Remote control of engine functions

An apparatus for remotely controlling engine functions using push-pull cables which are connected to operating levers of an engine, comprising:

• a) a control unit connected to a direct voltage source, said control unit comprising a housing, and at least one control system, said control system comprising
• an output shaft,
• an adjusting motor coupled to said output shaft,
• a first control potentiometer,
• a swiveling gear wheel segment which is coupled to said output shaft and which engages a gear wheel which is in turn coupled to said first potentiometer,
• a push-pull cable having first and second ends connected to said gear wheel segment and to a fuel engine control lever, respectively, said push-pull cable passing through a cable bushing disposed in said housing, and
• an electronic control circuit connected to said adjusting motor;
• and
• (b) at least one control mechanism remotely positioned from said control unit and connected to said electronic control circuit by a first electric cable, said control mechanism having a housing with a second control potentiometer disposed therein and an operating handle, coupled to said second potentiometer, for controlling said first control mechanism;
• wherein said electronic control circuit includes means for comparing first and second electrical signals received from said first and second potentiometers, respectively, and wherein said adjusting motor includes means for rotating said output shaft when said means for comparing detects a difference between said electrical signals which exceeds a threshold value;
• and
• wherein said control unit further comprises a second control system which is connected to an engine reverse clutch lever and which includes means for adjusting said engine reverse clutch layer;
• wherein said operating handle is rotatable from a neutral position in which a reverse clutch connected to said operating handle is disengaged and a control of engine fuel injection is inhibited, through activating positions which are located at a predetermined angle on either side of said neutral position and in which said clutch becomes engaged, and into activated positions which are located outside of said predetermined angle and in which fuel injection of said engine is controlled;
• wherein said second control system includes
• a second output shaft,
• a second adjusting motor coupled to said second output shaft,
• a third control potentiometer,
• a swiveling gear wheel segment which is coupled to said second output shaft and which engages a gear wheel which is in turn coupled to said third potentiometer,
• a push-pull cable having first and second ends connected to said gear wheel segment and to a reverse clutch, respectively, said push-pull cable passing through a cable bushing disposed in said housing, and
• an electronic control circuit connected to said second adjusting motor;
• wherein said electronic control circuit includes means for comparing second and third electrical signals received from said second and third potentiometers, respectively, and wherein said second adjusting motor includes means for rotating said second output shaft when said means for comparing detects a difference between said second and third electrical signals which exceeds a second threshold valve;
• and
• wherein said second threshold value is lower than said first threshold value and said second control system only allows said reverse clutch to switch into or out of engagement while said operating handle is in one of said activating positions, and
• wherein said first control system only allows control of said engine fuel injection when said operating handle is in one of said activated positions.