Patent ID: 6099367
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A marine propulsion system, comprising:a first hydrostatic pump;a first engine having an output shaft connected to a drive shaft of said first hydrostatic pump;a first sensor having an output which is representative of a preselected first parameter of said first engine;a first hydrostatic motor;a first propeller attached to a first shaft of said first hydrostatic motor;a fluid reservoir connected in fluid communication with an inlet of said first hydrostatic pump to supply a fluid to said pump, an outlet of said first hydrostatic motor being connected in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir;a first valve having an inlet connected in fluid communication with said first hydrostatic pump, said first valve having first and second outlets, said first valve being connected in fluid communication between said first hydrostatic pump and said first hydrostatic motor with said first outlet of said first valve connected to an inlet of said first hydrostatic motor and with said second outlet of said first valve connected in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir; anda controller having an input connected in signal communication with said output of said first sensor, said controller having an output connected in signal communication with an input of said first valve to control the magnitude of said fluid flowing through said first and second outlets of said first valve as a function of said preselected first parameter.