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US 8,454,402 B1Granted
Systems and methods for performing a shift in a transmission in marine propulsion systems
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsJason S. Arbuckle, Aaron J. Ward, Matthew W. Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Propulsion systems for marine vessels comprise an internal combustion engine rotating a driveshaft; an electric motor; a transmission selectively connecting the rotating driveshaft to a propulsor via a rotating gear; and a control circuit controlling the electric motor to slow rotation of the driveshaft and gear when a shift into the gear is requested.
Claims20
A propulsion system for a marine vessel, the propulsion system comprising:
- a propulsor that is rotationally connected to a driveshaft by a transmission, the propulsor configured to propel the marine vessel upon rotation of the driveshaft;
- wherein the transmission comprises a rotating gear and effects a shift change by connecting or disconnecting the driveshaft and the propulsor via the rotating gear;
- an internal combustion engine that is rotationally connected in torque transmitting relation to the driveshaft by a clutch such that the internal combustion engine rotates the driveshaft;
- an electric motor that is rotationally connected in torque transmitting relation to the driveshaft such that the electric motor rotates the driveshaft;
- a control circuit that controls the speed of the electric motor to apply torque to and thereby control speed of rotation of the driveshaft;
- and
- an input device that inputs an operator request for the shift change to the control circuit;
- wherein the control circuit controls the speed of the electric Motor to thereby decrease the speed of rotation of the driveshaft when the operator request for the shift change is input to the control circuit by the input device.
5 more elements
A method of operating a propulsion system for a marine vessel, the method comprising:
- providing an internal combustion engine that is rotationally connected in torque transmitting relation to a driveshaft by a clutch such that the internal combustion engine rotates the driveshaft and thereby powers a propulsor for propelling the marine vessel;
- wherein the transmission comprises a rotating gear and effects a shift change by connecting or disconnecting the driveshaft and the propulsor via the rotating gear;
- and
- providing an electric motor that is rotationally connected in torque transmitting relation to the driveshaft such that the electric motor rotates the driveshaft and thereby powers the propulsor for propelling the marine vessel;
- and
- receiving with a control circuit an operator request for the shift change and then slowing a speed of the electric motor to thereby decrease speed of rotation of the driveshaft before the shift change occurs.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.