Engine power output control for small watercraft
First Claim
1. A watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine disposed within the hull, the engine including an air induction system configured to guide air to the engine and which includes a throttle device to regulate an amount of air supplied to the engine, a steering mechanism including a handlebar assembly coupled to the hull, and a throttle device control system that includes a throttle operator located on the handlebar assembly and arranged to be controlled by a rider of the watercraft, an operator position sensor that is configured to detect the position of the throttle operator and to output a signal indicative of the detected position of the throttle operator, an electronic controller communicating with the operator position sensor to receive the signal and being configured to output a control signal in response to the data signal, an actuator communicating with the controller and being coupled to the throttle device, the actuator being configured to adjust the throttle device in response to the control signal from the controller, the operator position sensor and the actuator being disposed within the hull.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A throttle control system eases operation of the throttle lever on a small watercraft to improve rider comfort. The small watercraft includes an internal combustion engine within an engine compartment and a steering mechanism for steering the watercraft. The steering mechanism includes a handlebar assembly. The engine includes an air induction system that supplies air to the engine and includes a throttle device configured for controlling the amount of air supplied to the engine. The control system includes a throttle operator, an operator position sensor, a controller and an actuator. The throttle operator is located on the handlebar assembly and the operator position sensor and the actuator are located within the engine compartment. The operator position sensor is configured to detect the position of the throttle operator and to communicate with the controller. The actuator is configured to adjust the throttle device in response to the controller.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine disposed within the hull, the engine including an air induction system configured to guide air to the engine and which includes a throttle device to regulate an amount of air supplied to the engine, a steering mechanism including a handlebar assembly coupled to the hull, and a throttle device control system that includes a throttle operator located on the handlebar assembly and arranged to be controlled by a rider of the watercraft, an operator position sensor that is configured to detect the position of the throttle operator and to output a signal indicative of the detected position of the throttle operator, an electronic controller communicating with the operator position sensor to receive the signal and being configured to output a control signal in response to the data signal, an actuator communicating with the controller and being coupled to the throttle device, the actuator being configured to adjust the throttle device in response to the control signal from the controller, the operator position sensor and the actuator being disposed within the hull.
- 10. A small watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine disposed within the hull, the engine including an air induction system configured to guide air to the engine and which includes a throttle device configured to regulate the amount of air supplied to the engine, a steering mechanism including a handlebar assembly coupled to the hull, and a throttle device control system that includes a throttle operator located on the handlebar assembly and arranged to be controlled by a rider of the watercraft, means located within the hull for detecting a position of the throttle operator, and means located within the hull for moving said throttle device in response to the detected position of the throttle operator.
- 14. A throttle control relay assembly for a watercraft having an internal combustion engine, the engine having an air control device for regulating intake air into the engine, a throttle lever configured to be manually operated by a rider of the watercraft, the throttle control relay assembly comprising a throttle lever position sensor configured to detect the position of the throttle lever and further configured to output a data signal corresponding with the signal received from the throttle lever to an electronic controller, an actuator configured to receive a control signal from the electronic controller and having a mechanical output configured to adjust the air control device in response to the control signal from the electronic controller, one or more a watertight cases configured to house the throttle lever position sensor and the actuator.
- 18. A power output request device for a watercraft having a hull, an internal combustion engine disposed within the hull, the engine including an air induction system configured to guide air to the engine and which includes an air regulating device to regulate an amount of air supplied to the engine, a steering mechanism including a handlebar assembly coupled to the hull, a power output request device comprising an operator located outside the hull and arranged to be controlled by a rider of the watercraft, an operator position sensor that is configured to detect the position of the operator and to output a request signal that is indicative of the detected position of the operator, an electronic controller in communication with the operator position sensor and configured to receive the request signal and being further configured to output a control signal in response to the request signal, an actuator communicating with the controller and being coupled to the air regulating device, the actuator being adapted to adjust the air regulating device in response to the control signal from the controller, the operator position sensor and the actuator being disposed within the hull.
Specification