Abstract: An information communication device for communicating information among a plurality of components includes a plurality of nodes, each being of a particular node type that corresponds to a particular transmission slot of a plurality of transmission slots. Each transmission slot is formed from a communication cycle that has a prescribed time period. The plurality of transmission slots are synchronized with one another. The communication cycle includes a static transmission area and a dynamic transmission area, where the static transmission area includes the plurality of transmission slots that correspond to the node types. The dynamic transmission area is adapted to transmit information. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a conflict detector that determines when a transmission conflict occurs as a result of nodes of the same node type beginning transmission using the same transmission slot.

Abstract: On a marine craft that may be equipped with plural outboard motors engine control nodes can be mounted on outboard motors, and a display control node, as well as the network management node can be connected to a bus constructing a network. Receiving a display transmission frame sent out by the engine control nodes, display control node distinguishes the number of engines mounted, determines display layout compatible with the number of engines, and displays navigation information such as engine operational information, and navigation data including boat speed and others on a navigation information display meter in accordance with the determined display layout.

Abstract: A tiller handle assembly for an outboard motor is provided that comprises a steering handle having a generally hollow body. A throttle grip is attached to a front end of the steering handle, and a shift mechanism coupled to the steering handle. The shift mechanism includes an moveable operator that can be moved at least between two positions: one of the positions corresponding to a drive operational mode of the outboard motor and the other position corresponding to a neutral operational mode of the outboard motor. A sensor device is disposed within the hollow body of the steering handle and is configured to determine whether the movable operator is positioned in one of the two position. The location of the sensor device within the hollow body makes mounting and maintenance of the sensor device easier and generally isolates the sensor device from water.

Abstract: A power supply system for a boat LAN system with plural engines can comprise operator's devices, such as speedometers, tachometers, remote controls, and the like in the hull. Plural propulsion units can be mounted on the hull, each of which can include engines for driving respectively the plural propulsion units. A boat LAN system can constitute a communication network between the operator's devices and engine control sections of the engines. Batteries can be provided corresponding to the engines and connected through power switches. A system power supply circuit can also be provided for connecting a battery of selected one of the plural propulsion units to the boat LAN system. Switching circuits for connection to the boat LAN system while bypassing the power switch corresponding to the selected one propulsion unit can be provided which correspond to other power switches of other propulsion units.

Abstract: An outboard motor mounted to a hull of a watercraft includes a V-type engine having right and left cylinder banks positioned in a cowling and having a crankshaft generally vertically disposed when the watercraft is under a running condition. A surge tank is disposed in the cowling. Right and left side long intake conduits and right and left side short intake conduits both connect the surge tank to intake ports of respective right and left banks of cylinders. The associated long intake conduits and short intake conduits can be selectively established depending on information about operational conditions of the hull and/or the outboard motor. The outboard motor includes right and left shut-off valves interchanging the long intake conduits and the short intake conduits. Right and left actuators individually actuate the right and left shut-off valves in accordance with information about operational conditions. A control means individually controls operations of the respective actuators.

Abstract: In a fuel supply amount control system, during a period of engine startup from the time when a crankshaft starts to rotate by a starter motor to the time when the crankshaft stably rotates by fuel combustion, a fuel supply amount is controlled independently before and after a cylinder stroke determination. This enables determination of the fuel supply amount independently before and after the cylinder stroke determination. Accordingly, the required fuel amounts are provided respectively before and after the cylinder stroke determination. As a result, even if the required fuel amounts are different before and after the cylinder stroke determination, engine startup can be achieved in a short time.

Abstract: A small boat comprises a steering wheel and a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel. A plurality of propulsion units are mounted to a transom of the boat. Electrically operable steering devices are coupled with the respective propulsion units. A control unit controls an output of each of the propulsion units. The controller adjusts the output, a trim angle or a height of a propeller of the propulsion units in accordance with the steering angle and a running condition of the boat to control a total thrust and a total running direction of the respective propulsion units.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system has electrodes disposed in a coolant passage of an engine filled with a conductive coolant. The electrodes are electrically insulated from the engine. A power supply device provides for a protective electric current to form from the electrodes to the engine through the coolant. The cathodic protection system reduces engine manufacturing and maintenance costs and provides an anticorrosive effect without increasing the size of the engine.

Abstract: A boat has an outboard motor mounted to a hull and a remotely mounted cooling air system. The outboard motor has a cowling housing an engine. The cooling air system receives air from within the hull and includes a ventilating fan box. The ventilating fan box may be located within the hull or the cowling of the outboard motor. Cooling air is routed via one or more ducts to the cowling so as to cool the engine while inhibiting moisture from the entering the cowling. The cooling air is preferably blown toward the bottom of the engine.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a thermoelement that suppresses the corrosion or corrosion products occurring on an outer peripheral surface of a piston and an inner wall of a guide portion so that the piston reciprocates surely and smoothly, and a thermostat apparatus using this thermoelement. The thermoelement according to the present invention includes a wax case that internally has a wax, which is an expanding body, a piston to which responsive action of the expansion and contraction of the wax is transmitted, and a guide portion that guides the sliding of the piston, wherein the guide portion is made of brass containing 69 mass % or more and 80 mass % or less of copper component, 2 mass % or more and 4 mass % or less of silicon component, 0.1 mass % or less of lead component, and the balance of zinc, and the piston is made of stainless steel.

