Watercraft with steer-responsive throttle

Abstract

A watercraft with a steer-responsive throttle generates thrust when the steerable propulsion unit is turned beyond a predetermined angular threshold. The turning of the steering wheel beyond the threshold causes the throttle to be opened so that the steerable propulsion unit produces a thrust at least equal to the minimal propulsive force needed to effectively steer the watercraft. A watercraft equipped with a steerresponsive throttle ensures that there is always sufficient thrust for steering the watercraft even when the operator fails to open the throttle manually. This steerresponsive throttle is applicable to single-engine personal watercraft, twin-engine jet boats or motorboats equipped with swivel-mounted outboard motors. In a first embodiment of the steer-responsive throttle, rotation of the steering wheel beyond the angular threshold causes an actuating cable to open the throttle. In a second embodiment, an electronic control system regulates the throttle by calculating the optimal throttle setting based on measurements derived from a speed sensor, a steering angle sensor and, optionally, a throttle position sensor.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 961,387, filed Sep. 25, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 383,073, filed Aug. 26, 1999, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,833, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 782,490, filed Jan. 10, 1997, now abandoned. This application relates to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 904,742, which is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 782,490. The entirety of each of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002] The present invention relates to watercraft with steerable propulsion units and, more particularly, to a steering system for such a watercraft.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003] A watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion unit can only be steered effectively when the propulsion unit is generating thrust. Examples of waterc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved steering system for a watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion unit.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a watercraft that can be steered effectively when the manual throttle control is off.

[0030] (E) a throttle actuator responsive to said manual steering control for causing said steerable propulsion unit to generate a propulsive force at least equal to the minimum propulsive force necessary to effectively steer said watercraft when said manual steering control is turned in either direction beyond a predetermined angular threshold, whereby to cause said watercraft to remain maneuverable independently of the manual throttle control setting.

Problems solved by technology

When a motorboat that is either at rest or traveling at low speed is steered sharply (i.e. beyond a predetermined angle), a limiting rod interferes with the rotation of a throttle control member thereby limiting the RPM of the motor.

However, such a rudder is unsuitable for many jet boats, personal watercraft, jet skis and motorboats because they preclude these watercraft from operating in shallow waters which is where these watercraft are commonly used.

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