Float switch, a control apparatus and a warning apparatus of an engine
First Claim
1. A warning apparatus for controlling the operation of an outboard engine when an abnormality occurs, comprising:
- rotating speed detecting means for monitoring the rotating speed of said engine; and
rotating speed setting means responsive to said rotating speed detecting means for limiting the rotating speed of said engine when said engine is attempting to exceed a first predetermined speed, said rotating speed setting means limiting the speed of said engine to said first predetermined speed for a predetermined interval of time while said engine is attempting to exceed said first predetermined speed and there-after limiting the speed of said engine to a second predetermined speed which is less than said first predetermined speed;
wherein said engine includes a spark plug and capacitive discharge ignition means coupled to said spark plug for periodically applying to said spark plug an electrical voltage pulse which causes said spark plug to produce a spark;
wherein said rotating speed setting means includes selectively actuable suppression means for inhibiting the application of selected said electrical voltage pulses to said spark plug in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine;
wherein said rotating speed setting means further includes spark extinction detecting means for producing a signal indicating that said suppression means is inhibiting electrical voltage pulses in order to limit the rotating speed of said engine, timer means responsive to said spark extinction detecting means for measuring said predetermined interval of time after said spark extinction detecting means produces said signal, and rotating speed switching circuit means responsive to said timer means for causing said suppression means to selectively inhibit the application to said spark plug of more of said electrical voltage pulses in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine to said second predetermined speed;
wherein said capacitive discharge ignition means includes a charging coil having an output and means for producing each said electrical voltage pulse from electrical energy produced by said charging coil at said output thereof;
wherein said selectively actuable suppression means includes a thyristor having an anode connected to said output of said charging coil and having a cathode connected through a first resistance to ground;
wherein said rotating speed setting means includes;
a first transistor having a collector, having an emitter connected to ground, and having a base connected through a second resistance to said output of said charging coil;
a third resistance connected between said base of said first transistor and ground;
a first capacitor connected between said base of said first transistor and ground;
a fourth resistance connected between said collector of said first transistor and an anode of a first zener diode;
a second capacitor connected between said anode of said first zener diode and ground;
a third capacitor connected between said collector of said first transistor and a cathode of said first zener diode;
a second zener diode having an anode connected to said cathode of said first zener diode;
a fourth capacitor connected between a cathode of said second zener diode and ground;
a third zener diode having an anode connected to said cathode of said second zener diode;
a fifth resistance connected between a cathode of said third zener diode and ground;
a second transistor having a collector, having a base connected to said cathode of said third zener diode, and having an emitter connected to said anode of said first zener diode and to a source of power;
a third transistor having a collector, having a base, and having an emitter connected to ground;
a sixth resistance connected between said collector of said second transistor and said base of said third transistor;
a seventh resistance connected between said base of said third transistor and ground;
a fourth zener diode having an anode connected to said collector of said third transistor and having a cathode connected to a gate of said thyristor; and
an eighth resistance connected between said gate and said cathode of said thyristor; and
wherein said rotating speed switching circuit means has an output connected to said cathode of said third zener diode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A float switch and a control apparatus of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. This float switch comprises a float attached to a main body so as to be vertically swung around one end thereof, a magnetic material fixed to the float, and a contact adapted to be closed or opened in response to the approach or removal of the magnetic material. The float switch is provided in the pathway of a coolant passage and a lubricating oil passage of the engine. The control apparatus has a warning apparatus which is operative in response to an absence signal from the float switch which is indicative of the absence of the fluid that is being sensed, and has a rotating speed control apparatus to reduce the engine speed. The absence of the fluid is informed to the operator by the warning and the speed reduction. A warning apparatus for an outboard engine to control the engine speed when an abnormality occurs is also provided. This apparatus comprises a rotating speed detecting circuit, a circuit to set the engine rotating speed in correspondence to the abnormality, and a circuit to suppress the engine speed when the detected speed exceeds a preset value. The rotating speed is also reduced when coolant is not sufficiently supplied into the water jacket or when the engine lacks oil.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A warning apparatus for controlling the operation of an outboard engine when an abnormality occurs, comprising:
