Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. McLeod

Kenneth M. McLeod has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4880403
    Abstract: A marine installation comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on a boat for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel supply valve adapted to communicate between a fuel reservoir and the engine and actuatable between a first state and a second state for respectively permitting and preventing fuel flow from the fuel reservoir, a control switch operably connected to the engine and actuatable between a first state and a second state for respectively permitting and preventing engine operation, and a mechanism responsive to the state of both the fuel supply valve and the control switch for maintaining the fuel supply valve and the control switch in the same state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Friedle, Richard P. Kolb, Kenneth M. McLeod
  • Patent number: 4704598
    Abstract: An alarm system for a two-cycle internal combustion engine having a lubricating oil pump and an alternator generating electric pulses at a frequency related to engine speed. An integrated circuit configured as a counter has an input connected to receive the alternator pulses. A pressure switch generates an electric signal in response to the oil pressure increase in the pump output each time the pump operates. The integrated circuit has a first output which changes logic state in response to a predetermined count and has a second output which changes value at a frequency related to engine speed. The signal generated by the pressure switch is connected to a reset input to the integrated circuit so the counter is reset to zero in response to each oil pressure signal. An SCR switch controls operation of an alarm horn. A control connected to the integrated circuit and to the SCR operates the horn at a frequency related to engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. McLeod
  • Patent number: 4369743
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic lubricant metering system for an engine which includes a throttle for regulating the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, the system comprising a frequency to voltage converter for producing a first electrical signal representative of engine RPM, a potentiometer including a wiper coupled to move in response to movement of the engine throttle, the voltage appearing on the wiper producing a second electrical signal representative of the amount of fuel being delivered to the engine, an oil pump for supplying a variable amount of lubricant into the fuel delivered to the engine, and an electrical control circuit responsive to the first and second electrical signals for providing a control output which renders the oil pump operative to vary the lubricant/fuel ratio of the lubricant and fuel mixture delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Holt, John M. Mahoney, Kenneth M. McLeod