Abstract: A power transmission mechanism transferring a power output from an engine to a propeller includes a transmission planetary gear train that transforms the output power of the engine before it is transferred to the propeller. The transmission planetary gear train includes a transmission sun gear, a transmission double planetary gear set, and a transmission internal gear, in which the transmission sun gear is connected via the first clutch to the input end shaft extending into the engine, and the transmission sun gear is also connected via the second one-way clutch to the housing. In addition, the transmission double planetary gear set is connected via the second clutch to the input end shaft extending into the engine, and the transmission double planetary gear set is also connected via the first one-way clutch to the housing. Further, the transmission internal gear is connected to the output end shaft extending toward the propeller.

Abstract: In an outboard motor having a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power of an engine to a propeller, the power transmission mechanism has a transmission ratio changing unit having a planetary gear train including a sun gear, planetary gears, and an internal gear. The internal gear is connected to an input side shaft on the engine side. The planetary gears are connected to an output side shaft on the propeller side. The sun gear is connected to a stationary portion via a one-way clutch. The planetary gears and the internal gear and/or the sun gear are connected by an on-off clutch. When the on-off clutch is disengaged, the one-way clutch is engaged and the speed from the input side shaft is outputted from the output side shaft with a reduced speed. When the on-off clutch is engaged, the speed from the input side shaft is outputted from the output side shaft with the same speed.

Abstract: A lubricant circulating system has a lubricant passage formed in a propeller shaft. The lubricant passage extends axially along the propeller shaft from a bevel gear mechanism to a position proximate to a journal of the propeller shaft. The journal of the propeller shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing. The lubricant passage further extends radially of the propeller shaft and communicates with an area proximate to the bearing. The lubricant circulating system is adapted such that lubricant circulates through the lubricant passage between an upstream opening of the lubricant passage at or around the bevel gear mechanism and a downstream opening of the lubricant passage in the vicinity of the bearing.

Abstract: A tiller handle assembly for an outboard motor is provided that comprises a steering handle having a generally hollow body. A throttle grip is attached to a front end of the steering handle, and a shift mechanism coupled to the steering handle. The shift mechanism includes an moveable operator that can be moved at least between two positions: one of the positions corresponding to a drive operational mode of the outboard motor and the other position corresponding to a neutral operational mode of the outboard motor. A sensor device is disposed within the hollow body of the steering handle and is configured to determine whether the movable operator is positioned in one of the two position. The location of the sensor device within the hollow body makes mounting and maintenance of the sensor device easier and generally isolates the sensor device from water.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounted on an associated watercraft. The bracket assembly includes a swivel bracket carrying the drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis and a clamping bracket supporting the swivel bracket for pivotal movement about a tilt axis. A hydraulically operated tilt unit tilts the drive unit with the swivel bracket relative to the clamping bracket. A fluid pump pressurizes a working fluid within the tilt unit. A relief valve relieves pressure that is applied to the working fluid when the pressure exceeds a preset magnitude, and an adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the preset magnitude.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounted on an associated watercraft to carry the drive unit. The drive unit has a steering shaft supported by the bracket assembly for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically. An engine of the outboard motor has throttle valves that regulate an amount of air to combustion chambers of the engine. A handle bar extends from the steering shaft. The handle bar includes a throttle valve control grip disposed at an end portion of the handle bar for pivotal movement about an axis of the handle bar. The control grip is connected to the throttle valves to operate the throttle valves. A lock mechanism can inhibit the control grip from rotating. The lock mechanism is positioned at a terminal end of the end portion.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit and a bracket assembly that supports the drive unit. The drive unit moves right and left. The drive unit has an engine that incorporates throttle valves and a transmission. A propeller is powered by the engine. The throttle valves move between closed and open positions. The transmission moves among shift positions to set the propeller to either forward, reverse or neutral mode. A steering actuator moves the drive unit right and left. A throttle valve actuator moves the throttle valves between the closed and open positions. A shift actuator moves the transmission among the shift positions. A stick generates a steering control command, a throttle valve position control command and a shift control command. The stick can swing right and left and back and forth. The control commands are selectively generated in response to the swing movement of the stick. A control device controls the actuators based upon the commands.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a driveshaft housing and a lower unit coupled with each other. A driveshaft, which extends through the driveshaft housing and the lower unit, is divided into upper and lower section. The upper driveshaft section defines splines on a bottom outer surface. The lower driveshaft section defines splines on a top outer surface. A tubular coupling member defines splines on an inner surface thereof. The coupling member couples the bottom outer surface of the first shaft with the top outer surface of the second shaft by the respective splines. In one arrangement, a water pump is driven by the driveshaft. The coupling member is interposed between a rotor of the water pump and respective portions of the first and second shafts. In another arrangement, a bearing unit journals the driveshaft. The coupling member is interposed between a bearing of the bearing unit and the respective portions of the first and second shafts.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounted on an associated watercraft to carry the drive unit. The drive unit has a steering shaft supported by the bracket assembly for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically. An engine of the outboard motor has throttle valves that regulate an amount of air to combustion chambers of the engine. A handle bar extends from the steering shaft. The handle bar includes a throttle valve control grip disposed at an end portion of the handle bar for pivotal movement about an axis of the handle bar. The control grip is connected to the throttle valves to operate the throttle valves. A lock mechanism can inhibit the control grip from rotating. The lock mechanism is positioned at a terminal end of the end portion.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit and a bracket assembly that supports the drive unit. The drive unit moves right and left. The drive unit has an engine that incorporates throttle valves and a transmission. A propeller is powered by the engine. The throttle valves move between closed and open positions. The transmission moves among shift positions to set the propeller to either forward, reverse or neutral mode. A steering actuator moves the drive unit right and left. A throttle valve actuator moves the throttle valves between the closed and open positions. A shift actuator moves the transmission among the shift positions. A stick generates a steering control command, a throttle valve position control command and a shift control command. The stick can swing right and left and back and forth. The control commands are selectively generated in response to the swing movement of the stick. A control device controls the actuators based upon the commands.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounted on an associated watercraft. The bracket assembly includes a swivel bracket carrying the drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis and a clamping bracket supporting the swivel bracket for pivotal movement about a tilt axis. A hydraulically operated tilt unit tilts the drive unit with the swivel bracket relative to the clamping bracket. A fluid pump pressurizes a working fluid within the tilt unit. A relief valve relieves pressure that is applied to the working fluid when the pressure exceeds a preset magnitude, and an adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the preset magnitude.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes various protective covers for engine components. The outboard motor can include a protective cover for electrical wires which extend around an outer periphery of the engine, so as to protect the wires from being inadvertently dislodged when installing or removing an upper cowling. The outboard motor may also include a protective sleeve extending vertically, and through which wires are arranged to prevent the wires from contacting water which may collect in a lower portion of a powerhead of the outboard motor. Additionally, the outboard motor can also include a protective casing for electrical components including relays, fuses, and associated connectors. The protective casing includes a main storage portion and a substorage portion. The main storage portion includes a lid and is configured to have a watertight seal around only a portion of its outer periphery.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a high pressure fuel pump on a vertically oriented engine present a compact arrangement while driving the pump at a desired speed tailored to the engine's size and fuel supply needs. The drive mechanism includes a small diameter drive pulley mounted above a rotor (e.g., a flywheel or a cam drive pulley). This position permits easily access to the drive pulley for repair, replacement and belt positioning. The small diameter drive pulley drives a larger diameter driven pulley coupled to the fuel pump. The size of the drive and driven pulleys are selected to achieve a reduction ratio suited to drive the high pressure fuel pump at a speed tailored to supply an appropriate amount of fuel to the fuel injectors at an effective pressure for injection. In addition, the smaller diameter of drive pulley, and consequently the smaller diameter of the driven pulley, reduces the size of the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor comprises an engine contained within an engine compartment formed within a power head of the motor. The engine includes a generator having a stator and a rotor. The stator is cooled by a cooling component to reduce the operating temperature of the stator. The cooling component generally comprises a heat transfer plate or cooling jacket that is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the stator to usher heat build-up away from the stator portion of the generator. The cooling jacket may be in fluid communication with other cooling jackets or may be a discrete system that is separate and distinct from other cooling systems of the motor.

Abstract: An outboard motor generally comprises a power head. An engine is mountable within an engine compartment defined within the power head. The engine is lifting into and out of the engine compartment in part through the use of lifting lugs. The engine may have one or more lifting lugs positioned in various locations for use in suspending the engine from ropes or chains during installation. The lifting lugs may attach to an upper surface of the engine, a portion of the flywheel or a drive unit of a high pressure fuel pump. The lifting lugs may also be positioned in dead space such as that between cylinder banks of a v-type engine. Moreover, the lifting lugs may be removable or pivotable to reduce the protrusion of the lifting jugs from the engine when the outboard motor is in use.