Patents Assigned to Sanshin
  • Outboard motor exhaust cooling
    Patent number: 5556311
    Abstract: A catalytic exhaust system for an outboard motor wherein the catalyst is positioned in the drive shaft housing to remove this source of heat from the power head. However, the catalyst is contained within a sealed compartment in the drive shaft housing lower unit. In order to protect the catalyst from water, a trap section is positioned in the power head and this is water cooled by a source of water which has not passed through the engine for its cooling prior to delivery to the trap section. In addition, the guide plate that separates the power head from the drive shaft housing and through which the exhaust gases pass is also water cooled. An arrangement is incorporated for permitting replacement and servicing of the catalytic converter. Although both above the water and below the water exhaust gas discharges are employed, all gases flowing to the atmosphere must pass through the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fujimoto
  • Water circulation system for marine engine
    Patent number: 5555855
    Abstract: A water circulation system of a marine engine improves the consistency of engine combustion by stabilizing the temperature of water flowing through the engine water jacket and by heating the intake manifold to a temperature within a desired temperature range. The desired temperature range is defined so as to optimize fuel vaporization without significantly affecting the volumetric efficiency of the engine. The water circulation system includes a control valve which directs water flow through the circulation system according to the water temperature exiting the engine water jacket. The valve recirculates water between the engine water jacket and a recirculation path until the water temperature reaches a predetermined lower temperature limit. The control valve then allows a portion of the water to flow through a heating jacket around the intake manifold to heat the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Takahashi
  • Engine management system
    Patent number: 5555858
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of drain-control systems for two-cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engines wherein collected lubricant and condensed fuel may be pumped out of a low spot in the engine when certain engine conditions exist. The pumped liquid is delivered back either to the engine through its induction system or exhaust system for further burning or is mixed with the fuel that is delivered to the engine. Adjustments are made in the fuel-air ratio supplied by the charge-forming system when the drains are being pumped so as to avoid uneven running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Katoh
  • Fluid level indicator system
    Patent number: 5555857
    Abstract: A system for providing an indicator light operated by a fluid level sensor, including a power source providing the voltage to a first node, a first LED and a first circuit branch connecting the first node to ground, a voltage dropping component in the first circuit branch, a second circuit branch including a second LED connected to the first node in parallel with the first LED, and a normally open first fluid level switch that can close to connect the second circuit branch to ground. The sum of the turn on voltage of the first LED and the voltage drop across the voltage dropping component when the first LED is on is greater than the voltage drop from the first node to ground through the second LED when the first switch is closed, so that the first LED is normally on when the first switch is open, and the second LED is on and the first LED is off when the first switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kanno
  • Method and apparatus for improving dispersibility of vegetable fiber
    Patent number: 5556040
    Abstract: A method of improving dispersibility of vegetable fiber in which vegetable fibers obtained by opening up a vegetable material are caused to pass through at least one set of rolls to improve the dispersibility of the vegetable fibers, where each set of rolls comprises at least two rolls which have a large number of teeth or a large number of pins and are rotated in the same direction. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve dispersibility of vegetable fibers which have conventionally been unable to be uniformly blended with other materials due to lumping and/or entwining, thereby providing an advantage that uniform blending with other materials becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignees: ASK Corporation, Sanshin Thermal Insulation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Irie, Motonobu Abe, Norihito Akiyama
  • Bearing arrangement for marine transmission
    Patent number: 5556312
    Abstract: An improved transmission bearing assembly for a counter-rotating propeller system of a marine outboard drive directly journals the driven gears of the transmission on the propulsion shafts of the outboard drive. The hub of one driven gear is journaled between a portion of an inner propulsion shaft and a hollow end of the outer propulsion shaft. The bearing assembly also supports the hollow end of the outer propulsion shaft at a front end of a bearing carrier and supports a rearward section of the outer shaft at a rear end of the bearing carrier. The span between the bearing assemblies journaling the outer propulsion shaft within the bearing carrier is increased by positioning the bearing assemblies at the ends of the bearing carrier. The positions of the bearing assemblies at the ends of the bearing carrier thus improves the stability of the outer propulsion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ogino
  • Outboard drive transmission
    Patent number: 5556313
    Abstract: A transmission for a counter-rotating propeller system of a watercraft outboard drive includes a reduced friction coupling between the inner and outer shafts which permits transfer of the thrust loading on the inner shaft to the outer shaft under a reverse drive condition. The inner and outer shafts include opposing transverse surfaces which are separated by a pair of anti-friction washers. The washers allow the shafts to rotate in opposite directions with minimum friction, while allowing the opposing surfaces to act on each other through the washers to transfer the trust loading when the watercraft is driven in reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ogino
  • Exhaust system for watercraft
    Patent number: 5556314
    Abstract: A number of exhaust systems for watercraft propelled by a propulsion unit contained within a tunnel formed in the underside of the hull. This tunnel has an opening through the side of the hull and exhaust gases are delivered to the tunnel from the engine through an exhaust system having an exhaust opening communicating with the tunnel. Various flow controlling arrangements are provided for controlling the flow through one or all of the openings so as to assist in exhaust silencing without significantly increasing back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushuki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihide Fukuda, Shigeyuki Ozawa
  • Intake system insulator for outboard motor
    Patent number: 5551385
    Abstract: An insulator supports a plurality of charge formers on the end of an intake manifold. The insulator, made in part of elastic material, thermally decouples the charge formers from the engine to reduce conduction of engine heat to the charge formers. Expansion of the intake manifold due to heat deforms the insulator, without substantially moving the charge formers so as not to deform a linkage which interconnects the charge formers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Koygo Kabushiko Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadato Yoshida, Hiroshi Nakai, Akihiko Hoshiba, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Discharge nozzle arrangement for water jet propulsion unit
