초록 ▼

A control system is provided which allows the operator of a marine vessel to select a transmission position (e.g. forward, neutral, or reverse) and an engine speed in the event that a throttle lever malfunctions. By providing messages to the operator on an annunciator and receiving selections from t

A control system is provided which allows the operator of a marine vessel to select a transmission position (e.g. forward, neutral, or reverse) and an engine speed in the event that a throttle lever malfunctions. By providing messages to the operator on an annunciator and receiving selections from the operator on a plurality of push button switches, a microprocessor selects gear positions and engine operating speed in response to commands received from the operator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for controlling the operation of a marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of: providing a manually operable handle which is configured to control operation of said marine propulsion device;recognizing a fault condition associated with said manually operable handle;providing an an

1. A method for controlling the operation of a marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of: providing a manually operable handle which is configured to control operation of said marine propulsion device;recognizing a fault condition associated with said manually operable handle;providing an annunciator;providing a plurality of switches;transmitting a message with said annunciator for receipt by an operator of said marine propulsion device;receiving an input signal from at least one of said plurality of switches activated by said operator; andchanging an operating parameter of said marine propulsion device in response to said input signal, wherein said fault condition relates to a position signal which is responsive to a position of said manually operable handle and wherein said recognizing step comprises the steps of receiving said position signal and comparing said position signal to a preselected range of magnitudes of said position signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: said operating parameter is a gear selection associated with a transmission of said marine propulsion device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: said operating parameter is an operating speed of an engine of said marine propulsion device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: said annunciator comprises a liquid crystal display device. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of switches comprises at least one push button. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: said manually operable handle is a throttle handle. 7. A method for controlling the operation of a marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of: providing a manually operable handle which is configured to control operation of said marine propulsion device;recognizing a fault condition associated with said manually operable handle;providing a visually readable annunciator;providing a plurality of push buttons;transmitting a message with said annunciator for receipt by an operator of said marine propulsion device;receiving an input signal from at least one of said plurality of push buttons activated by said operator; andchanging an operating parameter of said marine propulsion device in response to said input signal, wherein said fault condition relates to a position signal which is responsive to a position of said manually operable handle and wherein said recognizing step comprises the steps of receiving said position signal and comparing said position signal to a preselected range of magnitudes of said position signal. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein: said manually operable handle comprises a plurality of resistive elements, said position signal being generated in response to a position of said manually operable handle relative to said plurality of resistive elements. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein: said annunciator comprises a liquid crystal display device. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein: said manually operable handle is a throttle handle. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein: said operating parameter is a gear selection associated with a transmission of said marine propulsion device. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: said operating parameter is an operating speed of an engine of said marine propulsion device. 13. A method for controlling the operation of a marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of: providing a manually operable handle which is configured to control operation of said marine propulsion device;providing an annunciator;providing a plurality of switches;transmitting a message with said annunciator for receipt by an operator of said marine propulsion device;receiving an input signal from at least one of said plurality of switches activated by said operator;changing an operating parameter of said marine propulsion device in response to said input signal;recognizing a fault condition associated with said manually operable handle, wherein said operating parameter is a gear selection associated with a transmission of said marine propulsion device, said fault condition relating to a position signal which is responsive to a position of said manually operable handle, said annunciator comprising a liquid crystal display device, said recognizing step comprising the steps of receiving said position signal and comparing said position signal to a preselected range of magnitudes of said position signal, said plurality of switches comprising at least one push button. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein: said operating parameter is an operating speed of an engine of said marine propulsion device.