Patents by Inventor Noboru Suganuma

Noboru Suganuma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080026648
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20040102108
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6732700
    Abstract: An oil pump unit for an engine includes an improved construction. The pump unit includes a housing. A scavenge pump assembly is disposed in series with the feed pump assembly to be driven by the pump shaft. The feed and scavenge pump assemblies each defines end portions spaced apart from each other along the shaft axis. The housing defines a first inlet port and at least one outlet port at one of the end portions of the feed pump assembly, a second inlet port and a second outlet port at one of the end portions of the scavenge pump assembly, and at least a third inlet port at the other end portion of the scavenge pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6648702
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time. The electronic control unit can also be configured to activate a bilge pump when a level of water within the watercraft exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6537115
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pump assembly driven by the crankshaft. The oil pump can be mounted in various positions for maintaining a low center of gravity of the engine. Optionally, or in addition, the engine can include a bearing disposed between a valvetrain drive gear and an output drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Suganuma, Masaki Takegami, Keiya Funahashi
  • Patent number: 6491556
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a watercraft engine includes an improved construction that can inhibit oil in an oil container from flowing into an air induction system even if the watercraft capsizes. The engine includes an engine body and an air induction system that introduces air to combustion chambers. A lubrication system is arranged to lubricate at least a portion of the engine body with lubricant oil. The lubrication system includes an oil tank assembly out of the engine body. A ventilation system is arranged to separate a gaseous component from a liquid component. The ventilation system includes a separator configured to separate the gaseous component from the liquid component. A ventilation passage connects the separator with the air induction system. A return passage couples a bottom portion of the ventilation passage with inside of the engine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Muramatsu, Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20020164906
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6475046
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a lubrication system having a lubricant pump assembly and a lubrication reservoir defined between a lower crankcase member and an oil cover. At least one oil passage connects a crankcase to the reservoir. The oil cover, or both the oil cover and the crankcase member may contain one or more baffles configured to impede a flow of oil away from the lubricant pump assembly. Additionally, the cover may include one or more projections securing one or more plugs within one or more countersink portions of the crankcase member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Muramatsu, Noboru Suganuma, Toshiaki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6419531
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20020081919
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a watercraft engine includes an improved construction that can inhibit oil in an oil container from flowing into an air induction system even if the watercraft capsizes. The engine includes an engine body and an air induction system that introduces air to combustion chambers. A lubrication system is arranged to lubricate at least a portion of the engine body with lubricant oil. The lubrication system includes an oil tank assembly out of the engine body. A ventilation system is arranged to separate a gaseous component from a liquid component. The ventilation system includes a separator configured to separate the gaseous component from the liquid component. A ventilation passage connects the separator with the air induction system. A return passage couples a bottom portion of the ventilation passage with inside of the engine body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Hitoshi Muramatsu, Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20020078917
    Abstract: An oil pump unit for an engine includes an improved construction. The pump unit includes a housing. A scavenge pump assembly is disposed in series with the feed pump assembly to be driven by the pump shaft. The feed and scavenge pump assemblies each defines end portions spaced apart from each other along the shaft axis. The housing defines a first inlet port and at least one outlet port at one of the end portions of the feed pump assembly, a second inlet port and a second outlet port at one of the end portions of the scavenge pump assembly, and at least a third inlet port at the other end portion of the scavenge pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6394860
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a lubrication system having a lubrication reservoir and a lubricant pump assembly. The lubricant reservoir can be constructed from an upper portion connected to a separate lower portion. The pump assembly can be co-axially aligned with and driven by the crankshaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20020049011
    Abstract: A watercraft includes an improved reverse thrust deflector assembly includes a locking mechanism that cooperates with first and second stops. The first stop establishes a raised position of a thrust deflector and the second stop established a lowered position of the thrust deflector. When in each of these positions, the locking mechanism engages the corresponding stop to inhibit unintentionally movement of the thrust deflector. The thrust deflector assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly that supports the thrust deflector about the discharge end of a corresponding jet propulsion unit. The bracket assembly extends forward of a discharge end of a discharge nozzle to support the thrust deflector at a position closer to the discharge end of a steering nozzle of the propulsion unit. The bracket assembly also includes hollow passageways through which various conduits and cables, which are used with the jet propulsion unit, can be routed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20010024914
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pump assembly driven by the crankshaft. The oil pump can be mounted in various positions for maintaining a low center of gravity of the engine. Optionally, or in addition, the engine can include a bearing disposed between a valvetrain drive gear and an output drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Noboru Suganuma, Masaki Takegami, Keiya Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20010010988
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a lubrication system having a lubricant pump assembly and a lubrication reservoir defined between a lower crankcase member and an oil cover. At least one oil passage connects a crankcase to the reservoir. The oil cover, or both the oil cover and the crankcase member may contain one or more baffles configured to impede a flow of oil away from the lubricant pump assembly. Additionally, the cover may include one or more projections securing one or more plugs within one or more countersink portions of the crankcase member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6267633
    Abstract: A watercraft includes an improved reverse thrust deflector assembly includes a locking mechanism that cooperates with first and second stops. The first stop establishes a raised position of a thrust deflector and the second stop established a lowered position of the thrust deflector. When in each of these positions, the locking mechanism engages the corresponding stop to inhibit unintentionally movement of the thrust deflector. The thrust deflector assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly that supports the thrust deflector about the discharge end of a corresponding jet propulsion unit. The bracket assembly extends forward of a discharge end of a discharge nozzle to support the rust deflector at a position closer to the discharge end of a steering nozzle of the propulsion unit. The bracket assembly also includes hollow passageways through which various conduits and cables, which are used with the jet propulsion unit, can be routed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6170423
    Abstract: Several embodiments of bilge devices for small watercraft that permit the use of small capacity bilge pumps and which ensure that the bilge pumps will not run dry during abrupt maneuvers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 5881664
    Abstract: Several embodiments of bilge devices for small watercraft that permit the use of small capacity bilge pumps and which ensure that the bilge pumps will not run dry during abrupt maneuvers are disclosed. This result is obtained by using a trap-like device that permits water to accumulate from the bilge but which restricts the escape of the water during abrupt maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 5749757
    Abstract: An elastic plane-bearing support for the impeller shaft of a water jet propulsion unit for providing good support and yet accommodating relative movement between the engine and the jet propulsion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 5636586
    Abstract: Several embodiments of bilge devices for small watercraft that permit the use of small capacity bilge pumps and which ensure that the bilge pumps will not run dry during abrupt maneuvers are disclosed. This result is obtained by using a trap-like device that permits water to accumulate from the bilge but which restricts the escape of the water during abrupt maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Suganuma