Abstract: A start-up strategy for engine feedback control that utilizes a combustion condition sensor associated with only one cylinder. On starting and warm-up, only that one cylinder is feedback-controlled at all times. Under these conditions, the amount of corrected fuel supplied to the feedback cylinder is added to a fixed incremental amount of fuel that will be supplied to the remaining cylinders. This promotes smooth warm-up without backfiring or stalling and a quicker transition to all cylinder feedback control.

Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to avoid excessive hunting due to the close proximity of the sensor to the fuel injector. Both injection initiation and duration are controlled. Under certain conditions such as lean burn, steady state and transition from rich to lean the control is initially of only one of these two factors. If the air fuel ratio is then still out of range, the other control is effected.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a multi-cylinder four-cycle, internal combustion engine as a power plant. The engine is provided with an oil reservoir in the upper portion of the drive shaft housing and lower unit. Oil is drained back to this oil reservoir by separate drain passages formed in the cylinder head and in the crankcase. In addition, an improved crankcase ventilating system is provided wherein the crankcase ventilating gases follow a circuitous path through the crankcase chamber, camshaft chambers and then to the intake system so as to reduce the emissions of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and device for increasing the amount of fuel to an engine during acceleration is provided. A secondary source of fuel in addition to a first source of fuel is introduced into the engine during acceleration. The secondary source of fuel is introduced through a secondary fuel delivery line which is opened by a valve actuated in response to throttle control movement. In a first embodiment, the secondary fuel delivery line communicates with a fuel delivery area from which fuel is supplied to the first fuel source. The valve is pressed open by the throttle control along with a primary fuel source needle valve control, allowing fuel from the fuel delivery area to flow through the second fuel line in addition to the first fuel source. In second and third embodiments, the secondary fuel line communicates with an excess fuel return line. A valve extends across the fuel return line and secondary fuel line.

Abstract: This invention is an outboard motor for use in propelling a watercraft. The motor has a cowling in which is positioned an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises a V shaped cylinder block cooperating with first and second cylinder heads to define first and second cylinder banks. The cylinder banks form a valley therebetween. Each of the cylinder banks include at least one combustion chamber. A crankcase is located at an end of the block opposite the heads forming a crankcase chamber. The engine also includes an exhaust system for routing the products of combustion from at least one combustion chamber and an intake system for providing air to the at least one combustion chamber. The intake system includes a single surge tank positioned between the cowling and the crankcase of the engine.

Abstract: A direct injection system and control methodology for two-cycle crankcase compression engines wherein the injection timing is advanced from those normally utilized to avoid the incomplete combustion that results from the prior art method. The injection timing is advanced so that it occurs while the exhaust port is still open but it is timed in such a way that the injected fuel will not be swept out of the exhaust port before the exhaust port closes. The initiation of injection timing is adjusted in response to certain parameters such as engine speed and the volume of intake air flow. In addition, the effects of other cylinders sharing a common exhaust manifold is also compensated for.

Abstract: An improved and simplified outboard motor construction wherein the exhaust system for the engine is formed with a minimum number of components and sealing joints. The exhaust system includes an elongated expansion chamber formed in the drive shaft housing. In addition, the drive shaft housing has a cylindrical section that is journaled within a swivel bracket for its steering movement. The volume between the external portion of the drive shaft housing and the internal portion of the swivel bracket forms a second expansion chamber that is employed for the low speed above the water exhaust gas discharge. The flow of cooling the water to and from the engine is controlled so that the exhaust gas interchange area between the power head and the drive shaft housing will be well cooled, as will the oil reservoir for the engine.

Abstract: A control system for an outboard motor is disclosed. The control system includes a feedback control which obtains feedback data from a combustion condition sensor. The motor includes an engine positioned in a cowling and having a vertically extending output shaft in driving relation with a water propulsion device of the motor. The engine has at least one combustion chamber and an air/fuel charging system for delivering air and fuel into the combustion chamber for combustion therein. The motor includes an exhaust system for routing exhaust from the engine to a point external to the motor. The exhaust system includes an exhaust passage leading from the chamber to a main exhaust passage which extends vertically downward to an exhaust guide positioned below the engine. A passage leads from the exhaust guide into an expansion chamber and thereon to an exhaust discharge.

Abstract: An ignition arrangement for an internal combustion engine having an output shaft supported for rotation about an axis. The engine includes an engine housing at least partially enclosing the output shaft. Oil seals at least partially surround the output shaft for sealing the output shaft to the engine housing. An oil seal housing at least partially surrounds the output shaft and at least partially engages the oil seals. The oil seal housing directly supports a first ignition component.

