Abstract: A crankshaft bearing support arrangement is disclosed for an engine arranged such that the crankshaft is vertically oriented. The crankshaft rotates within a crankcase chamber defined by the cylinder block and a crankcase cover connected thereto. First web members which support half-bearings extend from the cylinder block. Mating half-bearings are supported by second web members position opposite the first web members. An oil flow passage is defined through the crankcase chamber generally opposite the cylinder block from a top end to a bottom end of the chamber. In one arrangement, the oil flow passage comprises individual passages through the second web members. In another arrangement, the oil flow passage comprises a space between an end of the second web members opposite the cylinder block and the crankcase cover.

Abstract: A shift and throttle control mechanism allows for control of the shift and throttle features of an outboard motor through two separate operators. For instance, one operator can be remotely positioned in the hull of an associated watercraft, while the other operator can be formed on a steering handle of the outboard motor. The shift and throttle control mechanism is also configured to fit within a cowling of the outboard motor, together with a four-cycle engine, without significantly increasing the size of the cowling. In one mode, the shift and throttle control mechanism includes a shift shaft arranged toward the front side of the engine. One of the operators is directly connected to shift shaft by a linkage rod. The other operator is connected by a shift control cable to a shift lever that is located on the side of the engine. This location of the shift lever allows the end of the shift control cable to be fixed within the cowling without increasing the cowling's size.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved security systems for marine propulsion systems that do not have a continuously available source of electrical energy. These systems include an electric key reader that is powered by a manually operated electrical power supply during starting so as to ensure against theft. In one embodiment, if there is a failure in the electrical power supply for the security system, the speed of the propulsion system is limited so that a rightful owner can reach an area where service can be obtained.

Abstract: An outboard motor outer cover arrangement The outboard motor is comprised primarily of a powerhead and a drive shaft housing and lower unit which depends from the powerhead. The powerhead is comprised of an internal combustion engine and a surrounding protective cowling. The protective cowling comprises a lower tray portion and a detachable main cowling portion that is detachably connected to the tray portion. An exhaust guide is provided at the upper end of the drive shaft housing and lower unit and the engine is supported on this guide plate as is the tray. A cover is detachably connected to the underside of the exhaust guide and is positioned in partially surrounding relationship to the upper portion of the drive shaft housing and lower unit so as to provide a neat appearance.

Abstract: An outboard motor embodying a four-cycle internal combustion engine having a decompression device for automatically reducing the compression ratio to assist in pull starting. The decompression device is mounted and operated through one end of the cam shaft and thus facilitates modification of engines so as to incorporate this feature or not incorporate the feature. The construction also facilitates lubrication of a centrifugal mechanism that actuates the decompression device.

Abstract: An improved thrust taking arrangement for an outboard drive includes an anti-friction member that transfers the thrust between the trim adjusting thrust member and the outboard drive. The anti-friction member is attached on the thrust taking member and is made of a material having a smaller coefficient of friction than both of the thrust member and the thrust taking member for reducing friction upon reciprocation of the thrust member.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a direct cylinder fuel injection system with a high-pressure pump that is driven directly from the engine crankshaft. This drive is positioned on the crankshaft above the flywheel at the upper portion of the engine, with other accessories being driven from the crankshaft below the flywheel, while still at the top of the engine. This facilitates servicing of the components and places them all in easily accessed locations.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an outboard motor that has a vertically extending crankshaft and which exhaust manifold is formed in the cylinder head and cylinder block. The cylinder block forms the exhaust manifold by runner sections that are configured in such a way so as to facilitate the casting process by which they are formed and which provide an effective smooth flow path without requiring complex cores or patterns.

Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to avoid knocking. Different types of injection control are applied to achieve this depending on the engine running condition when knocking occurs. Both injection initiation and duration are controlled. Injection timing is employed primarily to control knocking under steady state running. Both injection initiation and duration are controlled to avoid knocking under acceleration.

Abstract: A surface polishing method comprises allowing a holder to hold a flat sheet-like workpiece, placing a pad tape in a location opposite to the holder, the pad tape consisting of a tape substrate and grains bonded to the substrate surface, supplying free grains between the holder and the pad tape, and rotating the holder and/or a mechanism holding the tape, thereby causing the free grains to polish the workpiece. An apparatus for practicing the method comprises a holder capable of holding a flat sheet-like workpiece, a tape holding mechanism located opposite to the surface of the workpiece and carrying a pad tape which consists of a tape substrate and grains bonded to the substrate, a rotary mechanism for rotating the holder and/or the tape holding mechanism, and an abrasive supplying mechanism for supplying free grains between the surface of the workpiece and the pad tape.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for providing fuel from a fuel source to a combustion chamber of an engine is disclosed. The fuel supply system includes a vapor separator in which vapor is separated from fuel supplied from the fuel source. A pre-pressurizing pump pressurizes fuel from the vapor separator to a first pressure and delivers it to a high pressure pump. The high pressure pump pressurizes the fuel to a pressure above the first pressure and delivers it to a fuel rail to which is connected a fuel injector for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber. A fuel return line extends from the fuel rail for returning undelivered fuel back to the fuel system. A valve controls the flow of fuel through the return line and maintains the fuel at high pressure in the fuel rail. A fuel cooler is provided along the return fuel line.

Abstract: An improved and simplified outboard motor construction wherein the cooling and exhaust systems for the engine are 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 and the oil returned to it.

Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to improve transitional operation. This is done by effecting a change in engine speed by effecting a change in fuel injection to a cylinder subsequent to the cylinder being supplied with fuel at the time the change in speed is called for.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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.