Handle-operated automatic start and stop for marine engine
First Claim
1. A system for controlling an engine, said system comprising:
- a handle having a neutral position and at least one idle position, said handle actuatable by an operator into and out of said neutral position and said least one idle position;
a handle sensor in proximity to said handle and providing signals indicative of a position of said handle;
a transmission;
an electronic control module in electronic communication with said handle sensor, said transmission, and said engine, said electronic control module configured to;
(i) receive signals indicative of the position of said handle from said handle sensor;
(ii) provide a signal to said engine to start upon receiving a signal from said handle sensor indicating said handle has moved out of said neutral position; and
(iii) provide a signal to said transmission to shift into gear upon receiving a signal from said handle sensor indicating said handle has moved into said at least one idle position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for automatically starting and stopping engine(s) of a vessel based on the position of a handle. Movement of the handle out of neutral initiates the automatic starting of the engine(s) by an ECM. Movement of the handle into neutral initiates the automatic stopping of the engine(s), which may also require certain other prerequisite conditions. An ECM is in electrical communication with the engine(s), transmission, battery, initializer, starter, and various sensors providing information on the position of the handle and other conditions including engine speed, temperature, transmission speed, vessel speed and battery voltage. The ECM includes memory and processor(s), and is configured to receive information from the various sensors and operative components of the vessel and determine when to initiate automatic start and stop of the engine(s) based on thereon.
16 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an engine, said system comprising:
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a handle having a neutral position and at least one idle position, said handle actuatable by an operator into and out of said neutral position and said least one idle position; a handle sensor in proximity to said handle and providing signals indicative of a position of said handle; a transmission; an electronic control module in electronic communication with said handle sensor, said transmission, and said engine, said electronic control module configured to; (i) receive signals indicative of the position of said handle from said handle sensor; (ii) provide a signal to said engine to start upon receiving a signal from said handle sensor indicating said handle has moved out of said neutral position; and (iii) provide a signal to said transmission to shift into gear upon receiving a signal from said handle sensor indicating said handle has moved into said at least one idle position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification