Abstract: A flame protection gasket has a gasket member with an embedded screen member within its structure. The screen member and gasket member are disposed in a common plane. The screen member is attachable to an air conduit structure in a manner that inhibits its removal after the attachment is completed. In addition, since the gasket member and screen member are part of an integral structure, the screen member must be replaced if the gasket member is replaced following repair or reassembly.

Abstract: An engine control strategy for a marine propulsion system selects a desired idle speed for use during a shift event based on boat speed and engine temperature. In order to change the engine operating speed to the desired idle speed during the shift event, ignition timing is altered and the status of an idle air control valve is changed. These changes to the ignition timing and the idle air control valve are made in order to achieve the desired engine idle speed during the shift event. The idle speed during the shift event is selected so that the impact shock and resulting noise of the shift event can be decreased without causing the engine to stall.

Abstract: An adapter for an air valve, such as an idle air control valve, has a rigid tubular member extending between a distal insertion end and an attachment pedestal end. The insertion member, or distal end, is rigidly attached to an air passage of a throttle body and an idle air control valve is rigidly attached to the attachment end. This allows an idle air control valve to be rigidly mounted to a throttle body while being displaced from the throttle body and held in a non contact association with the throttle body to allow different variations and styles of idle air control valve to be used with various types of throttle bodies.

Abstract: A sound attenuator is provided for an idle air control valve system in order to reduce noise emanating from the idle air control valve. The sound attenuator comprises a fibrous pad that is inserted into an air conduit of the idle air control system. In a preferred embodiment, the fibrous pad is inserted into the air conduit near the air inlet where the conduit receives air from a region upstream, or above the throttle plate. A small hole can be provided through the air inlet. In certain embodiments, the air inlet of the air conduit is an opening formed in an inner cylindrical surface of the throttle body. In alternative embodiments, the air inlet can be remote from the internal surface of the throttle body.