Control circuits and methods for inhibiting abrupt engine mode transitions in a watercraft
First Claim
1. A watercraft comprising an propulsion device, an internal combustion engine that powers the propulsion device, a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first mode and not powered by the engine in the second mode, a setting device that sets an engine output of the engine between a minimum level and a maximum level, an operating device that provides a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode and provides a second command that corresponds to the engine output, a first control device controlling the change device based upon the first command, a second control device controlling the setting device based upon the second command, and a sensing device that senses either the first mode or second mode of the propulsion device to provide a mode signal, the second control device regulating the setting device to set the engine output generally at the minimum level or to lower the engine output generally to the minimum level when the first command from the operating device and the mode signal from the sensing device differ from each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a control circuit and method for controlling the throttle valve position and shift mode of a watercraft'"'"'s engine so as to reduce abrupt engine speed and shift mode transitions. The control circuit controls the actual shift mode (forward, reverse or neutral) and throttle valve position of the engine based on throttle and shift mode signals or commands generated by an operator via a control device, and based further upon the current shift mode and throttle valve position of the engine. When the operator abruptly adjusts the throttle, the control circuit more gradually adjusts the position of the throttle valve to smooth the transition in engine speed. The control circuit also delays operator-commanded transitions in the engine'"'"'s shift mode, as necessary, so that changes in the engine'"'"'s shift mode occur while the throttle valve is in the closed or nearly closed position.
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Citations
29 Claims
- 1. A watercraft comprising an propulsion device, an internal combustion engine that powers the propulsion device, a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first mode and not powered by the engine in the second mode, a setting device that sets an engine output of the engine between a minimum level and a maximum level, an operating device that provides a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode and provides a second command that corresponds to the engine output, a first control device controlling the change device based upon the first command, a second control device controlling the setting device based upon the second command, and a sensing device that senses either the first mode or second mode of the propulsion device to provide a mode signal, the second control device regulating the setting device to set the engine output generally at the minimum level or to lower the engine output generally to the minimum level when the first command from the operating device and the mode signal from the sensing device differ from each other.
- 12. A watercraft comprising an propulsion device, an internal combustion engine that powers the propulsion device, a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first mode and not powered by the engine in the second mode, a setting device that sets an engine output of the engine between a minimum level and a maximum level, an operating device that provides a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode and provides a second command that corresponds to the engine output, a first control device controlling the change device based upon the first command, a second control device controlling the setting device based upon the second command, and a sensing device that senses an engine speed of the engine to provide an engine speed signal, the first control device allowing the change device to change the propulsion device from the second mode to the first mode based upon the engine speed signal when the engine speed is equal to or lower than a preset engine speed.
- 16. A watercraft comprising an propulsion device, an internal combustion engine that powers the propulsion device, a changeover mechanism that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first mode and not powered by the engine in the second mode, an air intake device that introduces air to a combustion chamber of the engine, the air intake device having a throttle valve that regulates an amount of the air, a throttle valve actuator actuating the throttle valve between a fully closed position and a fully open position, an operating device that provides a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode and provides a second command that corresponds to a position of the throttle valve, a first control device controlling the changeover mechanism based upon the first command, a second control device controlling the throttle valve actuator based upon the second command, and a sensing device that senses either the first mode or second mode of the propulsion device to provide a mode signal, the second control device regulating the throttle valve actuator to place the throttle valve at an adjacent position located adjacent to the fully closed position or to move the throttle valve to the adjacent position when the first command and the mode signal differ from each other.
- 20. A control method for a watercraft having a propulsion device and an engine, the method comprising operating a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode based upon a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first and not powered by the engine in the second mode, operating a setting device that sets an engine output of the engine between a minimum level and a maximum level based upon a second command that corresponds to the engine output, sensing either the first mode or the second mode of the propulsion device to provide a mode signal, determining whether the first command and the mode signal differ from each other, and setting the engine output generally at the minimum level or lowering the engine output generally to the minimum level when the first command and the mode signal differ from each other.
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22. A control method for a watercraft having a propulsion device and an engine, the method comprising operating a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode based upon a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first and not powered by the engine in the second mode, operating a setting device that sets an engine output of the engine between a minimum level and a maximum level based upon a second command that corresponds to the engine output, sensing an engine speed of the engine to provide an engine speed signal, determining whether the engine speed is equal to or lower than a preset engine speed based upon the engine speed signal, and allowing the change device to change the propulsion device from the second mode to the first mode when the determination is positive.
- 23. A control method for a watercraft having a propulsion device and an engine, the method comprising operating a change device that changes the propulsion device between a first mode and a second mode based upon a first command that corresponds to either the first mode or the second mode, the propulsion device being powered by the engine in the first and not powered by the engine in the second mode, operating a throttle valve actuator that actuate a throttle valve that regulates an amount of air to a combustion chamber of the engine to move generally between a fully closed position and fully open position based upon a second command that corresponds to a position of the throttle valve, sensing either the first mode or the second mode of the propulsion device to provide a mode signal, determining whether the first command and the mode signal differ from each other, and placing the throttle valve at an adjacent position located adjacent to the fully closed position or moving the throttle valve to the adjacent position when the first command and the mode signal differ from each other.
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26. A system for controlling the throttle valve position and shift mode of an engine of a watercraft engine so as to reduce abrupt engine speed and shift mode transitions, the system comprising:
- an operator control device that generates throttle valve position and shift mode control signals in response to actions of an operator; and
a control circuit that controls the throttle valve position and the shift mode of the engine based on the throttle valve position and shift mode control signals generated by the operator control device, and based further on data indicative of an actual shift mode and throttle valve position of the engine;
wherein the control circuit controls a rate of change of the throttle valve position to inhibit abrupt engine speed transitions, and wherein the control circuit further delays operator-commanded transitions in the engine'"'"'s shift mode as needed to allow the throttle valve to be placed in an approximately closed state before such shift mode transitions occur. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
- an operator control device that generates throttle valve position and shift mode control signals in response to actions of an operator; and
Specification