Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine including a reactor including opposed first and second ends, an outer shell extending between the opposed ends, and a flow path extending between the opposed ends and including an entry opening at the first end, and a discharge opening at the second end, and an engine member including a plurality of spaced combustion chamber portions each including an exhaust port, an exhaust manifold communicating with the exhaust ports and with the entry opening and including a generally vertically extending open side including a portion closed by the reactor outer shell, and an outer wall spaced from the open side of the manifold and also engaging the outer shell of the reactor.

Abstract: A system that provides rope-start capability on a fuel injected engine without the need of a battery. The system provides power to run an electronic fuel injection and the ignition directly from the alternator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor including a propulsion unit including an internal combustion engine having an exhaust port and an exhaust gas discharge system including a catalytic converter comprising a housing having an outer wall defining an axis, an inlet end with an inlet, and an outlet end with an outlet, a catalytic element located in the housing concentrically with the axis and having an outer surface defining, with the housing outer wall, an outlet volume which increases in size in the direction toward the housing outlet end, an inner surface spaced from the outer surface, defining therein an inlet volume, and defining, adjacent the housing outlet end, a by-pass opening communicating between the inlet volume and the housing outlet, and flow passages extending radially outwardly from the inner surface to the outer surface, communicating, at the inner surface, with the inlet volume, and communicating, at the outer surface, with the outlet volume, and a deflector moveable between a blocking positi

Abstract: An ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine. The ignition circuit includes a transformer having a secondary winding for generating a spark and having first and second primary windings, a capacitor connected to the first primary winding to provide a high energy capacitive discharge voltage to the transformer, a voltage generator connected to the second primary winding for generating an alternating current voltage, and a control circuit connected to the capacitor and to the voltage generator for providing control signals to discharge the high energy capacitive discharge voltage to the first primary winding and for providing control signals to the voltage generator to generate the alternating current voltage.

Abstract: An electronic ignition and engine management system with anti-lockup and anti-kickback features for use in an internal combustion marine engine wherein the engine's operating speed is measured and appropriate ignition advance timing values are determined from the operating speed. An ignition pulse is generated at the ignition advances unless the engine is in a startup mode, or below a predetermined startup threshold speed. During startup mode, ignition pulses are generated at or top dead center to avoid overadvanced firing conditions and thus prevent engine lockup and kickback.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block, a cylinder, an exhaust port, an inlet port, and a cylinder head fixed to the cylinder block including a recess, a spark plug fixed in the cylinder head along an axis located in a plane bisecting the inlet port and the exhaust port and extending at an acute angle to the cylinder axis, a fuel injector fixed in the cylinder head between the cylinder axis and the inlet side and along an axis located in the bisecting plane and extending in parallel and offset relation to the cylinder axis in the direction from the inlet port to the exhaust port, and a piston moveably axially in the cylinder and comprising an outer surface extending in opposing relation to the cylinder head and including a deflector extending diametrically from and between the cylindrical wall in transverse relation to the plane bisecting the inlet port and the exhaust port and including a centrally located raised crown having therein an axially inwardly extending bowl,

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing exhaust fumes from entering the deck area of a motor boat having an engine of the type which has an exhaust port that expels fumes at the rear end of the boat is disclosed. The present invention includes an air manifold located at the rear end of the boat above the exhaust port and adapted to direct air to the rear of the boat. Air ducts having inlets located forwardly of the rear end of the boat are connected to the air manifold. The air manifold assembly is configured to form an air barrier between exhaust fumes and the rear deck area of the boat to prevent exhaust fumes from flowing into the rear deck or the cabin area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nozzle assembly comprising a housing including an outer end, an inner end, a central bore extending between the inner and outer ends and including a valve seat adjacent the outer end of the housing, and a spring seat extending transversely to the central bore, a needle member located in the central bore, moveable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position, and including a valve surface engaged with the valve seat when the needle member is in the closed position, and an inner end, a needle retainer fixed to the needle member in spaced relation to the inner end of the housing and so as to engage the inner end of the housing when the needle member is in the open position, a spring retainer fixed to the inner end of the needle member, and a spring normally biasing the needle member to the closed position and including a first end bearing against the spring seat of the housing, and a second end bearing against the spring retainer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boat comprising a hull member including a gunwale having an outer peripheral surface, and a deck member including a depending peripheral portion including an inner concave surface engaged with the outer surface of the hull member with an interference fit.

Abstract: A connecting rod and crankshaft assembly comprising a crankshaft having an axis and including axially spaced end bearing surfaces in concentric relation to the axis, an arcuate throw portion extending from one of the end bearing surfaces and along a curvilinear axis and including a maximum cross section which extends perpendicularly to the curvilinear axis and which includes a maximum rectilinear distance passing through the curvilinear axis, and a crank pin extending from the throw portion in eccentric relation to the axis, a connecting rod comprising an elongated main body, and a crank pin end portion extending from the main body and including a cylindrical surface extending along an axis extending perpendicularly to the elongation of the main body and defining a crank pin aperture receiving the crank pin, and axially spaced side surfaces each including a first side surface portion located adjacent the main body and extending for an arcuate distance around the axis of less than 180 degrees, which first side

