Abstract:
An apparatus (50, 66, 68) and method for cooling exhaust in an outboard marine propulsion system provides engine cooling water to the exhaust prior to its discharge into an exhaust cavity (40) formed in the upper portion of a depending driveshaft housing (12). Excessive heating of the walls surrounding the exhaust cavity (40) is thereby prevented. Various embodiments are disclosed for diverting a portion of cooling water from a point adjacent an engine cooling water inlet (34) into the exhaust path prior to discharge into the exhaust cavity (40).
Abstract:
A system for controlling the movement of hydraulic fluid through the fluid containing chambers of a hydraulic cylinder (26) operatively connected between a marine vessel (14) and its outboard drive unit (10) includes valves (40, 42) disposed within the cylinder (26) to restrict the flow of fluid between the fluid chambers (32, 33) and a bypass for allowing unrestricted flow of fluid between the fluid chamber (32, 33). The system includes a trim valve to allow limited flow of fluid in a first direction of piston movement and a tilt valve to allow unrestricted flow of fluid between the fluid chambers (32, 33) of the cylinder (26). A velocity sensing valve (54) is provided to sense and prevent rapid upward movement of the drive unit (10).
Abstract:
A marine fuel injection system for a two cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engine includes a puddled fuel return line (44) between the crankcase (16) and a vapor separator (33). A shut-off valve (50) in the puddled fuel return line (44) is closed at high engine speed to prevent the flow at a high rate of a substantially gaseous medium to the vapor separator, to prevent fuel foaming otherwise caused thereby in the vapor separator and which would pass through the vapor vent line (41) to the induction manifold (17), causing an over-rich condition at high engine speed. At low engine speed, the shut-off valve (50) is open, permitting flow of puddled fuel to the vapor separator, which flow is substantially more liquidic and at a lower rate.
Abstract:
An oil injection system is provided for a two cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engine. A crankcase pressure driven oil pump (70) draws oil from an oil source (52, 54) and delivers pumped oil through an oil output line (64) to the fuel supply system. A solenoid valve (72) in the oil output line controls the flow of pumped oil to the fuel supply system.
Abstract:
A marine drive unit (1) includes a lower torpedo housing (9). At least one propeller shaft (21) is mounted in the housing for rotation about a drive axis (17). The propeller shaft is driven by a driving gear (16) suitably connected to a marine engine (4) and mounted on the drive axis. A first forward thrust bearing (41) is disposed between the driving gear and the housing. In addition, a second forward thrust bearing (42) is disposed adjacent the forward end of the propeller shaft. A pre-loading device, in the present embodiment a washer-like Belleville spring (43) of a desired capacity, is disposed to provide an adjustable rearwardly biasing force on the second thrust bearing.
Abstract:
A marine stern drive for a boat (3) includes a propeller assembly (36) having a carrier (13) for a pair of centric drive shafts (12, 19) to which are mounted a pair of closely adjacent fore and aft coaxial surface piercing propellers (21, 22) mounted on a common axis. The carrier also includes a downwardly extending skeg (31). The shafts are connected to a source of power (5) and drive the propellers in contra-rotating relationship at essentially equal rotational velocities. The carrier is connected to devices (39-41) for swinging the carrier laterally for steering, and also vertically. A control (45) is provided for positioning and maintaining the carrier vertically such that both contra-rotating propellers are continuously disposed in surface piercing position during normal operation of the drive. The result is that lateral forces created on the propeller carrier by one rotating surface piercing propeller are counterbalanced by the other propeller when the skeg is parallel to the boat centerline (4). The leading edges (32, 33) of both propellers are relatively sharp for surface piercing, while the trailing edges (33, 34) of both propellers are relatively blunt.
Abstract:
A fuel injector (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a body (12) having fuel and air inlet ports (18, 16) and fuel and air outlet ports (26, 24) located within the combustion chamber (28) of the engine cylinder (22). A pair of valves (52, 58) open and close the air and fuel outlet ports (24, 26) and are sequenced so that fuel is introduced into a flow of air and the flow of air continues briefly after the fuel flow has been discontinued.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling stepmotors (24, 124) having a broad range of applications including fuel control for gas-turbine engines, and operating powered automatically controlled doors (140) for mass transit vehicles is disclosed. Stepmotor control through analysis of the motor winding currents (35) during application of controlled voltage pulse provides a basis for evaluating shaft torque conditions at the motor load without return or feedback signals from the driven load. An algorithm (49) based on earlier determined stepper current characteristics is utilized in evaluating any particular stepper motor operation at any time during operation. Digital techniques utilize the aforementioned algorithm sample stepper motor current, measure and detect predetermined time based values of motor current, thereby providing a basis for evaluating stepper motor shaft loading each step corresponding to and initiated by a voltage pulse.
Abstract:
A feedback fuel metering control system is provided for an internal combustion engine and eliminates the need for high pressure fuel injectors, a high pressure fuel pump and a constant fuel pressure regulator. The system senses the amount of combustion air supplied to the engine, senses fuel flow velocity, and controls the amount of fuel supplied according to the amount of combustion air and the fuel flow velocity.
Abstract:
A self-protective driver circuit with automatic reset features is provided for a marine electric fuel pump (2, 102) energized by the boat battery (4, 104) as controlled by a series connected semiconductor switch (6, 106). A first stage protective subcircuit (28, 128) senses surge current through the semiconductor switch at initial turn on with the fuel pump at rest and causes the semiconductor switch to depart from saturated conduction and thus limit the current until the pump starts running and the current decreases to a safer level, to protect the semiconductor switch from excessive current. A second stage protective subcircuit (36, 136) senses a given minimum current flow through the semiconductor switch in combination with abnormally high conduction voltage across the semiconductor switch, indicating a stalled or electrically shorted fuel pump, and in conjunction with a timer (58, 164) quickly turns OFF the semiconductor switch for a given time interval for cooling-off purposes, after which the semiconductor switch is automatically turned back ON, with the cycle repeating as necessary. A third stage protective subcircuit (82, 184) senses long term increased current flow through the semiconductor switch indicating a deteriorating condition in the fuel pump, and in conjunction with the timer turns OFF the semiconductor switch for the given time interval after which the semiconductor switch is automatically turned back ON to re-energize the fuel pump, the cycle repeating as necessary.