Abstract: A defeat resistant ballast filtration system for a recreational boat includes a pump to pump water into a ballast tank. The system also includes a filter having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump and an outlet of the filter is in fluid communication with an inlet port of the ballast tank. In addition, the system includes a pressure sensor that is configured to measure an upstream pressure at the inlet of the filter and to measure a downstream pressure at the outlet of the filter to determine a pressure differential. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine when the pressure differential is not within a predetermined range, and in response to not being within the pre-determined range, the ECU is configured to make the pump inoperable to pump the water into the ballast tank.

Abstract: A single coil solenoid includes a permanent magnet with bi-directional assist capabilities. The solenoid includes an armature that during de-energization of a single coil of wire is attracted to the permanent magnet thereby maintaining a hold position and during energization of the single coil has a polarity that repels the permanent magnet thereby creating a push/pull force. In this regard, the permanent magnet operates to not only hold the armature but also is used to push the armature when current is induced in the single coil.

Abstract: A single coil solenoid includes a permanent magnet with bidirectional assist capabilities. The solenoid includes an armature that during de-energization of a single coil of wire is attracted to the permanent magnet thereby maintaining a hold position and during energization of the single coil has a polarity that repels the permanent magnet thereby creating a push/pull force. In this regard, the permanent magnet operates to not only hold the armature but also is used to push the armature when current is induced in the single coil.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a plurality of cylinders includes an oil port in each of the cylinders. An annular groove is located in each cylinder wall so that oil flowing from the oil port flows into the annular groove to lubricate the skirt of the piston. An opening may be located in the piston so that oil flowing from the oil port flows into and through the piston opening when the piston is at a predetermined position, thereby directly injecting oil into the piston to lubricate the wrist pin of the piston.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a fuel pump having increased pump inlet suction and outlet pressures as compared to known fuel pumps. Such pressure increases enable use of one fuel pump even with an engine including multiple cylinder banks, and facilitates elimination of vapor and air bubbles in the fuel. The fuel pump also does not include small, or narrow passages that are prone to be clogged by dirt or the like. More specifically, and in one embodiment, the fuel pump includes a pump housing including an inlet and an outlet. An inlet nozzle extends from the inlet, and -an outlet nozzle extends from the outlet. The inlet nozzle is configured to be coupled to a fuel line extending from a fuel tank, and the outlet nozzle is configured to be coupled to a fuel line extending to the engine block. The pump further includes first and second pump inlet covers. Each cover includes an air nozzle.

Abstract: An oil system for a two-stroke outboard marine engine is disclosed. The oil system includes an oil system housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an oil return. The housing includes an oil filter base to receive a replaceable oil filter thereon. The oil is routed in a closed loop that includes an oil reservoir, the inlet to the oil system housing, through the replaceable oil filter, and is then returned to the oil reservoir. Periodically, a solenoid opens the closed loop system to divert oil to the two-stroke engine, at which time a remote vent valve is activated to allow air to enter the oil reservoir to displace the dispensed oil.

Abstract: A vent control system having a closed biased vent valve is used to separate vapor and/or air from a liquid in an enclosed chamber. The closed biased vent valve has a float having an upwardly extending float arm which cooperates with a lever arm of the closed biased vent valve to prevent unintended release of vapor or liquid from the enclosed chamber. The upwardly extending float arm and the lever arm are coupled to one another when the float is located beneath a designated level in the enclosed chamber and are decoupled from one another when the float rises above the designated level. The vent control system is much less susceptible to vibration induced vent opening than a traditional vent valve. The vent control system is well suited for use in a fuel vapor separator that includes a housing having the enclosed chamber formed within it.

Abstract: The present invention includes a distribution manifold for evenly distributing engine oil to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, as well as, directing oil and purging any air accompanying the oil through the fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The manifold includes a plurality of cylinder oiling outlet housings, each having a number of cylinder oiling valves corresponding to the number of cylinders in an internal combustion engine. The distribution manifold has a centrally-located dome in fluid communication with the cylinder oiling outlet housings. Extending from the apex of the dome is a fuel system outlet housing also having an oiling valve to regulate the flow of oil to the fuel system. A notch extends along the upper interior surface of the centrally-located dome in fluid communication with the fuel system outlet housing.

Abstract: A compound mounting bracket for attaching a solenoid to a structure is disclosed. The compound mounting bracket comprises a first and second plate, each having a first edge and a second distal edge. The second distal edge of the first plate is connectable to a first mounting point on a solenoid. The second distal edge of the second plate extends in a direction generally transverse to the first edge of the second plate, thereby defining a dihedral angle between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate is connectable at its second distal edge to a second mounting point on the solenoid.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply apparatus (22) for a watercraft (10) incorporating a plurality of connections (50,66) penetrating a housing (32) in a single opening in a fuel tank (12). Each connection is sealed by a radial O-ring (56,68) so that the connection may be rotated about a longitudinal axis without adversely affecting the seal. A single opening (34) in the tank may thereby be used to provide connections for a fill tube (66), fuel tube (50), vent (86), and electrical penetrations (150) for an in-tank pump (136) or level sensor (156).

