Brunswick Corporation

Daniel E Clarkson

Steven J Andrasko

Kenneth G Gable

Matthew W Jaeger

Brian R White

Andrew S Waisanen

David Bell

Brad E Taylor

Jeffrey C Etapa

Jeffery C Ehlers

Phillip K Gaynor

John J Litjens

James M Horak

Vince E Notareschi

Michael J Biel

Bret A Martin

Brian D Simpson

Vojislav V Divljakovic

Grant W Hines

Donald F Mason, Jr

Richard C Todhunter

Chad W Martin

George William Buckley

Christopher R Chapman

Timothy M Baer

A propulsion system and propulsion control method for a marine vessel is configured to detect a steering position of at least one propulsion device, determine a difference between the detected steering position and a centered steering position, and require, by a controller, that the detected steering position be within a threshold range of the centered steering position prior to enabling a joystick thrust control mode wherein thrust by the at least one propulsion device is controlled based on user input at a joystick.

Marine propulsion control system and method

A propulsion system on a marine vessel includes at least one steerable propulsion device and at least one lateral thruster. A steering wheel is operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device. A user interface device is operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the vessel. A controller is configured to determine a difference between a steering position of the propulsion device and a centered steering position. A user interface display is controllable to indicate at least one of the steering position of the propulsion device and the difference between the steering position and the centered steering position. The controller is further configured to determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position prior to enabling a joystick thrust control mode.

A propulsion system on a marine vessel includes at least one steerable propulsion device and at least one lateral thruster. A steering wheel is mechanically connected to and operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device. A user interface device is operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the vessel. A controller is configured to determine a difference between a steering position of the propulsion device and a centered steering position. A user interface display is controllable to indicate at least one of the steering position of the propulsion device and the difference between the steering position and the centered steering position. The controller is further configured to determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position.

A stern drive arrangement is for propelling a marine vessel in water. A diverter valve is movable into and between an open position in which the exhaust gas is allowed to flow through the above-water outlet via the secondary exhaust conduit and a closed position in which the exhaust gas is at least partially prevented from flowing through an above-water outlet via a secondary exhaust conduit. Via a bypass conduit, the exhaust gas in the secondary exhaust conduit can bypass the diverter valve and discharge to atmosphere when the diverter valve is in the closed position.

Stern drive arrangements having idle relief exhaust gas bypass

A marine vessel comprises an elongated hull that extends along a center axis from an aftward end to a forward end. A first transom portion and a second transom portion are located closer to the aftward end than the forward end. A first propulsion device is connected to the first transom portion and steerable about a first steering axis. A second propulsion device is connected to the second transom portion and steerable about a second steering axis. The first and second transom portions each has a mounting face that is set at a non-perpendicular outboard angle to the center axis. A controller is configured to steer the first and second propulsion devices inwardly towards a center of pressure of the marine vessel so that during certain lateral translations of the marine vessel the first and second propulsion devices can provide thrusts along axes that intersect aftwardly of the center of pressure.

Marine vessels and propulsion systems for marine vessels having steerable propulsion devices mounted on outwardly angled transom portions

A marine propulsion system is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The system comprises an outboard motor that is coupled to a marine vessel, and that comprises an exhaust gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the outboard motor is at idle speed. A conduit conveys exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge outlet located on the marine vessel.

Marine propulsion systems having exhaust gas relief outlet

A fuel system for a marine vessel attaches a fuel pump directly to the outer surface of a remote fuel tank that is displaced from the internal combustion engine to which the fuel is supplied. A pressure regulator is used to maintain a particular fluid pressure at the outlet of the pump and excess fuel is returned directly into the fuel reservoir. Fuel is drawn upward by the inlet of the pump through a conduit that extends downwardly into fluid communication with liquid fuel within the remote reservoir. A filter can be provided to filter the liquid fuel as it is drawn into the conduit.

Marine vessel fuel system with a fuel pump attached to an external surface of a fuel tank

A marine propulsion system provides dual driveshafts which are connected in torque transmitting relation with associated propellers. In addition, a bow thruster is provided to provide a thrust on the bow of the marine vessel in the port and starboard directions. An output shaft extends from an engine in a forward direction, toward the bow, and two driveshafts extend from torque transmitting devices, which are also disposed forward from the engine, wherein the driveshafts extend in a rearward direction toward the transom. The driveshafts can be associated directly with propellers, in applications where the driveshafts extend through the transom or through a bottom portion of the hull. Alternatively, the driveshafts can be associated with stern drive units. Efficient maneuvering can be accomplished by selectably determining the magnitudes and directions of the three thrust vectors provided by the two propellers and the bow thruster.

Marine propulsion apparatus with dual driveshafts extending from a forward end of an engine

A control system for a marine vessel incorporates a marine propulsion system that can be attached to a marine vessel and connected in signal communication with a serial communication bus and a controller. A plurality of input devices and output devices are also connected in signal communication with the communication bus and a bus access manager, such as a CAN Kingdom network, is connected in signal communication with the controller to regulate the incorporation of additional devices to the plurality of devices in signal communication with the bus whereby the controller is connected in signal communication with each of the plurality of devices on the communication bus. The input and output devices can each transmit messages to the serial communication bus for receipt by other devices.

Control system for a marine vessel

A fuel system provides first and second conduits that draw fuel from first and second positions, or locations, within a fuel reservoir. If water exists in the fuel reservoir, the second position is selected to be lowered in the fuel reservoir than the first position so that accumulated water will be drawn through the second conduit under certain conditions, such as when the engine is operating at a speed above the minimum threshold. The fuel reservoir can be a fuel tank or auxiliary fuel tank of a vehicle or watercraft or, alternatively, it can be the housing of a fuel/water separator.

Fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine

A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion system having an electronically controlled fuel injection system eliminates the need for a vapor separator. The system pumps an excessive amount of fuel through a plumbed fuel supply loop and cools recirculated fuel to cool all the components in the plumbed fuel supply loop, i.e. a continuous duty, constant displacement fuel pump; a pressure regulator; and a water separating fuel filter. Recirculated fuel flows from the pressure regulator to the water separating fuel filter as does make-up fuel from a fuel tank. The fuel stream from the water separating fuel filter flows to the low-pressure side of the fuel pump, which pumps the fuel through the plumb fuel supply loop. A fuel injection portion of the fuel flows to the engine for combustion, while the remaining portion of the fuel is recirculated. The recirculated portion of the fuel is cooled, preferably using a water-cooled heat exchanger. The cooled, recirculated fuel passes through the pressure regulator and repeats recirculation to the water separating fuel filter.

Growing community of inventors

Oshkosh, WI, United States of America

Daniel E Clarkson