Systems and methods for powering hybrid marine propulsion systems
First Claim
1. A hybrid marine propulsion system comprising:
- a marine propulsor that propels a marine vessel;
an internal combustion engine that selectively powers the marine propulsor;
a first user input device that inputs throttle and shift commands to the controller;
an electric motor that selectively powers the marine propulsor;
a controller that controls operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor according to a plurality of modes based upon the inputs from the first input device, the plurality of modes comprising an engine mode wherein the engine alone powers the marine propulsor, an electric mode wherein the motor alone powers the marine propulsor, and a boost mode wherein the engine and the electric motor together power the marine propulsor; and
a second user input device that inputs a user-initiated command to the controller that causes the controller to override operation in engine mode and initiate boost mode.
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Abstract
In one example, a hybrid marine propulsion system includes a marine propulsor that propels a marine vessel; an internal combustion engine that selectively powers the marine propulsor; an electric motor that selectively powers the marine propulsor; a controller that controls operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor according to a plurality of modes including an engine mode wherein the engine alone powers the marine propulsor and a boost mode wherein the engine and the electric motor together power the marine propulsor; and a user input device that inputs a user-initiated command to the controller to thereby change control from the engine mode to the boost mode. Upon input of the user-initiated command, the controller can maintain an existing output of the internal combustion engine such that the power provided by the electric motor is added to the power already being provided by the internal combustion engine.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hybrid marine propulsion system comprising:
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a marine propulsor that propels a marine vessel; an internal combustion engine that selectively powers the marine propulsor; a first user input device that inputs throttle and shift commands to the controller; an electric motor that selectively powers the marine propulsor; a controller that controls operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor according to a plurality of modes based upon the inputs from the first input device, the plurality of modes comprising an engine mode wherein the engine alone powers the marine propulsor, an electric mode wherein the motor alone powers the marine propulsor, and a boost mode wherein the engine and the electric motor together power the marine propulsor; and a second user input device that inputs a user-initiated command to the controller that causes the controller to override operation in engine mode and initiate boost mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18)
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13. A method of operating a marine propulsion system having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that each selectively power a marine propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the method comprising:
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operating a first user input device to command a controller to control operation of the internal combustion engine according to a plurality of modes comprising an engine mode wherein the engine alone powers the marine propulsor, an electric mode wherein the motor alone powers the marine propulsor, and a boost mode wherein the engine and the electric motor together power the marine propulsor; and operating a second user input device to command the controller to override engine mode and control operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor in boost mode such that the amount of power from the electric motor is added to the power provided by the internal combustion engine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification