Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle includes: an oil tank defining an oil reservoir; a pump to pump oil from the oil reservoir to lubricate parts of the engine; and a cyclonic separator disposed within the oil tank and configured to separate gas from oil received therein, the cyclonic separator defining an internal separator chamber for circulation of oil therein, the cyclonic separator comprising: a vortex forming portion configured to cause oil flowing therethrough within the internal separator chamber to define a spiral path in order to separate at least part of a gas content therefrom; an oil inlet for receiving oil into the internal separator chamber, the oil inlet being fluidly connected to the pump; an oil outlet for discharging oil from the internal separator chamber and into the oil reservoir of the oil tank; and a gas outlet for discharging gas from the internal separator chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle and a method for assembling an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a crankcase; a crankshaft disposed at least in part in the crankcase; a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, the cylinder block defining at least one cylinder; at least one piston operatively connected to the crankshaft and disposed in a corresponding cylinder; an oil tank defining an oil reservoir configured to contain oil therein; and a dry-sump lubrication system comprising a pump module for circulating oil throughout the engine. The pump module includes a pump shaft rotatable about a pump shaft axis; at least one pressure pump mounted to the pump shaft and configured to pump oil from the oil tank; and at least one scavenge pump mounted to the pump shaft and configured to draw oil from a respective part of the engine.

Abstract: A CVT pulley includes a shaft having disposed thereon, a first and second sheave, and a spider. A spring biases the sheaves away from one another. The axially moveable second sheave is disposed axially between the axially fixed spider and the first sheave. A plurality of centrifugal weights, connected to either the spider or the second sheave, have a portion that moves radially outward with rotation of the shaft. The axial distance between the spider and the second sheave depends at least in part on the radial position of the portion which depends on the rotational speed. At least one cylinder is adapted to receive fluid. At least one piston, rotatable with the shaft, is adapted to move in the at least one cylinder in response to fluid being received therein, thereby selectively exerting force on one of the sheaves towards the other. CVTs and vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A CVT pulley includes a shaft having disposed thereon, a first and second sheave, and a spider. A spring biases the sheaves away from one another. The axially moveable second sheave is disposed axially between the axially fixed spider and the first sheave. A plurality of centrifugal weights, connected to either the spider or the second sheave, have a portion that moves radially outward with rotation of the shaft. The axial distance between the spider and the second sheave depends at least in part on the radial position of the portion which depends on the rotational speed. At least one cylinder is adapted to receive fluid. At least one piston, rotatable with the shaft, is adapted to move in the at least one cylinder in response to fluid being received therein, thereby selectively exerting force on one of the sheaves towards the other. CVTs and vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has at least three transmission gears. The at least three transmission gears are selectively engaged by at least three shifting sleeves. The shifting sleeves are actuated by two shift forks. Each shift fork is moved by a corresponding shift drum. The shift drums are disposed on a shift drum shaft. By rotating the shift drum shaft, each of the at least three transmission gears can be engaged in sequence. The two shift drums are spring biased.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has at least three transmission gears. The at least three transmission gears are selectively engaged by at least three shifting sleeves. The shifting sleeves are actuated by two shift forks. Each shift fork is moved by a corresponding shift drum. The shift drums are disposed on a shift drum shaft. By rotating the shift drum shaft, each of the at least three transmission gears can be engaged in sequence. The two shift drums are spring biased.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder block, and cylinder head assembly. The cylinder block has at least one cylinder. At least one piston is disposed in the at least one cylinder. The at least one piston is operatively connected to the crankshaft. An oil tank enclosure is connected to at least one of the crankcase outer wall and the cylinder block outer wall. The oil tank enclosure and the at least one of the crankcase outer wall and the cylinder block outer wall together form an oil tank. The arrangement of the oil inlet, oil outlet, and blow-by gas outlet in an oil tank; an oil tank having an angled portion for separating blow-by gases from oil; and an arrangement of a blow-by gas passage connected to an oil tank are also described.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder block, and cylinder head assembly. The cylinder block has at least one cylinder. At least one piston is disposed in the at least one cylinder. The at least one piston is operatively connected to the crankshaft. An oil tank enclosure is connected to at least one of the crankcase outer wall and the cylinder block outer wall. The oil tank enclosure and the at least one of the crankcase outer wall and the cylinder block outer wall together form an oil tank. The arrangement of the oil inlet, oil outlet, and blow-by gas outlet in an oil tank; an oil tank having an angled portion for separating blow-by gases from oil; and an arrangement of a blow-by gas passage connected to an oil tank are also described.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder block, at least one piston, a cylinder head assembly, and a cooling system for cooling at least a portion of the engine. The cooling system has a first cooling jacket for cooling a first side of the cylinder block, a second cooling jacket for cooling a second side of the cylinder block, and a cylinder head cooling jacket for cooling the cylinder head assembly. A coolant inlet and a coolant outlet fluidly communicate with the first and second cooling jackets respectively. Coolant flowing in the cooling system flows from the coolant inlet to the first cooling jacket, then to the cylinder head cooling jacket, then to the second cooling jacket, and finally to the coolant outlet. A cylinder block, an engine cooling system, and a method of cooling an engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.

