Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of a marine vessel rotates one of a pair of marine propulsion devices and controls the thrust magnitudes of two marine propulsion devices. A joystick is provided to allow the operator of the marine vessel to select port-starboard, forward-reverse, and rotational direction commands that are interpreted by a controller which then changes the angular position of at least one of a pair of marine propulsion devices relative to its steering axis.

Abstract: A cooling system for a marine engine incorporates first and second thermally responsive valves which are responsive to increases in temperature above first and second temperature thresholds, respectively. The two thermally responsive valves are configured in serial fluid communication with each other in a cooling system, with one thermally responsive valve being located upstream from the other.

Abstract: A method for controlling the average speed of a vehicle over a predetermined time period, or indefinitely, or distance length is described with reference to selecting a desired average speed, measuring an actual speed, and maintaining a cumulative error determined as a function of the difference between the average speed and actual speed and the time over which the actual speed measurement was taken. Based on the cumulative total of speed-time error, a compensatory speed is calculated that will reduce the cumulative speed-time error to an acceptable tolerance range within a selected period of elapsed time. Although particularly applicable to competition situations in which an average speed is dictated for use over a particular competition course, the average speed controlling method can be used in other situations where the average speed of a vehicle must be controlled.

Abstract: A docking system is provided which utilizes the marine propulsion unit of a marine vessel, under the control of an engine control unit that receives command signals from a joystick or push button device, to respond to a maneuver command from the marine operator. The docking system does not require additional propulsion devices other than those normally used to operate the marine vessel under normal conditions. The docking or maneuvering system of the present invention uses two marine propulsion units to respond to an operator's command signal and allows the operator to select forward or reverse commands in combination with clockwise or counterclockwise rotational commands either in combination with each other or alone.

Abstract: A connector is made by cutting a continuous strip of conductive material to provide individual fingers that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length of the strip. The fingers are individually bent to offset their distal ends from their connective ends. The process defines bend lines on each of the fingers and then bends the fingers to offset their distal ends from their respective connective ends in directions perpendicular to the plane of the conductive strip and along its length. After appropriately bending each of the fingers, a nonconductive material is molded around the group of fingers. Following the molding operation, the connective ends of the fingers are severed from the uncut portion of the strip to singular an electrical connector from the continuous strip of connectors.

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus is disclosed for machining each of at least first and second work pieces and, in particular, for conducting a sequence of machining steps on each such work piece. The laser machining apparatus includes a single, time shared laser for emitting a laser beam, and beam directing means having a movable laser reflective portion, whereby the single laser beam may be directed along a first laser path to the first work piece and along a second laser path to the second work piece. It is understood that the beam directing means is dedicated to the processing of just one work piece at a time.