Abstract: A combustion engine that has at least a plurality of power strokes during a complete cycle of engine operation that is of compact packaging and Brayton cycle operable. In a preferred embodiment, a piston-cylinder arrangement used to compress air and deliver it to a combustion chamber where it is combusted along with fuel. The combustion gases are returned back to the piston-cylinder arrangement where they act on the piston to output power in a power stroke. A second power stroke can be implemented where additional combustion gases are available to extract additional power from. In a preferred embodiment, the same piston-cylinder arrangement receives the additional combustion gases from the combustion chamber in the second power stroke.

Abstract: A method of making a composite gasket. A composite gasket is formed from an annular coiled strip of heat-resistant core material having a metallic tanged core and a facing layer, as of a mica-based material, integrated with the strip. The coil is placed in a first die and axially compressed under a relatively low pressure into a preform having a plurality of crevices in its face. The preform and a temperature-resistant sealing material, such as expanded graphite, are placed in a second die and the graphite and preform are axially compressed under high pressure to integrate the sealing material with the preform and to mechanically interlock the sealing material with crevices in the surface of the core material. The preform and sealing material are substantially deformed during the second axial compression to provide an improved composite gasket.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprises a steering member and a steerable member including a propeller. A steering mechanism operatively connects the steering member with the steerable member and includes an actuating and locking device. The actuating and locking device comprises a cylinder having opposite first and second end portions and a piston which is mounted for reciprocative movement within the cylinder between the first and second end portions. A drive assembly operatively connects the piston with the movable steering member to effect reciprocative movement of the piston in response to steering member movement. A driven mechanism operatively connects the piston with the steerable member such that piston reciprocation is transmitted into movement of the steerable member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stern drive unit including a stationary housing adapted to be fixed relative to a boat hull and a movable housing mounted on the stationary housing for pivotal movement about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when the stationary housing is fixed to the boat hull. The stern drive unit also includes a propulsion leg including a rotatably mounted propeller, an input shaft in the stationary housing transverse to the tilt axis, and an output shaft journaled in the movable housing and having an axis transverse to the tilt axis, generally intersecting the tilt axis, and connected to the propeller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lower unit for a marine propulsion device including a drive shaft housing, a gearcase housing connected to the end lower of the drive shaft housing and having an interior wall defining an elongated, axially extending cavity, a propeller shaft extending axially in the gearcase housing cavity and carrying a propeller, and a hollow bearing carrier member generally encircling the propeller shaft and carrying a bearing for rotatably supporting the propeller shaft in the gearcase housing cavity. The bearing carrier member is removably fastened by bolts or the like to a resilient, annular anchoring element which fits into and frictionally engages an internal annular groove in the gearcase housing to retain the bearing carrier against the axial displacement relative to the gearcase housing and to minimize rotation of the bearing carrier relative to the gearcase housing.