Abstract: A compound mounting bracket for attaching a solenoid to a structure is disclosed. The compound mounting bracket comprises a first and second plate, each having a first edge and a second distal edge. The second distal edge of the first plate is connectable to a first mounting point on a solenoid. The second distal edge of the second plate extends in a direction generally transverse to the first edge of the second plate, thereby defining a dihedral angle between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate is connectable at its second distal edge to a second mounting point on the solenoid.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a fuel pump having increased pump inlet suction and outlet pressures as compared to known fuel pumps. Such pressure increases enable use of one fuel pump even with an engine including multiple cylinder banks, and facilitates elimination of vapor and air bubbles in the fuel. The fuel pump also does not include small, or narrow passages that are prone to be clogged by dirt or the like. More specifically, and in one embodiment, the fuel pump includes a pump housing including an inlet and an outlet. An inlet nozzle extends from the inlet, and an outlet nozzle extends from the outlet. The inlet nozzle is configured to be coupled to a fuel line extending from a fuel tank, and the outlet nozzle is configured to be coupled to a fuel line extending to the engine block. The pump further includes first and second pump inlet covers. Each cover includes an air nozzle.

Abstract: Oil injection apparatus and methods for injecting oil directly between the cylinder sleeves and the pistons of both cylinder banks in a v-type engine are described. In one embodiment, and with respect to each cylinder, an oil port in the engine block extends to an annular groove in the cylinder wall. An oil pump supplies lubricating oil to the port via a conduit, and under the control of a control unit. In operation, if the piston is thrust into the cylinder wall at the location of the groove when oil is being injected, the oil flows into the groove and is dispersed as the piston moves past the groove on the next stroke. If the piston is not thrust into the cylinder wall at the time oil is introduced, the oil flows into the cylinder and is dispersed by the piston.

Abstract: An oil system for a two-stroke outboard marine engine is disclosed. The oil system includes an oil system housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an oil return. The housing includes an oil filter base to receive a replaceable oil filter thereon. The oil is routed in a closed loop that includes an oil reservoir, the inlet to the oil system housing, through the replaceable oil filter, and is then returned to the oil reservoir. Periodically, a solenoid opens the closed loop system to divert oil to the two-stroke engine, at which time a remote vent valve is activated to allow air to enter the oil reservoir to displace the dispensed oil.

Abstract: A vent control system having a closed biased vent valve is used to separate vapor and/or air from a liquid in an enclosed chamber. The closed biased vent valve has a float having an upwardly extending float arm which cooperates with a lever arm of the closed biased vent valve to prevent unintended release of vapor or liquid from the enclosed chamber. The upwardly extending float arm and the lever arm are coupled to one another when the float is located beneath a designated level in the enclosed chamber and are decoupled from one another when the float rises above the designated level. The vent control system is much less susceptible to vibration induced vent opening than a traditional vent valve. The vent control system is well suited for use in a fuel vapor separator that includes a housing having the enclosed chamber formed within it.

Abstract: An electrically controlled shift and throttle system for a watercraft having multiple control stations is disclosed. The system has a number of control units having an elongated lever arm which can be moved in forward and reverse directions for shifting the transmission among forward, neutral, and reverse operating modes, as well as controlling the throttle of the engine for varying the operating speed thereof. The control units are electrically connected to a controller which also is electrically connected to a shift gear motor and throttle motor. Switches associated with each of the control units enables one of the control units to be selected as a master control unit and the nonselected control units then operate as slave units. During operation, the angular position of the master control unit lever arm is duplicated in the nonselected control units so that all control unit lever arms have the same angular orientation.

Abstract: An oil system for a two-stroke outboard marine engine is disclosed. The oil system includes an oil system housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an oil return. The housing includes an oil filter base to receive a replaceable oil filter thereon. The oil is routed in a closed loop that includes an oil reservoir, the inlet to the oil system housing, through the replaceable oil filter, and is then returned to the oil reservoir. Periodically, a solenoid opens the closed loop system to divert oil to the two-stroke engine, at which time a remote vent valve is activated to allow air to enter the oil reservoir to displace the dispensed oil.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is an oiling system for an outboard engine and includes an oil tank and an oil pump located within the tank. A manifold is coupled to the oil pump, and the manifold includes a solenoid controlled valve. The solenoid controlled valve controls the flow of oil through the manifold. The manifold further includes a plurality of check valves in flow communication with the solenoid controlled valve. The check valves are in flow communication between the solenoid controlled valve and the engine cylinders. The oil system, in the one embodiment, further includes a pressure regulator in flow communication with, and downstream from, the manifold. An outlet of the pressure regulator in flow communication with the oil tank, and allows oil to flow from the manifold to the tank when pressure in the system exceeds a preselected pressure. The oil system also includes a fuel solenoid controlled valve coupled to receive oil from the manifold and to supply oil to the engine fuel system.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system uses a single electric fuel pump to deliver fuel to a fuel injected engine and returns excess fuel to the single electric fuel pump via a vapor separator and two pressure regulators. A primer bulb draws fuel from a fuel tank with a fuel supply line and transfers the fuel to the single electric fuel pump. The single electric fuel pump delivers fuel to a fuel rail assembly, which enables fuel to be distributed to each fuel injector during engine operation. A fuel return line connects the fuel rail assembly to the single electric fuel pump via the vapor separator to remove excess fuel from the fuel rail assembly and to transfer the excess fuel back to the single electric fuel pump for re-circulation. The first pressure regulator maintains a substantially constant pressure within the fuel injectors while the vapor separator purges entrained gas from the excess liquid fuel to avoid vapor lock.