Abstract: A lubricant filler structure for an internal combustion engine includes a lubricant filler tube having a lower end connected to the crankcase and an upper end forming a filling port. The filler tube is disposed forwardly at an angle with respect to the vertical. The engine also has a cover member through which the lubricant filler structure extends. The cover member and the lubricant filler structure are configured to enhance accessibility of a lubricant filling port by the user.

Abstract: An outboard motor powers a watercraft and comprises an engine mounted within an engine compartment. The engine comprises an induction system having an induction passage extending between an air intake box to a combustion chamber. A throttle valve is positioned along the passage. A bypass passage communicates with the passage at a location between the throttle valve and the combustion chamber. An adjustable valve controls flow through the bypass passage. The adjustable valve can be closed at a first rate if a the watercraft is traveling at a speed greater than a preset value and at a second rate if the watercraft is traveling at a speed below the preset value.

Abstract: An outboard motor features a v-type internal combustion engine having a generally vertically extending crankshaft. Exhaust gases from combustion chambers are routed through a set of exhaust manifolds positioned within the valley defined by the two banks of cylinders. The exhaust flow is merged within a passage formed in the cylinder block prior to passing the exhaust flow into a passage formed within an exhaust guide plate to which the engine is mounted. The merged flow passage is positioned to allow a compact outboard motor construction. The motor also features a cooling pattern by which the exhaust manifold runners, the exhaust manifold, the cylinder head, the valley and the cylinders are cooled in that order.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an improved construction that can release an engine from an abnormal engine speed so that, for example, the operator can operate a shift actuator without any overload. The engine includes an air induction system that introduces air to the combustion chamber and includes a throttle valve. The throttle valve admits the air to flow through the air induction system unless placed in a closed position. A throttle valve position sensor is arranged to sense the position of the throttle valve. An engine speed sensor is also arranged to sense a rotational speed of the crankshaft. A control device is provided for slowing down the engine speed based upon a throttle position signal from the throttle valve position sensor and a speed signal from the engine speed sensor.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of direct injected V-type outboard motors provided with a very effective fuel supply system wherein the number of components can be significantly reduced as well as the elimination of many of the flexible conduits normally employed. This also permits the fuel system to be assembled as a relatively unitary assembly that can be then affixed to the engine. The arrangement is such that purging of the system from vapors during shutdowns is easily accomplished and the system can be purged without complicated construction. Furthermore, the system can be pressure tested by an arrangement where the low pressure system can bypass the high pressure system when the engine is not operating so as to be pressurized for testing purposes. However, when the high pressure system operates, then the bypass line will be closed by the shunting valve arrangement.

Abstract: An improved fuel supply arrangement for a direct fuel injected engine. In one feature, the fuel supply arrangement comprises a high pressure fuel pump for developing high pressure in fuel, a fuel injector for directly injecting the fuel into combustion chamber of the engine and a flexible conduit for connecting the high pressure fuel pump and the fuel injector. In another feature that is for a multi-cylinder engine, the fuel supply arrangement comprises a high pressure fuel pump for developing high pressure in fuel, a plurality of fuel injectors for directly injecting the fuel into respective combustion chambers of the engine, a fuel supply rail for supplying the fuel from the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel injectors and a flexible conduit for connecting the high pressure fuel pump and the fuel supply rail.

Abstract: An engine includes an electronic controller which samples the pressure in the induction system once per rotation of the crankshaft. The controller is configured to determine the minimum voltage signal output by the pressure sensor. The controller then uses the minimum pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control the fuel injection of the engine. The controller may include two and/or three dimensional maps for predicting the appropriate timing for sampling the pressure sensor. The engine also includes a smoothing system so as to provide for more accurate sampling of the pressure within the induction system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, which can be disposed in a water vehicle, includes an exhaust system having features improving the performance, ease of manufacturing, and/or the water preclusive effects thereof. The exhaust system can include an exhaust manifold defining a plurality of exhaust runners and being made from at least two parts. The exhaust system can also include a plurality of individual exhaust passages extending from exhaust ports of the engine to a forward end of the engine. The exhaust system can also include an exhaust passage which extends from the exhaust ports to varying elevations relative to the exhaust ports, as well as other features.

Abstract: An outboard motor has various electrical components mounted on a front side of the crankcase chamber. The crankcase chamber is connected by an electrical line to a negative terminal of a battery in an associated watercraft in order to ground the crankcase chamber. Thus, the electrical components are easily grounded by being connected to the crankcase chamber. An intake silencer of the engine induction system is positioned adjacent the crankcase chamber and at least one of the electrical components is disposed between the silencer and the crankcase member. An oil filter mount is also disposed on the front side of the crankcase chamber. The mount is adapted so that the oil filter can be installed thereon and is tilted along an inclined axis.

