| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080200079 | Separated Electric Motor Assisted Propulsion for Human-Powered Watercraft - A propulsion system for hybrid electric watercraft for personal enjoyment that incorporates human power with electric motor assistance, energy storage and optional solar power to achieve increased watercraft speeds and/or reduced pedaling effort. Control electronics enable operator-adjustable electric motor assistance to the propulsion, thereby providing flexible pedal cadences and efforts and enjoyment for a wide variety of operators. An optional photovoltaic solar panel augments the power generation to extend travel time with motor assistance, and recharges the energy storage system. This invention enables a pleasure watercraft that is simultaneously lightweight, low cost, low maintenance, environmentally friendly with zero pollution, ultra-low noise, and thrilling to operate, while simultaneously providing a means of enjoyable exercise for operators of nearly all abilities. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080207065 | BOAT PROPULSION APPARATUS - A boat propulsion apparatus is constructed such that an operation mode can be switched to a reverse mode and an amount of an output can be set by an easy operation without a complicated structure and further in which a main body of the propulsion apparatus can be locked to a hull. The boat propulsion apparatus is provided with a main body and a locking mechanism. The main body of the propulsion apparatus is provided with an electric motor, a throttle grip, a potentiometer arranged to detect an indication by the throttle grip, a first controller arranged to control an operation mode and an output of the electric motor depending on an output of the potentiometer, and second controller arranged to control the locking mechanism depending on an indication provided by the throttle grip. According to an operation for turning the throttle grip to a reverse mode area, the controller switches the electric motor to the reverse mode, and the second controller operates the locking mechanism to lock the main body of the propulsion apparatus to a hull. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080233811 | ELECTRONICALLY ASSISTED REVERSE GATE SYSTEM FOR A JET PROPULSION WATERCRAFT - An electronically assisted reverse gate system for a jet propulsion watercraft is provided. Control electronics are in communication with the operator interface of the watercraft to obtain commands from the operator, such as a selection between a forward, reverse or neutral mode, a braking command or a slow mode. The control electronics evaluates the target setting for these commands. This evaluation is made taking into consideration the operating conditions of the watercraft. Control signals are sent to an appropriate actuating device to adjust the gate orientation accordingly. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080233812 | CONTROLLER FOR BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM AND BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM - A controller for a boat propulsion system has an adjusting device arranged to adjust an inclination angle in the vertical direction of the boat propulsion system by a drive unit, the controller arranged to perform drive control of the adjusting device, a storage section provided in the controller and arranged to store a limit value of the inclination angle, and a connector arranged to communicate with a service tool, wherein the controller is arranged to set the limit value from the service tool and stop the drive unit when the inclination angle reaches the limit value. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080254689 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND MARINE VESSEL RUNNING SUPPORTING SYSTEM AND MARINE VESSEL USING THE SAME - A control apparatus controls a marine vessel propulsion system which is equipped with a propeller system to generate a propulsive force and a steering mechanism to determine a steering angle of the propeller system. The control apparatus includes a target propulsive force setting unit arranged to set a target propulsive force, and a propeller system control unit arranged to control an output of the propeller system such that the output is lower than the target propulsive force while the steering angle is being changed. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080254690 | EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUTOFF APPARATUS AND ACCIDENT DETERMINING APPARATUS FOR SHIP - An emergency engine shutoff apparatus for shutting off an engine in an accident of a ship having a hull and an outboard engine system is provided which includes: an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration applied in a longitudinal direction of the hull and an acceleration applied in a vertical direction of the hull; an accident determining apparatus for determining that a collision accident occurred when the acceleration applied in a longitudinal direction of the hull exceeds a threshold, and for determining that a capsize accident occurred when a roll angle of the ship exceeds a threshold, the roll angle being arithmetically operated by using the acceleration in the vertical direction; and an engine shutoff apparatus for shutting off the engine by stopping fuel supply to the engine when it is determined that a collision accident or a capsize accident occurred. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080261466 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR POWER TRIM UNIT FOR OUTBOARD ENGINE - A control device for a power trim unit for an outboard engine includes: a circuit that supplies a driving current to a power trim motor of the outboard engine from a DC power supply through an overcurrent protection switch and an H bridge circuit comprised of semiconductor switches; a trim angle control portion that performs control to cause a trim angle to reach a target value by performing PWM control of the driving current supplied from the DC power supply through the H bridge circuit to the power trim motor according to a deviation between the target value of the trim angle of the outboard engine and a trim angle detected by a trim angle sensor; and an overcurrent protection portion that turns off the overcurrent protection switch when overcurrent flows through the H bridge circuit. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080268726 | CONTROL DEVICE OF BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM AND BOAT - An engine in an outboard motor includes a first rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of a crankshaft and second rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of an exhaust camshaft. A reverse rotation determination section is arranged to determine an occurrence of a reverse rotation of the crankshaft based on of a rotation angle sensed by the first rotation angle sensing device and a rotation angle sensed by the second rotation angle sensing device. A gear mechanism operation section forceaby shifts a shift gear mechanism into a neutral state when a reverse rotation of the crankshaft is sensed by the reverse rotation determination section. Water is surely prevented from entering the internal combustion engine and can minimize an increase in the manufacturing cost and simplify the maintenance work of the internal combustion engine. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080280511 | ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM - A predicted boat speed value generator, in accordance with one or more embodiments, receives an engine rotation signal, an intake pressure value, and other detection signals including shift position, and provides a predicted boat speed value. A control signal generator determines the fuel injection amount, the amount of air, and the ignition timing based on the predicted boat speed to provide respective control signals. The predicted boat speed value generator includes a predicted boat speed mapped value extraction process to search through the predicted boat speed value map during the constant speed operation and acceleration, based on the rotational speed and the intake pressure, to extract the predicted boat speed mapped value ādā for output. A predicted decelerating boat speed value output process establishes the initial predicted boat speed value to provide the attenuated predicted boat speed value in every cycle. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080280512 | Jet-Propulsion Personal Watercraft - A jet-propulsion personal watercraft includes an engine configured to generate a driving power for generating a propulsion force to propel the watercraft, an engine speed changing system configured to be able to change an engine speed of the engine, a determiner configured to determine whether or not to execute control for effectively steering the watercraft at start of deceleration, and an engine controller configured to control the engine speed changing system based on information received from the determiner. The engine controller is configured to, when the determiner determines that the control for effectively steering the watercraft should not be executed, control the engine speed changing system so that a decrease rate of the engine speed immediately after the determination is smaller than a decrease rate of the engine speed in a case where the determiner determines that the control for effectively steering the watercraft should not be executed. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080293311 | Jet-Propulsion Personal Watercraft - A jet-propulsion personal watercraft comprises a body including a hull and a deck, an engine mounted in the body, a driving power output changing system configured to be able to change a driving power output of the engine, a controller configured to control an operation of the driving power output changing system, and a pressure sensor configured to be able to detect a pressure which is applied to the body from the water on which the body is floating, the pressure having a component in a lateral direction of the body, wherein the controller includes a turning determiner configured to determine whether or not the body is turning, based on a signal received from the pressure sensor; and a driving power output control unit configured to control the driving power output changing system based on information received from the turning determiner. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20090004930 | Method and Arrangement For Controlling a Drive Arrangement in a Watercraft - A method is provided for controlling a drive arrangement in a watercraft. The method includes detecting thrust and steering commands from an operating device which is connected to a control unit, and controlling the drive arrangement based on detected commands from the operating device for obtaining a desired course of travel of the watercraft, wherein a force is generated which acts towards a defined position on the watercraft. The method furthermore includes determining the speed of the watercraft and adapting the position on which the force from the drive arrangement acts as a function of at least the speed and as a function of the influence of the position of the center of pressure of the watercraft, thereby maintaining the desired course of travel. An arrangement for controlling a drive arrangement in a watercraft is also provided. