Systems and methods for controlling power generation and transmission output speed for marine propulsion devices
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsDavid J. Waldvogel, Brett Bielefeld, David J. Belter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for controlling a marine propulsion device having an engine rotatably engaged with a transmission via a clutch, and rotatably engaged with a charging device for charging a battery. The method includes measuring a voltage of the battery and comparing the voltage to a minimum threshold. The method further includes increasing a speed of the engine when the voltage is below the minimum threshold, and also increasing a slip of the clutch when the speed of the engine is increased in response to the voltage being below the minimum threshold.
Claims18
A method for controlling a marine propulsion device having an engine rotatably engaged with a transmission via a clutch, and rotatably engaged with a charging device for charging a battery, the method comprising:
- measuring a voltage of the battery;
- comparing the voltage to a minimum threshold;
- increasing a speed of the engine when the voltage is below the minimum threshold;
- and
- increasing a slip of the clutch when the speed of the engine is increased in response to the voltage being below the minimum threshold.
A marine propulsion device configured to propel a marine vessel through water, the marine vessel including a battery and a voltage sensor that measures a voltage of the battery, the marine propulsion device comprising:
- an engine;
- a transmission rotatably coupled to the engine via a clutch;
- a charging device rotatably coupled to the engine and configured to charge the battery within the marine vessel;
- a control system that monitors the voltage of the battery measured by the voltage sensor and compares the voltage to a minimum threshold, wherein the control system is configured to increase a speed of the engine when the voltage is below the minimum threshold, and to increase a slip of the clutch when the speed of the engine is increased in response to the voltage being below the minimum threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.