Throttle Opening Controller for Small Planing Boat Fuel Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of small planing boats may fail to notice low fuel levels, leading to engine damage due to severe knocking or stoppage from running out of fuel, especially during high-load, high-speed driving, and the fluctuating fuel tank liquid level complicates accurate fuel detection.
Innovation Solution
A throttle opening controller that limits the throttle valve opening when the remaining fuel amount reaches a predetermined threshold, using a combination of fuel detectors and a fuel consumption calculator to ensure accurate detection and reduce fuel consumption, while also employing a knock detector to prevent engine damage from knocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the throttle valve is fully opened during high-load driving, then the boat speed and power output are improved, but the risk of engine damage from knocking increases when fuel runs out
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting low fuel levels before the engine actually runs out of fuel during high-load operation. When the fuel level drops below the threshold, the control unit proactively limits the throttle valve opening to prevent severe knocking and engine damage, rather than waiting for the harmful condition to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the fuel level in the tank and using this information to dynamically adjust the throttle valve opening. The control unit receives feedback from the fuel level sensor and automatically modifies engine operation to maintain reliability while allowing high-speed operation when fuel is sufficient.
2Device complexity
If the remaining fuel amount is detected using a simple level sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to fuel tank liquid level fluctuation during boat operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses fuel consumption calculation as an intermediary method to determine remaining fuel amount. Instead of directly measuring the fluctuating liquid level, the control unit calculates fuel consumption based on engine operating parameters (throttle opening, engine speed, time) and subtracts this from the initial fuel amount, providing accurate measurement without complex level sensing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/physical fuel level detection method with an electronic calculation-based approach. By substituting direct liquid level measurement with computational fuel consumption tracking, the system achieves accurate fuel amount detection while avoiding the problems of liquid level fluctuation and reduced device complexity.
3Reliability
If the throttle valve opening is limited when fuel is low, then the risk of engine damage is reduced, but the boat speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by limiting the throttle valve opening only to the extent necessary to prevent engine damage from knocking, rather than completely shutting down the engine. This allows the boat to continue operating at reduced speed, maintaining some productivity while protecting the engine during low-fuel conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing preliminary detection of low fuel levels and proactively limiting throttle opening before severe knocking occurs, the system prevents engine damage while maintaining operational capability. The preliminary action allows the boat to continue moving at reduced speed rather than forcing a complete stop, preserving productivity to the extent possible.
Data Source
AI summary
A throttle opening controller for one embodiment of a small planing boat includes: a throttle valve for changing the degree of opening in response to displacement of a throttle lever; a remaining fuel amount detector; a fuel consumption calculating means; and a throttle opening limiting means. In one embodiment, when a remaining fuel amount detected by the remaining fuel amount detector is equal to or below a preset value L1, the fuel consumption calculating means starts calculating total fuel injection amount. When a value, obtained by subtracting the total fuel injection amount from the preset value L1, is equal to or below a threshold L0, the throttle opening limiting means determines the degree of opening of the throttle valve based on an opening rate (k). An internal space of a fuel tank can be divided using a vertical partition into plural chambers. In addition, a knock sensor can be provided for an engine.