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a four-stroke internal combustion engine comprising a common crankcase, a crankshaft extending in the crankcase, first and second cylinders respectively extending from the common crankcase in acute angular relation to each other and respectively including first and second cylinder walls respectively including first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, a passage connecting the first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, first and second pistons respectively located in the first and second cylinders and respectively connected to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement toward and away from the crankshaft and between top dead center and bottom dead center positions, first and second cylinder heads respectively connected to the first and second cylinders, respectively partially defining first and second combustion chambers, and respectively including first and second mixture inlet passages respectively communicating with the first and second combustion chambers, first and second exhaust

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operating a two-stroke internal combustion engine so as to promote reduction in engine exhaust emissions, which two-stroke internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber, a pump operable to periodically pump air unmixed with fuel into the combustion chamber, a fuel injector communicating directly with the combustion chamber and operable to periodically inject fuel unmixed with air directly in the combustion chamber to provide a fuel charge, an ignition system operable to periodically ignite the fuel charge in the combustion chamber, and an exhaust system including an exhaust manifold communicating with the combustion chamber and operable to produce, in the engine exhaust gas, a thermal reaction so as to reduce engine exhaust emissions, which method includes the steps of pumping air unmixed with fuel to the combustion chamber, injecting fuel unmixed with air directly into the combustion chamber so as to provide a fuel charge and at an injecting timing which is retarded

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, a fuel injector, and a control unit for outputting a signal causing a fuel injection event, with a minimum time delay between the output of the signal and initiation of the fuel injection event, the method comprising the steps of sensing crankshaft position, outputting the signal, and providing an additional time delay between the output of the signal and initiation of the fuel injection event so that the signal must be output at an earlier crankshaft position than would be necessary without the additional time delay, whereby changing crankshaft speed has a greater effect on the difference between the desired crankshaft position of the fuel injection event and the actual crankshaft position of the fuel injection event.

Abstract: A method of resin transfer molding with a thermoset resin material and including the steps of forming a mold defining a cavity, communicating a hollow sprue with the mold cavity, filling the mold cavity and the sprue with unpolymerized resin and catalyst mixture under pressure, refrigerating the sprue adjacent to the mold cavity so as to delay polymerization of the resin in the sprue to maintain a pressure path through the sprue to the mold cavity during the continued application of pressurized mixture to the sprue, and maintaining the refrigerating of the mixture in the sprue until after at least commencement of polymerization of the resin in the mold cavity to form a molded part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and assessing the accuracy of exhaust gas measurements using the total emission method is provided which allows for virtually real-time determination of the presence of a source of inaccuracy in the total emission measurement, thereby notifying an operator to interrupt the test prior to its completion to search out the source of the inaccuracy. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the measured total hydrocarbons are treated as unburned fuel (C.sub.8 basis) plus burning zone hydrocarbons (C.sub.1 basis).

Abstract: A method of molding an integrated structure, the method comprising the steps of (a) using at least first and second mold parts to define a primary mold cavity, (b) placing first molding material in the primary mold cavity to form a primary structure, (c) removing the second mold part from the first mold part, (d) using the first mold part and at least a third mold part to define a secondary mold cavity partially filled by the primary structure, and (e) placing second molding material in the remainder of the secondary mold cavity to form the integrated structure including the primary structure and the second molding material.

Abstract: A fuel primer pressure accumulator for an internal combustion engine fuel supply system capable of storing fuel under pressure when the internal combustion engine is stopped. The accumulator has a chamber formed by a casing and a pressure element. The accumulator is connected at a fuel inlet passage to the fuel supply line between the fuel pump and the carburetor. The accumulator is connected at a fuel outlet passage to a primer valve and through the primer valve to at least one fuel primer. A check valve is contained in the fuel inlet passage. The check valve permits the passage of fuel into the chamber when the internal combustion engine is running and restricts the passage of fuel out of the chamber when the internal combustion engine is stopped, thereby trapping fuel in the chamber.

Abstract: A shift interrupt apparatus for a marine drive of the type which has an ignition system and a transmission that is adapted to be selectively shifted among forward, neutral and reverse operating positions. A control member is provided for selectively positioning the transmission of the drive into forward, neutral and reverse operating positions. The apparatus has a light circuit associated with a mechanical assembly adapted to detect excessive shifting force, which generates an electrical signal for interrupting the ignition to facilitate easier shifting.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining a cylinder having a longitudinal axis, an upper end, and a cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the axis, a piston reciprocally moveable in the cylinder along the axis, the piston having an upper surface, a cylinder head including a lower surface portion closing the upper end of the cylinder, the lower surface portion extending generally perpendicular to the axis and having therein an upwardly extending recess, the recess having an upper end, a lower end, and a height, the lower end of the recess having an area in a plane perpendicular to the axis, the area being equal to approximately one-fifth the cross-sectional area of the cylinder, the height being equal to at least one-third of the cylinder diameter, a fuel injector supported relative to the cylinder head for injecting fuel into the recess, and a spark plug which is supported relative to the cylinder head and which extends into the recess for creating a spark.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device including a drive unit which is adapted to be mounted on a boat and which includes a propeller shaft, an internal combustion engine being drivingly connected to the propeller shaft and including an alternator generating first and second alternating current voltages, and a circuit for receiving the first and second alternating current voltages and for generating, in response to the first and second alternating current voltages, first and second direct current voltages for providing electrical power to the internal combustion engine.