Abstract: A control switch assembly for utilization with marine propulsion units to be mounted in, for example, the single lever housing of the transmission and throttle control. The switch assembly includes a sealed outer housing providing at least two cavities for containing switches and a hard wire interconnection to an external terminal for connection to a wire harness.

Abstract: The present invention details several embodiments of a vessel speed measuring and indicating system, having a pressure intake port within a leading edge of a lower outboard portion of a vessel propulsion arrangement, which is structured to prevent debris, such as driftwood or the like, from entering and becoming lodged within the pressure intake port during operation of the vessel, so that the vessel speed can be accurately measured and displayed. The constructions detailed herein include a projection which is formed in the vicinity of the pressure intake port. The projection may be slightly above the pressure intake port, below the pressure intake port, or both above as well as below the pressure intake port.

Abstract: A remote control system is provided for transmitting control movement from a remote control unit to a controlled element which includes a throttle or transmission control lever on a marine propulsion unit. An operator is associated with the remote control unit and is movable between a plurality of positions. The remote control system further includes a pair of detectors, one in proximity to the remote control unit for transmitting an electrical signal to a controlling unit indicative of the detected position of the operator, and the other positioned in proximity to the controlled element for transmitting an electrical signal to the controlling unit indicative of the detected position of the controlled element.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting an electronic control unit on an internal combustion engine which protects the unit from structural and thermal damage.

Abstract: A remote control system is provided for transmitting control movement to a controlled member, such as a throttle or transmission control lever, on a marine propulsion unit from a selected one of a plurality of remote control units each of which has an operator movable between a plurality of positions. A remote control mechanism has at least one slidably supported control element operatively connected to each of the operators for linear reciprocation of the control elements upon movement of the respective operator. The remote control mechanism further includes a pinion gear operatively engaged with the control elements, a shaft connected for rotation with the pinion, and a pair of connecting links for converting the linear reciprocation of the control elements into a rotary motion of a spindle. A first rotation angle detecting device detects the rotational position of the spindle and transmits a signal to a control unit indicative of this rotational position.

Abstract: A magnetically operated selector valve is used in the first two embodiments of this invention for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic tilt and trim system of a marine outboard drive unit to achieve quick tilting up of the drive unit and slow trimming movement of the drive unit between a plurality of trim positions. In each of these embodiments the selector valve is linked to a gear throttle control mechanism and a manual switch used to operate the pump. In the first embodiment, the system includes two fluid motors, preferably of the piston-cylinder type, interposed between the marine vessel and the drive unit for adjusting the tilt and trim of the unit. A reversible fluid pump is used to power the fluid motors and communicates with the fluid motors by way of conduits and hoses.

Abstract: A ship steering system for automatically maintaining a steering course including a manual steering device and a memory that retains the course setting when the manual steering operation is discontinued for maintaining that set course and thus minimizing abrupt course deviations during automatic control.

Abstract: A manually or magnetically operated selector valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic tilt and trim system of a marine outboard drive unit to achieve quick tilting up of the drive unit and slow trimming movement of the drive unit between a plurality of trim positions.The hydraulic system includes at least one fluid motor interposed between the marine vessel and the drive unit for adjusting hte tilt and trim of the drive unit. A reversible fluid pump and reversible electric motor are used to power the fluid motor. In the slow trimming mode, the pump delivers fluid to only one fluid chamber of the fluid motor while the fluid in the other chamber is discharged back to the pump. In the quick tilt up mode, fluid is delivered to both fluid chambers of at least one fluid motor simultaneously.

Abstract: A hydraulic tilt and trim system for a marine outboard drive unit for effecting quick tilting-up of the drive unit and slow trimming of the drive unit through a plurality of trim positions. The system includes two fluid motors, preferably of the piston-cylinder type, interposed between the marine vessel and the drive unit for adjusting the tilt and trim of the drive unit. A reversible fluid pump is used to power the fluid motors and communicates with the fluid motors by way of conduits and hoses. The system further includes a selector valve, which is manually or magnetically operated, to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump to the fluid motors. To achieve slow trimming movement of the drive unit, the valve is adjusted so that the pump delivers hydraulic fluid to one fluid chamber of each fluid motor simultaneously while the fluid in the other chamber of each fluid motor is discharged back to the pump.