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rotating speed detecting means for monitoring the rotating speed of said engine; and rotating speed setting means responsive to said rotating speed detecting means for limiting the rotating speed of said engine when said engine is attempting to exceed a first predetermined speed, said rotating speed setting means limiting the speed of said engine to said first predetermined speed for a predetermined interval of time while said engine is attempting to exceed said first predetermined speed and there-after limiting the speed of said engine to a second predetermined speed which is less than said first predetermined speed; wherein said engine includes a spark plug and capacitive discharge ignition means coupled to said spark plug for periodically applying to said spark plug an electrical voltage pulse which causes said spark plug to produce a spark; wherein said rotating speed setting means includes selectively actuable suppression means for inhibiting the application of selected said electrical voltage pulses to said spark plug in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine; wherein said rotating speed setting means further includes spark extinction detecting means for producing a signal indicating that said suppression means is inhibiting electrical voltage pulses in order to limit the rotating speed of said engine, timer means responsive to said spark extinction detecting means for measuring said predetermined interval of time after said spark extinction detecting means produces said signal, and rotating speed switching circuit means responsive to said timer means for causing said suppression means to selectively inhibit the application to said spark plug of more of said electrical voltage pulses in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine to said second predetermined speed; wherein said capacitive discharge ignition means includes a charging coil having an output and means for producing each said electrical voltage pulse from electrical energy produced by said charging coil at said output thereof; wherein said selectively actuable suppression means includes a thyristor having an anode connected to said output of said charging coil and having a cathode connected through a first resistance to ground; wherein said rotating speed setting means includes;
a first transistor having a collector, having an emitter connected to ground, and having a base connected through a second resistance to said output of said charging coil;
a third resistance connected between said base of said first transistor and ground;
a first capacitor connected between said base of said first transistor and ground;
a fourth resistance connected between said collector of said first transistor and an anode of a first zener diode;
a second capacitor connected between said anode of said first zener diode and ground;
a third capacitor connected between said collector of said first transistor and a cathode of said first zener diode;
a second zener diode having an anode connected to said cathode of said first zener diode;
a fourth capacitor connected between a cathode of said second zener diode and ground;
a third zener diode having an anode connected to said cathode of said second zener diode;
a fifth resistance connected between a cathode of said third zener diode and ground;
a second transistor having a collector, having a base connected to said cathode of said third zener diode, and having an emitter connected to said anode of said first zener diode and to a source of power;
a third transistor having a collector, having a base, and having an emitter connected to ground;
a sixth resistance connected between said collector of said second transistor and said base of said third transistor;
a seventh resistance connected between said base of said third transistor and ground;
a fourth zener diode having an anode connected to said collector of said third transistor and having a cathode connected to a gate of said thyristor; and
an eighth resistance connected between said gate and said cathode of said thyristor; andwherein said rotating speed switching circuit means has an output connected to said cathode of said third zener diode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A warning apparatus for controlling the operation of an outboard engine when an abnormality occurs, comprising:
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rotating speed detecting means for monitoring the rotating speed of said engine; and rotating speed setting means responsive to said rotating speed detecting means for limiting the rotating speed of said engine when said engine is attempting to exceed a first predetermined speed, said rotating speed setting means limiting the speed of said engine to said first predetermined speed for a predetermined interval of time while said engine is attempting to exceed said first predetermined speed and thereafter limiting the speed of said engine to a second predetermined speed which is less than said first predetermined speed; wherein said engine includes a spark plug and capacitive discharge ignition means coupled to said spark plug for periodically applying to said spark plug an electrical voltage pulse which causes said spark plug to produce a spark; wherein said rotating speed setting means includes selectively actuable suppression means for inhibiting the application of selected said electrical voltage pulses to said spark plug in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine; wherein said rotating speed setting means further includes spark extinction detecting means for producing a signal indicating that said suppression means is inhibiting electrical voltage pulses in order to limit the rotating speed of said engine, timer means responsive to said spark extinction detecting means for measuring said predetermined interval of time after said spark extinction detecting means produces said signal, and rotating speed switching circuit means responsive to said timer means for causing said suppression means to selectively inhibit the application to said spark plug of more of said electrical voltage pulses in order to effect said limiting of the rotating speed of said engine to said second predetermined speed; including first switch means for producing a first signal when insufficient coolant is supplied to a water jacket of said engine and second switch means for producing a second signal when the level of a lubricating fluid in the engine drops below a predetermined level; including means for producing an operator perceptible warning in response to one of said first and second signals, said means for producing an operator perceptible warning being one of a buzzer and a light emitting diode; and wherein said first switch means includes an electrode disposed in said water jacket of said engine so as to be in contact with coolant flowing through said water jacket and so as to be insulated from said water jacket, the resistance between said electrode and said water jacket being lower when coolant in said water jacket is contacting said electrode and said water jacket than when said electrode is free of contact with coolant, and means for producing said first signal when the electrical resistance between said electrode and said water jacket is greater than a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification