Abstract: A switch reluctance device is used as a starter/generator for an outboard motor. The rotor of the switch reluctance device is attached to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and serves as a flywheel for the engine. The switch reluctance device is operated in a motoring mode when it is used as a starter motor for the internal combustion engine. The switch reluctance device is operated in an electrical power generating mode when the internal combustion engine is operating above a predetermined operating speed.

Abstract: An outboard motor with a manual recoil starter is provided with an electrical system that is manually actuated and provides the required electrical power to an electrical load associated with a fuel pump, fuel injectors, and ignition coils of the engine. When the operator pulls the rope of the manual recoil starter, the required electrical power for the fuel pump, ignition coils, and fuel injectors is provided by a small compact battery pack. When fully charged, the battery capacity is equal to or less than 12 ampere-hours and is sufficient to power the ignition and fuel system, but typically not sufficient to power a starter motor.

Abstract: A battery switching circuit provides a mechanism by which a plurality of electrical storage batteries can be alternatively connected in parallel or series based on the position of a manually controlled joystick of a marine positioning and maneuvering system. When the joystick is in a neutral position in which no docking motion is demanded by the marine vessel operator, the storage batteries are connected in parallel so that they can benefit from charging by an alternator or generator associated with an internal combustion engine. If the joystick is moved out of its neutral position, the batteries are immediately connected in series to provide power to a plurality of electric motors that are used to drive a plurality of impellers of the docking system.

Abstract: A magnet rotor assembly is provided with a nonmagnetic ring, which can be made of an elastomeric material, which has at least one locating protrusion extending radially outward from a first surface of the ring. It also comprises at least one locking protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the ring. A plurality of permanent magnets are embedded within the nonmagnetic ring and spaced circumferentially around the nonmagnetic ring. The ring is shaped to be received within a rotatable component of an internal combustion engine, such as a flywheel, which has an internal cylindrical surface. The locking protrusions of the ring are shaped to elastically deflect in a radially inward direction in response to contact between the locking protrusions and the internal cylindrical surface of the rotatable component when the nonmagnetic ring is forced axially into the rotatable component.

Abstract: The closure cap for fuel receptacle incorporates therein a liquid level gauge. The cap generally comprises annular hand grip means with a framing plate therein. The liquid level gauge includes an indicator shaft rotatable within an opening in the framing plate generally coaxial with the closure cap. The opening in the framing plate is in communication with the atmosphere and thus also serves to vent the receptacle when the cap is in closure position. Check valve means are carried on the shaft adjacent to and beneath the framing plate to normally close the opening and thereby prevent egress of sloshed fuel through the opening. The check valve means are adapted to open to vent the receptacle in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the valve means.

Abstract: A compact generator unit including a cooling system in which the engine and generator are mounted at points outside of the perimeter of the generator fan such that the generator fan serves to cool both the generator and the engine.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor heat sink for securing a semiconductor thereto for dissipating the heat generated by the semiconductor as well as for supporting those circuit board components which extend upwardly from the circuit board adjacent to the heat sink comprises a vertically extending leg fastened at its lower end to a printed circuit board. The leg has at least one mounting surface thereon for receiving a semiconductor in face to face relationship therewith. Extending outwardly from the leg in opposite directions are a pair of fins, each fin being perpendicular to the mounting surface on the leg. Running along the end of each fin is a downwardly extending projection for engaging a complementary groove in a separate one of a pair of circuit board components, such as connector blocks which each extend upwardly from the circuit board adjacent to a separate one of the fins so that the edges serve to impart further rigidity to the connector blocks.

Abstract: An alternator-powered breakerless capacitor discharge ignition system for an alternate firing two-cylinder outboard motor provides improved timing characteristics at low, as well as high, engine speeds and prevents reverse engine rotation. The alternator rotor and stator assemblies define a first magnetic circuit which provides constant polarity, constant power pulses for charging a single capacitor in the system. The alternator rotor and trigger assemblies define a second magnetic circuit which provides synchronized narrow trigger pulses, successive one's being of opposite polarity, to operate an electronic control circuit to effect timed capacitor discharge to a pair of spark plug ignition coils in the system. The first magnetic circuit includes a pair of relatively narrow ceramic permanent magnets spaced 180.degree. apart on the alternator rotor flywheel for energizing series-connected, oppositely wound, spaced apart low-speed and high speed stationary windings in the stator assembly.

Abstract: An engine flywheel forms the common rotor for a dual alternator unit having a first ignition alternator for the ignition circuit and a second power alternator for battery charging and providing other auxiliary power. The rotor includes first and second closely, axially spaced permanent annular magnets. An ignition and trigger coil assembly is aligned with one magnet and an auxiliary power coil with the second. The power magnet and coil include a substantial number of magnetic poles and coils to produce a significant power output. In a two cylinder engine, the ignition magnet has two radially and oppositely polarized poles. A pair of ignition capacitor charging coils are spaced by 180.degree. with a trigger coil mounted therebetween and circumferentially movable to adjust the timing. First and second ignition capacitors are connected to the charging coil and to the spark plugs and are alternately charged and discharged.

Abstract: A two-cylinder, two-cycle engine for an outboard motor includes a pull-rope starter unit and an alternator driven, capacitor discharge ignition system. The alternator includes an annular permanent magnet secured within a flywheel skirt and includes a pair of circumferential opposite poles with diametrical spaced neutral areas. A stator assembly is mounted within the annular magnet and includes a semicircular core with a charging coil at each end. The coils are connected to charge a capacitor unit which is discharged through a control rectifier. A trigger coil is connected to the gate of the rectifier and is mounted in coplanar relation between the chargingcoils. The trigger coil is wound on a pole aligned with and spaced from the stator core with the coil and pole rotatably mounted by a housing having an integral cam for positioning a throttle lever. The housing rotates through a selected segment of the core.

Abstract: An alternator driven capacitive discharge ignition system includes a tachometer circuit monitoring the speed-dependent repetition rate of discharge at an internal trigger power supply, the tachometer circuit causing the triggering threshold bias to be reduced below idle speed to electronically advance the timing. The ignition circuit includes a triggering threshold bias capacitor in series the trigger pulse source and a trigger power supply having a pilot capacitor to alternately fire a pair of ignition silicon controlled rectifiers. The pilot capacitor is charged in series with an RC filter network of a "bucket" tachometer circuit to create a speed signal voltage proportional to engine speed with the pilot capacitor functioning as the bucket capacitor. The speed signal is a voltage which is positive relative to a common signal ground while the threshold bias capacitor voltage is negative relative to such signal ground.

Abstract: A two cylinder, two cycle engine for an outboard motor includes an alternator driven, capacitor discharge ignition system. The alternator includes an annular permanent magnet secured within a flywheel skirt and includes a pair of circumferential opposite poles with diametrical spaced neutral areas. The magnet is a flexible ferrite strip with a butt joint at one of the neutral areas. A stator assembly is mounted within the annular rotor and includes a semicircular core with a charging coil at each end. Each movement of the magnetic gap means past the coils generates a pulse. A trigger coil within a housing is mounted in coplanar relation between the charging coils, with a pole aligned with and spaced from the stator core. The housing is rotatably mounted and includes an integral cam for positioning a throttle lever.

Abstract: A two cylinder, two cycle engine for an outboard motor includes an alternator driven, capacitor discharge ignition system. The alternator includes an annular permanent magnet secured within a flywheel skirt and includes a pair of circumferential opposite poles with diametrical spaced neutral areas. The magnet is a flexible ferrite strip with a butt joint at one of the neutral areas. A stator assembly is mounted within the annular rotor and includes a semicircular core with a charging coil at each end. Each movement of the magnetic gap means past the coils generates a pulse. A trigger coil within a housing is mounted in coplanar relation between the charging coils, with a pole aligned with and spaced from the stator core. The housing is rotatably mounted and includes an integral cam for positioning a throttle lever.