Brunswick Corporation

Brett Bielefeld

David J Belter

Jeremy L Alby

David J Waldvogel

John A Tuchscherer

David M Foulkes

Matthew W Snyder

Justin R Poirier

Kass W Sawyer

Joshua S Smith

Charles A Lubitz

A method for controlling a marine propulsion device to have sufficient power available within a power system to meet demands, the marine propulsion device having an engine rotatably engaged with a transmission via a clutch. The method includes measuring the power available within the power system and measuring the demand for power on the power system. The method further includes determining a power difference between the demand and the power available within the power system, and comparing the power difference to a minimum threshold. The method further includes increasing a speed of the engine and increasing a slip of the clutch when the power difference is exceeds the minimum threshold.

Systems and methods for controlling power generation and transmission output speed for marine propulsion devices

A method for controlling a marine propulsion device having an engine rotatably engaged with a transmission via a clutch, and rotatably engaged with a charging device for charging a battery. The method includes measuring a voltage of the battery and comparing the voltage to a minimum threshold. The method further includes increasing a speed of the engine when the voltage is below the minimum threshold, and also increasing a slip of the clutch when the speed of the engine is increased in response to the voltage being below the minimum threshold.

A system for rotating a propeller shaft within a gearcase via a driveshaft. A stub shaft is rotatable within the gearcase. A forward gear is rotatably coupled to the stub shaft. The forward gear is rotatable by the driveshaft and is engageable to become rotatably fixed to the stub shaft such that rotating the driveshaft rotates the stub shaft. A shock absorbing coupler is positioned within the gearcase. The shock absorbing coupler couples the stub shaft to the propeller shaft and is torsional such that shock is absorbable between the propeller shaft and the driveshaft.

Systems and methods for absorbing shock with counter-rotating propeller shafts in a marine propulsion device

A method for controlling a valve to disengage a gear in a transmission. The method includes reducing, after receiving a request to disengage the gear, a current supplied to the valve from a starting to a first current. The method further includes counting a first elapsed time since the valve was reduced to the first current, comparing the first elapsed time to a first wait time, and increasing the current supplied to the valve to a second current once the first elapsed time exceeds the first wait time. The method further includes counting a second elapsed time since the valve was increased to the second current, comparing the second elapsed time to a second wait time, and reducing the current supplied to the valve to a third current once the second elapsed exceeds the second wait time. The valve is closed when the current is the third current.

Systems and methods for controlling transmission valves in a marine propulsion device

A system for rotating an inner propeller shaft within a gearcase via a driveshaft. The system includes a stub shaft that extends between forward and aft ends and is rotatable within the gearcase. A forward gear is rotatably coupled to the stub shaft, where the forward gear meshes with the driveshaft and is engageable to become rotatably fixed to the stub shaft such that rotating the driveshaft rotates the stub shaft. A shock absorbing coupler is positioned within the gearcase, where the coupler has forward and aft ends, where the forward end of the coupler is engageable with the aft end of the stub shaft, and where the aft end of the coupler engageable with the inner propeller shaft. The coupler is torsional between the forward and aft ends such that shock is absorbable between the inner propeller shaft and the driveshaft.

A system for rotating inner and outer propeller shafts via a driveshaft. The system includes a stub shaft extending between forward and aft ends, the aft end having an engagement feature for engaging with the inner propeller shaft such that rotating the stub shaft rotates the inner propeller shaft. A reverse gear and a forward gear are each rotatably coupled to the stub shaft. The reverse gear and the forward gear mesh with the driveshaft and are engageable to become rotatably fixed to the stub shaft such that rotating the driveshaft rotates the stub shaft in reverse and forward directions, respectively. An outer driving gear is coupled to the inner propeller shaft to rotate therewith. An outer driven gear is coupled to the outer propeller shaft and a pinion rotatably coupling the outer driving gear to the outer driven gear such that rotation of the outer driving gear rotates the outer propeller shaft.

Systems and methods for rotatably supporting counter-rotating propeller shafts in a marine propulsion device

A method for controlling a speed of a propeller of a marine propulsion device during launch of a marine vessel comprises receiving a command to initiate an enhanced launch feature of the marine vessel. The method includes increasing a speed of an engine of the marine propulsion device in response to the enhanced launch feature command. While the engine speed increases, the method includes commanding a first amount of engagement of a forward gear controlling torque transfer from an output shaft of the engine to an input shaft of the propeller. After the engine speed reaches a predetermined threshold, the method includes commanding a second, greater amount of engagement of the forward gear controlling torque transfer from the engine output shaft to the propeller input shaft.

Acceleration control method for marine engine

A transmission for an outboard motor, the transmission having an input shaft with an input gear non-rotatably fixed thereto and rotatable by an engine. A countershaft has a countershaft driven gear and a reverse driving gear non-rotatably fixed thereto, where the countershaft driven gear meshes with the input gear. An output shaft has first and second driven gears non-rotatably fixed thereto. First and second driving gears mesh with the first and second driven gears, a reverse idler gear meshes with the reverse driving gear, and a reverse driven gear meshes with the reverse idler gear. First and second clutches selectively rotate the first and second driving gears with the countershaft in first and second modes at first and second speeds in forward rotation, respectively, and a reverse clutch selectively rotates the output shaft with the reverse driven gear in a reverse mode with reverse rotation.

Multi-speed transmissions for marine propulsion devices

A transmission for an outboard motor, the transmission having an input shaft with an input gear. A countershaft has a countershaft driven gear and a reverse driving gear, where the countershaft driven gear meshes with the input gear. An output shaft has first and second driven gears. First and second driving gears mesh with the first and second driven gears. A reverse idler gear meshes with the reverse driving gear and also with a reverse driven gear. A plurality of clutches includes first, second, third, and reverse clutches. The first and second clutches selectively rotate the first and second driving gears with the countershaft in first and second modes in forward rotation, respectively. The third clutch selectively rotates the second driving gear with the input shaft in a third mode in forward rotation. The reverse clutch selectively rotates the output shaft with the reverse driven gear in reverse rotation.

A method for controlling a transmission of a marine propulsion device powered by an engine is carried out by a control module and includes monitoring a requested gear state of the transmission and a requested throttle position of a throttle valve on the engine. In response to the requested gear state being a neutral state or in response to the requested throttle position decreasing by more than a predetermined amount within a predetermined period of time, the control module controlling at least one of a pressure in a forward clutch of the transmission and a pressure in a reverse clutch of the transmission in a manner that is contraindicated by the requested gear state.

System and method for controlling a transmission on a marine engine

A gear mounting assembly is for causing rotation of a propeller on a marine drive. The assembly includes a driveshaft; a first bevel gear on the driveshaft, wherein rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the first bevel gear; a propeller shaft for supporting the propeller such that rotation of the propeller shaft causes rotation of the propeller; a gear hub on the propeller shaft; a second bevel gear on the gear hub, wherein the second bevel gear is engaged with the first bevel gear such that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the gear hub, which thereby causes rotation of the propeller shaft; and an adapter facilitating relative rotation between the propeller shaft and the gear hub when the gear hub is caused to rotate by the driveshaft.

Growing community of inventors

Fond du Lac, WI, United States of America

Brett Bielefeld