Electronic ski control

Abstract

The present subject matter is directed to electronic circuitry and associated hardware configured to electronically control directional signals, i.e., neutral, forward and reverse signals, to the transmission of a watercraft. The circuitry provides for electronic control of the throttle position of the watercraft engine and electronic override of the transmission shifting circuitry to allow throttling up (i.e., revving) of the engine without placing the transmission into gear. In an alternative embodiment, directional control is effected by operation of a lever mechanism and override functionality is effected by manual disengagement of a drive mechanism for the directional control while maintaining operation of the electronic throttle control.

1 . A propulsion control system for watercraft, comprising:
 a handle assembly movable among at least respective forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   a cam configured for rotation about an axis upon movement of said handle assembly, said cam including a central portion and at least one lobe extending from said central portion;   a plurality of switches positioned proximate said cam for operation thereby upon contact by said at least one lobe, said plurality of switches configured to provide respective forward, neutral, and reverse signals when contacted by said at least one lobe;   an actuator configured for rotation about an axis upon movement of said handle assembly;   a sensor positioned proximate said actuator for operation thereby, said sensor configured to provide an output corresponding to the rotational angle of said actuator; and   a manual override switch configured to inhibit said forward and reverse signals when said handle assembly is moved from said neutral position thereof.   
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein said manual override switch comprises a normally open manually operated switch. 
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sensor output is configured to comprise a continuous output; and   said system further comprises a self-sealing circuit configured to continue inhibiting said forward and reverse signals until said handle assembly is returned to said neutral position thereof.   
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 4 , further comprising an indicator for providing a visual indication upon operation of said manual override switch. 
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 5  wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sensor output is configured to comprise a continuous output; and   said system further comprises an interlock circuit configured to inhibit said forward and reverse signals upon failure of at least one of said plurality of switches configured to provide said forward and reverse signals.   
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sensor output is configured to comprise a continuous output; and   said system further comprises a handle locking mechanism configured to mechanically retain said handle assembly in said neutral position until manually released.   
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 8 , further comprising a release cup positioned proximate a manually engageable end of said handle assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 9 , wherein said handle locking mechanism comprises a dead bolt releasable by operation of said release cup. 
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one switch located in a handle portion of said handle assembly, said at least one switch configured for control of a watercraft associated mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11  wherein such watercraft associated mechanism corresponds to one of trim tabs, wedge hydrofoils, surf tabs, and drives. 
     
     
         13 . As system as in  claim 11 , further comprising an emergency stop switch configured to kill one or more engines of an associated watercraft. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling watercraft propulsion, comprising:
 configuring a handle assembly for movement among at least respective forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   associating first and second actuators with such handle assembly for rotation about an axis upon movement of such handle assembly;   positioning a plurality of switches proximate such first actuator for operation thereby;   positioning a sensor proximate the second actuator and configured to provide an output corresponding to the rotational angle of such second actuator;   generating respective forward, neutral, and reverse signals upon actuation of selected of the plurality of switches; and   selectively inhibiting the forward and reverse signals when the handle assembly is moved from its neutral position.   
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein:
 such sensor output is continuous; and   such selectively inhibiting comprises manually operating a normally open switch.   
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising continuously inhibiting such forward and reverse signals until the handle assembly is returned to its neutral position. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising activating a visual indicator concurrently with inhibiting the forward and reverse signals. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein activating a visual indicator comprises activating a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising inhibiting the forward and reverse signals upon failure of at least one of the selected switches configured to provide such forward and reverse signals. 
     
     
         20 . A propulsion control system for watercraft, comprising:
 a handle assembly movable among at least forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   a cam configured for rotation about an axis upon movement of said handle assembly, said cam including a central portion and at least one lobe extending from said central portion;   a plurality of switches positioned proximate said cam for operation thereby upon contact by said at least one lobe, said plurality of switches configured to provide respective forward, neutral, and reverse signals when operated by said at least one lobe; and   a manual override switch configured to inhibit said forward and reverse signals when said handle assembly is moved from said neutral position thereof.   
     