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090011665 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A BOAT - An electronic control apparatus for driving a boat capable of safely and positively steering the boat to move forward and backward, including: a steering mechanism; a shift actuator for switching neutral, forward, backward; a throttle actuator for driving a throttle valve; and an electronic control unit connected to the steering mechanism, the shift actuator and the throttle actuator, for calculating a movement command value and an output command value for controlling the shift actuator and the throttle actuator, respectively, based on a steering position signal from the steering mechanism, and for controlling the shift actuator and the throttle actuator according to the movement command value, the output command value, feedback signals indicating control states, the electronic control section restrains the output command value until a shift operation of the shift actuator is completed, when the movement command value has been generated for shifting the shift actuator to forward or backward. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090042458 | Multiple-Cylinder Engine for Planing Water Vehicle - A multiple-cylinder engine for a planing water vehicle includes an operation control device which changes the number of deactivated cylinders step by step in response to an engine speed when the engine speed exceeds a preset speed. The operation control device can have a plurality of cylinder deactivation order maps used for instructing an increment order of cylinders which are deactivated step by step when the engine speed exceeds the preset speed. The operation control device can exchange one of the cylinder deactivation order maps which is currently used for another one of the maps in accordance with an operation state of the engine. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090042459 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR MARINE ENGINE - A control device for a marine engine comprised so that a section of an angle sufficiently narrower than a crank angle corresponding to each stroke of a combustion cycle of the engine is set as an instantaneous speed detection section, a crank angle position that appears every time the engine rotates in the instantaneous speed detection section is detected as a specific crank angle position, an instantaneous rotational speed of the engine is detected every time each specific crank angle position is detected, it is determined whether the engine needs to be assisted from the degree of reduction in the instantaneous rotational speed, and a motor-generator including a rotor directly connected to a crankshaft of the engine is driven to apply a drive force from the motor-generator to the engine when it is determined that the engine needs to be assisted. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090075532 | BOAT PROPULSION UNIT - A boat propulsion unit includes an electric motor, a potentiometer arranged to detect the rotating angle of a throttle grip, a first stop mode sensor, a second stop mode sensor, and a controller including a CPU, and a disconnection and short detecting circuit. If the voltage signal fed by the disconnection and short detecting circuit is out of the specified range, the CPU detects the operation mode designated by the throttle grip based on the switching of the outputs from the first stop mode sensor and the second stop mode sensor. Then, the electric motor is driven in the forward operation mode and with the specified output power when the forward operation mode is designated, whereas, the electric motor is driven in the reverse operation mode and with the specified output power when the reverse operation mode is designated. Using this arrangement, the boat propulsion unit can obtain a minimum required boat operation as intended by the boat operator even when an abnormality has occurred in the controls. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090111338 | WATER JET PROPULSION BOAT - A water jet propulsion boat includes a fuel pump driven by an electric control unit and arranged to deliver fuel from a fuel tank to an engine via a fuel pipe, and a fuel pressure sensor arranged to detect a pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine by the fuel pump. When a magnitude of the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor is less than a predetermined magnitude, the fuel pump is activated. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude, the fuel pump is deactivated. Also, when the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor becomes equal to or less than an abnormal threshold value, either one or both of the fuel pump and the engine are deactivated. The water jet propulsion boat lowers power consumption, reduces battery size, extends battery life, and lowers costs. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090111339 | SMALL BOAT - A small boat includes engines mounted on a hull, a plurality of water jet propulsion units disposed on both sides of a longitudinal axis of the hull and driven by the engines, and a steering wheel arranged to change jet directions of the water jet propulsion units. The small boat further includes a steering angle sensor arranged to detect a rotational angle of the steering wheel, front and rear gravity sensors arranged to detect a turning state of the hull, and a control device to which the rotational angle and the turning state of the hull are inputted in order to control thrusts of the water jet propulsion units such that the turning state coincides with any one of a group of target steady turning radii corresponding to the rotational angle of the steering wheel. The small boat turns along the steady radius regardless of any water conditions. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090117788 | MARINE VESSEL RUNNING CONTROLLING APPARATUS, AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - A marine vessel running controlling apparatus is applicable to a marine vessel which includes a propulsive force generating unit, a steering unit, and an operational unit to control a steering angle. The marine vessel running controlling apparatus includes a target characteristic storage unit arranged to store a target characteristic line which represents a target marine vessel maneuvering characteristic defining a relationship between a target turning behavior with respect to an operation amount of the operational unit and a traveling speed of the marine vessel, a target characteristic change inputting unit arranged to change a shape of the target characteristic line, and a target characteristic line updating unit arranged to update the target characteristic line according to an input from the target characteristic change inputting unit. The target characteristic change inputting unit includes an inflection point position change inputting unit arranged to change a position of an inflection point of the target characteristic line. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090124141 | SHIFT MOTION CONTROL DEVICE - A shift-in operation determination device determines a shift-in operation based on a signal in accordance with an operation of a remote control lever. An ignition timing operation device retards an ignition timing of an engine based on a determination result of the shift-in operation by the shift-in operation determination device. A shift-in command device engages a shift actuator and a dog clutch with either of a forward traveling bevel gear or a rearward traveling bevel gear in a state where the ignition timing of the engine is retarded. The shift-in operation determination device works to prevent a shock which occurs at a shift-in while maintaining a stable engine output in an outboard motor. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090197485 | Watercraft And Method For The Operation Of A Watercraft - A watercraft ( | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090209144 | MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEM - A marine propulsion system includes an engine, propellers rotated by the engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit a driving force of the engine to the propellers with a speed thereof shifted to at least a low speed reduction ratio or a high speed reduction ratio in forward travel and reverse travel, and a gear shift switch operable by a user to shift speed reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism to the low speed reduction ratio in at least the reverse travel. This arrangement provides a marine propulsion system in which both of acceleration performance and a maximum speed can approach levels that a user desires. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090209145 | MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEM - A marine propulsion system includes an engine, propellers arranged to be rotated by the engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit a driving force of the engine to the propellers with a speed thereof shifted to at least a low speed reduction ratio and a high speed reduction ratio, a GPS sensor arranged to detect a position of a hull propelled by rotation of the propeller, and a control portion and an ECU arranged to control a shift between the speed reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism. The control portion is arranged to calculate a speed of the hull based on positional information of the hull. The control portion and the ECU are arranged to control a shift between the speed reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism based at least on the speed of the hull. This arrangement provides a marine propulsion system in which both acceleration performance and maximum speed can approach specific levels desired by an operator of the boat. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090215328 | Mixed propulsion system - A mixed propulsion system for a seagoing vessel such as a liquid natural gas carrier including a gas turbine engine is described. The vessel has at least one electric propulsion drive and a plurality of prime movers of different types each coupled directly to drive an electrical generator. The outputs of the several generators are connected to at least two electricity distribution switchboards to supply the power requirements of the vessel, and each electric propulsion drive is cross-coupled to receive power selectively from either switchboard such that in the event of a single failure in a switchboard or prime mover or both power can be maintained to both propulsion drives. