Fuel meter for outboard engines
First Claim
1. A fuel meter for determining a parameter related to fuel consumption in an engine, comprising:
- a controller electrically coupled to the engine, the controller generating an electrical control signal that controls fuel introduced into the engine;
a sensor coupled to the controller for sensing the electrical control signal, the sensor detecting an electrical parameter of the electrical control signal and, using the detected electrical parameter of the electrical control signal, generating from the electrical control signal an electrical measurement signal indicative of the electrical parameter of the electrical control signal; and
a processor that receives the electrical measurement signal and uses the electrical measurement signal to determine the parameter related to fuel consumption in the engine.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining a parameter related to fuel consumption in an engine are disclosed. An electrical sensor senses an electrical control signal used to control fuel introduced into the engine, such as by controlling a valve or fuel injector of the engine. The electrical sensor generates a measurement signal that is indicative of an electrical parameter such as frequency or voltage of the electrical control signal. A processor receives the measurement signal and uses the measurement signal to determine the parameter related to fuel consumption. The parameter can be volume of fuel consumed, fuel consumption rate, fuel efficiency or other related parameter.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A fuel meter for determining a parameter related to fuel consumption in an engine, comprising:
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a controller electrically coupled to the engine, the controller generating an electrical control signal that controls fuel introduced into the engine;
a sensor coupled to the controller for sensing the electrical control signal, the sensor detecting an electrical parameter of the electrical control signal and, using the detected electrical parameter of the electrical control signal, generating from the electrical control signal an electrical measurement signal indicative of the electrical parameter of the electrical control signal; and
a processor that receives the electrical measurement signal and uses the electrical measurement signal to determine the parameter related to fuel consumption in the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for determining a parameter related to fuel consumption in an engine, comprising:
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electrically coupling a controller to the engine;
with the controller, generating an electrical control signal that controls fuel introduced into the engine;
coupling a sensor to the controller;
with the sensor, sensing the electrical control signal with the sensor, detecting an electrical parameter of the electrical control signal;
with the sensor, using the detected electrical parameter of the electrical control signal to generate from the electrical control signal an electrical measurement signal indicative of the electrical parameter of the electrical control signal; and
receiving the electrical measurement signal and using the electrical measurement signal to determine the parameter related to fuel consumption in the engine. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification