Control unit for multiple installation of propulsion units

• US 20070093147A1
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Mizutani, Makoto
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,557 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/00 Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/12 Means enabling steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2020/003 Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

A control unit for controlling multiple propulsion units can include plural propulsion units mounted at the stern of the boat to generate thrust. A control unit can be used to control the driving of each propulsion unit, and a target speed setting device can be used to establish a target speed of the boat, in which the control unit controls the driving of each propulsion unit according to the preset driving pattern to attain the target speed.

Claims

1. A propulsion system comprising a plurality of propulsion units mounted at the stem of the boat, each of the propulsion units configured to generate thrust for propelling the boat a control unit configured to control the operation of each propulsion unit and a target speed setting device configured to establish a target speed of the boat, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the driving of each propulsion unit according to the preset driving pattern to attain the target speed.

2. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a thrust or a direction of thrust generated by at least one of the plural propulsion units is adjusted to be different from the remaining propulsion units.

3. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least first and second of the plurality of propulsion units which are disposed symmetrically relative to a longitudinal centerline of the boat are turned in opposite directions relative to the centerline by identical angles.

4. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least one of the plurality of propulsion units is activated and the engines of the remaining propulsion units are stopped with their gears engaged.

5. The propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least one of the plurality of propulsion units is controlled to direct thrust to oppose the thrust produced by the remaining propulsion units.

6. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the target speed setting device includes a common throttle lever connected to the plural propulsion units, and the target speed setting is determined by the angle to which the throttle lever is tilted.

7. The propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein a speed range corresponding to a throttle lever angular range can be switched to have a different speed range.

8. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion units are outboard motors.

9. A propulsion system comprising a plurality of propulsion units mounted at the stern of the boat, each of the propulsion units configured to generate thrust for propelling the boat a control unit configured to control the operation of each propulsion unit and a target speed setting device configured to establish a target speed of the boat, wherein the control unit includes means for independently changing a thrust amount and thrust direction of each of the propulsion units to provide a plurality of different low speed forward propulsion modes each of which provide a forward boat speed that is lower than a speed resulting from one of the propulsion units being operated in a forward mode of operation at its lowest engine speed.

10. The propulsion system according to claim 9, wherein the propulsion units are outboard motors.