Patent ID: 7398745
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: F01P

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a cooling system for a marine propulsion device, comprising the steps of: disposing a cooling passage in thermal communication with a heat emitting component; providing an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, said inlet conduit being configured to conduct water to a pump from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operated, said outlet conduit being connected in fluid communication with said cooling passage; providing the pump having an outlet port connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit and an inlet port connected in fluid communication with said inlet conduit; connecting a bypass conduit in fluid communication between said outlet conduit and said inlet conduit; connecting a valve in fluid communication with said bypass conduit, said valve being configured to affect the rate of flow of water from said outlet conduit to said inlet conduit; measuring a representative temperature of said cooling system; determining a preferred state of said valve as a function of said representative temperature; and causing said valve to be in said preferred state.