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090215329 | PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR BOAT - A propulsion system for a boat includes propellers rotated by an engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit a driving force of the engine to the propellers in a state that the driving force of the engine is changed to at least one of a gear reduction ratio for low speed and a gear reduction ratio for high speed, and a control unit arranged to output a signal to control a gear shift in the transmission mechanism on the basis of a throttle valve opening of the engine and a speed of the engine and arranged to detect cavitation generated in conjunction with rotation of the propellers on the basis of a gear shift control map. The control unit is arranged to control the output of a signal to the transmission mechanism to change the high speed reduction gear ratio when cavitation is detected. The propulsion system achieves both acceleration and maximum speed at performance levels desired by an operator of a boat. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090215330 | PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR BOAT - A propulsion system for a boat includes propellers arranged to be rotated by an engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit driving force of the engine to the propellers such that a speed of the driving force of the engine is changed at least with a gear reduction ratio for low speed and high speed, and a control unit arranged to output a signal to control a gear shift in the transmission mechanism on the basis of an amount of lever opening, which is based on operation of a control lever section, and speed of the engine, and the control unit being arranged to detect cavitation generated in conjunction with rotation of the propellers on the basis of a gear shift control map. The control unit is arranged to control output of a signal to the transmission mechanism for changing a reduction gear to that for high speed when cavitation is detected. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090215331 | BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM, CONTROL DEVICE THEREOF, AND CONTROL METHOD - A boat propulsion system includes a power source, a propulsion unit, a propeller rotational speed detection section, a shift mechanism, an actuator, a control lever, a shift position detection section, an accelerator opening detection section, and a control unit. When the control lever is operated such that a shift position is changed from a first shift position to a second shift position, while the absolute value of accelerator opening varying speed becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the control unit enables the actuator to maintain the first shift position until the rotational speed of a propeller becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed and then to change to the second shift position. This minimizes a load generated on the power source, the power transmission mechanism, and other components of the boat propulsion system. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090221193 | MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEM - A marine propulsion system that achieves both an acceleration performance and top speed closer to the performance desired by a boat driver includes an engine, propellers rotated by the driving force of the engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to convey the driving force of the engine to the propellers at least after shifting into a low speed reduction gear ratio and into a high speed reduction gear ratio, an acceleration sensor arranged to detect the acceleration of a hull propelled by the rotation of the propellers, and a control section and an ECU arranged to carry out the control for changing the reduction gear ratio of the transmission mechanism. The control section and the ECU are configured to control the transmission mechanism to shift from the low speed reduction gear ratio into the high speed reduction gear ratio based on the acceleration of the hull. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090247025 | BOAT PROPULSION UNIT - A boat propulsion unit includes a power source, a propeller, a shift position switching mechanism, a control device, and a retention switch. The propeller is driven by the power source to generate propulsive force. The shift position switching mechanism has an input shaft connected to a side of the power source, an output shaft connected to a side of the propeller, and clutches that change a connection state between the input shaft and the output shaft. A shift position of the shift position switching mechanism is switched among forward, neutral, and reverse by engaging and disengaging the clutches. The control device adjusts an engagement force of the clutches. The retention switch is connected to the control device. When the retention switch is turned on by an operator, the control device controls the engagement force of the clutches to retain a hull in a predefined position. The boat propulsion unit provides a boat propulsion unit that can accurately retain a boat at a fixed point. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090247026 | BOAT PROPULSION UNIT - A boat propulsion unit includes a power source, a propeller, a shift position changing mechanism, a control device, and a speed reducing switch. The shift position changing mechanism has an input shaft, an output shaft, and first and second clutches. The first and second clutches change the connection state between the input shaft and the output shaft. In the shift position changing mechanism, the first and second clutches are engaged or disengaged, thereby changing the shift position among forward, neutral, and reverse. The control device controls connecting forces of the first and second clutches so that the propeller generates propulsive forces in the direction opposite to the present propulsive direction of a hull when the speed reducing switch is turned on by the operator of the boat. The boat propulsion unit easily retains the propulsive speed of a hull substantially at zero. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090253316 | Multi-cylinder engine fuel control method, engine fuel injection amount control method and engine operation state discrimination method using the same, propulsion apparatus for multiple engines, and fuel injection control method during crash astern in marine engine with reduction and reversal device - Rotation recognition means for recognizing a revolution of a crankshaft based on the cylinders before the combustion cycle of a cylinder in question is provided. When the supply of fuel by injection from an injector to a certain cylinder of the six cylinders has become impossible, then control is performed to change the number of cylinders targeted by the rotation recognition means so as to recognize the revolution of the crankshaft for all six cylinders whose combustion cycles are consecutive prior to the combustion cycle of the cylinder in question, and to stop the supply of fuel from the injectors for supplying fuel to cylinders whose combustion cycles are equally spaced from the cylinder to which the supply of fuel is not possible, so that the spacing between the combustion cycles in the cylinders whose combustion cycles come before and after and sandwich the cylinder to which the supply of fuel is not possible becomes uniform. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090264029 | WATERCRAFT WITH STEER-RESPONSIVE REVERSE GATE - A method of operating a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft includes an engine, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, the jet propulsion system includes a reverse gate, and a steering assembly for steering the watercraft. The method comprises: determining if the steering assembly is turned; sensing an operating parameter of the watercraft, the operating parameter being related to a thrust generated by the propulsion system; determining if the operating parameter of the watercraft is within a predetermined range; and moving the reverse gate to a lowered position when the steering assembly is turned and the operating parameter of the watercraft is within the predetermined range. A watercraft capable of performing the method is also disclosed. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090275248 | WATERCRAFT REVERSE GATE OPERATION - A method of controlling a watercraft comprises actuating a lever, controlling a speed of rotation of an engine to be at or below a reverse gate actuation speed in response to the actuation of the lever, moving the reverse gate in response to the actuation of the lever without further driver intervention once the speed of rotation of the engine is at or below the reverse gate actuation speed, and controlling the speed of rotation of the engine in order to decelerate the watercraft in response to the actuation of the lever and the reverse gate moving without further driver intervention. A watercraft and a method of controlling the watercraft based at least in part on an angle of a helm assembly are also disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090298359 | Control apparatus for small boat - In an apparatus for controlling a small boat having a hull and two outboard motors mounted on a stem of the hull and an actuator adapted to open/close a throttle valve of each engine of the motors for regulating speed of the engine, acceleration acting on the boat in a direction of gravity axis when the boat ascends or descends the ocean wave and angular acceleration about the gravity is detected and a correction amount of the engine speed is calculated based on the detected acceleration so as to change behavior of the boat, thereby mitigating a burden on the operator and improving stability of the boat. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100009578 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC ENERGY RECOVERY IN MARINE PROPULSION - A method for controlling operation of a propulsion system of a waterborne vessel, comprising adjusting recovery of energy generated from the propulsion system to maintain position of the waterborne vessel in response to at least an indication of vessel position. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100048068 | MARINE VESSEL POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM, MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND MARINE VESSEL - A marine vessel power supply system supplies power to a plurality of propulsion devices each provided with an engine. The system includes a plurality of switching units arranged to turn on and off power supplies to the propulsion devices individually, an operation judgment unit arranged to judge whether the engine of each propulsion device is in an operating state or in a stopped state, and a power supply control unit arranged to turn off a switching unit of the plurality of switching units, when a switching unit is in the ON state and if the engine of the propulsion device corresponding to the switching unit is in a stopped state for not less than a predetermined time. