Patents Assigned to BRP US Inc.
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Patent number: 12067814Abstract: A marine motor assembly for mounting to a watercraft is disclosed. The marine motor assembly has a motor unit including a motor unit housing, a motor, a propulsion device, an air pump fluidly communicating with an under-housing volume of the motor unit housing, a pressure sensor for measuring air pressure in the under-housing volume, and a control unit communicating with the air pump and the pressure sensor. The control unit is programmed for controlling the air pump for changing air pressure in the under-housing volume, and monitoring change in the air pressure for a predetermined amount of time for confirming that the motor unit housing is water-resistant, or that the water resistance of the motor unit housing is compromised. A method for testing a water resistance of a motor unit housing of a marine motor assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: BRP US Inc.Inventors: Mark J Skrzypchak, Nathan Blank, Kenneth Chung
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Patent number: 11578679Abstract: An exhaust valve system for a two-stroke internal combustion engine having: at least one exhaust valve movable between open and closed positions; an actuator for moving the at least one exhaust valve; a valve position sensor; a controller communicating with the actuator and the valve position sensor. The controller being programmed for: controlling the actuator to attempt to move the at least one exhaust valve to a desired one of the open and closed positions; determining if the at least one exhaust valve has failed to reach the desired position based on the position of the at least one exhaust valve sensed by the valve position sensor; and controlling the actuator to move the at least one exhaust valve to an intermediate position when the at least one exhaust valve has failed to reach the desired position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Justin Johnson, Nathan Blank, Jeremiah Gillis
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Patent number: 11560864Abstract: A reciprocating exhaust valve for a two-stroke internal combustion engine has a shaft for connection to a valve actuator, the shaft defining a reciprocation axis of the valve, the reciprocation axis defining a longitudinal direction of the valve; and a blade having: a first end having an arcuate edge, a second end connected to the shaft, two side portions, and a central portion. The blade has a first end portion adjacent the first end that includes a part of the central portion and of each of the two side portions. A width of the central portion is greater than a width of each of the side portions. In the first end portion, a thickness of the part of each of the two side portions is greater than a thickness of the part of the central portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Justin Johnson, Joseph Zamora, Roger Raetzman
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Patent number: 11505299Abstract: A watercraft and a marine engine assembly for mounting to a watercraft are disclosed. The marine engine assembly includes an engine unit including: an engine unit housing being sealed such that water in which the engine unit housing is immersed is impeded from entering the engine unit housing; an engine in the housing; and an air intake assembly in the engine unit housing which forms a conduit between an exterior of the engine unit housing and the engine, the air intake assembly defining an inlet fluidly communicating with exterior air, the engine unit housing defining at least one aperture aligned with the inlet, the air intake assembly defining at least one outlet fluidly connected with the engine intake, the air intake assembly being sealed such that surrounding fluids within the engine unit housing are impeded from entering the air intake assembly; and a propulsion device operatively connected to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: George Broughton, James Macier
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Patent number: 10933963Abstract: A method for controlling a trim-tilt angle of a propulsion unit of a marine outboard motor. The method includes: receiving a request to increase the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; determining a motor operation parameter; determining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; prior to increasing the trim-tilt angle in response to the request, determining if the propulsion unit is in a trim limit condition; increasing the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit in response to the request when the propulsion unit is determined not to be in the trim limit condition; and one of maintaining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit and stopping increase of the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit when the propulsion unit is determined to be in the trim limit condition. A method for controlling the trim-tilt angle in view of an over-trim condition of the propulsion unit is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Philip Bylsma, Benjamin Jones
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Patent number: 10876459Abstract: An exhaust system for a marine outboard engine including an engine having an engine exhaust port. The exhaust system includes a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port vertically higher than the first exhaust port, a first passage for fluidly connecting to the engine exhaust port and fluidly connected to the first exhaust port, a second passage fluidly connected between the first passage and the second exhaust port, a catalytic converter defining at least in part the second passage, a valve operable to at least partially close the first passage to respectively reduce and increase flow of exhaust gas to the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port, a valve actuator operatively connected to the valve, and a controller operatively connected to the valve actuator for controlling a position of the valve based at least in part on a speed and a throttle request of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Wasil, George Broughton
