Abstract:
In a marine propulsion system including an internal combustion engine driving a voltage generator (14) supplying system voltage (line 26) which is supplied to ignition circuitry (10) providing spark ignition for running the engine in normal operation, overvoltage protection is provided for both the voltage generator regulator (12) and the ignition circuitry. If sensed system voltage is below a given threshold (VT), normal operation of the engine is continued. If sensed system voltage is above the given threshold, engine speed is reduced to reduce the generated voltage.
Abstract:
A marine stern drive unit (1) includes an assemblage of a propeller-carrying drive shaft housing (10), a bell housing (9) and gimbal housing (8). Mating flow-through passages (21, 23) are disposed in the drive shaft housing and bell housing, and a dual control valve system (30, 31) joins the passages at their juncture. The valve system is arranged to be open when the two housings are assembled, but closes automatically when the housings are disassembled to retain lubricant in the separate housing assembles when the latter are separated for servicing. The valve system includes a valve (31) in one of the passages (23) which is constructed to be snapped together and to be held firmly within the passage, but manually and quickly releasable therefrom when desired. The fluid passage (23, 26) in the bell housing communicates to the gimbal housing which has a sealed fitting (60) and a lubricant carrying portion (65) passing through the usual gimbal mounting hole (14) of the boat transom (2). An inboard container (71) connected to the gimbal housing passage (66) permits inspection of the level and condition of the lubricant. The container has a one-way valve (78) therein which prevents outward leakage of lubricant fluid, but which permits sucking back of lubricant into the system during engine cooling.
Abstract:
In a two cycle internal combustion engine (2), the sidefaces (60, 62) of the connecting rod (40) have grooves (64) formed therein dragging lubricant from the fuel-air-lubricant mixture in the crankcase (8) along the crankfaces (38, 40) of the crankarm discs (34, 36) of the crankshaft (24), providing a hydrodynamic bearing with a layer of lubricant separating the sidefaces of the connecting rod from the crankfaces of the crankarm discs such that the sidefaces of the connecting rod ride on a layer of lubricant, and eliminating the need to silver plate the sidefaces of the connecting rod.
Abstract:
An adjustment assembly for a throttle cam (10) includes a mounting area (19) on the throttle cam in which a hole is provided. A cam adjustment means (24) is provided which includes a base plate (26) in a cylindrical shoulder (28) extending from the base plate with the throttle cam being mounted on the shoulder. The shoulder is provided with an eccentrically located hole (30) so that rotation of the cam adjustment means results in both horizontal and vertical movement of the cam.
Abstract:
Engine overspeed control circuitry (200) includes a comparator (206) comparing tachometer voltage against a reference voltage, and disabling the engine above a given speed. The overspeed protection is defeated by blowing a fuse (222) in circuit with a comparator input (212) changing the impedance thereat, which leaves a permanent record of the defeat for subsequent detection.
Abstract:
In a marine stern drive unit (1), oil is circulated upwardly from the propeller housing (9) and through the drive shaft sleeve (22) to the upper gear case (7). A return oil line (28) connects from the upper gear case and downwardly through the lower gear case (8) to the propeller housing. The return line is disposed within a cooling water chamber (33) communicating with the drive engine (4) to create an intercooling or heat exchanging effect whereby the incoming water from a lake or the like cools the recirculating stern drive unit lubricant. A combination of threaded drive shaft (13, 36) and internally grooved sleeve (37, 38) is utilized to pump the oil through the system.
Abstract:
A cold start fuel enrichment circuit for an internal combustion engine includes a thermistor (204) sensing engine temperature, a voltage source (VDD) continually biasing the thermistor such that the voltage across the thermistor continually varies with engine temperature and provides an output fuel enrichment signal, and a circuit (218, 220) connecting the engine battery (206) through the start switch (208) to the thermistor to additionally bias the thermistor during cranking of the engine. A combination cold start and knock prevention fuel enrichment circuit is also provided.
Abstract:
A stern drive marine propulsion system (12) has an inboard engine (4) with an exhaust (6), an outboard drive unit (8) operatively coupled to the engine (4) and separated therefrom by a transom (10) having two exhaust passages (22, 24) therethrough, and an exhaust control assembly (16) aft of the engine exhaust (6) and forward of the transom (10) and within the boat (12). The assembly (16) has an inlet (18) connected to the engine exhaust (6), and has first (22) and second outlets (24) communicating with the respective exhaust passages extending aft through the transom (10). A valve (26) in the assembly (16) selectively controls communication of the inlet (18) with the first outlet (22).
Abstract:
In a two cycle internal combustion engine (2), a fuel injection system is provided with a low profile compact intake manifold (22) mounted to the crankcase (8) by an adaptor plate (24) and defining an intake air flow path in a first direction (28) behind the manifold (22) through a gap (26) between the manifold (22) and the crankcase (8) provided by the adaptor plate (24). Intake air then flows into throttle bore passages (30) from behind the manifold (22) and then reverses direction and flows through supply passages (36) having fuel injectors (38), and then into the crankcase (8). The passages share a common plenum (42) within the manifold (22). The fuel injectors (38), their electrical connectors (48) and a common rigid fuel supply rail (44) are all in the common plenum (42) entirely within the low profile manifold (22) and sealed from moisture and salt in a marine environment.
Abstract:
A marine drive water pump impeller (5), is provided for a marine rotary vane positive displacement water pump. A filament wound annular drive hub (3) is cured with resin polymer. A rubber annular base (6) having a plurality of flexible radial vanes (7), is molded in place around the drive hub. The resin polymer and the rubber are compatible and enable substantial bond strength therebetween. The hub is wound in the circumferential hoop direction, providing substantial hub strength. The invention overcomes frozen water pump problems in marine drives used in freezing environments.