Patent ID: 6699081
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: F02B,F02N,H02K

Abstract:
A marine propulsion device, comprising:an internal combustion engine; a crankshaft supported within said internal combustion engine for rotation about a generally vertical axis; a switched reluctance device comprising a rotor and a stator, said rotor being attached in torque transmitting relation with said crankshaft, said rotor being rotatable relative to said stator; a stator winding structure associated with said stator; a source of electrical power which is alternatively connectable in electrical communication with said stator winding in accordance with a motoring mode of operation and an electrical power generating mode of operation; a switching circuit connected in signal communication with said stator winding and said source of electrical power for connecting and disconnecting said stator winding and said source of electrical power in coordination with rotation of said crankshaft about said generally vertical axis; and a controller connected in signal communication with said switching circuit and configured to select said motoring mode of operation when said internal combustion engine is being started and to select said electrical power generating mode of operation when said internal combustion engine is operating above a preselected operating speed.