Control device for marine engine

Claim 2

In a watercraft having a drive carrying propulsion means and supported for pivotal movement about a steering axis, an engine for driving said propulsion means, means for sensing the acceleration of said watercraft, and means for limiting the degree of acceleration of said watercraft when said drive is steered through greater than a predetermined angle.

Claim 3

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the predetermined angle is measured by means for sensing the pivotal movement of the drive about the steering axis.

Claim 4

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for limiting the acceleration of said watercraft comprises means for limiting the engine power.

Claim 5

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 3 wherein the acceleration of the watercraft is sensed by sensing the rate of change of the engine throttle valve position.

Claim 6

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of the engine is varied to limit the acceleration of the watercraft.

Claim 7

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 5 wherein the acceleration is sensed by sensing the rate of acceleration.

Claim 8

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein the acceleration is sensed by sensing the rate of change of the throttle opening of the engine.

Claim 9

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means comprises a first comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined minimum throttle opening and a second comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined higher throttle opening and means including a timing circuit for sensing when the throttle is opened to the higher position within a predetermined time at which the throttle is opened to the lower position and outputting a power decreasing signal at that time.

Claim 10

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine is of the spark ignited type and the acceleration is limited by interrupting the spark.

Claim 11

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 9 wherein the acceleration is sensed by sensing the rate of change of the throttle opening of the engine.

Claim 12

In a watercraft as set forth in claim 10 wherein the acceleration sensor comprises a first comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined minimum throttle opening and a second comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined higher throttle opening and means including a timing circuit for sensing when the throttle is opened to the higher position within a predetermined time at which the throttle is opened to the lower position and outputting a power decreasing signal at that time.

Claim 13

In a vehicle having steering means for steering the vehicle, first control means for controlling said steering means, an engine for powering said vehicle, second control means for controlling the acceleration of said vehicle, and safety means for controlling at least one of said control means for precluding the existence of more than a predetermined steering angle and more than a predetermined vehicle acceleration without inhibiting acceleration less than said predetermined amount.

Claim 14

In a vehicle having steering means for steering the vehicle, first control means for controlling said steering means, an engine for powering said vehicle, second control means for controlling the acceleration of said vehicle, and safety means for controlling at least one of said control means for precluding the existence of more than a predetermined steering angle and more than a predetermined vehicle acceleration without inhibiting acceleration less than said predetermined amount.

Claim 15

In a vehicle as set forth in claim 12 wherein the safety means is responsive to means for sensing the acceleration of the vehicle.

Claim 16

In a vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the power of the engine is limited by the safety means.

Claim 17

In a vehicle as set forth in claim 12 wherein the safety means controls only the second control means.

Claim 18

In a vehicle as set forth in claim 15 wherein the second control means controls a throttle valve of the engine.

Claim 19

In a vehicle as set forth in claim 16 wherein the safety means comprises a first comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined minimum throttle opening and a second comparator for comparing the throttle opening with a predetermined higher throttle opening and means including a timing circuit for sensing when the throttle is opened to the higher position within a predetermined time at which the throttle is opened to the lower position and outputting a power decreasing signal at that time.