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100068950 | WATERCRAFT WITH CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING WAKE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WAKE - A watercraft with a control system includes at least two propulsion units carried by a hull of the watercraft. Each propulsion unit is independently turnable. The watercraft includes a control system arranged to control orientation of the propulsion units. The control system includes a first control mode in which turning of two of the propulsion units is limited to turning through less than an entire range of motion of the two propulsion units, in equal amounts, and in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100068951 | WATERCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD - A watercraft propulsion system has a control lever for giving instructions regarding the operating mode as well as the amount of output power from a source of driving force, and a controller for setting a propeller driving mode according to the instruction given by the control lever. When a reverse mode is instructed by the control lever, the controller sets the propeller driving mode depending on certain considerations such as user settings and battery charge. For instance, the controller may set the propeller driving mode to a mode in which the propeller is rotated in reverse by an electric motor or by the engine. Also, the controller may regulate electric power supply to the motor in light of battery charge. Other combinations are also contemplated. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100099309 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, and a torque converter interposed between the engine and a drive shaft and equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a throttle opening detector that detects throttle opening of a throttle valve of the engine, a throttle opening change amount calculator that calculates a change amount of the calculated throttle opening, and a clutch ON unit that makes the lockup clutch ON when the calculated change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and keeps the lockup clutch ON during a predetermined time period. With this, it becomes possible to improve acceleration performance immediately after the engine speed is accelerated. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100099310 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, a drive shaft that connects the engine and the propeller, and a torque converter that is interposed between the engine and the drive shaft and is equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a planing determiner that determines whether the boat is planning and a clutch ON unit that makes the lockup clutch ON when the boat is determined to be planing. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately make the lockup clutch ON after completing acceleration, thereby improving speed performance. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100151750 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL DEVICE AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100167601 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATION OF A MARINE VESSEL HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM - In one embodiment of a method for operation of a hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel, in particular a navy vessel, including at least one electric motor and at least one internal combustion engine, in particular a gas turbine, as drive units, which, depending on the requirement, for example the vessel speed, individually of jointly drive at least one propulsion unit, for example a propeller of the marine vessel, the respective power outputs of the propulsion units to the at least one propulsion unit are, according to one embodiment of the present invention, controlled by a control device as a function of a predeterminable set value, for example a set value for the propeller rotation speed or the vessel speed, and a predeterminable operating mode such that the sum of these power outputs results in a total power, which is dependent on the set value, being output to the at least one propulsion unit, with this total power output being split between the power outputs of the individual drive units as a function of the set value and the operating mode. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100173542 | AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE AND ENGINE POWER CONTROL - Amphibious vehicles, control modules, and methods are disclosed in which engine output power is adjusted based upon whether an amphibious vehicle is traversing land or is not traversing land. Some embodiments determine whether the amphibious vehicle is traversing land based upon a speed differential between an engine speed of the vehicle and a turbine speed of the torque converter contained within the power transfer module/transmission assembly. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100178815 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - A personal watercraft comprises at least one seat including a driver seating portion and at least one passenger seating portion. At least one sensor is disposed on the watercraft for detecting at least one of a presence and an absence of a passenger on the watercraft. A control unit is electrically connected to the at least one sensor. The control unit enters a first control mode in response to a signal received from the at least one sensor indicative of the presence of a passenger on the watercraft. The control unit prevents at least one performance characteristic of the watercraft from exceeding a predetermined value when in the first control mode. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100210155 | WATER JET PROPULSION WATERCRAFT - A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a hull, an engine disposed inside the hull, a jet propulsion device arranged to be driven by a driving force of the engine, a water detection unit arranged to detect whether or not the hull is immersed in water, and a control unit arranged to restrict an engine rotational speed. The jet propulsion device is arranged to jet water rearward from a jet port to thereby apply a propulsive force to the hull. The water detection unit includes a water detection chamber arranged such that water around the hull is introduced when the hull is in water, and a water level sensor arranged to detect a water level inside the water detection chamber. The control unit is arranged to judge whether or not the hull is in water based on an output signal of the water level sensor and to set a maximum rotational speed of the engine to a rotational speed less than an upper limit rotational speed so as to restrict the rotational speed of the engine to not more than the maximum rotational speed when the hull is not in water. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100240266 | VESSEL SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SMALL PLANING BOAT AND SMALL PLANING BOAT UTILIZING THE SAME - A speed control system for a small planing boat can comprise a speed sensor to detect a vessel speed of a boat body, a speed information storing unit on which data of a previously set maximum speed limit of the boat body is stored, and a speed control device for controlling the cruising speed of the boat body not to exceed the maximum speed limit based on a result of a correlation between the cruising speed and the maximum speed limit. The speed control device can comprise a revolution speed sensor, a revolution speed acquiring unit and a revolution speed control unit. The speed control device can also work in conjunction with an intake air mass amount control device which can include an electronically-controlled throttle valve, an air mass amount acquiring unit and a throttle opening degree control unit. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100248560 | MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM AND MARINE VESSEL - A marine vessel propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion devices, each including a motor and a propeller rotated by the motor. The system further includes a common electric power supply switch arranged to be operated by an operator to turn on and off electric power supplies of the plurality of propulsion devices all at once, an electric power supply control unit arranged to put the electric power supplies of the respective propulsion devices in an on state all at once when the common electric power supply switch is turned on and to put the electric power supplies of the respective propulsion devices in an off state all at once when the common electric power supply switch is turned off, an abnormal state detection unit arranged to detect an abnormal state of each propulsion device, and a power transmission cutoff unit, which is arranged to, when an abnormal state of any of the propulsion devices is detected by the abnormal state detection unit, cut off transmission of power between the motor and the propeller of the propulsion device for which the abnormal state is detected. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100267293 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor mounted on a boat and having a torque converter equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to calculate a speed ratio of the torque converter based on an input rotation speed and output rotation speed of the torque converter, detect manifold absolute pressure of the engine, control the lockup clutch to ON when the calculated speed ratio has been equal to or greater than a reference value, and control the lockup clutch to OFF when the manifold absolute pressure has been decreased by a first predetermined value or more. With this, it becomes possible to prevent the boat speed from decreasing even when the resistance of water flow acting on the boat increases due to the influence of a wave etc., thereby maintaining the maximum speed. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267294 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor mounted on a boat and having a torque converter equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a clutch controller that controls the lockup clutch to ON when a speed ratio of the torque converter is equal to or greater than a reference value, the clutch controller being configured to determine whether a throttle valve is at about a fully-opened position and to control the lockup clutch to ON when the speed ratio becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value set smaller than the reference value before the speed ratio reaches the reference value, and the throttle valve is discriminated to be at about the fully-opened position. With this, it becomes possible to reliably make a lockup clutch ON when the acceleration is completed, so that the boat speed can reach the maximum speed. