Fuel control system for marine engine

• US 6,508,225 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2000
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Hiki, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, CARL STUART
• Application Number:
  US09/490,386
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198.DB, 123/198.D, 123/516, 123/179.3, 123/179.17, 123/456, 123/514
• US Class Current: 123/198.00D
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 23/104 the injector being placed on a side position of the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 25/14 using reverse-flow scavenging, e.g. with both outlet and inlet ports arranged near bottom of piston stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for outboard marine engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3082 Control of electrical fuel pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 3/26 having combustion chamber in piston head the surface thereof being covered F02F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/42 for starting of engines supply of excess fuel F02M59/447
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 63/0225 Fuel-injection apparatus having a common rail feeding several injectors F02M63/0003 takes precedence; Means for varying pressure in common rails; Pumps feeding common rails
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A fuel injected watercraft engine includes a controller for continuing the operation of an electric fuel pump for a predetermined time period after the engine has been stopped. The control system additionally may include a routine for stopping the fuel pump if the lanyard switch is tripped or the watercraft is capsized.

Claims

1. A method of operating a fuel injected internal combustion engine having an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber, a fuel injector configured to selectively provide a fuel charge to the combustion chamber, a fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to the fuel injector, and a controller coupled to the fuel pump, the method comprising operating the fuel pump while the engine is running, operating the fuel pump for a predetermined time period after the engine has been stopped, and stopping the fuel pump after the predetermined time period has elapsed, wherein the engine additionally comprises a high pressure fuel pump configured to generate fuel pressurized to a pressure sufficient for direct cylinder injection, the method additionally comprising supplying the high pressure fuel pump with fuel from the fuel pump.

2. The method according to claim 1 additionally comprising directly injecting fuel from the high pressure fuel pump into the combustion chamber.

3. A fuel injected, internal combustion engine comprising an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber, a fuel injector configured to provide a fuel charge to the combustion chamber, a first fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to the fuel injector, and a controller coupled to the fuel pump, the controller being configured to operate the fuel pump for a predetermined time period after the engine has been stopped, and a high pressure fuel pump configured to generate fuel pressurized to a pressure sufficient for direct injection and provided downstream from the fuel pump in a fuel flow direction leading from the fuel pump to the fuel injector.

4. A fuel injected, internal combustion engine comprising an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber, a fuel injector configured to provide a fuel charge to the combustion chamber, a first fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to the fuel injector, and a controller coupled to the fuel pump, the controller being configured to operate the fuel pump for a predetermined time period after the engine has been stopped, wherein the controller is configured to stop the fuel pump when the watercraft is capsized.

5. The engine according to claim 4 additionally comprising a sensor configured to detect when the watercraft is capsized, the sensor communicating with the controller.

6. A watercraft having a hull supporting a propulsion device, and a fuel injected, internal combustion engine configured to drive the propulsion device, the engine comprising an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber, a fuel injector configured to selectively deliver a fuel charge to the combustion chamber, a first fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to the fuel injector, and a controller coupled to the fuel pump, the controller being configured to operate the fuel pump for a predetermined time period after the engine has been stopped, wherein the controller is configured to stop the first fuel pump when the watercraft is capsized.

7. The watercraft according to claim 6 additionally comprising a sensor configured to detect when the watercraft is capsized, the sensor communicating with the controller.