Advanced crash reversal propulsion system for marine vessel

Abstract

A method for controlling a marine propulsion system (MPS) in an imminent crash reversal maneuver is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: configuring a shift protection type (SPT) to be a Basic Crash Reversal (BCR) or an Advanced Crash Reversal (ACR); configuring parameters for the ACR, including: configuring an Acceleration Time (AT) and a Deceleration Time (DT); configuring a Shift Protection Hold Time (SPHT); configuring an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (SOGT) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (STNT); executing, via a control processor, an Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase, a Shift Request phase, a Slow Vessel Movement Shift Protection phase, a Crash Reversal phase, a Neutral Hold phase, an Engine Recovery phase, and a Normal Shift Protection phase; and restoring a throttle and a gear control to an operator upon completion of a crash reversal maneuver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a marine propulsion system (MPS) in an imminent crash reversal maneuver, the method comprising the steps of:
 configuring a shift protection type (SPT) to be a Basic Crash Reversal (BCR) or an Advanced Crash Reversal (ACR);   configuring parameters for the ACR, including:
 configuring an Acceleration Time (AT) and a Deceleration Time (DT); 
 configuring a Shift Protection Hold Time (SPHT); 
 configuring an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (SOGT) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (STNT); 
   executing, via a control processor, an Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase, a Shift Request phase, a Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection phase, a Crash Reversal phase, a Neutral Hold phase, an Engine Recovery phase, and a Normal Shift Protection phase;   performing, in the Normal Shift Protection phase, a Normal Shift Into Gear (NSIG) gear shift or an Advanced Shift Into Gear (ASIG) gear shift; and   restoring a throttle and a gear control to an operator upon completion of a crash reversal maneuver.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring optional variables for the ACR, including:
 a Crash Reversal Enable Disable Engine Speed (CREDES) to define a threshold engine speed that triggers the crash reversal maneuver;   a Crash Reversal Disable Delay Time (CRDDT) to determine a time lag after which the ACR is deactivated once an engine speed falls below the CREDES; and   a Crash Reversal Enable Delay Time (CREDT) to specify a delay period before activating the ACR when the engine speed exceeds the CREDES, thereby allowing for a buffered response to sudden engine speed variations.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein activating the Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase further includes:
 evaluating whether a gear shift has been requested;   evaluating whether a Crash Reversal flag should be set to ON or OFF determining whether the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection should be activated or deactivated; and   calculating a Calculated Deceleration Time (CDT) to define the timing and execution of gear shifts.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Shift Request phase includes:
 entering the Shift Request phase when a gear shift from Forward to Reverse is performed.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein activating the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection (SVMSP) phase further includes:
 entering the SVMSP phase when (a) either a CREDES and CREDT are less than zero and a Calculated Deceleration Time (CDT) is less than a predetermined percentage of a Deceleration Time, or (b) a Crash Reversal flag is set to OFF;   evaluating whether a Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection Engine Speed Limit (SVMSPESL) is configured greater than zero; and   setting a Shift Speed (SS) to equal the SVMSPESL before entering the SVM Shift Into Gear phase.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein activating the Crash Reversal phase further includes:
 evaluating if:
 (a) CREDES and CREDT are both greater than zero or CDT is greater than a predetermined percentage of a Deceleration Time; and 
 (b) a Crash Reversal flag is set to ON; 
   setting a Shift Speed (SS) during a Crash Reversal state equal to a Crash Reversal Engine Speed Limit (CRESL);   assessing whether an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (ACRSOGT) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (ACRSTNT) are greater than zero;   performing a Shift Out of Gear when ACRSOGT and ACRSTNT are greater than zero;   waiting for deceleration when either or both ACRSOGT and ACRSTNT are less than zero.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein activating the Neutral Hold phase further includes:
 managing transitions between different operational modes of the MSP, temporarily holding a transmission in a neutral state;   initiating the Hold in Neutral Phase;   starting a Neutral Hold Time Counter (NHTC) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time Counter (ACRSTNTC); and   commanding the MSP to maintain neutral gear until the NHTC elapses.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Normal Shift Protection phase includes:
 ensuring protection of an engine and the transmission during the NSIG gear shift and the ASIG gear shift;   evaluating whether a Shift Protection Hold Time Counter (SPHTC) has elapsed for the NSIG gear shift, and if so, returning control to the operator; and.   evaluating whether an ACR Shift Into Gear Time Counter (ACR SIGTC) has elapsed for the ASIG gear shift, and if so, returning control to the operator.   
     
     
         9 . A marine propulsion system (MPS) for controlling a marine vessel, the system comprising:
 an engine, a transmission, a propeller shaft, and a propeller for propelling the marine vessel;   a Propulsion Control Processor (PCP) operatively controlling the engine and the transmission;   the PCP is configured to:
 enable and configure a shift protection type (SPT) to be a Basic Crash Reversal (BCR) or an Advanced Crash Reversal (ACR); 
 activate an Advanced Crash Reversal (ACR) sequence based on detected scenarios; and 
 control the engine and transmission to execute the ACR sequence for a Normal Shift Into Gear (NSIG) gear shift or an Advanced Shift Into Gear (ASIG) gear shift, including adjustments in engine speed and gear shifts; and 
 restoring a throttle and a gear control to an operator upon completion of a crash reversal maneuver. 
   
