Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least two exhaust ports and a valve assembly. The valve assembly has first and second connectors, first and second actuator pistons connected to their corresponding connectors, the first and second actuator pistons being disposed in first and second chambers respectively, and first and second valves connected to their corresponding connectors. The first connector, actuator piston and valve are movable together between first and second positions. The second connector, actuator piston, and valve are movable together between first and second positions. A first fluid line supplies hydraulic fluid in the first and second chambers on a first side of the first and second actuator pistons. A second fluid line supplies hydraulic fluid in the first and second chambers on a second side of the first and second actuator pistons. At least one fluid pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the first and second fluid lines.

Abstract: A marine outboard motor comprises first and second cylinder blocks connected to a crankcase having a crankshaft. Each cylinder block contains a cylinder having a cylinder central axis, and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. First and second planes are defined by the first and second cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The first and second planes are at a first angle less than 120 degrees. The exhaust manifold is at least in part within a valley formed between the first and second cylinder blocks. A configuration with a third cylinder block opposite to the first and second cylinder blocks is also described. A third plane is defined by a third cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The third plane is at a second angle to the first plane and at a third angle to the second plane. The second and third angle can be equal.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a pressure responsive valve for a marine engine that facilitates balanced operation of the engine. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve includes a first chamber and a second chamber. Coolant is in flow communication with the valve first chamber, and the engine cylinder head water jackets are in flow communication with the valve second chamber. A flow channel is between the valve first and second chambers, and a plunger is biased to close the flow channel to normally prevent flow from the first chamber to the second chamber. A diaphragm is coupled to the plunger and is responsive to pressure in the first chamber. During operation of the engine at low revolutions per minute (rpm), the pressure of the coolant in the valve first chamber is not sufficient to cause the diaphragm to move the plunger to the open position. As the engine speed increases, the pressure of the coolant also increases.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine configured to reduce engine knock during high speed operation of the engine is provided. The engine comprises a cylinder head including a lower surface portion closing an upper end of a cylinder to define a combustion chamber between a piston upper surface and the cylinder head lower surface portion. The lower surface portion has therein an upwardly extending recess. The recess has a lower end which is complementary with the piston surface and an upper end. The lower end of said recess has an area in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and that area comprises a range from more than 20% to about 65% of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating cold starting of a direct injected, two-stroke engine. The engine utilizes a fuel injection system that is controlled to inject a fuel into a combustion chamber just before the piston reaches top dead center, at least during cold starting. This permits better atomization of a variety of fuels to promote dependable cold starting of the engine even when combusting a fuel type such as kerosene.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine configured to reduce engine knock during high speed operation of the engine is provided. The engine comprises a cylinder head including a lower surface portion closing an upper end of a cylinder to define a combustion chamber between a piston upper surface and the cylinder head lower surface portion. The lower surface portion has therein an upwardly extending recess. The recess has a lower end which is complementary with the piston surface and an upper end. The lower end of said recess has an area in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and that area comprises a range from more than 20% to about 65% of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine configured to reduce engine knock during high speed operation of the engine is provided. The engine comprises a cylinder head including a lower surface portion closing an upper end of a cylinder to define a combustion chamber between a piston upper surface and the cylinder head lower surface portion. The lower surface portion has therein an upwardly extending recess. The recess has a lower end which is complementary with the piston surface and an upper end. The lower end of said recess has an area in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and that area comprises a range from more than 20% to about 65% of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder.

Abstract: A piston for a two-stroke direct fuel injection internal combustion engine coupled to drive a marine propulsion unit is provided. The piston has a generally cylindrical body with one or more grooves formed therein. Each groove defines an opening to receive a respective piston ring. A thermal-protection coating is applied by anodizing the interior of the grooves. The respective region of the piston cylindrical body surrounding the respective groove openings is free of the coating.

Abstract: Engine control apparatus and methods for avoiding heavy soot production yet providing smooth engine acceleration and deceleration without significant engine RPM increases and decreases with small throttle movements are described. In one embodiment, once the fuel injection angle reaches the angle at which soot formation begins, one or more cylinders are controlled to operate with later injection angles and lower fueling, which results in lower torque production and lower soot formation, while at the same time the remaining cylinders are set to operate with advanced injection angles and higher fueling, which results in a homogenous mixture of air and fuel, higher torque, and also lower soot formation. Therefore, for a first range of throttle positions, all cylinders operate in the stratified combustion mode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly including an internal combustion engine including an engine block having at lest one cylinder, a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocal movement in the cylinder, a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the cylinder, the fuel injector initiating a fuel injection event at a predetermined time and a circuit for generating a spark in the cylinder a predetermined amount of time after the injection event to cause combustion of fuel in the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of operating a two-stroke, spark-ignited, internal combustion engine in which the ignition is time-based controlled at low or idle speeds and is crank-angle-based controlled at higher speeds.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining a cylinder having a longitudinal axis, an upper end, and a cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the axis, a piston reciprocally moveable in the cylinder along the axis, the piston having an upper surface, a cylinder head including a lower surface portion closing the upper end of the cylinder, the lower surface portion extending generally perpendicular to the axis and having therein an upwardly extending recess, the recess having an upper end, a lower end, and a height, the lower end of the recess having an area in a plane perpendicular to the axis, the area being equal to approximately one-fifth the cross-sectional area of the cylinder, the height being equal to at least one-third of the cylinder diameter, a fuel injector supported relative to the cylinder head for injecting fuel into the recess, and a spark plug which is supported relative to the cylinder head and which extends into the recess for creating a spark.

Abstract: A lubricant supply system for a two-stroke internal combustion engine, which system includes first and second adjacently located and substantially sealed crankcase chambers which alternately experience high and low pressure conditions which are out of phase with respect to the occurrence thereof, first and second oil supply passages respectively communicating with the first and second crankcase chambers, an oil supply circuit including an oil supply chamber adapted to contain oil and having therein a formation including therein a recess isolated from the oil supply chamber and communicating with the first and second oil supply passages, a metering rod including therein an indentation and supported in the oil supply chamber for movement in the formation between a first position wherein the indentation is located in the oil chamber, thereby affording filling of the indentation with oil, and a second position wherein the indentation is located in the formation in communication with the recess, thereby affording