Control unit for multiple installation of propulsion units

• US 7,455,557 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Mizutani, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US11/588,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20070093147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/00 Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/12 Means enabling steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2020/003 Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

A control unit for controlling multiple propulsion units can include plural propulsion units mounted at the stern of the boat to generate thrust. A control unit can be used to control the driving of each propulsion unit, and a target speed setting device can be used to establish a target speed of the boat, in which the control unit controls the driving of each propulsion unit according to the preset driving pattern to attain the target speed.

Claims

1. A propulsion system comprising at least first, second, and third propulsion units mounted at the stem of the boat, at least the second propulsion unit being mounted between the first and third propulsion units, each of the propulsion units configured to generate thrust for propelling the boat, at least a first steering input device, a control unit configured to control the operation of each propulsion unit and a target speed setting device configured to establish a target speed of the boat, at least a first steering control device configured to steer all of the first, second, and third propulsion units based on the first steering input device, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the driving of each propulsion unit according to a preset driving pattern to attain the target speed, wherein at least one of a thrust or a direction of thrust generated the second propulsion unit is adjusted to be different from the remaining propulsion units.

2. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least first and third propulsion units which are disposed symmetrically relative to a longitudinal centerline of the boat are turned in opposite directions relative to the centerline by identical angles, and the second propulsion unit is activated.

3. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least the second propulsion unit is activated and the engines of at least the first and third propulsion units are stopped.

4. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least the second propulsion unit is controlled to direct thrust to oppose the thrust produced by the first and third propulsion units.

5. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the target speed setting device includes a common throttle lever connected to the first, second, and third propulsion units, and the target speed setting is determined by the angle to which the throttle lever is tilted.

6. The propulsion system according to claim 5, wherein a speed range corresponding to a throttle lever angular range can be switched to have a different speed range.

7. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third propulsion units are outboard motors.

10. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least the second propulsion unit is activated and in forward gear and the engines of at least the first and third propulsion units are stopped with their gears engaged.

11. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which at least the first and third propulsion units is activated and the engine of at least the second propulsion unit is stopped.

12. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one driving pattern in which each of at least the first and third propulsion units are controlled to produce about half of the thrust produced by the second propulsion unit.

13. The propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the steering input device is a steering wheel.

8. A propulsion system comprising at least first, second, and third propulsion units mounted at the stem of the boat, each of the propulsion units configured to generate thrust for propelling the boat a control unit configured to control the operation of each propulsion unit and a target speed setting device configured to establish a target speed of the boat, a steering input device and a steering module configured to steer all of the first, second, and third propulsion devices based on the steering input device, wherein the control unit includes means for independently changing a thrust amount and thrust direction of each of the propulsion units to provide a plurality of different low speed forward propulsion modes each of which provide a forward boat speed that is lower than a speed resulting from one of the propulsion units being operated in a forward mode of operation at its lowest engine speed.

9. The propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein the propulsion units are outboard motors.

14. The propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein the steering input device is a steering wheel.