US 11,945,563 B2
Propulsion control selection and synchronization system
Brian P. Neathery, Hockley, TX (US); and Cameron S. Gandy, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/336,094.
Prior Publication US 2022/0380014 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. G06F 3/0482 (2013.01); B63H 21/21 (2006.01); G06F 3/04847 (2022.01); B63H 21/14 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 21/213 (2013.01) [G06F 3/0482 (2013.01); G06F 3/04847 (2013.01); B63H 21/14 (2013.01); B63H 2021/216 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A marine propulsion control system for use with a marine vessel, the marine propulsion control system comprising:
a port side engine in electronic communication with a port side engine controller;
a starboard side engine in electronic communication with a starboard side engine controller;
a control station including a port lever configured to control a throttle of the port side engine, a starboard lever configured to control a throttle of the starboard side engine, and a user interface; and
a propulsion control processor in electronic communication with the port side engine controller, the starboard side engine controller, and the control station,
the marine vessel having a synchronized operating mode in which the propulsion control processor transmits a throttle instruction to the port side engine controller and the starboard side engine controller pursuant to a throttle position of a master lever, the master lever corresponding to the first of the port lever and starboard lever to be actuated by an operator of the marine vessel upon an activation of the synchronized operating mode,
wherein the user interface includes a display in electronic communication with the propulsion control processor, the display configured to display a master lever selection screen including a plurality of master lever options, the master lever options including at least one of port, starboard and auto.