Internal-combustion engines – Starting device – Condition responsive control of starting device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-19
2004-10-05
Gimie, Mahmoud (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Starting device
Condition responsive control of starting device
Reexamination Certificate
active
06799546
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a starting procedure for an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, to a starting procedure for a marine propulsion engine in which a microprocessor controls the starting procedure after receipt of a momentary signal manually provided by an operator of a marine vessel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many different types of starting procedures are well known to those skilled in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,910, which issued to Remmers et al on Sep. 13, 1994, describes an engine ignition system having improved warm-up advanced timing control. The system provides reliable startup capability. It also provides two timing characteristics for discharging a capacitive discharge ignition, one of which is advanced relative to the other. The advanced timing is invoked at startup and is switched to regular timing in response to the engine temperature reaching a predetermined temperature from a temperature switch and also as a result of a circuit having a thermistor near the engine. The thermistor circuit may operate if the temperature switch does not, due to debris or the like preventing proper operation of a thermostat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,619, which issued to Nakase et al on Jul. 2, 1996, describes a control device for a marine propulsion engine. The arrangement and structure for running a marine engine for a brief period of time after the engine cooling jacket has been depleted of water, so as to insure complete purging of water and water vapor from the engine is described. In the illustrated embodiment, this operation is initiated by actuation of the starter switch and a timer is starter to run only in the event the coolant is not in the engine for shutting of the engine after the lapse time has run.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,300, which issued to Kanno on Sep. 1, 1992, describes a starting device for a marine propulsion engine. An improved warning system for a marine propulsion unit that includes a starter, a starter switch, an ignition circuit having a kill switch for disabling the ignition circuit, a warning device and an abnormal operating condition sensor. The warning device is in circuit with the abnormal engine condition sensor and the device for sensing an attempt to start the engine with the kill switch enabled so that the single warning device will indicate either of the conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,174, which issued to Kanno on Dec. 3, 1991, describes a fuel supplying device for a marine propulsion engine. Two embodiments of arrangements for precluding the discharge of fuel to an engine when its kill switch is enabled and the starter is operated. One embodiment relates to a fuel injected system and the other embodiment relates to a carbureted system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,199, which issued to Burgess et al on Feb. 28, 1989, described a keyless access and engine control system. The system is caused to change from a dormant state to an enabled state when a sequence of actuation signals entered through a keypad matches data representing either one of two access sequences stored in the system's memory. When the system is in its enabled state, the system responds only to signals representing a keypad actuation exceeding a first predetermined time interval. These signals are used to crank, choke, and stop a marine vehicle engine. The secondary access sequence can be changed by a person who knows either the primary access sequence or the secondary access sequence, while the primary access sequence can be changed only by a person having knowledge of the present primary access sequence. In order to reprogram either access sequence, a programming button must be actuated for a predetermined time interval exceeding the first time interval. The system can be used with either a single or dual engine installation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,025, which issued to Elliott on Sep. 25, 1984, describes a control circuit. A starter control circuit is disclosed having a particular utility in boats with inboard or inboard/outboard engines. The starter control circuit is coupled to the ignition switch and actuates a ventilation circuit prior to actuation of the starting circuit so that the engine compartment of the boat can be ventilated of any combustion fumes which may have accumulated therein prior to engine ignition.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/107,220, which was filed by Izumiura et al on Mar. 28, 2002, describes an engine starting control system and method therefore. In order to improve the reliability of engine starting by using a motor, the engine cranking using the motor is started according to a request for starting the engine, and when the elapsed time from the starting time of the engine operation reaches a first predetermined time it is detected that the transmission is in the in-gear state, the engine cranking is continued if the engine speed is equal to or less than a predetermined engine speed defined for determining whether the engine reaches a predetermined starting phase. The engine cranking may be continued for a second predetermined time which is longer than the first predetermined time.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,404, which issued to Perry et al on Nov. 19, 2002, describes a vehicle starting method and system. A method for starting a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an operator actuatable switch, an electric starter and a corresponding starter relay includes coupling a first control circuit to the starter relay during one or more crank operations and coupling a second a second control circuit to the starter relay during the one or more crank operations, the coupling steps resulting in a minimal delay time associated with the starting of the motor vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,899, which issued to Koelle et al on Apr. 2, 2002, describes a method for the starter cut-out of an internal combustion engine. The invention is directed to a method for turning off the starter of an internal combustion engine, wherein a starter motor which can be engaged with the internal combustion engine for cranking is disengaged and switched off when the internal combustion engine runs by itself, and the time at which the starter is switched off is determined from a curve of a starter current of the starter motor. It is provided that a signal proportional to the starter current is evaluated for determining the time for switching off the starter, wherein there is an evaluation of a characteristic line with a signal which is proportional to the starter current, which characteristic line is dependent on an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/907,661, which was filed by Nagao et al on Jul. 19, 2001, describes a self starting motor control device and method for an engine. A control device for driving a self starting motor for an engine is provided with a control means. If a starting switch is switched ON when a start enabling signal of a start limiting means and a non-start signal of a start detecting means are in an output condition, the control means puts a starting relay which supplies a starting motor with electricity in the ON-state for a predetermined time, only when the start enabling signal and the non-state signal are in the output condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,065, which issued to Hojna et al on Feb. 15, 2000, describes a starter motor control circuit and method. In a starter control system for an engine equipped with a starter motor, starter relay, ignition switch, and electronic control unit, a first circuit and method whereby the electronic control unit will deactivate the starter relay if the operator of a vehicle attempts to restart the vehicle when the measured engine speed is greater than the minimum engine running speed, under both initial starting and engine running conditions and a second circuit and method whereby the engine control unit will warn the vehicle operator if the starter pinion gear has not disengaged from the engine ring gear after the measured engine speed has exceeded the minimum engine running sp
Boatman John R.
Ehlers Jeffery C.
Gonring Steven J.
Haddad Robert E.
Brunswick Corporation
Castro Arnold
Gimie Mahmoud
Lanyi William D.
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