Engine control system for watercraft
First Claim
1. A method for operating an engine speed limiting arrangement for a small watercraft that includes an internal combustion engine, at least one engine condition sensor and an electronic control unit that is in electrical communication with the engine condition sensor, the method comprising:
- sending a signal from the engine condition sensor to the electronic control unit, determining if the engine condition sensor indicates an abnormal engine condition, and regulating an engine speed of the engine such that the engine speed remains between a maximum value above which the engine can be damaged and a minimum value below which the watercraft will no longer stay in a planing state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A small watercraft includes a hull, an internal combustion engine and an engine speed limiting arrangement. The hull defines an engine compartment in which the engine is supported. The engine speed limiting arrangement comprises an engine condition sensor and an electronic control unit that is operatively connected to the engine condition sensor. The engine speed limiting arrangement is configured to regulate the engine speed of the engine such that the engine speed remains between a maximum value above which the engine can be damaged and a minimum value below which the watercraft will no longer stay in a planing state. Methods for operating the engine speed limiting arrangement are also disclosed.
32 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for operating an engine speed limiting arrangement for a small watercraft that includes an internal combustion engine, at least one engine condition sensor and an electronic control unit that is in electrical communication with the engine condition sensor, the method comprising:
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sending a signal from the engine condition sensor to the electronic control unit, determining if the engine condition sensor indicates an abnormal engine condition, and regulating an engine speed of the engine such that the engine speed remains between a maximum value above which the engine can be damaged and a minimum value below which the watercraft will no longer stay in a planing state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A small watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine supported by the hull, and an engine speed limiting arrangement comprising an engine condition sensor and an electronic control unit that is operatively connected to the engine condition sensor, the electronic control unit configured to receive a signal from the engine condition sensor, to determine if the engine condition sensor indicates an abnormal engine condition, and to regulate the engine speed of the engine such that the engine speed remains between a maximum value above which the engine can be damaged and a minimum value below which the watercraft will no longer stay in a planing state.
- 35. A small watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine supported by the hull, and an engine speed limiting arrangement comprising means for regulating an engine speed of the watercraft so as to alleviate an abnormal engine condition without causing the watercraft to drop below a planing speed.
- 38. A watercraft comprising a hull, an internal combustion engine supported by the hull and including an exhaust system having at least one exhaust pipe including a cooling jacket and being configured to guide exhaust to an exterior of the hull, a fuel injection system, and an engine speed limiting arrangement comprising an exhaust gas temperature sensor disposed in the exhaust pipe and an electronic control unit that is operatively connected to the exhaust gas temperature sensor, the electronic control unit configured to receive a signal from the exhaust gas temperature sensor, to determine if the exhaust gas temperature sensor indicates an abnormal engine condition, and to reduce the engine speed, by regulating the fuel injection system, to an engine speed below a maximum speed above which the engine can be damaged if the exhaust gas temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.
- 41. A small watercraft comprising a hull, an engine output request device, an internal combustion engine supported by the hull, the engine including an air induction system and an electronically controlled throttle system configured to affect a flow of air therethrough, an engine output request sensor, an engine condition sensor, and an electronic control unit that is operatively connected to the engine condition sensor, the engine output request sensor, and the throttle system, the electronic control unit configured to control the throttle system based on outputs from at least the engine output request sensor and the engine condition sensor, the electronic control unit also being configured to control the throttle system to reduce engine speed if the engine condition sensor output indicates an engine abnormality and if a state of the engine output request device corresponds to a maximum power output request.
Specification