Abstract: A marine vessel having a hull with a pair of opposite sides disposed at an angle with respect to one another, the opposite sides also disposed at an angle with respect to a water surface. A marine propulsion system is operatively coupled to the hull and includes a pair of impellers associated respectively with the pair of hull sides that rotate within respective impeller planes disposed generally parallel to the hull sides to convey water from at least one inlet though at least one outlet to provide thrust to the vessel. The marine propulsion system may also be contained within an outboard unit mounted to a transom of the vessel.

Abstract: A marine vessel having a hull with a pair of opposite sides disposed at an angle with respect to one another, the opposite sides also disposed at an angle with respect to a water surface. A marine propulsion system is operatively coupled to the hull and includes a pair of impellers associated respectively with the pair of hull sides that rotate within respective impeller planes disposed generally parallel to the hull sides to convey water from at least one inlet though at least one outlet to provide thrust to the vessel. The marine propulsion system may also be contained within an outboard unit mounted to a transom of the vessel.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a housing configured to be coupled to, or within, a marine vessel hull. At least one pair of counter-rotating impellers is disposed within the housing such that the rotation occurs in a plane generally parallel to the surface of the water. A moveable output nozzle is coupled to the rear portion of the housing and can move to facilitate controlling the direction of travel of the vessel.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a housing configured to be coupled to, or within, a marine vessel hull. At least one pair of counter-rotating impellers is disposed within the housing such that the rotation occurs in a plane generally parallel to the surface of the water. A moveable output nozzle is coupled to the rear portion of the housing and can move to facilitate controlling the direction of travel of the vessel.

Abstract: A low pressure, low cost electronic fuel injection system (18) for small hand-held two cycle engines (1) is provided which employs a number of improvements, including by way of example and not of limitation, an improved low cost injector construction (45), a throttle body integration (10) that includes mounting the operational components of the supply system on a single unit, an improved ignition module (40), a pressure regulated fuel system controlled by an electronic control unit (42) employing and an adaptive algorithm based on engine speed which controls the speed by varying the amount of fuel provided to the engine.

Abstract: A stratified two-stroke engine having a laminated counterweight is disclosed. The laminated counterweight includes a traditional counterweight portion and a laminate portion. The laminate portion has an approximately circular peripheral shape and at least one notch. In operation, the notch may be used to time the opening and closing of a mixture port or a transfer port.

Abstract: A cylinder crankcase for a four-stroke engine is disclosed. The cylinder crankcase includes a cylinder head, cylinder block, and crankcase which are monolithic. A half-crank crankshaft bears in a crank arm, which is included in the crankcase. The cylinder crankcase includes a belt driven valve train and crank arm that includes a pocket containing a crank gear attached to the crankshaft for driving the belt.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: A low pressure, low cost electronic fuel injection system (18) for small hand-held two cycle engines (1) is provided which employs a number of improvements, including by way of example and not of limitation, an improved low cost injector construction (45), a throttle body integration (10) that includes mounting the operational components of the supply system on a single unit, an improved ignition module (40), a pressure regulated fuel system controlled by an electronic control unit (42) employing and an adaptive algorithm based on engine speed which controls the speed by varying the amount of fuel provided to the engine.

Abstract: A breather system for an engine used to vent combustion, or blow-by, gases. The breather system has an axial breather passage disposed within a camshaft of the engine. A radial opening is in fluid communication with the axial breather passage. A valve is positioned within the radial opening in order to prevent oil from entering the axial breather passage when the engine is not in operation.

Abstract: A stratified two-stroke engine having a laminated counterweight is disclosed. The laminated counterweight includes a traditional counterweight portion and a laminate portion. The laminate portion has an approximately circular peripheral shape and at least one notch. In operation, the notch may be used to time the opening and closing of a mixture port or a transfer port.

Abstract: A cylinder crankcase for a four-stroke engine is disclosed. The cylinder crankcase includes a cylinder head, cylinder block, and crankcase which are monolithic. A half-crank crankshaft bears in a crank arm, which is included in the crankcase. The cylinder crankcase includes a belt driven valve train and crank arm that includes a pocket containing a crank gear attached to the crankshaft for driving the belt.

Abstract: A cylinder-crankcase is disclosed that includes a cylinder block having a cylinder head for receiving a spark plug. The cylinder-crankcase also includes a crankcase and a crank arm for supporting a crankshaft. The cylinder block, cylinder head, crankcase and crank arm are a single, monolithic piece.

Abstract: An improved string trimmer head is described. The trimmer head comprises a housing with a spool and spring assembly enclosed within the housing. The trimmer head further comprises a lid connected to the housing and a bump knob with a base and an intermediate member. The base of the bump knob is located inside the housing. The intermediate member extends outside the housing through the lid. The lid comprises an annulus which surrounds the base. The height of the annulus is greater than a maximum compressing distance of the spool when compressed by the bump knob. A segment of the intermediate member remains outside the lid when the spool is compressed. The bump knob further comprises a finger slot with an outer edge and a recessed portion. A bottom side of the outer edge is positioned farther away from the spool than the recessed portion.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: A muffler with a housing for receiving exhaust gasses from an engine is disclosed. The muffler includes a housing with an inlet and an exit, a baffle plate partitioning the housing into first and second chambers. The baffle plate includes a catalyst receptacle in the first chamber, the second chamber includes the exit of the housing. A catalytic converter element with a longitudinal axis is housed within the catalyst receptacle, the catalytic converter element is positioned within the catalyst receptacle such that exhaust gas passes through the catalytic converter element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catalytic converter element and through the second chamber to exit the housing.

Abstract: A cylinder-crankcase is disclosed that includes a cylinder block having a cylinder head for receiving a spark plug. The cylinder-crankcase also includes a crankcase and a crank arm for supporting a crankshaft. The cylinder block, cylinder head, crankcase and crank arm are a single, monolithic piece.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system for small internal combustion engines includes a control valve associated with a fuel line and with a vent line which each connect the fuel tank to the carburetor. When the engine is not running, the control valve automatically closes the vent line and the fuel line, thereby trapping fuel vapors within the fuel tank and vent line and preventing the supply of liquid fuel to the carburetor. Upon engine start up, actuation of a bail assembly or vacuum produced within the carburetor causes the control valve to open the vent line and the fuel line, venting fuel vapors from the fuel tank through the fuel line to the carburetor for consumption by the engine, and opening the supply of liquid fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor.