Abstract: A flow conditioning member is attached to a distal end, or lip, of an air conduit within a space formed by inner and outer walls of a cowl for an outboard motor. The flow conditioning member is shaped to decrease the likelihood that a thickened boundary layer will form within the conduit as air flows from an air passage formed through the cowl to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine. The flow conditioning member is shaped to block the passage of water from the air passage to the air conduit while improving the efficiency of air flow from the air passage, into a space between the inner and outer walls, and into the air conduit.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an under cover covering a part of an engine, a mount case supporting the engine, and an oil pan provided below the mount case. The under cover has an opening formed at a place opposite to a drain unit provided at a lower portion of the oil pan. The opening can be opened and closed by a drain cover having first and second locks. A release of the first lock is operated to allow the drain cover to be attached and detached to and from the opening with a single motion.

Abstract: An outboard motor has an engine and a cover structure comprised of first and second cover members detachably connected to one another to define at least part of an engine compartment accommodating therein at least a portion of the engine. A cover body is mounted on the cover structure and has a tubular portion with an open end through which cables are introduced into the engine compartment. A sealing member extends into the tubular portion of the cover body through the open end for retaining in a sealed state the cables introduced into the engine compartment. The sealing member has an outer peripheral surface and elastically deformable lip portions extending from the outer peripheral surface and contacting an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion in the region of the open to form a hermetic seal between the lip portions and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion.

Abstract: An outboard motor has an under cover forming a lower part of an engine room in which an engine is installed. The under cover has a pair of right and left cover members detachably connected together along opposing vertical edges thereof; an opening formed in at least one of the cover members for allowing access to the engine. The opening is vertically spaced from an upper edge of the under cover and extends contiguously from the vertical edge of the at least one cover member. A lid made of elastic material is attached to an outer surface of the under cover so as to close the opening of the under cover, the lid being elastically deformable to open and close the opening.

Abstract: An airflow control mechanism is provided to control the flow of air through an opening formed in a portion of a cowl of an outboard motor. The airflow control mechanism is configured to be moveable between a first position and the second position to affect the magnitude of air flowing through an air passage defined as being the space between the opening formed in the cowl and an exit through which the air can leave the cavity of the cowl. The airflow control mechanism can control the flow of air as a function of an operating characteristic of the engine, such as its operating speed, the load on the engine, or the operating temperature of the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor has an engine, a propeller drivable by the engine, and a drive shaft for transmitting a driving force from the engine to the propeller. A casing assembly supports the engine and rotatably supports and accommodates the drive shaft. A cover structure defines at least part of an engine space accommodating therein the engine. The cover structure has a resin cover body comprised of at least first and second cover members detachably connected to one another, and a frame assembly integrally connected to an inner surface of the first cover member for reinforcement threof. The first cover member has an opened flange receiving a seal of the second cover member. The frame assembly extends along a contour of the opened flange.

Abstract: Sound insulation for an engine contained within an outer casing, the insulation made up from a minimal number of interlocking molded foam insulation pieces forming a substantially continuous shroud surrounding the operating parts of the engine and having an outer surface matching the inner shape of the outer casing and in contact therewith. Preferably the outer casing is used to generate the molds used to manufacture the molded sound insulation pieces, thereby providing a good surface fit between the outer insulation surface and the inner casing surface.

Abstract: Fixedly joining sections are provided on opposed joining edges of left and right undercover members defining part of an engine space of an outboard engine unit. The opposed joining edges are abutted against each other with the joining sections of the left and right undercover members overlapped in face-to-face relation with each other in a front-and-rear direction of the outboard engine unit. Fasteners, such as bolts, fasten together the overlapped joining sections in the front-and-rear direction, to thereby join together the left and right undercover members. The joining sections may be provided on frame members integrally secured to the respective inner side surfaces of resin-made outer wall sections of the left and right undercover members.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: A boat having an inboard/outboard drive unit is disclosed herein. The drive unit includes an engine covered by a hood. The hood is movable between an open position and a closed position. Seats are positioned on opposite sides of the hood. The seats are carried with the hood as the hood is moved between the open and closed positions. Seats that are moveable to enhance access to the stern are also disclosed.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an under cover covering a part of an engine, a mount case supporting the engine, and an oil pan provided below the mount case. The under cover has an opening formed at a place opposite to a drain unit provided at a lower portion of the oil pan. The opening can be opened and closed by a drain cover having first and second locks. A release of the first lock is operated to allow the drain cover to be attached and detached to and from the opening with a single motion.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: An air intake silencer includes an air inlet pipe and at least one tuning tube in fluid communication with the air inlet pipe. A first length and second length of the air inlet pipe and the tuning tube, respectively, are selected to produce one-half wavelength cancellation of a selected frequency of engine noise. A plurality of tuning tubes located in a wrap-around relationship with on another may tune different frequencies of noise in a compact silencing unit. The air inlet pipe and tuning tube may be integrally formed into an air intake manifold that silences one or more engine air intake inlets, and the air intake silencer may be integrated into a motor cover.

Abstract: In an outboard motor, a fuel tank is disposed inside an engine cover so as to extend vertically along an axial direction of a crankshaft and arranged in a space in the engine cover in front of the engine on a hull side. The fuel tank is clamped and supported from the vertical direction by a lower engine cover section of the engine cover and an engine starting device disposed above the engine.

Abstract: A marine propulsion housing arrangement includes an improved construction for inhibiting an influx of water into the housing and for protecting the components thereof. A marine outboard drive comprises a drive unit and at least a swivel bracket that supports the drive unit for pivotal movement with a steering shaft. At least one mount assembly is provided for unifying the drive unit and the steering shaft. The mount assembly includes at least one mount members affixed to the drive unit and a hub member united with the mount member. The hub member is connected to both the drive unit and the steering shaft so as to unify them. A mount cover generally covers both of the mount member and the hub member.

Abstract: A tilt-up handle for an outboard motor is placed in the upper rear portion of an engine cover accommodating an engine and has an outside-air inlet opening rearwardly in the boat traveling direction. The outside-air inlet protrudes rearwardly in the boat traveling direction from a rear wall of the engine cover so as to be substantially aligned with an imaginary vertical line overlapping with the rear wall of the engine cover when the outboard motor is viewed in profile. The tilt-up handle prevents moisture from entering and allows outside air to enter an engine cover without compromising air intake.

Abstract: An operational condition of an outboard motor 1 is detected by an ECU 29, and transmitted via a communication unit 228, from a communication apparatus 283 to a base station 30. Antennas 32 and a cable 33 are arranged along an inner surface of an engine cover 12. The cable 33 is provided with a connector 34 for connecting the antenna 32 to a communication unit 28 and a GPS receiving circuit 31. The communication apparatus and the antennas are held floating in a case 351 which is filled with a gel, and the case 351 is fixed to the engine cover 12. A communication unit 28 is provided inside an engine cover 12. A housing portion 41 for a portable phone PH is provided pivoted about the cover 12 in such a manner that the portable phone is removable from the housing portion 41.

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive, an engine is supported on an engine mount case, and an under cover made of plastic material having a lower end attached to the engine mount case defines an open upper end which engages an open lower end of an engine cover also made of plastic material. A metallic stay member having a lower end fixedly attached to the engine mount case which is typically made of cast aluminum alloy and an upper end fixedly supporting a support rail reinforces the open upper end of the under cover. Thus, the essential part is reinforced by a metallic member, and the required mechanical strength can be achieved while minimizing the increase in weight. The upper end of the stay member may be used for attaching a latch unit for securing the engine cover to the under cover or the engine mount case.

Abstract: Fixedly joining sections are provided on opposed joining edges of left and right undercover members defining part of an engine space of an outboard engine unit. The opposed joining edges are abutted against each other with the joining sections of the left and right undercover members overlapped in face-to-face relation with each other in a front-and-rear direction of the outboard engine unit. Fastener, such as a bolt, fastens together the overlapped joining sections in the front-and-rear direction, to thereby join together the left and right undercover members. The joining sections may be provided on frame members integrally secured to the respective inner side surfaces of resin-made outer wall sections of the left and right undercover members.

Abstract: A cowl latching system provides a retainer that is attached to the outboard motor and a catch device which is attached to a cowl structure. The catch device is shaped to allow the retainer to move between first and second extension portions. The retainer is provided with first and second retention members that can each move from a retracted position to an extended position under the urging of a resilient member such as a spring. The first and second retention members can also be urged from their respective extended positions to their respective retracted positions by the movement of the first and second extension portions of the catch device when the cowl structure is installed unto the outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: An outboard motor with an undercover forming a part of an engine space is provided. The undercover includes a left lower cover and a right lower cover. The left and right lower covers are made from resin. To prevent the undercover from affecting the appearance, a plurality of resin reinforcing frame members is integrally fixed to inside surfaces of the left and right lower covers.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: A process for forming an improved anodizing film on the surface of an aluminum alloy material. The film is impregnated with an amorphous substance which fills pores formed in the film during its growth. If the film has a flaw reaching the aluminum alloy material, the amorphous substance and aluminum form a layer of passivity which restrains the corrosion of the aluminum alloy material.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for the cowl of an outboard motor comprises a base portion that is formed as an integral part of the cowl structure itself. This integral base portion, which is shaped as one or more bosses, eliminates the need for additional brackets and fasteners to attach the latching mechanism to the cowl structure. The boss portion, which is an integral part of the cowl, is shaped to receive a pivot member and a latch to complete the structure of the latching mechanism. A latch pin, which is attached to another component, is shaped to be received through a hole in the boss portion to allow the latch to captivate the latch pin when the latch is in a latching position. This attaches the two cowl members, or cover members, to each other.

Abstract: An outboard motor electronic part unit provided between an engine for a boat and a cover covering the engine, comprises a case which is attached to the engine or the cover and is provided along a space formed between the engine and the cover; and a circuit board equipped with a connector which is housed and fixed in the case, wherein an inclined surface in which a height thereof is large near the connector and small near a distal portion far from the connector, is provided in the case.

Abstract: An outboard motor comprises an engine cover having an air intake opening for taking in air, an engine disposed in the engine cover, and an AC generator disposed in the engine cover for generating electricity to drive the engine. A cooling air guide member is disposed in the engine cover for guiding the air taken in by the air intake opening towards the AC generator. The cooling air guide member has a bottom wall, a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite side edges of the bottom wall, and an opening extending through the bottom wall so that the air taken in by the intake opening is guided by the side walls and the bottom wall to flow through the opening to cool the AC generator.

Abstract: A cowling assembly for an outboard motor includes an improved construction that can supply relatively cool air containing little water to the induction device and can also supply air to cool engine components without reducing the charging efficiency. The outboard motor has an engine that includes an air induction device and is enclosed within the cowling. The cowling assembly defines a closed cavity in which the engine is contained and has an air intake system. An air intake duct structure introduces air into the cavity. The intake duct structure includes a plurality of relatively narrow connection passages and has an expansion chamber portion disposed on the downstream side of the passages. Intake noise is reduced by this construction. In one preferred form, the cowling assembly additionally has a second intake system. One or more connection passages communicate with the first air intake system and the second air intake system.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover, a lower motor cover and a gear case that covers an engine that propels a watercraft. The upper motor cover mates with the lower motor cover and is configured to assist with alignment during assembly. The lower motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of upper motor covers depending on engine size, and each upper motor cover is configured to be assembled to one of a plurality of top caps depending on whether the engine uses an electric starter or a pull starter. An illuminator, in the form of a lamp, a removable light or a reflector, is provided on the cowling.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. The engine has an air induction device for introducing air to a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system for communicating exhaust products away from the combustion chamber. The air induction device has an intake opening near a front end of the engine. The cowling has an air inlet at a rear portion of the cowling. An air guide member is disposed between the cowling air inlet and an engine cover, which is positioned atop the engine. The air guide member and engine cover cooperate to direct air toward a rear and center of the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. A tilt and trim mechanism includes a manually-actuable tilt switch for controlling tilt and trim of the motor. Both the port and starboard sidewalls of the cowling have apertures formed therethrough. The apertures are sized and configured to accomodate a tilt switch. In one embodiment, a tilt switch is arranged in one aperture and a plug is arranged in the other aperture. In another embodiment, tilt switches are arranged in both apertures.