Abstract: An electrical system for a marine outboard drive includes an improved construction. The outboard drive includes an engine. The engine has a combustion chamber, a fuel supply unit arranged to supply fuel to the combustion chamber, and an igniting unit arranged to fire the fuel in the combustion chamber. The electrical system includes a power source arranged to supply electricity to the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit. The electrical system includes a first control device and a second control device. The first control device is arranged to control the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit while the second control device is arranged to watch the supply of electricity. The second control device is physically separated from the first control device.

Abstract: An idle speed control for an engine includes an improved construction. An air induction system for the engine has a plurality of main air intake passages. Each one of the intake passages has its own throttle valve therein. An idle air manifold is disposed for supplying air charges to combustion chambers of the engine through delivery conduits. Amounts of air charges flowing therethrough is controlled by a feedback control system. The sum of cross-sectional areas of the delivery conduits is greater than a cross-sectional area of an inlet portion of the idle air manifold. The respective delivery conduits have restrictions upstream of junctions to the air intake passages.

Abstract: A component mounting arrangement for an engine includes an improved construction that can allow components such as a wire harness and/or fluid conduits to be neatly arranged around the engine. The engine includes a valve actuation mechanism and a drive mechanism through which a crankshaft drives the valve actuation mechanism. The drive mechanism is disposed generally above a cylinder block and a cylinder head assembly. At least one guide member is arranged to guide the wire harness and/or the fluid conduit across the engine. The guide member traverses above the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A four stroke engine having at least two cylinders spaced vertically relative to each other. Each cylinder includes a cylinder body having a cylinder bore extending generally horizontally. Plurality of air intake ducts are provided for connecting a common plenum chamber and respective air intake passages which extends to respective combustion chambers. Each of the air intake ducts has a generally straight section extending generally horizontally and parallel to each other. The distance between the straight sections is less than the distance between the axes of the cylinder bores. Also, in another feature, throttle body means are interposed between duct members, which are upstream components of the air intake ducts, and the intake passages for controlling the flow of air to the combustion chambers.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing a four-cycle engine therein. The engine has an air induction device for introducing air to a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system for communicating exhaust products away from the combustion chamber. A pair of camshafts actuate intake and exhaust valves. A variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism is arranged at an upper end of at least one of the camshafts to set the camshaft to an angular position between advanced and delayed angular positions. The cowling includes an air intake, and an engine cover is positioned between the engine and the air intake. The engine cover covers the top and sides of the VVT mechanism so as to protect the VVT mechanism from contact with water that may enter the cowling through the air intake.

Abstract: An engine of an outboard motor includes a fuel injection system. In a preferred mode, the fuel injection system comprises a high pressure fuel system and a vapor separator assembly. The high pressure fuel system includes a fuel injector that is removably attached to the engine. The vapor separator assembly includes a vapor separator and is also removably attached to the engine. The high pressure fuel system and said vapor separator assembly are connected by a quick connector. Preferably, one end of the quick connector is formed from an outlet end of a fuel filter.

Abstract: An induction system for a watercraft is configured to guide air into an engine disposed within the watercraft for combustion therein. The induction system includes an inlet assembly. The inlet assembly includes various constructions for enhancing water preclusive effects.

Abstract: A jet propelled watercraft having an improved extension assembly for dampening pulsations from the impeller of the jet propulsion unit and also an improved exhaust system having a separate idle discharge for permitting lower idle speeds without restriction of the idle exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a fuel injector comprises a cylinder head, a mounting bore formed in the cylinder head, a seat surface formed within the mounting bore, a fuel injector positioned within the mounting bore and comprising a seating surface, at least one sealing ring disposed about a portion of the fuel injector and positioned between the seating surface and the seat surface. The ring comprises a thermal insulator material and a resin material. The ring also comprises a deformable eyelet that expands radially inward in response to compressive axial forces. The resin material thermally activates at a temperature within the operating temperature range of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes at least one combustion chamber formed by at least a first member and a second member that moves relative to the first member. The second member is coupled to an output shaft such that movement of the second member causes the output shaft to rotate. A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector that supplies fuel to the combustion chamber and a fuel pump that supplies fuel to the fuel injector. The fuel injector includes an actuator to regulate an amount of fuel injected by the fuel injector. A main switch has an on position and an off position. A fuel control system includes a controller, which is operatively connected to the actuator, and a sensor, which is arranged to detect rotation of the output shaft. The sensor is adapted to produce a signal that is indicative of rotation of the output shaft and is operatively connected to the controller.

Abstract: An exhaust cleaning system for a marine propulsion engine that includes a catalyst positioned within a tube that communicates with an expansion chamber. A cooling jacket extends around at least a portion of the exhaust system and the liquid coolant is discharged into the exhaust system for flow with the exhaust gases. A number of different arrangements are shown for precluding the coolant from flowing back into the exhaust system and contacting the catalyst bed either when the watercraft is inverted and righted or in the event the engine is stopped and restarted.