Abstract: An assembly is for aligning and stabilizing first and second cowl portions on a marine engine. The assembly comprises an engagement member configured to be fixed to the first cowl portion and a retainer apparatus configured to be fixed to the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus is configured to receive the engagement member when one of the first cowl portion and second cowl portion is moved towards the other of the first cowl portion and the second cowl portion. The retainer apparatus comprises a retainer body and opposing guide members that are pivotable with respect to the retainer body. As the retainer apparatus receives the engagement member, the engagement member engages and causes the guide members to pivot with respect to the retainer body such that the engagement member becomes sandwiched between the guide members, thus aligning and stabilizing the first and second cowl portions.

Abstract: A tiller is for an outboard motor. The tiller has a base bracket that is configured to be rotationally fixed with respect to the outboard motor, a chassis bracket that is coupled to the base bracket, and a locking arrangement. The locking arrangement is movable into and between a locked position, wherein the chassis bracket is locked to and rotates together with the base bracket, and an unlocked position, wherein the chassis bracket is freely rotatable with respect to the base bracket about a vertical axis when the tiller is in a horizontal position.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit including an engine rotating output shaft and a driveshaft extending along a driveshaft axis and having an upper end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the output shaft. A propulsor shaft extends along a propulsor shaft axis and has a first end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship to a lower end of the driveshaft and a second end coupled to a propulsor. The propulsor shaft axis defines a direction of thrust generated by the propulsor. A transom bracket couples the drive unit to the marine vessel. A steering support couples the drive unit to the transom bracket and rotates the drive unit about a steering axis to change a direction of the thrust generated by the propulsor. The steering axis is substantially non-parallel to the driveshaft axis, and is oriented with respect to the driveshaft axis at a given angle of less than 45 degrees.

Abstract: An outboard marine engine comprises an internal combustion engine; a lower gearcase, a set of gears disposed in the lower gearcase, the set of gears being configured to transfer power from the internal combustion engine to drive a propulsor to generate a thrust on the outboard marine engine, and a dipstick that extends into the lower gearcase. The dipstick is removable from the lower gearcase and configured to indicate a level of lubrication in the lower gearcase.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for mounting an outboard motor to a transom of a marine vessel. A support structure is configured to be coupled to the transom by a plurality of fasteners that extend through the support structure and through a set of holes that have been drilled in the transom. A steering head is coupled to the support structure and configured to support an outboard motor thereupon for rotation about a generally vertical steering axis. The set of holes is divided by a generally vertical fore-aft central plane, and the outboard motor extends along a generally vertical fore-aft central plane. The support structure and the steering head are coupled to one another such that the central plane of the outboard motor is capable of being laterally offset from the central plane of the set of holes. An assembly for mounting two or more outboard motors is also provided.

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: A marine propulsion system is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The system comprises a marine vessel and an outboard motor that is coupled to the marine vessel. The outboard motor has a first inlet that receives intake air for combustion. A second inlet is located on the hull of the marine vessel and a conduit conveys the intake air from the second inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the outboard motor.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The system comprises a marine vessel and an outboard motor that is coupled to the marine vessel. The outboard motor has a first inlet that receives intake air for combustion. A second inlet is located on the hull of the marine vessel and a conduit conveys the intake air from the second inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the outboard motor. The system comprises an outboard motor that is coupled to a marine vessel, and that comprises an exhaust gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the outboard motor is at idle speed. A conduit conveys exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge outlet located on the marine vessel.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The system comprises a marine vessel and an outboard motor that is coupled to the marine vessel. The outboard motor has a first inlet that receives intake air for combustion. A second inlet is located on the hull of the marine vessel and a conduit conveys the intake air from the second inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the outboard motor.

Abstract: A marine drive comprises a gear case housing a vertical driveshaft that rotates a generally horizontal propulsor shaft in a forward direction upon operational engagement with a forwardly rotatable gear and a rearward direction upon operational engagement with a rearwardly rotatable gear. A lubricant exclusion cover is disposed between the forwardly and rearwardly rotatable gears so as to limit churning of lubricant by at least one of the forwardly and rearwardly rotatable gears.

Abstract: A marine drive having a lower gearcase with a vertical drive shaft driving a horizontal propeller shaft in a torpedo housing has a vent plug setting the level of lubricant in the lower gearcase to be substantially at the top of the torpedo housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve, such as a rotary valve, is connected in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator that, in turn, causes a clutch to move between forward, neutral, and reverse gear positions. A marine transmission is caused to shift between these gear positions in response to movement of a spool of the hydraulic valve, which can be a rotary valve. Movement of the valve causes an actuator to move to the selected gear position and maintain that gear position until a subsequent movement of the hydraulic valve.

Abstract: An automatic trim control system changes the trim angle of a marine propulsion device as a function of the speed of the marine vessel relative to the water in which it is operated. The changing of the trim angle occurs between first and second speed magnitudes which operate as minimum and maximum speed thresholds.

Abstract: A steering actuator system for an outboard motor connects an actuator member to guide rails which are, in turn, attached to a motive member such as a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder moves along a first axis with the guide rail extending in a direction perpendicular to the first axis. An actuator member is movable along the guide rail in a direction parallel to a second axis and perpendicular to the first axis. The actuator member is attached to a steering arm of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device for use in conjunction with a marine propulsion system provides an adapter that is attached in torque transmitting relation with a propulsor shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation. The first insert portion is attached in torque transmitting relation with the adapter and a second insert portion is attached in torque transmitting relation with a hub of the propulsor hub which can be a marine propeller or an impeller. A third insert portion is connected between the first and second insert portions and is resilient in order to allow the first and second insert portions to rotate relative to each other about the central axis of rotation. The adapter is shaped to prevent compression of the first, second, and third insert portions in a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation.

Abstract: A controllable pitch propeller device is provided with a pitch locking system that prevents a controllable pitch propeller blade from being inadvertently forced to an extreme end of travel in the event that hydraulic pressure is lost in either of two conduits or as a result of a pump failure. The hydraulic pressure in each of two conduits is used to overcome a check valve in the opposite conduit to allow return hydraulic fluid flow through that opposite conduit. In the event of a loss of hydraulic pressure, the pressure needed to overcome the check valve is absent and the check valve operates normally to block return flow to a source of hydraulic pressure, such as a pump. This blockage of return flow, in turn, prevents a hydraulically responsive element, such as a piston, from moving subsequent to the loss of pressure.

Abstract: An acoustical enclosure for a marine engine generator set includes a squirrel cage fan powered mechanically by the engine and mounted over a large opening in an end of the enclosure. Air inlets are provided to admit external air into the enclosure. A large air flow results, allowing the generator to be operated at full capacity, even at elevated ambient temperatures. Noise is prevented from escaping out of the opening in the end of the enclosure by having the fan placed directly over the opening, where the solid plate of the squirrel cage fan reflects a portion of the noise back into the enclosure where it is absorbed by sound absorbing material lining the inside of the enclosure. A fan duct surrounds the fan and a cover is placed over the duct. The cover is also lined with sound absorbing material to further attenuate any noise not reflected back by the fan.