Abstract: A stern drive system having an outdrive generally disposed downstream relative to water flow aft a transom of the boat is configured to be rotated about a generally horizontal axis to impart a desired trim or tilt to the drive system. A tilt-trim subsystem assembly is affixed to the outdrive and has one respective end thereof configured to pivotally receive an anchor pin supported by the outdrive. The assembly includes at least one cylinder having one end thereof connected to another anchor pin so that when the cylinder is actuated by a circuit therein the outdrive and the tilt subsystem assembly are rotated about the generally horizontal axis during tilt maneuvers. A housing is provided to shield the tilt assembly and configured within the footprint of the outdrive to avoid resistance to water flow. Additionally, the housing may be configured to visually shield the tilt assembly from observers.

Abstract: An outboard engine assembly is provided for dividing an engine room into two room sections with a sealing property to protect an air intake system from being adversely affected with heat generated by an exhaust system. The outboard engine assembly has a wall means serving as a partition wall to divide the engine room into two room sections. The wall means has a profile formed in a thick string which is placed between an outer side wall of a cylinder head cover and an inner side wall of an engine cover. In one of the two room sections, the air intake system is located for supplying intake air to a combustion chamber of an engine from outside. In the other one of the two room sections, the exhaust system is located for expelling exhaust emissions outside from the engine.

Abstract: An outboard engine with a grip recess formed on a part of an engine cover surface. The grip recess can be used as a handle by inserting an operator's hand thereinto. The outboard engine may be lifted up by using the grip recess as a handle during a tilt-up operation. This allows the outboard engine to be rotated upwardly easily about a tilt axis.

Abstract: An outboard motor electronic part unit provided between an engine for a boat and a cover covering the engine, comprises a case which is attached to the engine or the cover and is provided along a space formed between the engine and the cover; and a circuit board equipped with a connector which is housed and fixed in the case, wherein an inclined surface in which a height thereof is large near the connector and small near a distal portion far from the connector, is provided in the case.

Abstract: In an outboard motor, a fuel tank is disposed inside an engine cover so as to extend vertically along an axial direction of a crankshaft and arranged in a space in the engine cover in front of the engine on a hull side. The fuel tank is clamped and supported from the vertical direction by a lower engine cover section of the engine cover and an engine starting device disposed above the engine.

Abstract: An outboard engine system includes a casing having a driving-force transmitting device provided therein, and an engine for transmitting power through the driving-force transmitting device to a propeller. The casing and the engine are carried on a hull for tilting-up movement. An engine cover made of a synthetic resin covers at least an upper portion of the engine, and an undercover comprises a pair of cover halves made of a synthetic resin and connected to each other to cover at least a lower portion of the engine from opposite sides. The undercover is detachably connected at its upper end to a lower end of the engine cover and fixed to an upper portion of the casing. In such outboard engine system, the undercover is detachably fixed at its upper portion to a body of the engine. Thus, the undercover can be supported so as to give an impression that the engine cover and the undercover are rigid during a tilting-up operation.

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive, an engine is supported on an engine mount case, and an under cover made of plastic material having a lower end attached to the engine mount case defines an open upper end which engages an open lower end of an engine cover also made of plastic material. A metallic stay member having a lower end fixedly attached to the engine mount case which is typically made of cast aluminum alloy and an upper end fixedly supporting a support rail reinforces the open upper end of the under cover. Thus, the essential part is reinforced by a metallic member, and the required mechanical strength can be achieved while minimizing the increase in weight. The upper end of the stay member may be used for attaching a latch unit for securing the engine cover to the under cover or the engine mount case.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. The engine has an air induction device for introducing air to a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system for communicating exhaust products away from the combustion chamber. The air induction device has an intake opening near a front end of the engine. The cowling has an air inlet at a rear portion of the cowling. An air guide member is disposed between the cowling air inlet and an engine cover, which is positioned atop the engine. The air guide member and engine cover cooperate to direct air toward a rear and center of the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. A tilt and trim mechanism includes a manually-actuable tilt switch for controlling tilt and trim of the motor. Both the port and starboard sidewalls of the cowling have apertures formed therethrough. The apertures are sized and configured to accomodate a tilt switch. In one embodiment, a tilt switch is arranged in one aperture and a plug is arranged in the other aperture. In another embodiment, tilt switches are arranged in both apertures.

