Abstract: A method for controlling an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid and an electromagnet and is configured such that adjusting an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet changes a shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby controls an elasticity of the elastic mount. The method includes applying a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce an initial elasticity of the elastic mount measuring an oscillation of the propulsion device with a motion sensor, determining that the oscillation of the propulsion device exceeds a threshold oscillation, and adjusting the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet to change the elasticity of the elastic mount to reduce the oscillation.

Abstract: A method for controlling an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid and an electromagnet and is configured such that adjusting an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet changes the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid and thereby controls elasticity of the elastic mount, including applying a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce a first elasticity in the elastic mount, determining that a vessel speed indicator exceeds a high speed threshold, determining that a trim position for the propulsion device is greater than a threshold trim position, detecting at least a threshold decrease in throttle demand, and applying a second amount of electricity to the electromagnet wherein the second amount of electricity is greater than the first amount of electricity, so as to decrease the elasticity of the elastic mount.

Abstract: A system comprises an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel. The elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid. An electromagnet is configured so that increasing an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet increases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby decreases elasticity of the elastic mount, and so that decreasing the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet decreases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby increases the elasticity of the elastic mount. A controller automatically adapts the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet based on one or more sensed conditions so as to improve performance and/or handling of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A marine drive includes an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor into rotation to effect a thrust, and a transmission that shifts amongst a forward gear for a forward thrust, a reverse gear for a reverse thrust, and a neutral state for a zero thrust. The marine drive further includes a shift rod rotatable about its own axis to shift the transmission amongst forward, reverse, and neutral, and an actuator. The actuator includes an actuator motor that rotates an output shaft and a gear shaft that effectuates rotation of a shift rod. The output shaft is connected to a gear shaft through a first gearset such that rotation of the output shaft causes the rotation of the gear shaft, and the gear shaft is connected to the shift rod through a planetary gearset such that rotation of the gear shaft causes the rotation of the shift rod.

Abstract: A system for mounting an outboard motor propulsion unit to a marine vessel transom is disclosed. The propulsion unit's midsection has an upper end supporting an engine system and a lower end carrying a gear housing. The mounting system includes a support cradle having a head section coupled to a transom bracket, an upper structural support section extending aftward from the head section and along opposite port and starboard sides of the midsection, and a lower structural support section suspended from the upper structural support section and situated on the port and starboard sides of the midsection. A pair of upper mounts couples the upper structural support section to the midsection proximate the engine system. A pair of lower mounts couples the lower structural support section to the midsection proximate the gear housing. At least one of the upper and lower structural support sections comprises an extrusion or a casting.

Abstract: A latching apparatus is for a cowl on an outboard marine engine. The cowl has a first cowl portion and a second cowl portion, which are latched together by the latching apparatus in a closed cowl position and unlatched from each other in an open cowl position. The latching apparatus comprises a retainer on the first cowl portion; an actuator device on the second cowl portion, and a wire coupled to the actuator device. The wire is coupled to the retainer in the closed cowl position and the wire is uncoupled from the retainer in the open cowl position. Actuation of the actuator device in a first direction rotates the wire so as to couple the wire to the retainer and actuation of the actuator device in a second direction rotates the wire so as to uncouple the wire from the retainer.

Abstract: A marine drive comprises an internal combustion engine that effectuates rotation of the driveshaft, a propulsor driven into rotation by the driveshaft so as to effect thrust, and a transmission that shifts amongst a forward gear, a reverse gear, and a neutral gear. The marine drive has a gear case housing on the bottom portion and a driveshaft housing around the driveshaft and positioned between the internal combustion engine and the gear case housing. The marine drive has a shift rod rotatable about its own axis, wherein rotation of the shift rod about its own axis shifts the transmission amongst the forward gear, the reverse gear, and the neutral gear. The marine drive also comprises an actuator positioned in the driveshaft housing that effectuates the rotation of the shift drive about its own axis.

Abstract: A system comprises an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel. The elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid. An electromagnet is configured so that increasing an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet increases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby decreases elasticity of the elastic mount, and so that decreasing the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet decreases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby increases the elasticity of the elastic mount. A controller automatically adapts the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet during translation of the marine vessel so as to reduce the likelihood that the propulsion device impacts an adjacent structure on the marine.

Abstract: A marine propulsion support system includes a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, and a mounting bracket. A drive unit is connected to the mounting bracket by a plurality of vibration isolation mounts, which are configured to absorb loads on the drive unit that do not exceed a mount design threshold. A bump stop located between the swivel bracket and the drive unit limits deflection of the drive unit caused by loads that exceed the threshold. An outboard motor includes a transom bracket, a swivel bracket, a cradle, and a drive unit supported between first and second opposite arms of the cradle. First and second vibration isolation mounts connect the first and second cradle arms to the drive unit, respectively. An upper motion-limiting bump stop is located remotely from the vibration isolation mounts and between the swivel bracket and the drive unit.

Abstract: A cowl assembly for an outboard motor includes first and second cowl members. A fastening assembly includes a latch coupled to one of the cowl members, and a retaining mechanism coupled to the other of the cowl members. The latch and the retaining mechanism engage one another to fasten the first and second cowl members together. A seal is configured to form a fluid tight joint between the cowl members. A shape memory alloy wire is coupled to at least one of the latch and the seal. A switch is configured to selectively provide electrical current to the shape memory alloy wire to activate the shape memory alloy wire. Activation of the shape memory alloy wire causes at least one of disengagement of the latch from the retaining mechanism and disengagement of the seal from one of the first and second cowl members, enabling separation of the cowl members.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an internal combustion engine, and an adapter plate having an upper end that supports the engine and a lower end formed as a cylindrical neck. A driveshaft housing below the adapter plate has an integral oil sump collecting oil that drains from the engine and through the adapter plate neck. One or more bearings couple the adapter plate neck to the oil sump such that the driveshaft housing is suspended from and rotatable with respect to the adapter plate. A driveshaft is coupled to a crankshaft of the engine, and extends along a driveshaft axis through the adapter plate neck, bearing(s), and oil sump. A steering actuator is coupled to and rotates the oil sump, and thus the driveshaft housing, around the driveshaft axis with respect to the adapter plate, which varies a direction of the outboard motor's thrust.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for controlling trim position of a marine propulsion device on a marine vessel. The system comprises a trim actuator having a first end that is configured to couple to the marine propulsion device and a second end that is configured to couple to the marine vessel. The trim actuator is movable between an extended position wherein the marine propulsion device is trimmed up with respect to the marine vessel and a retracted position wherein the marine propulsion device is trimmed down with respect to the marine vessel. Increasing an amount of voltage to an electromagnet increases the shear strength of a magnetic fluid in the trim actuator thereby restricting movement of the trim actuator into and out of the extended and retracted positions and wherein decreasing the amount of voltage to the electromagnet decreases the shear strength of the magnetic fluid thereby facilitates movement of the trim actuator into and out of the extended and retracted positions.