A method for downshifting a multi-speed transmission of a marine propulsion device to a first gear from a second gear. The method includes providing a shift schedule that indicates a shift recommendation for when to downshift from the second gear to the first gear. The method further includes configuring the transmission to downshift when the shift schedule indicates the shift recommendation, determining a requested speed of the marine propulsion device, measuring an actual speed of the marine propulsion device, calculating an error between the requested speed and the actual speed, comparing the error to an error threshold, and determining when the error exceeds the error threshold longer than a duration threshold. The method further includes controlling the transmission to downshift, despite the shift schedule indicating a non-shift recommendation, when the duration threshold is exceeded so as to reduce the error between the requested speed and the actual speed.

A method for controlling a valve to disengage a gear in a transmission. The method includes reducing, after receiving a request to disengage the gear, a current supplied to the valve from a starting to a first current. The method further includes counting a first elapsed time since the valve was reduced to the first current, comparing the first elapsed time to a first wait time, and increasing the current supplied to the valve to a second current once the first elapsed time exceeds the first wait time. The method further includes counting a second elapsed time since the valve was increased to the second current, comparing the second elapsed time to a second wait time, and reducing the current supplied to the valve to a third current once the second elapsed exceeds the second wait time. The valve is closed when the current is the third current.

A method for controlling a valve to disengage a gear in a transmission. The method includes reducing, after receiving a request to disengage the gear, a current supplied to the valve from a starting to a first current. The method further includes counting a first elapsed time since the valve was reduced to the first current, comparing the first elapsed time to a first wait time, and increasing the current supplied to the valve to a second current once the first elapsed time exceeds the first wait time. The method further includes counting a second elapsed time since the valve was increased to the second current, comparing the second elapsed time to a second wait time, and reducing the current supplied to the valve to a third current once the second elapsed exceeds the second wait time. The valve is closed when the current is the third current.

A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel is described. The hybrid propulsion system includes a shaft coupled to a propeller, a planetary gear system configured to operate in a first configuration and a second configuration, and a motor-generator. The motor-generator is configured to selectively rotate with and provide torque to the shaft through the planetary gear system in the first configuration and to rotate independently from the shaft in the second configuration. The shaft extends from the propeller through the planetary gear system and the motor-generator to a torque producing device for the marine vessel.

A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel is described. The hybrid propulsion system includes a shaft coupled to a propeller, a planetary gear system configured to operate in a first configuration and a second configuration, and a motor-generator. The motor-generator is configured to selectively rotate with and provide torque to the shaft through the planetary gear system in the first configuration and to rotate independently from the shaft in the second configuration. The shaft extends from the propeller through the planetary gear system and the motor-generator to a torque producing device for the marine vessel.

A port insert for a marine lower unit includes a hollow body having a first end and a second end, the second end having a first exterior thread configured to couple with a cap and one or more apertures formed in the body adjacent the first end. The port insert also includes a spring mechanism disposed within the hollow body. The port insert further includes a sealing member coupled to the spring mechanism, the sealing member being biased toward the second end in a non-use state.

A port insert for a marine lower unit includes a hollow body having a first end and a second end, the second end having a first exterior thread configured to couple with a cap and one or more apertures formed in the body adjacent the first end. The port insert also includes a spring mechanism disposed within the hollow body. The port insert further includes a sealing member coupled to the spring mechanism, the sealing member being biased toward the second end in a non-use state.

An operation device in a ship propulsion system including a ship propulsion machine, ship-mounted equipment, and a power supply, the operation device including a single push button switch and an operation processor performing processing. The operation processor detects a pressing mode of the push button switch when the push button switch is pressed while the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply are disconnected and the power source is stopped, performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply and starting the power source when the detected pressing mode is a first mode, and performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply while maintaining the power source in a stopped state when the detected pressing mode is a second mode.

An operation device in a ship propulsion system including a ship propulsion machine, ship-mounted equipment, and a power supply, the operation device including a single push button switch and an operation processor performing processing. The operation processor detects a pressing mode of the push button switch when the push button switch is pressed while the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply are disconnected and the power source is stopped, performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply and starting the power source when the detected pressing mode is a first mode, and performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply while maintaining the power source in a stopped state when the detected pressing mode is a second mode.

The present innovation relates generally to propulsion mechanisms for propeller-driven vehicles and vessels, and, more particularly, to gear-driven transmissions for airboats.