Patents by Inventor Makoto Nagafusa

Makoto Nagafusa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6899578
    Abstract: An engine control system and a method control the engine speed of a watercraft that is propelled by a stream of water generated by propulsion unit driven by an engine. The system and method detect whether the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water. The system and method limit the maximum engine speed to a first speed when the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water and limit the maximum engine speed to a second speed, lower than the first speed, when the propulsion unit is not generating the stream of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Publication number: 20040023568
    Abstract: An engine control system and a method control the engine speed of a watercraft that is propelled by a stream of water generated by propulsion unit driven by an engine. The system and method detect whether the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water. The system and method limit the maximum engine speed to a first speed when the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water and limit the maximum engine speed to a second speed, lower than the first speed, when the propulsion unit is not generating the stream of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 6565397
    Abstract: An engine control system and a method control the engine speed of a watercraft that is propelled by a stream of water generated by propulsion unit driven by an engine. The system and method detect whether the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water. The system and method limit the maximum engine speed to a first speed when the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water and limit the maximum engine speed to a second speed, lower than the first speed, when the propulsion unit is not generating the stream of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 6505466
    Abstract: A control system for an engine or exhaust system includes a sensor that detects an exhaust gas temperature and a sensor that detects an exhaust coolant temperature. The sensors communicate with a controller. Based upon the output from the sensors, the controller determines whether each sensor is functioning properly and whether the cooling system is functioning properly. In the event of a malfunction of a sensor or the cooling system, an alarm is issued and the speed or operation of the engine is altered. In addition, if the controller detects a problem with the coolant system based upon coolant temperature or with the coolant temperature sensor, then the controller disables a starter motor such that the engine cannot be restarted without resetting the starter motor. The start motor can be disabled through a relay and the relay can be reset manually or automatically after a preset period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nagafusa, Takashi Koike, Yoshihiro Gohara
  • Publication number: 20020045390
    Abstract: An engine control system and a method control the engine speed of a watercraft that is propelled by a stream of water generated by propulsion unit driven by an engine. The system and method detect whether the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water. The system and method limit the maximum engine speed to a first speed when the propulsion unit is generating the stream of water and limit the maximum engine speed to a second speed, lower than the first speed, when the propulsion unit is not generating the stream of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 6244913
    Abstract: A propulsion unit assembly for a personal watercraft provides for the quick and easy alignment of a propulsion device of the assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft when mounting the propulsion device on the hull of the watercraft. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate having stoppers which cooperate with bosses formed on the front wall of the tunnel of the watercraft to properly align the mounting plate before fixing the plate to the hull and mounting the propulsion device thereto. In addition, the disclosed propulsion unit assembly includes an integrally formed cooling water supply system which utilizes the existing high-capacity jet pump unit to provide pressurized cooling water for cooling of the engine and associated watercraft components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chihiro Matsumoto, Mitsuhisa Hirano, Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 5628269
    Abstract: A water-removal assembly for removing accumulated water from the bilge of a hull of a watercraft that includes a jet propulsion unit with an impeller. The water-removal assembly includes a water pickup provided in the engine compartment. A means for removing water from the engine compartment and preventing water from entering and syphoning into the engine compartment is connected to the water filter by a first conduit. The conduit connects the water removing and preventing means to a water discharge point in the jet propulsion unit so that water is pumped from the bilge. The water removing and preventing means includes a check valve that allows water to flow in one direction so that water is prevented from entering the bilge. A weep hole is provided in the water removing and preventing means to prevent syphoning from occurring in the water-removal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Henmi, Makoto Nagafusa, Susumu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5318466
    Abstract: A remote-control device incorporates a remote-control lever for the shifting and throttle operations of a marine propulsion unit. A shift range exists in the central region of lever movement where only shift operations can take place, and once the remote-control lever has passed through the above mentioned specific movement range, it is in a throttle range wherein its movement can control only the throttle. The remote-control device includes a throttle drive control arrangement which opens and closes the throttle valve in relation to the operation of the above mentioned remote-control lever in a manner which depends upon an operator selected operational mode made via a mode select switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Sanshin Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 5280282
    Abstract: A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled member, such as a throttle or transmission control lever on a marine propulsion unit, which includes an actuator unit having a lever arm for mechanically actuating the controlled member and an electric motor for electrically actuating the controlled member. A first remote control unit is provided which has a first operator mechanically connected to the lever arm for selectively transmitting movement to the lever arm upon movement of the first operator. There is also provided a second remote control unit having a second operator electrically connected to the electric motor through a central control unit for selectively transmitting an electrical signal to the central control unit for selectively transmitting movement to the electric motor upon movement of the second operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nagafusa, Shinji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5214977
    Abstract: A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled member, such as a throttle or transmission control lever on a marine propulsion unit, which includes an actuating element that has both manual and electrical modes of operation. In the manual operation mode, a controlled element which is connected to the lever on the propulsion unit is actuated by a lever arm in response to movement of a first operator. In the electrical operation mode, the controlled element is actuated by a motor which is operated in response to electrical signals transmitted to the motor through a control unit from a position detector of the actuating element in response to movement of the first operator and from a position detector associated with the controlled element. A second remote operator is also provided for transmitting movement to the controlled element and lever on the propulsion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Nagafusa
  • Patent number: 4743728
    Abstract: A microwave cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber and a reflecting chamber disposed on the cooking chamber. The reflecting chamber is provided with a rotatable reflector for reflecting microwaves from a magnetron. The cooking apparatus further includes a fan device for producing cooling air, and a duct device directing a portion of the air to the reflecting chamber for rotating the reflector, and by-passing the reflecting chamber and directing a portion of the air to the cooking chamber for ventilating the cooking chamber. This construction may provide sufficient air to the reflecting chamber and the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Nagafusa, Yoshitoshi Hirate, Minoru Takagi