Watercraft battery control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A marine propulsion system comprising:
- an engine configured to be supported by a hull of a watercraft and capable of mechanically powering a water propulsion device to propel the hull through the water;
a generator coupled to the engine to provide power to a battery configured to provide power to a starter motor to initiate engine operation; and
a battery monitoring system capable of replenishing a charge in the battery when the charge falls below a first predetermined value, the battery monitoring system including;
an integrating unit that integrates current extracted from the battery and current provided to the battery to provide a signal indicative of a net integrated current value,a charge determining unit responsive to the signal indicative of the net integrated current value, the charge determining unit providing a first output signal when the charge in the battery has fallen below a first predetermined value, andan engine control unit responsive to at least the first output signal from the charge determining unit to automatically start the engine when the charge determining unit determines that the charge in the battery is less than the first predetermined value, wherein running the engine causes the generator to provide electrical current to charge the battery.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A watercraft battery control system monitors a battery charge. The system informs the watercraft operator when the battery charge is below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the system automatically controls engine operation by starting the engine or by increasing the speed of the engine to allow a generator to replenish the battery charge when the battery charge has fallen below a predetermined value. By informing the user of an inadequate battery charge, the user can start the engine an recharge the battery. Alternatively, the system automatically maintains the battery at a predetermined charge level to ensure safe and enjoyable watercraft operation.
82 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A marine propulsion system comprising:
-
an engine configured to be supported by a hull of a watercraft and capable of mechanically powering a water propulsion device to propel the hull through the water; a generator coupled to the engine to provide power to a battery configured to provide power to a starter motor to initiate engine operation; and a battery monitoring system capable of replenishing a charge in the battery when the charge falls below a first predetermined value, the battery monitoring system including; an integrating unit that integrates current extracted from the battery and current provided to the battery to provide a signal indicative of a net integrated current value, a charge determining unit responsive to the signal indicative of the net integrated current value, the charge determining unit providing a first output signal when the charge in the battery has fallen below a first predetermined value, and an engine control unit responsive to at least the first output signal from the charge determining unit to automatically start the engine when the charge determining unit determines that the charge in the battery is less than the first predetermined value, wherein running the engine causes the generator to provide electrical current to charge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for maintaining a charge in a battery capable of powering a starter motor to initiate engine operation in watercraft, the method comprising:
-
integrating current extracted from a battery to power one or more components of a watercraft; integrating current provided to a battery from a generator coupled to an engine mechanically powering a water propulsion device capable of propelling the watercraft through water; determining a net integrated current value representative of an amount of current extracted from and provided to the battery; determining from at least the net integrated current value whether a charge in the battery is less than a predetermined value; and transmitting an engine start signal to an engine control unit to cause the engine control unit to automatically start the engine when the charge in the battery is less than the first predetermined value, wherein running the engine causes the generator to provide electrical current to charge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of supplying charge to a battery in a watercraft to attempt to maintain sufficient charge in the battery to power a starter motor for initiating engine operation on an engine capable of mechanically powering a water propulsion system that propels the watercraft through water, the method comprising:
-
determining when a charge in a battery of a watercraft is below a predetermined value; determining whether an engine capable of mechanically powering a water propulsion system that propels the watercraft through water is running; when the engine is running and the charge is below a predetermined value, automatically increasing the rotation of the engine causing a generator coupled to the engine to supply a greater charge to the battery until the charge in the battery is above a predetermined second value; and when the engine is not running and the charge is below a predetermined value, automatically powering a starter motor causing the engine to start running and the generator to supply a charge to the battery, and automatically stopping the engine when the charge in the battery is above the predetermined second value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification