Abstract: A multi-plate clutch transmission includes an arrangement for selectively engaging the clutch by moving the sleeve to cause one or more friction disks on a sleeve connected to a shaft to move into contact with one or more friction disks on a clutch basket connected to a gear driven by another gear and another shaft driven by a prime mover. An arrangement for selectively disengaging the clutch is provided that uses prime mover torque to move the one or more friction disks on the sleeve out of contact with the one or more.friction disks on the clutch basket.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch transmission includes an arrangement for selectively engaging the clutch by moving the sleeve to cause one or more friction disks on a sleeve connected to a shaft to move into contact with one or more friction disks on a clutch basket connected to a gear driven by another gear and another shaft driven by a prime mover. An arrangement for selectively disengaging the clutch is provided that uses prime mover torque to move the one or more friction disks on the sleeve out of contact with the one or more.friction disks on the clutch basket.

Abstract: A drain system for a marine engine cooling system, includes an engine having one of a closed coolant circuit or an open cooling circuit, a raw water passageway having a raw water intake for drawing raw water into the raw water passageway, including a hose arranged to have a vertically high point and a vertically low point, a drain valve connected to the raw water passageway at the in hose vertically low point, a vent line connected to the raw water passageway at the hose vertically high point and a control handle located remote from the hose vertically high point and the hose vertically low point, the control handle having a vent valve connected to the vent line, the control handle being connected to the drain valve by a cable, wherein movement of the control handle selectively simultaneously opens and closes the drain valve and the vent valve.

Abstract: A drain system for a marine engine cooling system, includes an engine having one of a closed coolant circuit or an open cooling circuit, a raw water passageway having a raw water intake for drawing raw water into the raw water passageway, including a hose arranged to have a vertically high point and a vertically low point, a drain valve connected to the raw water passageway at the in hose vertically low point, a vent line connected to the raw water passageway at the hose vertically high point and a control handle located remote from the hose vertically high point and the hose vertically low point, the control handle having a vent valve connected to the vent line, the control handle being connected to the drain valve by a cable, wherein movement of the control handle selectively simultaneously opens and closes the drain valve and the vent valve.

Abstract: A tractor-type stern drive for a boat includes a drive housing pivotally attached to the stern of the boat about a steering axis. At least one pulling-type propeller is rotatably mounted to a forward end of the gear casing. The at least one propeller is powered by a vertical drive shaft perpendicular to the propeller shaft axis. The steering axis is offset forward of the drive shaft to help minimize steering torque about the steering axis.

Abstract: A tractor-type stern drive for a boat includes a drive housing pivotally attached to the stern of the boat about a steering axis. At least one pulling-type propeller is rotatably mounted to a forward end of the gear casing. The at least one propeller is powered by a vertical drive shaft perpendicular to the propeller shaft axis. The steering axis is offset forward of the drive shaft to help minimize steering torque about the steering axis.

Abstract: A drive for a boat includes a gear case and a propeller rotatably mounted to a front of the gear case. The drive also includes a drive support for mounting the gear case to the boat. The drive support allows at least a portion of the gear case to pivot about a trim axis to adjust the boat's trim. A trim plane is formed as part of, or added to, the gear case between a lower portion of the gear case, usually underwater in use, and an upper portion of the gear case. The trim plane has sufficient exposed lower surface area to apply a downward force on the water to assist trimming of the boat.

Abstract: A bellows for protecting a U-joint in a marine stern drive includes a flexible, hollow body defining an interior space and open at opposite ends, the body formed of a thermoplastic elastomer material to be self-supporting, having a first mating end and a second mating end and being pleated therebetween, a first sealing cuff formed of an elastomeric material, softer than the thermoplastic elastomer material, bonded to the first mating end and, a second sealing cuff formed of an elastomeric material, softer than the thermoplastic elastomer material, bonded to the second mating end.

Abstract: A bellows for protecting a U-joint in a marine stern drive includes a flexible, hollow body defining an interior space and open at opposite ends, the body formed of a thermoplastic elastomer material to be self-supporting, having a first mating end and a second mating end and being pleated therebetween, a first sealing cuff formed of an elastomeric material, softer than the thermoplastic elastomer material, bonded to the first mating end and, a second sealing cuff formed of an elastomeric material, softer than the thermoplastic elastomer material, bonded to the second mating end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for monitoring oil condition. In one embodiment, a marine powertrain is provided that includes a marine engine and a gear casing containing an oil and a gas. An engine speed sensor generates an output value, which indicates a speed of the marine engine. An oil sensor generates an output value, which indicates a condition of the oil. The condition of the oil is selectively monitored according to whether the marine engine is operating at a speed that is less than an engine speed threshold value, which denotes a speed of the marine engine at which the oil and the gas form an oil and aerated gas mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for monitoring oil condition. In one embodiment, a marine powertrain is provided that includes a marine engine and a gear casing containing an oil and a gas. An engine speed sensor generates an output value, which indicates a speed of the marine engine. An oil sensor generates an output value, which indicates a condition of the oil. The condition of the oil is selectively monitored according to whether the marine engine is operating at a speed that is less than an engine speed threshold value, which denotes a speed of the marine engine at which the oil and the gas form an oil and aerated gas mixture.

Abstract: A transom shield assembly adapted to be coupled to a transom of an inboard/outboard boat includes a transom shield, and a cover, attachable to the transom shield, for covering a trim pump. The transom shield assembly permits a trim pump to be hydraulically connected to a trim cylinder to form a tilt/trim assembly and, after hydraulically connecting the trim pump to the trim cylinder to form a tilt/trim assembly, permits the tilt/trim assembly to be installed on the inboard/outboard boat without hydraulically disconnecting the trim pump and the trim cylinder.

Abstract: A transom shield assembly adapted to be coupled to a transom of an inboard/outboard boat includes a transom shield, and a cover, attachable to the transom shield, for covering a trim pump. The transom shield assembly permits a trim pump to be hydraulically connected to a trim cylinder to form a tilt/trim assembly and, after hydraulically connecting the trim pump to the trim cylinder to form a tilt/trim assembly, permits the tilt/trim assembly to be installed on the inboard/outboard boat without hydraulically disconnecting the trim pump and the trim cylinder.

Abstract: Stern drive assembly configured for utilization in an inboard/outboard power plant for a boat. The stern drive assembly includes a central rigid core that is configured at an upper portion to be coupled to the stern of a carrying boat. A lower portion of the core is designed to accept a boat-moving force generated by a water propulsion unit that is coupled thereto. A thin-walled housing is configured to be secured about a predominance of the centrally located rigid core. The housing has an outer surface that establishes an exterior of the stern drive assembly and an inner surface directed generally toward the central rigid core. A portion of an exterior surface of the central rigid core is configured to cooperate with a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the thin-walled housing. These two portions, when in cooperative orientation one with the other, form a functional feature for the stern drive assembly.

Abstract: Inboard/outboard trim/tilt assembly including a shield assembly for being secured to a transom of the boat. A gimbal ring is pivotably coupled to the shield assembly at an axis of rotation. A drive frame is pivotably connected to the gimbal ring so that the drive frame pivots in conjunction with the gimbal ring. A single trim cylinder is included that has a first end connected to the gimbal ring and a second end connected to the drive frame. The trim cylinder has a cylinder rod and a cylinder housing and the cylinder rod is movable within the cylinder housing. The cylinder rod moves in a first direction relative to the cylinder housing for tilting the drive frame to a trim up position and moves in a second direction relative to the cylinder housing for tilting the drive frame to a trim down position. For protective purposes, the trim cylinder is at least partially covered by a portion of the gimbal ring.