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100304627 | VENTILATION CONTROL SYSTEM - An aeration control system and method for a marine vessel. The system includes a valve configured to be coupled to an aeration conduit of a marine vessel. The valve is configured to be responsive to a valve control signal having a first value so as to be open and to provide air to the aeration conduit, and the valve configured to be responsive to the valve control signal having a second value so as to be closed and not provide air to the aeration conduit. The aeration control system also includes a control device, electrically coupled to the valve, that provides the valve control signal to the valve | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100330853 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRIVE SYSTEM IN A MOTOR BOAT - In recreational boats, multiple drive units, e.g., multiple outboard motors, Z-drives, or jet drives, are often provided to propel the boat, at least one of the drive units having a propulsion reversal function for executing a reverse propulsion. To facilitate execution of a turning maneuver with a boat in an extremely tight space, and to ensure that even an unskilled person is able to reliably execute such a turning maneuver, it is provided that the drive units be activated automatically for executing the turn on the spot as a function of a command for turning. The command may be made via a switch, which is operated by the driver of the boat. One drive unit is then operated automatically in propulsion reversal mode, and the other drive unit is operated in propulsion mode. The power of the drive units is then controlled in such a way that the instantaneous efficiency of the drive units operated during turning is taken into account. The drive units are activated by at least one control unit in such a way that the boat is turned automatically. The driver of the boat here may preferably specify the direction of the turn. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110136398 | OUTBOARD MOTOR ANTITHEFT APPARATUS - In an apparatus for preventing theft of plural, such as two, outboard motors ( | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110183554 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC ENERGY RECOVERY IN MARINE PROPULSION - A method for controlling operation of a propulsion system of a waterborne vessel, comprising adjusting recovery of energy generated from the propulsion system to maintain position of the waterborne vessel in response to at least an indication of vessel position. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110217886 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a trim angle regulation mechanism, where operation of the transmission is controlled to change the gear position from a second speed to a first speed when detected throttle change amount not less than a first predetermined value and operation of the trim angle regulation mechanism is controlled to start the trim-up operation such that the trim angle converges to a predetermined angle, the operation of the trim angle regulation mechanism is controlled such that the trim angle is decreased based on the detected rudder angle when steering of the outboard motor is started, thereby enabling to appropriately prevent cavitation caused by steering of the outboard motor, so that the boat can be smoothly turned. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110223815 | MARINE VESSEL - A marine vessel includes a hull and a jet propulsion device arranged to take in water through an intake port and eject the water through an ejection port rearward with respect to the hull. The ejection port is arranged posterior to the intake port. The marine vessel also includes a reversing member arranged to be movable between a forward drive position and a reverse drive position. The reversing member is arranged to, when placed at the reverse drive position, reverse the direction of the water ejected from the jet propulsion device forward with respect to the hull (in a direction capable of generating a propulsive force in the reverse drive direction). The marine vessel further includes an operation unit arranged to be operated by a marine vessel maneuvering operator to locate the reversing member at the forward drive position or the reverse drive position, and an internal combustion engine arranged to drive the jet propulsion device. The marine vessel also includes a control unit arranged and programmed to operate in a reverse drive mode in which when the reversing member is located at the reverse drive position by the operation unit, and such that the control unit controls the internal combustion engine to operate within a predetermined speed range. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110244737 | PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - A personal watercraft comprises a water jet pump configured to be driven by an engine to generate a rearward water jet, a reverse bucket mounted at a periphery of the water jet pump and movable between a forward driving position and a reverse driving position, a driving power operation member configured to control an engine driving power, a reverse driving operation member configured to change a position of the reverse bucket from the forward driving position to the reverse driving position, and a deceleration operation member, wherein the reverse bucket is in the forward driving position when the deceleration operation member and the reverse driving operation member are not operated, and the reverse bucket is in a deceleration position between the forward driving position and the reverse driving position when the deceleration operation member has been operated and the reverse driving operation member is not operated. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110275254 | Waterjet Propulsion System and Method for a Marine Vehicle - A waterjet based propulsion system and method that utilizes more than one waterjet outlet port and controls the selective application of power to the waterjets with a splitter gearbox thereby improving the efficiency of the marine craft at low and high speeds. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110281477 | OUTBOARD MOTOR AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - An outboard motor includes an outboard motor main body, an attachment mechanism, a pivoting mechanism, an angle detecting device, a rotation speed detecting device, and a controller. The pivoting mechanism includes a first cylinder arranged to support and pivot the outboard motor main body about a horizontal shaft from a first angle to a second angle greater than the first angle. An angle detection value and a speed detection value are input into the controller. The controller is arranged to execute a speed reduction control to control the engine so as to reduce the engine speed. The controller is arranged not to execute the speed reduction control when the angle detection value is a value corresponding to the inclination angle less than the first angle or a value corresponding to the inclination angle greater than the second angle. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110294370 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine, transmission and trim angle regulation mechanism, it is configured to change a gear position to the first speed when the gear position is in the second speed and a throttle opening change amount is at or above a predetermined value, start trim-up operation when the engine speed is at or above a first predetermined speed after the gear position is changed to the first speed, change the gear position from the first speed to the second speed when the engine speed is at or above a second predetermined speed after the trim-up operation is started, and stop the trim-up operation after the gear position is changed to the second speed. It can mitigate a deceleration feel generated when the gear position is changed upon the completion of the acceleration and prevent the pitching occurrence. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294371 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, and a transmission selectively changeable in gear position to establish speeds including at least a first speed and a second speed and transmitting power of the engine to the propeller with a gear ratio determined by established speed, it is configured to determine whether the transmission is in a reverse position, and control operation of the transmission to change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the second speed is selected and the transmission is determined to be in the reverse position. With this, it becomes possible to prevent the thrust of the boat from decreasing. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294372 | OUTBOARD MOTOR - An outboard motor in which exhaust of an engine is emitted into water via an exhaust passage. The outboard motor comprises a throttle valve connected to an air intake port of the engine via an air intake manifold, a control motor for driving the throttle valve to open and close, and a controller for controlling the control motor. The controller controls the control motor such that the throttle valve fully closes when a determination is made that reverse rotation is occurring in the engine. The exhaust passage is communicated with the air intake manifold via a communication passage. A communication valve which opens only when reverse rotation is occurring in the engine is located at a portion where the communication passage and the air intake manifold connect. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294373 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and a transmission selectively changeable in gear position to establish speeds including a first speed and a second speed and transmitting power of the engine to the propeller with a gear ratio determined by established speed, it is configured to control operation of the transmission to change the gear position to the first or second speed in response to an outputted speed change command, determine whether an engine speed is continuously equal to or greater than a predetermined speed for a predetermined time period when the speed change command to the first speed is outputted, and when the determination is affirmative, change the gear position from the first speed to the second speed. With this, it becomes possible to mitigate the load on a transmission gear to improve durability of the transmission. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294374 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to control operation of the transmission to change the gear position to the first or second speed in response to a speed change command outputted upon an operator's manipulation, determine whether a throttle valve of the engine is at a fully-opened position or thereabout when the speed change command to the first speed is outputted, and determine whether the engine is under a predetermined operating condition when the throttle valve is determined to be at the fully-opened position or thereabout, wherein the transmission controller changes the gear position from the first speed to the second speed when the engine is determined to be under the predetermined operating condition. With this, it becomes possible to mitigate load on a transmission gear to improve durability of the transmission. