Shift interrupt system
US6939266B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H63/502
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.