Patent ID: 9556806
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: B63H,F02D

Claim:
1. A system for controlling a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a marine propulsion device coupled to a marine vessel, the system comprising: a first operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a first operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a first non-zero speed; a second operator input device for controlling the engine speed in a non-trolling mode, such that the engine operates at a second operator-selected engine speed and propels the marine vessel at a second non-zero speed; and a controller in signal communication with the first operator input device, the second operator input device, and the engine; wherein, in response to an operator request to transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode, the controller determines whether to allow the transition based on a comparison of the second operator-selected engine speed with a current, measured engine speed and thereafter operates the marine propulsion device in the trolling mode or the non-trolling mode, as appropriate, based on the determination; wherein the controller allows the transition from the trolling mode to the non-trolling mode if the second operator-selected engine speed is greater than the current engine speed and if the controller receives an input from the second operator input device that exceeds a predetermined threshold.