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294375 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to determine whether acceleration is instructed to the engine by an operator when the gear position is the second speed, detect a slip ratio of a propeller based on theoretical velocity and actual velocity of a boat, control a throttle opening to suppress increase in the slip ratio when the acceleration is determined to be instructed, and change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the slip ratio is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and the change amount of the slip ratio is equal to or less than a prescribed value. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately control operation of the engine and the transmission during acceleration, thereby improving the acceleration performance of immediately after acceleration start. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110318977 | MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION APPARATUS - A marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, a rotation speed detecting device, a forward-reverse switching mechanism, a shift position detecting device, a liquid supplying device, a flow passage, a physical quantity detecting device, and a controller. The flow passage is arranged such that a liquid is supplied from the liquid supplying device when a crankshaft is rotating in one rotation direction. A physical quantity of the liquid in the flow passage after the forward-reverse switching mechanism has been switched from the forward drive state to the reverse drive state in a state where the crankshaft is rotating is a post-switching physical quantity. The controller executes a reverse rotation prevention control to control at least one of either the engine or the forward-reverse switching mechanism to prevent reverse rotation of the crankshaft in a case where the post-switching physical quantity is less than a predetermined first value. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120015566 | System and Method for Controlling a Trolling Motor - A trolling motor control system that includes a main controller configured interface with a trolling motor. The main controller is configured to control the output power and directional heading of the trolling motor. In at least one embodiment, the main controller has an electronic interface configured to establish a two-way day data connection between the main controller and an electronic GPS-equipped mapping device. This two-way connection allows the main controller to use data stored on the GPS-equipped mapping device to execute functions of the trolling motor control system. It also allows functions of the trolling motor control system to be executed via controls on the GPS-equipped mapping device. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120077394 | ELECTRONIC SKI CONTROL - The present subject matter is directed to electronic circuitry and associated hardware configured to electronically control directional signals, i.e., neutral, forward and reverse signals, to the transmission of a watercraft. The circuitry provides for electronic control of the throttle position of the watercraft engine and electronic override of the transmission shifting circuitry to allow throttling up (i.e., revving) of the engine without placing the transmission into gear. In an alternative embodiment, directional control is effected by operation of a lever mechanism and override functionality is effected by manual disengagement of a drive mechanism for the directional control while maintaining operation of the electronic throttle control. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120129410 | AUTOMATIC DOCKING SYSTEM - A programmed control uses distance sensor information to activate thrusters to move a vessel sideways up to a set distance away from a dock and maintain that distance automatically with no human intervention. At close distances a single propeller is used guided by a high bandwidth radar sensor. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120164895 | METHOD AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE PROPULSION MODES OF A BOAT - The present invention relates to a method for controlling the propulsion modes of a boat of the type comprising a power controlled motor, a group of sails and a first plurality of sensors of the wind conditions and of the motion conditions of the boat, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in detecting a plurality of typical parameters of the wind conditions through the first plurality of sensors, verifying whether the plurality of typical parameters of the wind conditions so detected satisfies a predetermined set of extreme conditions for hoisting or lowering the group of sails, selecting at least one driving mode of the boat selected from a plurality of driving modes of the boat, when the group of sails is hoisted, and controlling the power controlled motor on the basis of the selected driving mode of the boat. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120231680 | CONTROL APPARATUS OF MULTIPLE SHIP PROPELLERS - A control apparatus controls multiple outboard motors transmitting and receiving operation information mutually via a communication line and is configured to give a thrust difference between the outboard motors in the event of a fault of an electric rudder tilter used to turn a ship by turning a rudder by controlling thrusts of the outboard motors according to a detection value of a steering angle sensor detecting a steering angle. When a ship sailing direction is controlled by the thrust difference, the control apparatus controls the outboard motors by using a steering angle threshold up to which the thrust difference is not given between the outboard motors in a region where a steering angle is small, and in a case where the steering angle exceeds the steering angle threshold, by using a predetermined value of the thrust difference with which the thrust difference is given between the outboard motors. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120238159 | COMBINATION MANUALLY DRIVEN AND MOTOR DRIVEN WATERCRAFT - In one aspect, the invention is directed to a watercraft that is drivable by a manual force input member and by a motor. The watercraft is configured to prevent the motor from back-driving the manual force input member. In a particular embodiment, the watercraft includes a hull, a propelling member configured to propel the hull through water, a manual force input member that is movable manually, an output shaft that is operatively connected to the propelling member and that is drivable by the manual force input member, a motor that is operatively connectable to the output shaft, and a one-way clutch connected between the manual force input member and the output shaft. The one-way clutch is configured to permit the manual force input member to drive the output shaft in a first rotational direction, and to prevent the output shaft from driving the manual force input member in the first rotational direction. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120295498 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120309241 | Joint Commonality Submersible (JCS) - An underwater propulsion device includes a number of modules allowing it to be used in a range of configurations including a tow/pull type scooter | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120315809 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and a generator driven by the engine, comprising: an actuator adapted to open and close a throttle valve of the engine; a neutral position detector adapted to detect whether a shift mechanism interposed between an output shaft of the engine and a propeller is in a neutral position; a power generation demand value detector adapted to detect a demand value for an amount of power generation of the generator; and an actuator controller adapted to determine a desired speed of the engine based on the detected demand value when the shift mechanism is detected to be in the neutral position, and control operation of the actuator such that a speed of the engine converges to the determined desired engine speed. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120315810 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL DEVICE AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130012080 | OUTBOARD MOTOR - A single switch unit having a pair of switches is provided in the vicinity of a throttle grip which is provided in a distal end of a tiller handle. The single switch unit is provided with a function of performing the operation for changing a tilt angle of an outboard motor body with respect to a hull and a function of performing the operation for adjusting a rotational speed of an engine of the outboard motor at the time of trolling operation. Upon simultaneous pressing of a pair of the switches, these two functions of the switch unit are switched. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130029543 | Power Supply System for Marine Drilling Vessel - A power supply system for a marine drilling vessel is provided. The power supply system comprises a first power grid section coupled to a generator configured to generate electric power and further coupled to an electrically powered active heave compensator. The heave compensator is configured to raise and lower a drill string relative to the marine drilling vessel. The power supply system further comprises a second power grid section coupled to a generator configured to generate electric power and further coupled to an electrically powered thruster drive of the marine drilling vessel. The first power grid section is electrically coupled to the second power grid section. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130035009 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In a control apparatus for an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and a transmission adapted to establish speeds including first and second speeds and transmit an engine output to a propeller with an established speed, it is configured to determine whether acceleration is instructed to the engine by an operator when the second speed is established; detect an engine speed; detect a navigation acceleration indicative of a change amount of navigation speed per predetermined time; change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the acceleration is determined to be instructed; and change the gear position from the first speed to the second speed when the engine speed is at or above a predetermined speed and the navigation acceleration is at or below a predetermined value after the gear position is changed to the first speed. