Systems and methods for controlling a rotational speed of a marine internal combustion engine
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a marine propulsion device coupled to a marine vessel, the system comprising:
- a first operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a first operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a first non-zero speed;
a second operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a non-trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a second operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a second non-zero speed; and
a controller in signal communication with the first operator input device, the second operator input device, and the engine;
wherein, in response to an operator request to transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode, the controller determines whether to allow the transition based on a comparison of the second operator-selected engine speed with a current, measured engine speed and thereafter operates the marine propulsion device in the trolling mode or the non-trolling mode, as appropriate, based on the determination;
wherein the controller allows the transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode if the second operator-selected engine speed is greater than the current engine speed and if the controller receives an input from the second operator input device that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
A system for controlling a rotational speed of a marine internal combustion engine has a first operator input device for controlling a speed of the engine in a trolling mode, in which the engine operates at a first operator-selected engine speed so as to propel a marine vessel at a first non-zero speed. A second operator input device controls the engine speed in a non-trolling mode, in which the engine operates at a second operator-selected engine speed so as to propel the marine vessel at a second non-zero speed. A controller is in signal communication with the first operator input device, the second operator input device, and the engine. In response to an operator request to transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode, the controller determines whether to allow the transition based on the second operator-selected engine speed and a current engine speed.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a marine propulsion device coupled to a marine vessel, the system comprising:
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a first operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a first operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a first non-zero speed; a second operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a non-trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a second operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a second non-zero speed; and a controller in signal communication with the first operator input device, the second operator input device, and the engine; wherein, in response to an operator request to transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode, the controller determines whether to allow the transition based on a comparison of the second operator-selected engine speed with a current, measured engine speed and thereafter operates the marine propulsion device in the trolling mode or the non-trolling mode, as appropriate, based on the determination; wherein the controller allows the transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode if the second operator-selected engine speed is greater than the current engine speed and if the controller receives an input from the second operator input device that exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a marine propulsion device coupled to a marine vessel, the method being carried out by a controller and comprising:
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receiving an operator request to transition from a trolling mode, in which the engine operates at a first operator-selected engine speed in response to inputs from a first operator input device and propels the marine vessel at a first non-zero speed, to a non-trolling mode, in which the engine operates at a second operator-selected engine speed in response to inputs from a second operator input device and propels the marine vessel at a second non-zero speed; and determining whether to allow the transition based on a comparison of the second operator-selected engine speed with a current, measured speed of the engine, wherein the controller allows the transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode in response to the operator request if the second operator-selected engine speed is greater than the current engine speed and if an input from the second operator input device exceeds a predetermined threshold; and operating the marine propulsion device in the trolling mode or the non-trolling mode, as appropriate, based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification