Protective control system for water-jet propulsion systems
First Claim
1. In a propulsion system for watercraft having an inlet for water, pump means for discharging said water in a jet to provide a propulsive force and a prime mover for driving the pump means, a control system for said prime mover including means for generating a pressure signal proportional to the water pressure in said inlet and a rate signal proportional to the rate of change of said water pressure, and means for setting said prime mover to idling speed when both of said signals fall below first predetermined reference levels and remain below said levels for a predetermined time.
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Abstract
A protective system is provided for water-jet propulsion systems in which water entering through an intake port is discharged in a jet by a pump. Unloading and overspeed of the pump prime mover may occur if the intake comes out of the water and this is prevented by a system which senses the water pressure in the pump inlet and responds to the pressure and the rate of change of pressure to prevent overspeed of the prime mover by setting it to idling speed. When the pressure and rate of change indicate that the intake is again submerged, the prime mover is reset to normal operating control.
34 Citations
7 Claims
- 1. In a propulsion system for watercraft having an inlet for water, pump means for discharging said water in a jet to provide a propulsive force and a prime mover for driving the pump means, a control system for said prime mover including means for generating a pressure signal proportional to the water pressure in said inlet and a rate signal proportional to the rate of change of said water pressure, and means for setting said prime mover to idling speed when both of said signals fall below first predetermined reference levels and remain below said levels for a predetermined time.
Specification