Abstract: An outboard motor has a lubricant pump driven by an engine. The lubrication pump circulates lubricant to moving components of the engine through at least one lubricant passage. A pressure sensor is provided along the lubricant passage. The pressure sensor outputs a signal to an evaluator to determine whether a low pressure situation indicative of a malfunction has occurred. An alarm is activated based upon the determination of a malfunction. Activation of the alarm may occur if the engine is not warmed-up, if the engine is operating at a steady speed or encountering slow speed changes or has encountered a rapid speed change for a predetermined period of time. In this manner, false alarms related to pressure variations within the lubricant system may be reduced.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. A tilt and trim mechanism includes a manually-actuable tilt switch for controlling tilt and trim of the motor. Both the port and starboard sidewalls of the cowling have apertures formed therethrough. The apertures are sized and configured to accomodate a tilt switch. In one embodiment, a tilt switch is arranged in one aperture and a plug is arranged in the other aperture. In another embodiment, tilt switches are arranged in both apertures.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a cowling substantially enclosing an engine therein. A tilt and trim mechanism includes a manually-actuable tilt switch for controlling tilt and trim of the motor. Both the port and starboard sidewalls of the cowling have apertures formed therethrough. The apertures are sized and configured to accomodate a tilt switch. In one embodiment, a tilt switch is arranged in one aperture and a plug is arranged in the other aperture. In another embodiment, tilt switches are arranged in both apertures.

Abstract: An electrical system for a marine outboard drive includes an improved construction. The outboard drive includes an engine. The engine has a combustion chamber, a fuel supply unit arranged to supply fuel to the combustion chamber, and an igniting unit arranged to fire the fuel in the combustion chamber. The electrical system includes a power source arranged to supply electricity to the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit. The electrical system includes a first control device and a second control device. The first control device is arranged to control the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit while the second control device is arranged to watch the supply of electricity. The second control device is physically separated from the first control device.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a lubricant pump driven by an engine. The lubrication pump circulates lubricant to moving components of the engine through at least one lubricant passage. A pressure sensor is provided along the lubricant passage. The pressure sensor outputs a signal to an evaluator to determine whether a low pressure situation indicative of a malfunction has occurred. An alarm is activated based upon the determination of a malfunction. Activation of the alarm may occur if the engine is not warmed-up, if the engine is operating at a steady speed or encountering slow speed changes or has encountered a rapid speed change for a predetermined period of time. In this manner, false alarms related to pressure variations within the lubricant system may be reduced.

Abstract: An improved overheat detection system for an engine having at least one coolant jacket which is drained of coolant when the engine is not running. The coolant jacket has an inlet portion into which the coolant is supplied and an outlet portion from which the coolant is discharged during the engine is running. In one feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has a sensor for sensing a temperature associated with the coolant jacket at an aft part of the coolant jacket including the outlet portion. In another feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has at least two sensors, one is positioned at a fore part of the coolant jacket including the inlet portion and another is positioned downstream of the former sensor, and both sensors for sensing each temperature associated with the coolant jacket. The overheat detection system is arranged to output an overheat signal in the event the temperature sensed by the sensor or at least one of the sensors is above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle wherein the electric power may be provided by an auxiliary electric motor with power assist being determined by a manual force applied by an operator for manually propelling the vehicle. The vehicle control includes a method for determining when the vehicle is being started from a stop and for providing a gradual application of electric power assist during such start-up. In addition, if the operator calls for an abrupt change in power assist, the actual power assist is applied only gradually to provide smoother operation. The system also has self-checking functions and the electric power assist is disabled in response to certain types of failures. However, the operator is warned in advance that the power will be shut down so as to avoid emergency situations. The self-checking provides an arrangement for checking when the speed sensor is inoperative by sensing certain output characteristics of the speed sensor and the force application.

Abstract: An electrically power assisted, manually operated vehicle, such as a bicycle, that includes a force sensor for varying the amount of power assist by an electrical motor in response to the manual force input. In addition, a vehicle speed sensor is incorporated for sensing vehicle speed. An abnormality condition detector detects both the outputs from the force sensor and the vehicle speed sensor and indicates an abnormality and discontinues the supply of electrical power to the electric motor in the event of a discrepancy in the outputs of the sensors.

Abstract: A fuel supplying device for a marine propulsion unit wherein the engine is slowed in response to an abnormal condition by interrupting the ignition. In order to prevent excess fuel consumption and preclude backfiring, the fuel supply is also discontinued when the ignition system is interrupted.

Abstract: A hand-operated hydraulic compression tool for compressing a metal connector about a plurality of wires to be connected. The tool is adapted to make both parallel and butt-type connections of the wires. The tool includes a pressure relief valve for limiting the maximum pressure to be applied to the connector. The valve is removably installed in a two-piece housing in a cavity of the tool body for facilitated servicing. The housing is provided with a plurality of outlet passages opening to an annular recess in the housing communicating through a suitable discharge opening with a fluid reservoir. The tool further includes control structure for releasing the pressure upon completion of a forming operation, the flow passage for the returning hydraulic fluid utilizing a portion of the body cavity receiving the pressure regulating valve.

Abstract: A hand-operated hydraulic compression tool for compressing a metal connector about a plurality of wires to be connected. The tool is adapted to make both parallel and butt-type connections of the wires. The tool includes a pressure relief valve for limiting the maximum pressure to be applied to the connector. The valve is removably installed in a cavity of the tool body for facilitated servicing. The tool further includes control structure for releasing the pressure upon completion of a forming operation, the flow passage for the returning hydraulic fluid utilizing a portion of the body cavity receiving the pressure regulating valve.