Watercraft propulsion system and operation control method therefor

• US 7,621,789 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2007
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Mizokawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A
• Application Number:
  US11/874,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20080090475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1, 440/6, 440/84, 440/86, 440/87, 701/21
• 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 20/007 Trolling propulsion units trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/20 with provision for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/205 the second power unit being of the internal combustion engine type, or the like, e.g. a Diesel engine
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/20 the vessels being powered by combinations of different types of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• 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: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

A watercraft propulsion system can be a hybrid type watercraft propulsion system including an engine and an electric motor both working as drive power sources for a propeller. When an operating lever instructs a speed reduction assist mode as a stopping mode, a controller can stop the engine and reverse the rotational direction of the electric motor to reversely rotate the propeller. The controller can determine whether the speed reduction assist mode is instructed or not based upon a mean movement speed of the operating lever and can control the electric motor based upon a speed of the watercraft. Alternatively, the controller can control the electric motor based upon instructions by the speed reduction assist lever.

Claims

1. A watercraft propulsion system including an engine and an electric motor working as drive power sources for a propeller, comprising:

first instructing means for instructing the activation of at least a stopping mode; and

control means for stopping the engine and for reversely rotating the electric motor when the first instructing means instructs the activation of the stopping mode, and for stopping the engine and for reversely rotating the electric motor when the first instructing means instructs the activation of a reversing mode.

2. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein

the stopping mode includes a speed reduction assist mode in which speed reduction is assisted;

and

wherein the control means stops the engine and reversely rotates the electric motor when the first instructing means instructs the speed reduction assist mode.

3. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the first instructing means includes an operating lever which is pivotable and is capable of instructing a plurality of operation modes based upon a position thereof.

4. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein the control means determines whether the speed reduction assist mode is instructed or not based upon a mean movement speed of the operating lever.

5. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 1 further comprising speed detecting means for detecting a speed of a watercraft to which the watercraft propulsion system is mounted, and wherein the control means control the electric motor based upon the speed of the watercraft.

6. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 1 further comprising second instructing means for instructing the speed reduction assist by the electric motor, wherein the control means control the electric motor based upon an instruction by the second instructing means.

7. An operation control method for a watercraft propulsion system including an engine and an electric motor working as drive power sources for a propeller, comprising:

receiving an instruction to activate an operation mode; and

stopping the engine and reversely rotating the electric motor when the instruction to activate the operation mode is received;

wherein

the step of stopping the engine and reversely rotating the electric motor is performed when the operation mode is a reverse mode of the watercraft; and

the step of stopping the engine and reversely rotating the electric motor is performed when the operation mode is a stop mode of the watercraft.

8. A watercraft propulsion system including an engine and an electric motor both being configured to rotate a propeller, the propulsion system comprising:

a first input device configured to allow an operator to input forward, reverse, and stop commands, the first input device configured to output at least forward, reverse, and stop output signals; and

a controller configured to control the output of the engine and the electric motor based on at least the forward, reverse, and stop commands from the first input device, the controller being configured to disable combustion in the engine and rotate the electric motor in reverse when the output of the first input device changes from forward to reverse output signals, and when the output of the first input device changes from forward to stop output signals.

9. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to activate a speed reduction assist mode based on at least the output of the first input device, and wherein the controller stops the engine and reversely rotates the electric motor when the speed reduction assist mode is activated.

10. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein the first input device comprises an operating lever which is pivotable, the controller configured to activate a plurality of different operation modes based upon a position of the operating lever.

11. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to activate the speed reduction assist mode based upon a mean movement speed of the operating lever.

12. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 8 further comprising a speed detecting device configured to detect a speed of a watercraft to which the watercraft propulsion system is mounted, and wherein the controller is configured to control the electric motor based upon the speed of the watercraft.

13. The watercraft propulsion system according to claim 9 further comprising a second input device configured to allow an operator to input additional inputs regarding the speed reduction assist mode by the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the electric motor based upon an instruction by the second input device.