Automatic motor synchronizer
AssigneeArrow Marine, Inc.
InventorsJack G. Fonss, Howard Z. Silverberg, Martin H. Gardiner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic synchronizer 20 includes a throttle rod 62 which provides a direct link between the slave motor throttle lever 44 and the slave motor 36. A microprocessor system 30 provides a signal to a bi-directional synchronization motor 58 dependent on the difference in speed between a master reference motor 34 and the slave motor 36. Depending on this signal, the synchronization motor 58 positions the throttle rod 62 in order to directly effect the speed of the slave motor 36 and to reposition the slave motor throttle lever 44 to a position appropriate to the speed of the slave motor 36. Once synchronization has occurred, an electrically operated clutch 60 is deactivated such that a normal force will move the slave throttle lever 44.
Claims21
An automatic motor synchronizer adapted for synchronizing (1) a slave motor operably coupled to a slave throttle lever through a slave cable, and (2) a master motor operably coupled to a master throttle lever through a master cable, comprising:
- first means in direct line with the slave cable for causing said cable to substantially simultaneously adjust the slave motor speed and the position of the slave throttle lever and for continuously maintaining the slave motor directly coupled to the slave throttle lever;
- second means for determining the difference in speed between the master motor and the slave motor;
- third means for driving the first means responsive to the second means.
An automatic motor synchronizer adapted for synchronizing (1) the speed of a slave motor operably coupled to a slave throttle lever and (2) the speed of a master motor operably coupled to a master throttle lever, comprising:
- a throttle rod having a first end and a second end;
- said throttle rod adapted for connecting said first end of said throttle rod to a first linkage which is operably connected to the slave throttle lever so that movement of the throttle lever moves the throttle rod;
- said throttle rod adapted for connecting said second end of said throttle rod to a second linkage which is operably connected to the slave motor so that movement of the throttle lever causes the speed of the slave motor to change, and so that the slave motor is continuously maintained directly coupled to the slave throttle lever;
- means for determining the difference in speed between the master motor and the slave motor;
- means for displacing the throttle rod response to the difference in speed between the master motor and the slave motor as measured by the determining means.
An automatic motor synchronizer adapted for synchronizing (1) a slave motor operably coupled to a slave throttle lever through a slave cable, and (2) a master motor operably coupled to a motor throttle lever through a master cable, comprising:
- (a) first means in direct line with the slave cable for causing said cable to substantially simultaneously adjust the slave motor speed and the position of the slave throttle lever and for continuously maintaining the slave motor directly coupled to the slave throttle lever;
- (b) second means for determining the difference in speed between the master motor and the slave motor, wherein said second determining means includes:
- a central processing unit;
- a timer;
- a master sensor means for providing first signals responsive to the speed of the master motor;
- a slave sensor means for providing second signals responsive to the speed of the slave motor;
- an interrupt controller for receiving the first and second signals;
- a means for providing communications among the central processing unit, the timer and the interrupt controller;
- said interrupt controller for providing signals to the central processing unit responsive to the first and second signals to cause the central processing unit to read time signals as provided by the timer in order to determine the speed of the master motor and the slave motor;
- and
- (c) third means for driving the first means responsive to the second means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.