    Patent number: 5551898
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of steering nozzle and reverse thrust bucket arrangements for jet propelled watercraft. The steering nozzle, in addition to being mounted for steering movement about a vertically extending steering axis is also mounted for trim adjustment about a horizontally extending axis. A cooperating reverse thrust bucket provides reverse thrust operation. The reverse thrust bucket is either mounted on the hull of the watercraft independently of the jet propulsion unit, on the outer housing of the jet propulsion unit independently of the steering nozzle or on the steering nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chihiro Matsumoto
  • Outboard motor
    Patent number: 5549492
    Abstract: An outboard motor incorporating a unitary mounting assembly for resiliently connecting the steering shaft to the driveshaft housing. The mounting assembly also closes an upper portion of the driveshaft housing and has an opening that passes a water tube for supplying cooling water to the engine of the outboard motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Yamamoto, Takio Ogasawara, Toshihiro Nozue
  • Exhaust system for a small planing craft
    Patent number: 5550337
    Abstract: An exhaust silencing system for a small planing craft includes a first expansion chamber housing on one side of a water craft which transmits exhaust gases and waste cooling water to a second expansion chamber housing which may have a number of expansion chambers. A long exhaust pipe extends from the second expansion chamber housing to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tazaki, Kazumasa Ito, Atsushi Sugawara
  • Exhaust system for outboard motor
    Patent number: 5546748
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of exhaust systems for outboard motors including a combined catalyst bed and exhaust manifold forming member affixed within the cylinder block of the engine so as to be readily detachable for servicing. This combined member is provided with a separate cooling jacket for its cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomio Iwai, Seiichi Tanaka
  • Control for outboard motor
    Patent number: 5545064
    Abstract: A throttle and transmission control assembly adapted to be mounted on the tiller of an outboard motor for controlling its transmission and throttle. Both the transmission and throttle controls employ devices that convert rotary into reciprocating motion and which amplify the reciprocating motion so as to permit a compact assembly. The movable components are all mounted on a single piece of the assembly so as to minimize manufacturing variations and to simplify the overall construction. In addition, an interlock is provided that controls the maximum speed at which the engine can be operated when in neutral and for blocking shifting into neutral from forward or reverse when operating at a greater than a predetermined speed but for permitting forced movement into neutral under some engine speeds and, at the same time, reducing the engine speed to the maximum permitted at neutral upon such shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsunekawa, Kouji Abe
  • Position detector for remote control system
    Patent number: 5539294
    Abstract: A remote control system for controlling the actuation of control levers through an actuator unit from a remote location by a moveable operator. The system includes a control position detector for detecting the position of the operator which is directly connected to the operator to reduce the manual effort required for actuation of the control levers and to improve the responsiveness of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyonobu Kobayashi
  • Engine choke actuation system
    Patent number: 5537964
    Abstract: An engine choke actuation system controls both the opening degree of the choke and throttle valves of a plurality of charge formers during all phases of engine warmup. The engine choke actuation system includes a first device which acts to close the choke valve at the time of engine starting. A second device restricts a degree of closure of the choke valve by the first device depending upon the temperature of the engine at the time of engine starting. The second device also controls the opening degree of the choke valves after engine starting, increasing the opening degree of the choke valve with increasing engine temperature. In addition, the second device controls the fast idle angle of the throttle valves during engine warmup, decreasing the fast idle angle of the throttle valves as the engine temperature increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiko Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Hoshiba
  • Balancer shaft arrangement for four-cycle watercraft engine
    Patent number: 5537968
    Abstract: A compact balancer shaft arrangement for a four-cycle, internal combustion engine includes a pair of opposing balancer shafts driven by an engine crankshaft. Each balancer shaft has a shorter length than the crankshaft with its center of mass longitudinally offset from the midpoint of the crankshaft. The balancer shafts are driven from a lower end of the crankshaft and extend upwardly in a direction parallel to the crankshaft. The short length of the balancer shafts presents a compact assembly and provides space for other engine accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Takahashi
  • Variable compression ratio system for two-cycle engine
    Patent number: 5537958
    Abstract: An exhaust control system for a two-cycle engine for controlling the effective compression ratio. The exhaust control valve is operated by a servo mechanism to maintain the appropriate compression ratio in response to engine running conditions. To facilitate servicing, the exhaust control valve is rotatably journalled within the engine cylinder block in a removable sleeve. In addition, a manual operator is provided for manually rotating the exhaust control valve for cleaning operation and to reduce sticking if corrosion occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Nishimura, Tatsuyuki Masuda
  • Throttle linkage system
    Patent number: 5535718
    Abstract: A throttle linkage system for synchronizing the movement between a plurality of throttle valves journaled in throttle bodies affixed to a common member that includes a link that has the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the member to which the throttle bodies are connected so as to avoid synchronization problems due to different thermal expansions. In addition, the linkage system is such that it accommodates manufacturing variations from the more remotely positioned throttle valves by providing a structure for permitting relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushuki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakai, Akihiko Hoshiba, Sadato Yoshida, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Exhaust system for watercraft
    Patent number: 5536189
    Abstract: A small personal watercraft having an exhaust system that is designed to provide adequate length and which has a downwardly inclined section that is disposed above the exhaust manifold for ensuring that water cannot enter the engine through the exhaust system. The engine is water cooled and the coolant that is circulated through the engine cooling jacket is discharged back to the body of water in which the watercraft is operating through the exhaust system. A direct coolant discharge having a relatively large effective area for limiting the amount of water entering the exhaust system. A tell-tale discharge is disposed in a lower portion of the hull to be visible by a rider but will not enter the passenger's area and will drain from the tell-tale when the engine is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeharu Mineo