Abstract: A marine engine assembly for mounting to a watercraft is disclosed. The marine engine assembly has an engine unit, an exhaust system fluidly and a propulsion device. The engine unit includes an engine unit housing, an internal combustion engine and an air intake assembly. The air intake assembly, at least one combustion chamber, and the exhaust system together defining at least in part a gas flow pathway. A sealing valve is provided in the gas flow pathway. The sealing valve has an open position permitting flow of gas therethrough. The sealing valve has a closed position preventing flow of gas therethrough for sealing a portion of the gas flow pathway downstream of the sealing valve from a portion of the gas flow pathway upstream of the sealing valve.

Abstract: A marine engine assembly for mounting to a watercraft is disclosed. The marine engine assembly has an engine unit, an exhaust system fluidly and a propulsion device. The engine unit includes an engine unit housing, an internal combustion engine and an air intake assembly. The air intake assembly, at least one combustion chamber, and the exhaust system together defining at least in part a gas flow pathway. A sealing valve is provided in the gas flow pathway. The sealing valve has an open position permitting flow of gas therethrough. The sealing valve has a closed position preventing flow of gas therethrough for sealing a portion of the gas flow pathway downstream of the sealing valve from a portion of the gas flow pathway upstream of the sealing valve. An air pump is configured for supplying air to the gas flow pathway downstream of the sealing valve.

Abstract: A tiller system for a marine outboard engine having a tiller bracket is described. The tiller system comprises a tiller for mounting to the tiller bracket. A speed input control is mounted to the tiller and a speed input control position sensor detects a position of the speed input control. A control unit is mounted to the tiller and is operatively connected to the speed input control position sensor. The control unit converts the position of the speed input control into a speed input message. A digital communication port of the control unit transmits the speed input message to the marine outboard engine over a controller area network bus. A marine outboard engine having the tiller system and a marine outboard engine system for a watercraft are also described.

Abstract: A tiller system has a tiller adapted for steering at least one of a bracket assembly and a motor assembly of a marine outboard motor having a power steering system, a throttle control mounted to the tiller, an electronic torque sensor, and a tiller system control module (TSCM) in electronic communication with the electronic torque sensor. The electronic torque sensor senses torque applied to the tiller and outputs an electronic steering signal as a function of the torque. The TSCM receives the electronic steering signal and controls an operation of the power steering system in response to the electronic steering signal. A method for steering a marine outboard motor, and a marine outboard motor having a tiller system are also described.

Abstract: A tiller system for a marine outboard engine having a tiller bracket is described. The tiller system comprises a tiller for mounting to the tiller bracket. A speed input control is mounted to the tiller and a speed input control position sensor detects a position of the speed input control. A control unit is mounted to the tiller and is operatively connected to the speed input control position sensor. The control unit converts the position of the speed input control into a speed input message. A digital communication port of the control unit transmits the speed input message to the marine outboard engine over a controller area network bus. A marine outboard engine having the tiller system and a marine outboard engine system for a watercraft are also described.

Abstract: A method for limiting motion of at least one outboard engine of a watercraft to at least one desired limit position in at least one direction is disclosed. The method comprises initiating a calibration process by inputting a sequence of at least one state of at least one switch, moving the at least one outboard engine about at least one axis in the at least one direction until the at least one desired limit positions is reached, sensing a position of the at least one outboard engine about the at least one axis when the at least one outboard engine is at the at least one desired limit position, and recording the sensed position to be a limit position. A method for limiting motion of a plurality of outboard engines, and a watercraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical system for an outboard engine has a generator, a starter motor, a connector having first, second and third connector terminals, the first connector terminal being connected to the generator, the second connector terminal being connected to the starter motor, and the third connector terminal being connected to ground, and a cap connected to the connector. The cap has a first cap terminal connected to the first connector terminal and a second cap terminal connected to the second connector terminal. The first cap terminal is connected to the second cap terminal. An electrical system having a battery connected to the connector instead of the cap is also disclosed. An outboard engine having the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical system for an outboard engine has a generator, a starter motor, a connector having first, second and third connector terminals, the first connector terminal being connected to the generator, the second connector terminal being connected to the starter motor, and the third connector terminal being connected to ground, and a cap connected to the connector. The cap has a first cap terminal connected to the first connector terminal and a second cap terminal connected to the second connector terminal. The first cap terminal is connected to the second cap terminal. An electrical system having a battery connected to the connector instead of the cap is also disclosed. An outboard engine having the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An outboard motor is presented that includes a control unit to control operation of an internal combustion engine and automated components of the motor. An array of indicators is associated with the control unit directly on an external or visible surface thereof or integrally formed therewith. The indicators may be independently activated to convey diagnostic information regarding engine operation. The control unit controls activation of the indicators in such a manner such that different diagnostic data is conveyed depending upon whether the engine is in an operating or starting mode.

Abstract: A control unit assembly is disclosed including a housing, at least one processor to control operation of an engine, and a voltage regulator configured to regulate a voltage of at least one rail of the engine. The at least one processing unit and the voltage regulator reside on a common circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.

Abstract: An encapsulated device and method for making such encapsulated device containing a bladder disposed between a wall of the case and the encapsulant. The bladder defines a space devoid of encapsulant and contains a collapsible insert such as an open cell foam material, thereby allowing the unimpeded thermal expansion of the encapsulant. By reducing thermal expansion stresses on the encapsulated devices, the reliability of the encapsulated device is improved.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.

Abstract: An encapsulated device and method for making such encapsulated device containing a bladder disposed between a wall of the case and the encapsulant. The bladder defines a space devoid of encapsulant and contains a collapsible insert such as an open cell foam material, thereby allowing the unimpeded thermal expansion of the encapsulant. By reducing thermal expansion stresses on the encapsulated devices, the reliability of the encapsulated device is improved.

Abstract: An encapsulated device and method for making such encapsulated device containing a bladder disposed between a wall of the case and the encapsulant. The bladder defines a space devoid of encapsulant and contains a collapsible insert such as an open cell foam material, thereby allowing the unimpeded thermal expansion of the encapsulant. By reducing thermal expansion stresses on the encapsulated devices, the reliability of the encapsulated device is improved.

Abstract: An encapsulated device containing a bladder disposed between a wall of the case and the encapsulant. The bladder defines a space devoid of encapsulant, thereby allowing the unimpeded thermal expansion of the encapsulant. By reducing thermal expansion stresses on the encapsulated devices, the reliability of the encapsulated device is improved. The device is formed by installing a component within a case; positioning a bladder within the case; depositing encapsulant with the bladder in an inflated condition; and deflating the bladder.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine that generates more ignition sparks per ignition event, i.e., per cylinder, per cycle, when the engine is operated in the stratified fuel injected mode than when the engine is operated in the homogeneous fuel injection mode.