Abstract: Air intake guide is provided within an engine cover and surrounded by a wall that is provided independently of an inner surface of the engine cover. The air intake guide has one end communicating with an air intake opening of the engine cover and the other end opening into an engine room.

Abstract: An outboard engine comprises: a power unit including a body structure, an engine (10) disposed in an upper portion of the body structure, a propeller shaft (25) supported for rotation on a lower portion of the body structure so as to be driven by the engine (10), and a cowling (5) detachably attached to the body structure so as to cover the engine (10) from above and to defining a part of an engine room (6). A tilt bracket (35) connected to the body structure of the power unit is connected pivotally to a stern bracket (36) clamped to a boat by a tilt shaft (37). The cowling (5) is provided integrally with a tilt handle (80) to be gripped by hand when tilting the power unit, and an air inlet structure (70) through which air is introduced into the engine room (6).

Abstract: An outboard engine comprises an engine having a crankshaft (36) extending vertically, a flywheel 56 provided on the crankshaft (36) below the engine body, an oil pump (58), and a flywheel chamber (59) defined by a pump body (65) of the oil pump (58) united to coupling walls 61, 62 of the engine body to accommodate the flywheel 56; and a mount case (4) having a support wall 64 for uniting the engine body. The engine body is united with its coupling walls (61, 62) to the support wall (64) via an outer circumferential wall (63) of the pump body (65) such that the coupling walls (61, 62), outer circumferential wall (63) and support wall (64) overlap in the direction of a rotation axis of the crankshaft (36). Such outboard engine permits a connecting portion between the engine body and the mount case, which are united together via the oil pump body, to be decreased in size and weight.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing a four-cycle engine therein. The engine has an air induction device for introducing air to a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system for communicating exhaust products away from the combustion chamber. A pair of camshafts actuate intake and exhaust valves. A variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism is arranged at an upper end of at least one of the camshafts to set the camshaft to an angular position between advanced and delayed angular positions. The cowling includes an air intake, and an engine cover is positioned between the engine and the air intake. The engine cover covers the top and sides of the VVT mechanism so as to protect the VVT mechanism from contact with water that may enter the cowling through the air intake.

Abstract: A cover structure (50) in an outboard engine (1) having an engine (2) with an engine block (8), a vertical crankshaft (7) and a vertical camshaft (15) having upper end portions projecting upward from the engine block, a timing belt (17) extended between upper ends of the crankshaft and the camshaft, and a flywheel (12a) disposed on the upper end portion of the crankshaft (7). The ventilation cover structure (50) comprises a first cover (60) disposed above the engine block (8) so as to cover at least the flywheel (12a) and opening downward, and a second cover disposed above the engine block (8) so as to cover a space extending over a portion of the engine block (8) including the camshaft (15) and opening downward. The first and the second covers (60, 80) are joined together so that spaces covered with the first and the second covers (60, 80) are united in a single space.

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive, an engine is supported on an engine mount case, and an under cover made of plastic material having a lower end attached to the engine mount case defines an open upper end which engages an open lower end of an engine cover also made of plastic material. A metallic stay member having a lower end fixedly attached to the engine mount case which is typically made of cast aluminum alloy and an upper end fixedly supporting a support rail reinforces the open upper end of the under cover. Thus, the essential part is reinforced by a metallic member, and the required mechanical strength can be achieved while minimizing the increase in weight. The upper end of the stay member may be used for attaching a latch unit for securing the engine cover to the under cover or the engine mount case.

Abstract: The escape of acoustic energy via an opening in a motor housing penetrated by a steering arm is reduced by installing a pair of acoustic seals. The seals have respective membranes which extend across respective portions of the opening in the housing. These membranes are flexible, self-supporting and substantially block the transmission therethrough of acoustic wave energy in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 hertz. The acoustic seals installed in the housing opening, in combination with a vibro-acoustic treatment applied on the inner surface of the motor housing, suppress noise produced by the motor.