Abstract: A boat has a hull, a deck having a deck floor, and an engine disposed in the hull. A top of the engine is disposed vertically below the deck floor. The engine includes a crankcase, a crankshaft, a pair of cylinder banks connected to the crankcase at an angle relative to each other. A transom extends generally vertically upwardly from a rear portion of the hull. A stern drive unit is connected to the transom and is operatively connected to the engine through the transom. In another aspect, a marine engine has a crankcase, a cylinder block, and a crankshaft. An output shaft is disposed vertically above the crankshaft. The output shaft is disposed at least partially internal to the engine. A drive, internal to the engine, is operatively connected to the crankshaft and the output shaft. A driveshaft coupling is disposed on the output shaft.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed with a hull, a seating assembly, and a four stroke internal combustion engine below the seating assembly. The engine has at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, and a valve actuation assembly located in a cylinder head for operating the intake and exhaust valves. At least one air intake passageway is operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves. An air intake manifold is connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway. The engine also has a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold. The watercraft also includes a propulsion unit, operatively coupled to the crankshaft, which is located on one end of the two ends of the crankcase.

Abstract: A marine engine has a crankcase and a cylinder bank. An upper end of the cylinder bank defines a plane. A cylinder head is connected to the upper end of the cylinder bank. A crankshaft is disposed in the crankcase. A pump is operatively connected to the crankshaft so as to be operatively driven thereby. A center of the pump is disposed above the plane defined by the upper end of the cylinder bank. In another aspect, a marine engine has a crankcase and a crankshaft. A starter ring gear is disposed on an end portion of the crankshaft. A diameter of the starter ring gear is less than a width of the crankcase. A starter motor selectively engages the starter ring gear and is disposed such that the starter ring gear is disposed between the crankcase and the starter motor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder block, at least one piston, a cylinder head assembly, and a cooling system for cooling at least a portion of the engine. The cooling system has a first cooling jacket for cooling a first side of the cylinder block, a second cooling jacket for cooling a second side of the cylinder block, and a cylinder head cooling jacket for cooling the cylinder head assembly. A coolant inlet and a coolant outlet fluidly communicate with the first and second cooling jackets respectively. Coolant flowing in the cooling system flows from the coolant inlet to the first cooling jacket, then to the cylinder head cooling jacket, then to the second cooling jacket, and finally to the coolant outlet. A cylinder block, an engine cooling system, and a method of cooling an engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Crankshaft bearing assembly for supporting a crankshaft for rotation about a crankshaft axis within an engine having an aluminum engine block, the crankshaft bearing assembly including at least one crankshaft bearing divided into a first half and a second half, the first half being integral with the engine block, and the second half being a bearing cap connectable to the engine block. The bearing cap is made of an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength higher than the tensile strength of the engine block.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine casing. A shaft, having a shaft axis, is disposed in the engine casing. At least one bearing supports the shaft in the engine casing. A separator wheel is disposed on the shaft for rotation therewith. The separator wheel has a first opening in fluid communication with the crankcase, a second opening, and a channel extending radially from the second opening to the first opening relative to the shaft axis. A suction tube is permanently affixed to a portion of the engine casing. An end of the suction tube has a unitary abutment surface. A gasket is disposed between the unitary abutment surface and the second opening of separator wheel. The gasket is also disposed at least in part on a separating plane of the engine casing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a power unit case having a crankcase, a first housing flange and a second housing flange. The crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis define a reference plane. An oil pump has an oil pump shaft, having an oil pump shaft axis, disposed at least partially in an oil pump chamber. A normal projection of the oil pump shaft axis onto the reference plane is located between the crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis. A first housing cover is mounted to the first housing flange on a first side of the power unit case. A separate oil pump cover is mounted to the second housing flange on the first side of the power unit case to close the oil pump chamber.