     
     
         10 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein the PCP configured to execute an Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase, a Shift Request phase, a Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection phase, a Crash Reversal phase, a Neutral Hold phase, an Engine Recovery phase, and a Normal Shift Protection phase; and the PCP is configured with variables, including:
 an Acceleration Time (AT), a Deceleration Time (DT), a Shift Protection Hold Time (SPHT); an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (SOGT), and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (STNT).   
     
     
         11 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein the PCP is configured with optional variables for the ACR, including:
 a Crash Reversal Enable Disable Engine Speed (CREDES) to define a threshold engine speed that triggers the crash reversal maneuver;   a Crash Reversal Disable Delay Time (CRDDT) to determine a time lag after which the ACR is deactivated once an engine speed falls below the CREDES; and   a Crash Reversal Enable Delay Time (CREDT) to specify a delay period before activating the ACR when the engine speed exceeds the CREDES, thereby allowing for a buffered response to sudden engine speed variations.   
     
     
         12 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein activating the Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase further configured to:
 evaluate whether a gear shift is requested;   evaluate whether a Crash Reversal flag should be set to ON or OFF determine whether the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection should be activated or deactivated; and   calculate a Calculated Deceleration Time (CDT) to define the timing and execution of gear shifts.   
     
     
         13 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein the Shift Request phase further configured to:
 enter the Shift Request phase when a gear shift from Forward to Reverse is performed.   
     
     
         14 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein activating the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection (SVMSP) phase further configured to:
 entering SVMSP phase when (a) either a CREDES and CREDT are less than zero and a Calculated Deceleration Time (CDT) is less than a predetermined percentage of a Deceleration Time, or (b) a Crash Reversal flag is set to OFF;   evaluating whether a Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection Engine Speed Limit (SVMSPESL) is configured greater than zero; and   setting a Shift Speed (SS) to equal the SVMSPESL before entering the SVM Shift Into Gear phase.   
     
     
         15 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein activating the Crash Reversal phase further configured to:
 evaluating if:
 (a) CREDES and CREDT are both greater than zero or CDT is greater than a predetermined percentage of a Deceleration Time; and 
 (b) a Crash Reversal flag is set to ON; 
   setting a Shift Speed (SS) during a Crash Reversal state equal to a Crash Reversal Engine Speed Limit (CRESL);   assessing whether an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (ACRSOGT) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (ACRSTNT) are greater than zero;   performing a Shift Out of Gear when ACRSOGT and ACRSTNT are greater than zero;   waiting for deceleration when either or both ACRSOGT and ACRSTNT are less than zero.   
     
     
         16 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein activating the Neutral Hold phase further configured to:
 manage transitions between different operational modes of the MSP, temporarily holding a transmission in a neutral state;   initiate the Hold in Neutral Phase;   start a Neutral Hold Time Counter (NHTC) and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time Counter (ACRSTNTC); and   command the MSP to maintain neutral gear until the NHTC elapses.   
     
     
         17 . The MPS of  claim 9 , wherein the Normal Shift Protection phase further configured to:
 ensuring protection of an engine and the transmission during the NSIG gear shift and the ASIG gear shift;   evaluating whether a Shift Protection Hold Time Counter (SPHTC) has elapsed for the NSIG gear shift, and if so, returning control to the operator; and.   evaluating whether an ACR Shift Into Gear Time Counter (ACR SIGTC) has elapsed for the ASIG gear shift, and if so, returning control to the operator.   
     
     
         18 . An automated crash reversal (ACR) system for a marine propulsion system (MPS), comprising:
 an ACR logic having operational phases for executing a crash reversal maneuver, the operational phases including an Advanced Shift Protection Activation (ASPA), a Shift Request, a Crash Reversal, a Slow Vessel Movement Shift Protection (SVMSP), a Normal Shift Protection, an Engine Recovery, and a Neutral Hold;   a Propulsion Control Processor (PCP) for implementing the ACR logic with configured variables including an Acceleration Time (AT), a Deceleration Time (DT), a Shift Protection Hold Time (SPHT), an ACR Shift Out of Gear Time (SOGT), and an ACR Shift To Neutral Time (STNT); and   the PCP configured to return control of a throttle and a gear shift to the operator after a crash reversal maneuver.   
     
     
         19 . The ACR system of  claim 18 , wherein the PCP further comprises:
 a configuration for a Crash Reversal Enable Disable Engine Speed (CREDES), defining a threshold engine speed to initiate the crash reversal maneuver;   a configuration for a Crash Reversal Disable Delay Time (CRDDT), determining a delay period after which the ACR is deactivated if the engine speed falls below the CREDES; and   a configuration for a Crash Reversal Enable Delay Time (CREDT), specifying a delay before activating the ACR when the engine speed exceeds the CREDES.   
     
     
         20 . The ACR system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 during the Advanced Shift Protection Activation phase, the PCP evaluates whether a gear shift has been requested, determines the status of a Crash Reversal flag, and decides whether the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection should be activated or deactivated;   the ACR system enters the Shift Request phase upon performing a gear shift from Forward to Reverse;   the Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection (SVMSP) phase is activated when (a) either a CREDES and CREDT are less than zero and a Calculated Deceleration Time (CDT) is less than a predetermined percentage of a Deceleration Time, or (b) a Crash Reversal flag is set to OFF;   a Slow Vessel Mode Shift Protection Engine Speed Limit (SVMSPESL) is assessed and if configured greater than zero, the Shift Speed (SS) is set equal to the SVMSPESL before entering the SVM Shift Into Gear phase; and   the PCP evaluates, in the Crash Reversal phase, if a Crash Reversal flag is set to ON, assesses whether to conduct the NSIG gear shift or the ASIG gear shift.