Marine propulsion – Engine – motor – or transmission control means – For engine speed
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-04
2003-01-28
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Engine, motor, or transmission control means
For engine speed
C074S523000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511354
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a control mechanism for a marine vessel and, more particularly, to a multipurpose control mechanism that allows an operator of a marine vessel to control the throttle and gear shift of the marine vessel in a first mode of operation and, alternatively, in a second mode of operation. The first and second modes of operation can be determined by the speed of the marine vessel, which essentially defines the first and second modes, respectively, as a normal cruising mode and a docking mode. However, the first and second modes can also be defined as one mode to control thrust to both engines (e.g. when used as a dual engine control) when thrust demands to both marine propulsion devices are equal and another mode when differential thrust commands are provided to the two marine propulsion devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many different types of throttle handle control mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, several types of marine vessel maneuvering systems, used during docking procedures, are known to those skilled in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,353, which issued to Floeter on Jul. 22, 1980, discloses a control unit for marine engines employing throttle only control. The control unit is of the type that requires shifting control between forward, neutral, and reverse gears and throttle control for engine speeds between idle and high speed. It includes a housing having a control handle rotatably supported by the housing. Shift and throttle linkage means within the housing are connected to the engine and are responsive to rotation of the handle for separate control of the shift and throttle of the engine during respective portions of the arc of rotation of the handle. A throttle only shaft extends from the housing and is connected to the handle. A latch means is connected to the throttle only shaft to engage and disengage the shift linkage while permitting operation of only the throttle function responsive to rotation of the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,609, which issued to Brower et al on Apr. 11, 2000, discloses a remote control mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a cam mechanism that allows an operator of a marine vessel or other type of apparatus to move a handle along a generally linear path to simultaneously select the gear selection and throttle selection of the marine vessel. Cam mechanisms within a support structure translate the linear motion of the handle into preselected motions that cause first and second actuators to affect first and second parameters of the propulsion system. Cam followers attached to a control member are moved as in coordination with the handle movement to cause first and second cam tracks to rotate about pivot points relative to the support structure. This rotation of the first and second cam tracks causes first and second actuators to be moved. The actuators, which can be cables, are also connected to selectors of both gear position and throttle position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,493, which issued to Ohkita on Feb. 20, 1996, describes a remote control device for a marine propulsion unit. A remote control operator for a marine propulsion transmission and throttle control that is operated by a single control lever is described. The single control lever's position is sensed and a single servomotor is operated which operates both the transmission control and throttle control through a cam and follower mechanism. A warmup control is also incorporated that permits partial opening of the throttle for warmup operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,516, which issued to Prince on Nov. 5, 1991, describes a single lever control which, in turn, comprises a housing, a control lever pivotally mounted on the housing and adapted to be operably connected to an engine throttle and to a clutch, a warning horn connected to the housing and adapted to be operably connected to an engine for providing a warning signal when an engine condition exceeds a predetermined value, a cover connected to the housing and adapted to be mounted on a generally flat mounting surface, the cover partially enclosing the housing and enclosing the warning horn, and an ignition switch mounted on the cover and adapted to be operably connected to an engine ignition system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,879, which issued to Hansgen et al on Jul. 23, 1973, describes an actuator for multiple action remote control of a ships drive system. The actuator for speed and directional control of the ships drive and gearing system is described wherein a single handle-lever turns a control shaft with a control disk coupled to a follower disk and when in one axial position only, for the directional control of the gear, while in either axial position the control disk is coupled to the speed control but only after a limited turning range which has been traversed by the handle, which turning range is the one within which the direction control is carried out. The control disk and the follower control disk area coupled for limited range engagement by a single cam pin on the control disk means and a pair of teeth engaging that pin until rotation causes the latter to escape.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,841, which issued to Alexander et al on Nov.7, 2000, discloses a waterjet docking control system for a marine vessel. The control system is provided which utilizes a pressurized liquid at three or more positions of a marine vessel in order to selectively create thrust that moves the marine vessel into desired locations and according to chosen movements. A source of pressurized liquid, such as a pump or a jet pump propulsion system, is connected to a plurality of distribution conduits which, in turn, are connected to a plurality of outlet conduits. The outlet conduits are mounted to the hull of the vessel and direct streams of liquid away from the vessel for purposes of creating thrust which move the vessel as desired. A liquid distribution controller is provided which enables a vessel operator to use a joy stick to selectively compress and dilate the distribution conduits to orchestrate the streams of water in a manner which will maneuver the marine vessel as desired. Electrical embodiments of the present invention can utilize one or more pairs of impellers to cause fluid to flow through outlet conduits in order to provide thrust on the marine vessel. In one embodiment of the present invention, a cross thrust conduit is associated with a marine vessel to direct fluid flow in a direction perpendicular to a centerline of the marine vessel and a pair of outlet conduits are associated with the marine vessel to direct flows of fluids in directions which are neither parallel nor perpendicular to a centerline of the marine vessel. In this embodiment, reversible motors are used to rotate associated impellers in either forward or reverse directions. In any of the embodiments of the invention, a joy stick control can be used to select to deselect each of the outlet conduits and, in certain embodiments, to select the direction of operation of an associated reversible motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,929, which issued to Rieben on Feb. 25, 1992, describes a paired motor system for small boat propulsion and steerage.
Paired spaced electrically driven motors provide a steerable propelling system for small boats. Each motor drives a propeller carried in an elongate channel, communicating from each lateral side of a boat beneath the water line to one boat end, to move water through such channels for boat propulsion. The electrical motors are of variable speed, reversible, and separately controlled by a joystick type control device to provide differential control of motor speed to allow steerage.
The propelling system provides a low speed, maneuverable propulsion system for fishing use, as an auxiliary power system for boats having a separate principal powering system, and to aid maneuverability alone or in conjunction with the principal powering system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,359, which issued to Ueno on May 31, 1988, describes an appa
Gaynor Phillip K.
Gonring Steven J.
Willows Kurt D.
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
Sotelo Jesus D.
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