator and a first detector which detects the position of the operator through a first transmitter that interconnects the operator and first detector. A controller element, responsive to movement of the operator, is connected by way of a second transmitter to a second detector which detects the position of the second transmitter and hence, the controlled element. The connection point of the first transmitter to the first detector may be selectively adjusted to vary the angular movement of the first detector relative to a given input produced on the first transmitter by the operator.

Abstract: An improved warning system for a marine propulsion unit that includes a starter, a starter switch, an ignition circuit having a kill switch for disabling the ignition circuit, a warning device and an abnormal operating condition sensor. The warning device is in circuit with the abnormal engine condition sensor and the device for sensing an attempt to start the engine with the kill switch enabled so that the single warning device will indicate either of the conditions.

Abstract: An ignition device for a marine propulsion unit that provides a warning signal in the event of an abnormal engine running condition. The warning system is powered by a pair of alternately charged batteries and the warning signal is also activated in the event the batteries are disconnected or are malfunctioning. The engine is also provided with a protection system for reducing its speed in the event of an abnormal running condition and the system incorporates a holding circuit for continuing to maintain the engine at its reduced speed in the event of temporary interruption of battery power and subsequent reconnection of that battery power.

Abstract: An anti-knock device is disclosed which selectively retards and advances ignition timing based on the detected knocking of the engine, the engine speed and throttle position. This anti-knock device operates to suppress engine knock and reduce hunting, without producing an unexpected and sudden change in engine output and speed.

Abstract: An overrun preventing device is disclosed which selectively causes misfires to occur in one, two or three cylinders of a six cylinder internal combustion engine based on the detected engine speed. This overrun preventing device operates to prevent the ignition plugs from getting wet with fuel so that after a misfire has occurred in one or more of the cylinders, those cylinders can be easily reignited if desired.

Abstract: A tachometer circuit for an outboard motor wherein battery voltage is switched from a signal generated in the capacitor discharge ignition system for providing a pulsating signal to drive the tachometer of a low voltage so as to reduce the sensitivity to noise.

Abstract: An electronic engine speed control particularly adapted for use in marine vehicles for maintaining engine speed in the event the load on the engine changes. The spark timing is adjusted only in the event the engine speed changes without a change in position of throttle valve of the engine. If the speed decreases under these conditions the spark is advanced and if the speed increases the spark is retarded.

Abstract: Two embodiments of arrangements for precluding the discharge of fuel to an engine when its kill switch is enabled and the starter is operated. One embodiment relates to a fuel injected system and the other embodiment relates to a carbureted system.