Abstract: A small planning boat includes a filler opening for a fuel tank and an opening section that are formed on the deck of the boat body. The filler opening and the opening section are covered with a hatch cover when the hatch cover is closed. A fuel-receiving concave section is formed around the filler opening, so that the filler opening is positioned at the bottom surface section of a fuel-receiving concave section. A guide groove that declines downward from the bottom surface section on an outer side of the boat body can be formed as one piece with the fuel-receiving concave section. A storage section can also be formed inside the opening section. In addition, the filler opening can be positioned on the starboard side rearward from the opening section, and the guide groove can be formed in a section on an outer side of the opening section.

Abstract: A forward and reverse drive switching device for an outboard motor can include a switching mechanism that is actuated so as to set a propeller to a forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode. An actuator can have an electric motor and can serve as a drive source for the switching mechanism. A coupling member can transmit a driving force from the actuator to the switching mechanism to actuate the switching mechanism. The coupling member can include a rod disposed on an axis of the electric motor and can have an end coupled to the switching mechanism with its other end coupled to the electric motor to permit retracting and extending movements of the rod along the axis through the operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: An electrode for a cathodic protection device that has one or more electrode bodies formed of a conductive wire. The electrode includes a pair of films made of an insulating material which are bonded to each other while sandwiching the electrode body therebetween. Preferably at least one of the pair of films is bonded to an engine body. The electrode body is exposed to the outside through one or more through-holes formed in at least one of the films. The electrode is less susceptible to short-circuiting or wire breakage when bent and is also easier to manufacture than conventional electrodes.

Abstract: A watercraft has steering force detection sections. Each steering force detection section includes a pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving sections are spaced from each other and are in the vicinity of a steering shaft. A pressing member is coupled to the steering shaft. The pressing member can press on at least one of the pressure receiving sections when the steering handlebars are rotated to a maximum steering angle. A received pressure detection section detects the pressure applied to the pressure receiving section. The pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section are coaxially mounted in a pressure receiving section casing and a detection section casing. A guide tube can engage the pressure receiving section and the received pressure detection section. The guide tube is formed with ribs and grooves. The pressure receiving section has a pressure receiving member, a bolt, a plain washer, and a spring member.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive shaft including a pinion gear arranged at one end of the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a second driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a first propeller shaft connected to a second propeller, a second propeller shaft connected to a first propeller, and a shift change mechanism arranged to selectively engage the first driven gear with the second propeller shaft, and to selectively engage the second driven gear with the first propeller shaft and with the second propeller shaft.

Abstract: A controller for a boat propulsion system has an adjusting device arranged to adjust an inclination angle in the vertical direction of the boat propulsion system by a drive unit, the controller arranged to perform drive control of the adjusting device, a storage section provided in the controller and arranged to store a limit value of the inclination angle, and a connector arranged to communicate with a service tool, wherein the controller is arranged to set the limit value from the service tool and stop the drive unit when the inclination angle reaches the limit value.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism transferring a power output from an engine to a propeller includes a transmission planetary gear train that transforms the output power of the engine before it is transferred to the propeller. The transmission planetary gear train includes a transmission sun gear, a transmission double planetary gear set, and a transmission internal gear, in which the transmission sun gear is connected via the first clutch to the input end shaft extending into the engine, and the transmission sun gear is also connected via the second one-way clutch to the housing. In addition, the transmission double planetary gear set is connected via the second clutch to the input end shaft extending into the engine, and the transmission double planetary gear set is also connected via the first one-way clutch to the housing. Further, the transmission internal gear is connected to the output end shaft extending toward the propeller.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling enclosing an engine, an ambient air intake defined by the cowling, and an intake passage introducing ambient air taken through the ambient air intake to the engine. The intake passage extends out of and above a top section of the cowling. An inlet portion of the intake passage communicates with the ambient air intake, and an outlet portion thereof communicates with an air inlet leading to a silencer of the engine the air inlet is positioned vertically higher than the intake passage inlet portion.

Abstract: An operation control system for a small boat can include a mode selection module configured to allow a driver to select between a plurality of driving modes including at least a normal operation mode, in which the boat cruises at a speed in response to the displacement of an acceleration controller, and a low-speed setting mode, in which the boat cruises at a preset low speed when a low-speed setting controller is operated; in which the mode selection module permits the driving mode to switch to the low-speed setting mode if the displacement of the acceleration controller is zero, or small or close to zero or is in or substantially at an idle position.

Abstract: A vehicle speed display device includes a plurality of speed sensors of different types for detecting the speed V of a vehicle by different detection methods. A selector mechanism accesses error maps associated with each of the speed sensors that reflects inaccuracies characteristic of the associated speed sensors under various conditions, such as at various speed and/or at various acceleration levels. The selector selects a speed value associated with a minimum error value for the current moving state conditions and the selected speed value is displayed to an operator of the vehicle.