Abstract: An outboard motor exhaust system and control for insuring good running and effective exhaust gas silencing and treatment. The system includes a very compact exhaust system that includes an expansion chamber formed beneath the exhaust guide plate and to which the exhaust gases are delivered and removed at optimal locations. Furthermore, a feedback control employing a combustion condition sensor is employed along with a catalyst in the exhaust. Sensors are provided upstream and downstream of the catalyst to ensure that it is operating at optimum conditions.

Abstract: A cooling system for an outboard motor having a water propulsion device and an internal combustion engine positioned in a cowling, the engine having an output shaft arranged to drive the water propulsion device, is disclosed. The cooling system includes a coolant delivery mechanism driven by the engine, the delivery mechanism arranged to deliver coolant of at least one coolant passage of the engine. The cooling system also includes at least one coolant drain line through which coolant may drain from the engine and a control which controls the flow of coolant through the drain line after the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A marine outboard drive that is equipped with integrated splash plates and a baffle plate that prevent water splash-up along the drive shaft housing. The baffle plate protrudes from the drive shaft housing to interact with plates on the lower bracket to create a labyrinth effect. The labyrinth created by the splash and baffle plates impedes the path of any water impinging upon the lower bracket and the drive shaft housing. This minimizes the amount of water travelling up the drive shaft housing. A splash plate may also be included on the lower bracket to minimize water flow above the lower bracket.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilation arrangement for an outboard motor that permits ventilating air and blowby gasses to flow from the crankcase chamber into an induction system of the engine for air purification. In addition, the arrangement is such that oil, which may flow into the ventilating system is separated so that it can return to the crankcase chamber.

Abstract: Two embodiments of outboard motor constructions that employ an improved mounting arrangement for certain electrical components such as ECUs and rectifier regulator units. The mounting arrangement places these components in proximity to the intake system for the engine so that the flow of intake air to the engine will assist in cooling the electrical components. A shrouding arrangement is also provided so as to protect the components from water vapor while not inhibiting the cooling air flow.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an engine of an outboard motor including a cowling and a water propulsion device is disclosed. The engine is positioned in the cowling and has a body having a top end and a bottom end and defining at least one combustion chamber. The engine has a generally vertically extending crankshaft having a bottom end in driving relation with the water propulsion device and a top end extending above the top end of the body of the engine, the engine including an intake system including an intake passage through which air is provided to each combustion chamber, at least one intake valve for controlling the flow through the intake passage, and an intake camshaft for actuating the intake valve(s). The engine also includes an exhaust system including an exhaust passage leading from each combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve for controlling the flow of exhaust through the exhaust passage, and an exhaust camshaft for actuating the exhaust valve(s).

Abstract: An oil pump for a lubricating system of an outboard motor is disclosed. The motor has a cowling defining an engine compartment, a water propulsion device, and a guide member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the guide member positioned in the cowling and generally dividing the engine compartment into an upper part and a lower part. An engine is positioned in the upper part of the engine compartment within the cowling and has an output shaft arranged to drive the water propulsion device. The lubricating system includes an oil pan positioned below the guide member and an oil passage leading from the pan through the guide member. The oil pump is positioned in the upper part of the engine compartment, but below the engine, and is driven by a lower end of the output shaft of the engine which extends below the engine, the oil pump having an oil inlet in communication with the oil passage through the guide member.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic circuit for a tilt and trim adjustment system allows an associated marine drive to be trimmed up into a tilt range for running in shallow water. The circuit includes a tilt relief valve. The valve differentiates between the hydraulic pressures within the system caused by various running conditions, and opens the valve only when two conditions are met: (i) the associated pump is activated and (ii) high pressure exists at the valve's inlet side, which usually occurs when running at high speeds. The valve, however, remains closed at slower speeds. The marine drive thus can be raised up and operated within the tilt range, provided that the speed is slow enough.

Abstract: A number of the embodiments of exhaust systems and oil tank arrangements for four-cycle internal combustion engine powered outboard motors. In all of the embodiments, idle exhaust gases are discharged to the atmosphere through a path that extends above the oil tank. A cooling jacket is formed around an exhaust pipe that depends through a cavity in the oil tank and coolant from this cooling jacket is discharged to the exterior surface of the exhaust pipe so as to cool it. Cooling water from the engine and from the exhaust pipe cooling jacket is isolated from the idle exhaust gas discharge so as to ensure that this cooling water cannot enter the engine through the idle exhaust gas discharge path.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying fuel from a fuel source to an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, the engine preferably powering an outboard motor, is disclosed. The fuel injection system comprises at least one fuel injector for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber of the engine, a pump delivering fuel at high pressure to at least one fuel rail arranged to deliver fuel under high pressure to the at least one fuel injector, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the fuel in the fuel rail, and a valve controlling a by-pass passage through which a portion of the fuel pumped by the pump may be selectively diverted away from the fuel rail, based upon the fuel pressure detected by the pressure sensor.