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130065461 | SMALL SIZE FLOATING VESSEL USING A DUAL FUEL SYSTEM - A small size floating vessel having a dual fuel system, optimized cargo capacity, and options for selectively operating on diesel fuel and natural gas for maximizing the range of vessel operation and reducing vessel emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130072076 | METHOD FOR MANEUVERING A YACHT - A method and device for maneuvering a yacht via a control device which is designed as a joystick ( | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130078875 | Onboard Floating Drilling Installation and Method for Operating an Onboard Floating Drilling Installation - The disclosure relates to an onboard floating drilling installation and to a method for operating an onboard floating drilling installation, comprising a draw-works for reeling out and reeling in a drilling line, comprising several thrusters for dynamic positioning the onboard floating drilling installation and comprising at least one generator to operate the thrusters and the draw works. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130102206 | WATERCRAFT - In a watercraft, a storage device stores area information including position information regarding a specified area. A controller compares a current position of a watercraft main body obtained by a global navigation satellite system receiver to the position information related to the specified area. The controller controls the watercraft main body in accordance with a normal mode when the current position of the watercraft main body is within the specified area. The controller controls the watercraft main body in accordance with a limited mode in which at least a portion of a plurality of functions of the watercraft main body are limited in comparison with the normal mode when the current position of the watercraft main body is not within the specified area. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130115831 | OUTBOARD MOTOR - In an outboard motor having an engine and an engine cover adapted to cover the engine, the engine having an air intake passage that opens at the engine cover, it is configured such that a secondary air passage having an inlet disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and an outlet connected to the air intake passage at a position downstream of a throttle valve of the engine. The inlet of the secondary air passage is disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and near a belt cover that covers a timing belt adapted to transmit rotation of a crankshaft of the engine to a cam shaft of the engine. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130115832 | MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION DEVICE - A marine vessel propulsion device includes a propeller rotatable around a propeller axis, a duct that surrounds the propeller around the propeller axis, an internal combustion engine that rotates the propeller relative the duct, and an electric motor that rotates the propeller relative to the duct. The propeller includes a plurality of blades, and a cylindrical rim that surrounds the plurality of blades around the propeller axis. The electric motor rotates the propeller by rotating the rim. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130252490 | WATERCRAFT - In a watercraft, an engine rotational speed sensor detects a rotational speed of an engine. A determining section determines if a prescribed execution condition indicating that a hull body is moving is satisfied. A filter processing section applies a filter process to the engine rotational speed detected by the engine speed sensor to acquire a filtered engine rotational speed. A control section executes a maximum speed limiting control to limit a maximum speed of the watercraft when the prescribed execution condition is satisfied and the filtered engine rotational speed is larger than a prescribed rotational speed threshold value. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130344754 | WATER JET PROPULSION BOAT - A water jet propulsion boat includes a boat body, an engine, a jet propulsion mechanism, a first accelerator operation section, a second accelerator operation section, a reverse gate, and a control section. The engine is accommodated in the boat body. The jet propulsion mechanism generates a propulsion power using a drive power from the engine. The reverse gate is arranged to move to a first position and to a second position. The boat body advances when the reverse gate is in the first position. The reverse gate reduces the propulsion power which advances the boat body when the reverse gate is in the second position. The control section is programmed to set the position of the reverse gate and a throttle opening of the engine based on an operation amount of the first accelerator operation section and an operation amount of the second accelerator operation section. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140030937 | PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - A personal watercraft is provided which includes a body including a deck and a hull having a water intake on a bottom portion thereof; a water jet pump configured to suction water through the water intake and eject the water through an outlet port of an ejecting nozzle; an engine for actuating the water jet pump; an ejecting direction adjusting device for adjusting an ejecting direction of the water ejected from the water jet pump; a driver seat section provided on the deck and configured to accommodate a driver seated in a straddle state; a passenger seat section provided on the deck behind the driver seat section and configured to accommodate a passenger seated in a straddle state; a sensor for detecting the passenger seated on the passenger seat section; and a controller for controlling the engine to reduce an engine driving power, if the sensor detects the passenger. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140030938 | PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - A personal watercraft is provided which includes a body including a deck and a hull having a water intake on a bottom portion thereof; a water jet pump configured to suction water through the water intake and eject the water through an outlet port of an ejecting nozzle; an engine for actuating the water jet pump; an ejecting direction adjusting device for adjusting an ejecting direction of the water ejected from the water jet pump; a driver seat section provided on the deck and configured to accommodate a driver seated in a straddle state; a passenger seat section provided on the deck behind the driver seat section and configured to accommodate a passenger seated in a straddle state; a sensor for detecting the passenger seated on the passenger seat section; and a controller for controlling the engine to reduce an engine driving power, if the sensor detects the passenger. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140106631 | METHOD OF OPERATING A MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM, MARINE VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - A marine vessel includes a plurality of turning mechanisms provided respectively in correspondence to a plurality of outboard motors. Each turning mechanism includes a hydraulic pump, an electric motor to drive the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder including two cylinder chambers partitioned by a piston, and a normally-closed bypass valve to put the two cylinder chambers of the hydraulic cylinder into communication with each other. Upon judging that there is a malfunction in the turning angle control of at least one of the outboard motors, a main ECU displays on a display an operation guidance screen to urge a marine vessel operator to open the bypass valve of the turning mechanism corresponding to the malfunctioning outboard motor. Also, the main ECU keeps a power transmission between an engine and a propeller in the malfunctioning outboard motor in an interrupted state. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140106632 | MARINE VESSEL STEERING SYSTEM - A marine vessel steering system includes a basic target turning angle computing unit that computes a basic target turning angle Ī“o* common to two outboard motors based on a steering angle Īø detected by a steering angle sensor. A traveling state determining unit determines whether a traveling state of a marine vessel is a straight traveling state based on the received basic target turning angle Ī“o*. When the traveling state of the marine vessel is determined as being the straight traveling state, a target turning angle computing unit determines, based on the basic target steering angle Ī“o* and a straight traveling toe angle Ļs stored in a nonvolatile memory, target turning angles Ī“* of the two outboard motors such that a toe angle between the two outboard motors is equal to the straight traveling toe angle Ļs. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140141663 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling operation of two outboard motors mounted on a stern of a boat side by side and each equipped with an internal combustion engine to power a propeller through a power transmission shaft and a transmission having a forward first-speed and a second-speed gear and a reverse gear supported on the power transmission shaft, control is conducted at turning of the boat to operate the inner one of the outboard motors to transmit the engine power to the propeller through the reverse gear, and to operate the outer one of the outboard motors to transmit the engine power to the propeller through the forward first-speed gear, when the detected engine speed is equal to or smaller than a predetermined first speed and the detected rudder angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140179177 | SHIP MANEUVERING DEVICE - A ship maneuvering device rotates a propeller at a lower rotational frequency than the rotational frequency of the minimum idling speed of an engine. A control device has a crawling speed navigation mode. A crawling speed navigation mode button that selects whether or not to execute the crawling speed navigation mode is connected to the control device. When the crawling speed navigation mode is selected, and the amount of operation of a joystick lever is at or beneath a baseline amount of operation Ms, the control device causes the rotational frequency N of the engine to be the rotational frequency Nlow of the minimum idling speed, and in accordance with the amount of operation of the joystick lever, varies the duty ratio D, which is the fraction of time T | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140220837 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - A control apparatus for an outboard motor mounted on a boat and equipped with a transmission having at least forward first and second speed gears and a reverse gear. The apparatus functions as a rudder angle detector that detects a rudder angle, a slip ratio detector that detects a slip ratio, and a transmission controller. The transmission controller controls the operation of the transmission to select one of the gears based on the detected engine speed or the detected slip ratio according to a comparison between the detected rudder angle and a predetermined angle. