System for stable running of marine propulsions
AssigneeSanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsRyoji Nakahama, Katsuji Hirade, Takashi Koike
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Abstract
A number of embodiments of arrangements for stabilizing the running of a marine propulsion unit by slowing the speed of the propulsion unit when an underwater obstacle is struck. In some embodiments, the slowing is accomplished by misfiring of the engine and in other embodiments, the speed is reduced by throttling the fuel supply to the engine. The embodiments illustrate the application of the principle to an outboard drive of an inboard/outboard drive arrangement or for an outboard motor. The striking of the underwater obstacle is sensed by either an impact sensor, by sensing the angular position of the outboard drive, or by sensing the rise in pressure in a shock absorber that resists the popping up action.
Claims16
In a marine propulsion unit for a watercraft having an outboard drive having a propulsion unit driven by an engine, means for supporting said outboard drive for tilting movement about a generally horizontally extending tilt axis, means for sensing an abnormal movement of said outboard drive about said tilt axis, and means for slowing said propulsion unit for only a predetermined time period without stopping said engine in response to a sensed abnormal movement.
In a marine propulsion unit for a watercraft comprising an outboard drive having a propulsion unit driven by an engine, means for supporting said outboard drive for tilting movement about a generally horizontally extending tilt axis, a tilt cylinder interposed between said outboard drive and the watercraft, means for sensing an abnormal movement of said outboard drive about said tilt axis as is caused by impact with an underwater object, and means for slowing said propulsion unit without stopping said engine in response to a sensed abnormal movement, said impact being sensed by sensing an increase in pressure in said tilt cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.