US 12,269,569 B2
Propulsion control arrangement for a marine vessel
Jon Wingren, Nödinge (SE)
Assigned to VOLVO PENTA CORPORATION, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed by VOLVO PENTA CORPORATION, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed on Jan. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/649,278.
Claims priority of application No. 21155277 (EP), filed on Feb. 4, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0242542 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. B63H 21/21 (2006.01); B63H 21/17 (2006.01); B63H 23/08 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 21/213 (2013.01) [B63H 21/17 (2013.01); B63H 23/08 (2013.01); B63H 2021/216 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A marine propulsion control system adapted to control a propulsion unit carried by a hull of a marine vessel, the marine propulsion control system comprising:
a navigation control system comprising a digital map, and
a propulsion control arrangement operable to provide speed commands for controlling a marine vessel, the propulsion control arrangement comprising a movable lever extending on an axis and adapted to be manually tilted by an operator from a neutral position to a maximum forward position, wherein:
an operational range between the neutral position and the maximum forward position comprises a first and a second sub-range separated by an intermediate position, the first sub-range arranged between the neutral position and the intermediate position,
the intermediate position is different from the neutral position, adjustable and selected depending on a pre-set operational parameter for the marine vessel, and
the propulsion control arrangement further comprising means arranged to automatically return the movable lever to the intermediate position and to stay at the intermediate position if the movable lever is released within the second sub-range,
wherein the control system is adapted to:
determine, using the navigation control system, present coordinates for the vessel,
determine, using the navigation control system, a speed limit based on the present coordinates and the digital map, and
adjust the intermediate position for the propulsion control arrangement based on the speed limit.