Abstract: A heater for a liquid has a combustion chamber, a jacket for the liquid extending about the combustion chamber and a burner head assembly connected to the combustion chamber. The burner head assembly includes a housing having a burner mounted thereon and a hollow interior. A control module and a fan are mounted in the hollow interior, the fan being connected to an electric motor. A compressor and a fuel pump are mounted on the housing and are operatively connected to the electric motor. The control module may include controls for exercising components of the heater prior to combustion, thereby verifying operation of these components. Preferably there is a speed control for the motor, such as a closed loop speed control which regulates motor speed and accordingly output of the heater. Preferably there is a backup system using a lookup table in the event that the closed loop speed control fails.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump combination has at least one hydraulic fluid port and includes a container with a hollow body having a top and a conduit having a bottom within the container and a top above the bottom. The conduit has an opening adjacent to the bottom of the conduit. The opening is spaced apart below the top of the container. A closure member is releasably, sealingly connected to the top of the conduit. Hydraulic fluid can be added to the container via the conduit up to the level of the opening of the conduit. Addition of further hydraulic fluid fills the conduit to the top thereof and the conduit overflows if additional hydraulic fluid is added after the top of the conduit is reached by the fluid. Preferably the container has a main interior chamber and a smaller chamber which is adjacent to one of the side walls of the container. The smaller chamber is has a bottom opening near the bottom of the smaller chamber which communicates with the main interior chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump combination has at least one hydraulic fluid port and includes a container with a hollow body having a top and a conduit having a bottom within the container and a top above the bottom. The conduit has an opening adjacent to the bottom of the conduit. The opening is spaced apart below the top of the container. A closure member is releasably, sealingly connected to the top of the conduit. Hydraulic fluid can be added to the container via the conduit up to the level of the opening of the conduit. Addition of further hydraulic fluid fills the conduit to the top thereof and the conduit overflows if additional hydraulic fluid is added after the top of the conduit is reached by the fluid. Preferably the container has a main interior chamber and a smaller chamber which is adjacent to one of the side walls of the container. The smaller chamber is has a bottom opening near the bottom of the smaller chamber which communicates with the main interior chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump combination has at least one hydraulic fluid port and includes a container with a hollow body having a top and a conduit having a bottom within the container and a top above the bottom. The conduit has an opening adjacent to the bottom of the conduit. The opening is spaced apart below the top of the container. A closure member is releasably, sealingly connected to the top of the conduit. Hydraulic fluid can be added to the container via the conduit up to the level of the opening of the conduit. Addition of further hydraulic fluid fills the conduit to the top thereof and the conduit overflows if additional hydraulic fluid is added after the top of the conduit is reached by the fluid. Preferably the container has a main interior chamber and a smaller chamber which is adjacent to one of the side walls of the container. The smaller chamber is has a bottom opening near the bottom of the smaller chamber which communicates with the main interior chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump combination has at least one hydraulic fluid port and includes a container with a hollow body having a top and a conduit having a bottom within the container and a top above the bottom. The conduit has an opening adjacent to the bottom of the conduit. The opening is spaced apart below the top of the container. A closure member is releasably, sealingly connected to the top of the conduit. Hydraulic fluid can be added to the container via the conduit up to the level of the opening of the conduit. Addition of further hydraulic fluid fills the conduit to the top thereof and the conduit overflows if additional hydraulic fluid is added after the top of the conduit is reached by the fluid. Preferably the container has a main interior chamber and a smaller chamber which is adjacent to one of the side walls of the container. The smaller chamber is has a bottom opening near the bottom of the smaller chamber which communicates with the main interior chamber.

Abstract: A device for rotating with a rotatable first member includes a second member having a portion engageable with the first member. The portion has a first part and a second part which is resiliently biased away from the first part. The second member tightly engages the first member. There may be a device for measuring rotation of the shaft such as a potentiometer. The rotation measuring device may include an electrical connector for the potentiometer including a socket and a post which is pressable into the socket. The device may also include a rotationally adjustable connector. There may be a coupling connected to the second member which includes a third member with a portion having n sides and a fourth member with a portion having n sides which receives the portion of the third member in a mating relationship, thereby allowing the device to be adjusted to a total of at least m.n rotational positions.

Abstract: A burner head assembly for a burner includes a housing having a hollow interior and an exterior. There is a control module within the hollow interior. The module has internal connectors within the hollow interior and external connectors on the exterior of the housing, whereby electrical connections to the module can be made internally and externally with respect to the housing without requiring apertures in the housing and wiring extending through the apertures. For example, the control module may include a circuit board, the circuit board having a portion within the hollow interior and which extends to the exterior. The exterior and interior connectors are connected to the circuit board. The housing may have two portions, the control module being fitted between the two portions of the housing. Preferably the control module is sealingly received between the two portions of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a temperature between a first value and a second value. The method and apparatus utilize a heat transfer device capable of cycling through a series of cycles, the device being capable of changing the temperature from the second value to the first value when operational. During each cycle the device transfers heat for a first period of time when the temperature reaches the second volume until the first value is reached and thereafter the device stops transferring heat. The first period of time is compared to a desired cycle-on period of time during each cycle and the second temperature value then is adjusted for a subsequent cycle of the device so the first period of time when the device transfers heat approaches the desired cycle-on period of time. There may also be provided temperature controls for a liquid heater having a jacket containing the liquid. The jacket has an inner heated wall and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a marine craft has a first bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft. There is a second bracket connectable to the propulsion unit of the marine craft. The second bracket is rotatably connected to the first bracket for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. The propulsion unit can be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the stern of the craft. The second bracket has a cylindrical bore extending therethrough. A piston is reciprocatingly received within the bore. The piston slidingly engages the bore and has a piston rod connected thereto. The piston rod is operatively connected to the propulsion unit.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing with an elongated bore having a longitudinal axis and a spool reciprocatingly mounted within the bore for relative movement along the bore parallel to the axis. The housing has a housing passageway and the spool has a spool passageway. The passageways align in at least one axial position of the spool along the bore, whereby fluids can pass between the spool and the housing. The passageway of one of the spool or the housing includes a first groove which extends parallel to the axis, but not substantially about said one of the spool or the housing. The passageway of another of the spool or the housing includes a second groove which extends circumferentially about said another of the spool or the housing.