     
         21 . A system as in  claim 20 , wherein said manual override switch comprises a normally open manually operated switch. 
     
     
         22 . A system as in  claim 20 , further comprising a self-sealing circuit configured to continue inhibiting said forward and reverse signals until said handle assembly is returned to said neutral position thereof. 
     
     
         23 . A system as in  claim 22 , further comprising an indicator for providing a visual indication upon operation of said manual override switch. 
     
     
         24 . A system as in  claim 23 , wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         25 . A system as in  claim 20 , further comprising an interlock circuit configured to inhibit said forward and reverse signals upon failure of at least one of said plurality of switches configured to provide said forward and reverse signals. 
     
     
         26 . A system as in  claim 20 , further comprising a handle locking mechanism configured to mechanically retain said handle assembly in said neutral position until manually released. 
     
     
         27 . A system as in  claim 26 , further comprising a release cup positioned proximate a manually engageable end of said handle assembly. 
     
     
         28 . A system as in  claim 27 , wherein said handle locking mechanism comprises a dead bolt releasable by operation of said release cup. 
     
     
         29 . A method for controlling watercraft propulsion, comprising:
 configuring a handle assembly for movement among at least respective forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   associating an actuator with the handle assembly for rotation about an axis upon movement of such handle assembly;   positioning a plurality of switches proximate the actuator for operation thereby;   generating respective forward, neutral, and reverse signals upon actuation of selected of such plurality of switches; and   selectively inhibiting the forward and reverse signals when the handle assembly is moved from its neutral position.   
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein selectively inhibiting comprises manually operating a normally open switch. 
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 30 , further comprising continuously inhibiting such forward and reverse signals until the handle assembly is returned to its neutral position. 
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising activating a visual indicator concurrently with inhibiting the forward and reverse signals. 
     
     
         33 . A method as in  claim 32  wherein activating a visual indicator comprises activating a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 29 , further comprising inhibiting the forward and reverse signals upon failure of at least one of said selected switches configured to provide such forward and reverse signals. 
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 29 , further comprising locking the handle assembly in its neutral position until manually released. 
     
     
         36 . A propulsion control system for watercraft, comprising:
 a handle assembly movable among at least respective forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   a drive gear configured for rotation about an axis upon movement of said handle assembly, said drive gear including a central slotted portion receiving a drive pin;   a shift gear configured for rotation by said drive gear, said shift gear coupled to a lever for operation of a transmission control;   an actuator configured for rotation about an axis upon movement of said handle assembly;   a sensor positioned proximate said actuator for operation thereby, said sensor configured to provide an output corresponding to the rotational angle of said actuator; and   a manual override assembly configured to inhibit rotation of said shift gear.   
     
     
         37 . A system as in  claim 36 , wherein said actuator comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         38 . A system as in  claim 36 , wherein said manual override assembly comprises a manually moveable spring biased shaft configured to normally retain said drive pin in engagement with said drive gear. 
     
     
         39 . A system as in  claim 36 , wherein said sensor output is configured to comprise a continuous output. 
     
     
         40 . A system as in  claim 39 , wherein said sensor comprises a potentiometer. 
     
     
         41 . A method for controlling watercraft propulsion, comprising:
 configuring a handle assembly for movement among at least respective forward, neutral, and reverse positions thereof;   associating first and second actuators with such handle assembly for rotation about respective axes upon movement of such handle assembly;   coupling a first control mechanism to such first actuator for operation thereby;   positioning a sensor proximate the second actuator and configured to provide an output corresponding to the rotational angle of such second actuator;   enabling forward, neutral, and reverse operations upon actuation of said first actuator; and   selectively inhibiting the forward and reverse operations when the handle assembly is moved from its neutral position.   
     
     
         42 . A method as in  claim 41 , wherein:
 such sensor output is continuous; and   such selectively inhibiting comprises manually operating a normally engaged drive device for the first actuator.