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Patent number: 10850819Abstract: A bracket assembly for a marine outboard motor has a stern bracket, a swivel bracket pivotably connected to the stern bracket to pivot relative to the stern bracket about a tilt axis, a motor mount pivotably connected to the swivel bracket to pivot relative to the swivel bracket about a steering axis, a steering lock bracket operatively connected to the motor mount and being pivotable with the motor mount relative to the swivel bracket about the steering axis, and a locking member. The locking member is one of: a) movably connected to the swivel bracket to move between a locked and an unlocked positions, and b) removably connected to both the swivel bracket and the steering lock bracket to prevent or limit pivoting of the motor mount about the steering axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Darrell Wiatrowski, Mark Whiteside, Benjamin J. Jones
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Patent number: 10723429Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Darrell Wiatrowski, Benjamin Jones, Mark J. Skrzypchak, Kenneth Chung
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Patent number: 10704502Abstract: A marine outboard engine includes an internal combustion engine including at least one fuel injector; a fuel vapor separator including: a separator body, a fuel reservoir defined by the separator body, and a first fuel pump fluidly connected between the fuel reservoir and the fuel injector; a fuel tank; and a second fuel pump fluidly connected between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor separator. The fuel vapor separator includes a heat exchanger disposed in the separator body. The heat exchanger includes at least one fuel channel defined by the heat exchanger body, the at least one fuel channel including: an inlet adapted for receiving fuel from the engine, and an outlet fluidly communicating with the fuel reservoir; and at least one coolant channel defined by the heat exchanger body, the at least one fuel channel and the at least one coolant channel being in thermal communication.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignees: BRP US INC., WALBRO LLCInventors: Matthew James Young, Justin Johnson, Paul Westhoff, Jr., Travis P. Baur, Kevin L. Israelson, David D. Hacker, Nathan Blank, David Scott Soderman
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Patent number: 10556657Abstract: A marine outboard engine comprises an internal combustion engine, a gearcase defining a gearcase chamber, a plurality of gears disposed in the gearcase chamber, a driveshaft operatively connecting the crankshaft to the plurality of gears, an output shaft disposed at least in part in the gearcase chamber and being operatively connected to the plurality of gears, a rotor connected to the output shaft for propelling the marine outboard engine, a lubricant reservoir for holding lubricant, a first lubricant conduit fluidly connecting the lubricant reservoir to the crankcase chamber for supplying lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the crankcase chamber, and a second lubricant conduit fluidly connecting the lubricant reservoir to the gearcase chamber for supplying lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the gearcase chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: George Broughton, Mark C. Noble, Richard McChesney, Jeffrey Wasil
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Patent number: 10543895Abstract: A steering system for a watercraft has steering position sensors sensing a steering position of first and second outboard motors, hydraulic steering actuators for steering the outboard motors, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to the steering actuators, at least one valve for reversing a direction of flow of hydraulic fluid into the steering actuators, and a steering controller. The steering controller executes a realignment process including: receiving signals indicative of the steering positions of the outboard motors from the steering position sensors; based at least in part on the signals, determining if the outboard motors are misaligned; and, if the outboard motors are misaligned, actuating the at least one valve to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid into a corresponding steering actuator in a direction opposite to that corresponding to an active steering direction set by the hydraulic helm so as to reduce misalignment of the outboard motors.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Samuel McGinley, Darrell Wiatrowski, Jeremiah Gillis
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Patent number: 10527125Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly has a crankcase, a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, the cylinder block defining at least one cylinder, at least one piston disposed in the at least one cylinder, a crankshaft disposed at least in part in the crankcase and operatively connected to the at least one piston, and a flywheel operatively connected to and driven by the crankshaft. The crankshaft rotates in a first direction about a crankshaft axis. The flywheel rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction about the flywheel axis. A clutch selectively operatively connects the crankshaft to the flywheel. A marine outboard engine having the internal combustion engine assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: George Broughton, Mark C. Noble, Richard McChesney, Samuel McGinley
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Patent number: 10472039Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Samuel McGinley, Benjamin Jones, Darrell Wiatrowski
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Patent number: 10442515Abstract: A propulsion system has an internal combustion engine including an exhaust manifold and an engine air intake, an exhaust port fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold, a fresh air intake fluidly connected to the engine air intake and a filter assembly including adsorbent material and being configurable between a loading configuration allowing for filtration of at least some components of an exhaust gas of the engine, and a purging configuration allowing for removal therefrom of at least some of the components of the exhaust gas. In the loading configuration, the filter assembly is fluidly connected between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust port. In the purging configuration, the filter assembly is fluidly connected between the fresh air intake and the engine air intake. Above a threshold effective engine speed of the engine, the filter assembly is in the purging configuration. A method for treating exhaust gas is also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Wasil, George Broughton
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Patent number: 10377458Abstract: A joystick system and a watercraft using the system are presented. The system includes a joystick having a low range of motion spanning from a rest angle to a threshold angle, and a high range of motion spanning from the threshold angle to a maximum angle; a joystick position sensor for producing signals indicative of a position of the joystick and a control for producing engine thrust request signals to control a resultant thrust of two thrust generation devices in response to receiving the signals from the joystick position sensor, the resultant thrust increasing from a minimum to a threshold thrust at a first rate of increase as the joystick moves from the rest angle toward the threshold angle, the resultant thrust increasing from the threshold thrust to a maximum thrust at a second greater rate of increase as the joystick moves from the threshold angle toward the maximum angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventor: Samuel McGinley
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Patent number: 9926060Abstract: A marine outboard engine for a watercraft has a stern bracket for mounting the marine outboard engine to the watercraft, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and a drive unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket about a steering axis. The steering axis is generally perpendicular to the tilt/trim axis. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the stern bracket and the swivel bracket for pivoting the swivel bracket and the drive unit relative to the stern bracket about the tilt/trim axis. A pump is mounted to the swivel bracket. The pump is pivotable about the tilt/trim axis together with the swivel bracket. The pump is fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Darrell Wiatrowski, Mark Whiteside, George Broughton, Mark Noble
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Patent number: 9863498Abstract: An outboard engine has a cowling defining an engine compartment and an outlet fluidly communicating therewith. An engine housed in the engine compartment includes an engine block and an output shaft defining an output shaft axis, an axial direction, a radial direction and a circumferential direction. An outer end thereof extends outside the engine block. A flywheel mounted thereto rotates therewith. A cover fixed with respect to the engine block defines a chamber housing the flywheel disposed axially between the engine block and the cover, and radially between the output shaft and the cover. The cover includes a channel member defining a channel between a first end and a second end fluidly communicating with the outlet. The channel member defines a cross-sectional area of the channel. A circumferentially-extending portion of the channel is continuous with the chamber and has a cross-sectional area increasing towards the second end.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Paul Westhoff, Jr., John Charles Scott, Dale Wiegele, Jonathan Servais
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Patent number: 9758879Abstract: An assembly of parts has a first metal part having a first surface having a corrosion resistant surface treatment and a second surface being free of corrosion resistant surface treatment, a second metal part having a third surface having a corrosion resistant surface treatment and a fourth surface being free of corrosion resistant surface treatment. The second metal part defines a recess that defines the fourth surface. The first and third surfaces are in contact. A conductive member is disposed at least in part in the recess and is in contact with the second and fourth surfaces. A sealing member disposed in the recess around the conductive member. A sacrificial anode is mounted and conductively connected to one of the first and second metal parts.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Mark Skrzypchak, Mark C. Noble, David Palmer, Ivan Lestan
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Patent number: 9718525Abstract: A marine engine for propelling a watercraft has a drive unit adapted to be pivotally connected about a steering axis to the watercraft, and a steering position sensing system. The steering position sensing system has a magnet housing operatively connected to the drive unit and having an arcuate portion, a magnet disposed in the magnet housing, a sensor housing adapted to be operatively connected to the watercraft and a sensor disposed in the sensor housing. The magnet housing and the magnet are pivotable about the steering axis with the drive unit and relative to the sensor housing. The arcuate portion of the magnet housing is spaced from the sensor housing. The sensor senses a magnetic field of the magnet to determine an angular position of the drive unit relative to the watercraft. A bracket assembly for mounting an outboard engine to a watercraft is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventors: Darrell Wiatrowski, Roger Raetzman
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Patent number: 9682757Abstract: A method for reversing a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft has a reverse gate and a reverse gate actuator operatively connected to the reverse gate for moving the reverse gate between at least a stowed position and a reverse position. The method includes moving the reverse gate from the stowed position to the reverse position with the reverse gate actuator in response to receiving a reverse signal. The reverse gate actuator is controlled such that a movement speed of the reverse gate depends on at least one of a speed of the watercraft and a motor speed of a motor of the watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: BRP US INC.Inventor: Robert Bourret