Abstract: A rotary pump has a rotor with a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a central bore and a plurality of cylinder bores arranged about the central bore and extending completely through the rotor from the first end to the second end. There is a plurality of pistons, each piston being reciprocatingly received in one of the bores. A swash plate member has a swash plate adjacent the second end of the rotor and a spigot extending through the central bore of the rotor. There is in an end cap connected to the first end of the rotor. The end cap closes off the bores at the first end of the rotor. A drive shaft is rigidly connected to the end cap and extends away from the rotor. There is a cover having an aperture rotatably receiving the drive shaft. The cover extends about the end cap and the rotor and is connected to the swash plate member.

Abstract: A stove apparatus includes a frame having an interior opening. A burner is mounted within the opening. A liquid fuel container is mounted on the frame within the opening. A fuel conduit extends between the container and the burner. A heat shield extends about the burner and separates the burner from the fuel container. Preferably the apparatus has a manually operable device which simultaneously regulates a valve controlling a flow of fuel from the fuel container to the burner and a control device controlling the output of a compressor supplying compressed air to the burner. The compressor may have a suction port. The apparatus then includes a suction conduit connecting the suction port to the fuel container, whereby the compressor can selectively draw fuel into the container. The fuel container may have a vent body mounted thereon. The suction conduit is connected to the vent body. The body has a valve for preventing fuel from entering the conduit from the container.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering assembly applies a force to a tiller arms of twin marine, outboard propulsion units and rotates the propulsion units about a steering axis between a center position and hard over positions to each side of the center position. Each propulsion unit is supported for arcuate movement about a tilt axis which is generally perpendicular to the steering axis. There is a hydraulic steering apparatus mounted on a first of the propulsion units which includes a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to a member which is pivotally mounted on the tiller arm of the first propulsion unit. A tie-bar is pivotally connected to the steering apparatus and pivotally connected to the tiller arm of a second propulsion unit. For example, the tie-bar may be pivotally connected to the steering apparatus by a ball joint connected to the steering apparatus by a bracket which moves with the member.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering assembly applies a force to a tiller arm of a marine, outboard propulsion unit and rotates the propulsion unit about a steering axis between a center position and hard over positions to each side of the center position. The propulsion unit is supported for arcuate movement about a tilt axis which is generally perpendicular to the steering axis. The steering assembly includes a hydraulic steering cylinder with an elongated piston rod reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder for movement along a piston rod axis. A pair of support arms are pivotable about the tilt axis and are connected to the piston rod, allowing arcuate movement of the rod about the tilt axis, while maintaining the rod axis parallel to the tilt axis. A member is pivotally mounted on the tiller arm for pivoting about a first axis which is parallel to the steering axis. The cylinder arm is connected to the cylinder and extends radially outwards from the piston rod axis.

Abstract: A lock valve for marine hydraulic steering systems includes a valve body with a spool valve reciprocatingly received in a bore therein. A first port and a second port of the valve are connected to a manual pump. A third port and fourth port are connected to a double acting hydraulic cylinder connected to a rudder or steerable motor. There are valves within the lock valve which normally prevent fluid flowing between the ports so the steering system remains in a fixed position when the helm is released. Fluid can flow from the first port to the third port when the first port is pressurized. A return flow of fluid from the fourth port to the second port is permitted only when the first port is pressurized. When the second port is pressurized, fluid can flow the second port to the fourth port. A return flow of fluid from the third port to the first port is permitted only when the second port is pressurized.

Abstract: An hydraulic actuator assembly for a power steering ram of a marine inboard/outboard drive of the type where the ram is connected to a tiller arm and has a spool valve mounted on the ram. The spool valve has a fastening tube which opens the spool valve when displaced in either direction to supply hydraulic fluid to the ram to move the tiller arm in the direction the fastening tube is displaced. The assembly includes an hydraulic actuator having a cylinder with an internal piston and a rod connected to the piston and sealingly extending from a first end of the cylinder. The rod has a distal end which connects to the tiller arm. The cylinder has a connector on a second end thereof. There is a mounting bracket extending generally radially from the cylinder which has a first end connected to the connector of the cylinder and a second end which is distal with respect to the cylinder. The second end has an aperture for connecting the bracket to the fastening tube of the spool valve.

Abstract: A fuel tank fitting for withdrawing fuel through a fuel sensor aperture in a fuel tank. The fitting includes an annular member having a plurality of spaced-apart fastener apertures. A fuel line has a first portion extending generally radially through the annular member to its central aperture. The fuel line has a second portion connected to the first portion and extending perpendicularly away from the bottom of the annular member.