Method and system for controlling thrust of watercraft during various steering conditions
AssigneeArctic Cat Inc.
InventorsFred H. Bernier, Frank Hazard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for controlling thrust of a jet propulsion type watercraft during various steering conditions. The system comprises a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust, a throttle regulator for regulating thrust provided by the thrust mechanism, a throttle position sensor for sensing the throttle position of the watercraft, a steering position sensor for sensing the steering position of the watercraft and a controller for determining the desired throttle position of the throttle regulator. Wherein the desired throttle position is based on the throttle position received from the throttle position sensor and the steering position received from the steering position.
Claims20
A method for providing steering for a watercraft, having a steering mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a manually operable throttle control mechanism, a sensor for sensing position of the manually operable throttle control mechanism and a controller for determining desired thrust from the thrust mechanism, the steps comprising inhibiting the thrust from decreasing below a steerable thrust when the manually operable throttle control mechanism is released.
A watercraft including a steering mechanism, a thrust mechanism, an operator-controlled throttle control mechanism, a sensor for sensing position of the operator-controlled throttle control mechanism and a controller for determining a desired thrust which is greater than the thrust normally provided by the position of the operator-controlled throttle control mechanism.
A system for controlling thrust of a jet propulsion type watercraft during various steering conditions, the system comprising:
- a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;
- a steering mechanism for directing the jet propulsion thrust to steer said watercraft;
- a steering position sensor for sensing the position of said steering mechanism;
- an operator-controlled throttle control mechanism;
- a throttle control position sensor for sensing the position of said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism;
- a controller for determining a desired jet propulsion thrust based on the position of said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism received from said throttle control position sensor;
- and
- wherein said controller inhibits the thrust from decreasing below a steerable thrust upon said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism positioned other than to provide a steerable thrust.
A system for controlling thrust of a jet propulsion type watercraft traveling above low speed, the system comprising:
- a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;
- a steering mechanism for directing the jet thrust to steer aid watercraft;
- a steering position sensor for sensing the steering position of said steering mechanism;
- an operator-controlled throttle control mechanism;
- a throttle control position sensor for sensing the position of said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism;
- a controller for determining a desired jet propulsion thrust based on the position of said of said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism received from said throttle control position sensor;
- and
- wherein said controller caused said thrust mechanism to increase thrust upon said operator-controlled throttle control mechanism positioned other than to provide a steerable thrust.
A method for controlling thrust of a jet propulsion type watercraft traveling above low speed, the method comprising:
- sensing the position of a steering mechanism of the watercraft;
- sensing the position of a manually operable throttle control mechanism;
- providing a controller for determining a desired thrust based on said position of said manually operable throttle control mechanism;
- and
- increasing the thrust upon said manually operable throttle control mechanism positioned other than to provide a steerable thrust.
A method for controlling thrust of a jet propulsion type watercraft during various steering conditions, the method comprising:
- sensing the position of a steering mechanism of the watercraft;
- sensing the position of a manually operable throttle control mechanism;
- providing a controller for determining a desired thrust based on said position of said manually operable throttle control mechanism;
- and
- inhibiting the thrust from decreasing below a steerable thrust upon said manually operable throttle control mechanism positioned other than to provide a steerable thrust.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.