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140295717 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on a hull of a boat and equipped with an internal combustion engine to power a propeller and a trim angle regulating mechanism adapted to regulate a trim angle relative to the hull, comprising: a throttle opening change amount calculator that calculates a throttle opening change amount of the engine; an accelerating state determiner that determines whether the boat is in an accelerating state based on the calculated throttle opening change amount; and a trim angle controller that controls operation of the trim angle regulating mechanism to increase the trim angle based on an operating parameter that indicates a state of the engine and the propeller when the accelerating state determiner determines that the boat is in the accelerating state. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140329422 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM - A plurality of outboard motors are mounted to a stern of a watercraft, and configured to be steered independently. A target steering angle setting section is configured to set a target steering angle for each of the outboard motors. Actuators are configured to steer the outboard motors such that the steering angle of each of the outboard motors is equal or substantially equal to a target steering angle. An actual steering angle detecting section is configured to detect an actual steering angle of each of the outboard motors. A control section is programmed and configured to control the steering operation of the outboard motors such that, when a steering angle difference defining a difference between the actual steering angles of adjacently arranged outboard motors becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed value, an increase of the steering angle difference is prevented. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140349530 | MARINE VESSEL - A marine vessel includes an outboard motor mounting portion provided at a stern of a hull, an outboard motor locating hole provided rearward of the outboard motor mounting portion and near the outboard motor mounting portion and penetrating vertically through the stern, a platform provided rearward of the outboard motor locating hole, and an outboard motor located in the outboard motor locating hole and mounted to the outboard motor mounting portion. This structure enables an occupant of the marine vessel to freely move in a space around the outboard motor on the platform and use the space. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140364018 | Ship Steering Device And Ship Steering Method - A ship steering device capable of steering a hull in an intended direction by correcting an unintended rotation that occurs during an oblique sailing operation regardless of the type and size of the hull. A ship steering device is provided with an elevation angle sensor for detecting the elevation angle Ī± of a hull, a hull speed sensor for detecting the speed V of the hull, a storage means storing the relation among the elevation angle Ī± of the hull, the speed V of the hull, and a correction value K, and a calculation means serving as a correction value determination means, and an operation amount by which a joystick is operated such that the hull does not turn in the state in which the hull is obliquely sailed is determined by the calculation means and used as the correction value K. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140364019 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM - An outboard motor control system includes a plurality of outboard motors, a vibration detecting section, and a control section. The outboard motors are mounted on a stern of a watercraft. Each of the outboard motors includes a propeller. The outboard motors are configured to be steered independently of one another. The vibration detecting section is configured to detect a vibration of the outboard motors. The control section is configured and programmed to execute a vibration suppression control when the vibration detecting section detects a vibration of the outboard motors. With the vibration suppression control, the control section is configured and programmed to change a propeller rotational axis direction and/or a propeller position of at least one of the outboard motors. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140370764 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR BOAT - In an apparatus for controlling a boat equipped with an outboard motor mounted on its stem and having an internal combustion engine, a propeller to be driven by the engine and a propeller pitch changer adapted to variably change a pitch of the propeller, an opening of a throttle valve installed at an air intake system of the engine and its change amount are detected, and based on the change amount of the detected opening of the throttle valve, it is determined whether or not the pitch of the propeller is to be changed through the propeller pitch changer. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140378012 | VESSEL - A vessel comprising a plurality of hulls, a propulsion system including propulsion devices at respective end regions of the plurality of hulls and a control system connected to the propulsion system to control operation of the propulsion devices so as to position the hulls, wherein the propulsion devices are angled relative to the vertical longitudinally of each hull. Such vessel can perform installation functions of sub-surface assets such as tidal turbines, wave energy devices, cable laying and the like, or to facilitate foundation installations and also the function of inspecting sub-surface areas. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150064993 | ANGULAR VELOCITY-CONTROLLED PONTOON PROPULSION SYSTEM - An apparatus for floatation and propulsion of a user on a body of water, with the user in a standing position, includes two pontoons, a mechanical connection of the pontoons and a propulsion system responsive to vertical articulation of the pontoons. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150072575 | VESSEL PROPULSION SYSTEM AND VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME - A vessel propulsion system includes propulsion apparatuses that are turnably mounted on a stern of a hull in an inclined manner such that a turning center line intersects a hull center line, turning actuators that respectively turn the propulsion apparatuses left and right with respect to the hull, a steering device that outputs a steering command, and a control unit that controls the turning actuators individually according to the steering command. The control unit includes a storage unit that stores a reference angle that the turning center line of each propulsion apparatus defines with respect to the hull center line, and a turning command angle computing unit that determines a turning command angle of each propulsion apparatus. The control unit drives each turning actuator based on each turning command angle. The turning command angle computing unit determines the turning command angle of each propulsion apparatus based on the steering command output by the steering device and the reference angle of each reference angle stored in the storage unit. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150093946 | WATERCRAFT - A watercraft includes a vessel body, a propulsion mechanism, an engine, a shift operating unit, a vessel body state determining unit, and an engine controlling unit. The propulsion mechanism is switched among a forward thrust state to forwardly move the vessel body, a rearward thrust state to rearwardly move the vessel body, and a neutral state to maintain the vessel body in a stationary state. The shift operating unit is configured to move to a forward thrust position, a rearward thrust position, and a neutral position. The vessel body state determining unit is programmed and configured to determine whether or not the vessel body is in the stationary state. The engine controlling unit is programmed and configured to stop the engine when the shift operating unit is located in the neutral position and the vessel body state determining unit determines that the vessel body is in the stationary state. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20160375972 | Systems and Methods for Automatically Controlling Attitude of a Marine Vessel with Trim Devices - A system and method control a trim device that positions a trimmable marine apparatus with respect to a marine vessel. A trim system is operated in an automatic mode, in which a controller sends signals to actuate the trim device automatically as a function of vessel or engine speed, or a manual mode, in which the controller sends signals to actuate the trim device in response to commands from an operator input device. An operating speed of the propulsion system is determined. When the operating speed has crossed a given operating speed threshold, the trim system is subsequently operated in the automatic or manual mode depending on whether the operating speed increased or decreased as it crossed the operating speed threshold and whether the trim system was operating in the automatic or manual mode as the operating speed crossed the operating speed threshold. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160375973 | Systems And Methods For Automatically Controlling Attitude Of A Marine Vessel With Trim Devices - A trim control system automatically controls trim angle of a marine propulsion device with respect to a vessel. A memory stores trim base profiles, each defining a unique relationship between vessel speed and trim angle. An input device allows selection of a base profile to specify an aggressiveness of trim angle versus vessel speed, and then optionally to further refine the aggressiveness. A controller then determines a setpoint trim angle based on a measured vessel speed. If the user has not chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from the selected base profile. However, if the user has chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from a trim sub-profile, which defines a variant of the relationship between vessel speed and trim angle defined by the selected base profile. The control system positions the propulsion device at the setpoint trim angle. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160375975 | Felton flyer - An electronic Control system for controlling a water vessel in regards to its propulsion, and thrust vectors and its steering. | 12-29-2016 |
