Abstract: A boat propeller drive unit of the inboard-outboard type, having a portion securely mounted in an opening in a boat transom and adapted to be drivingly connected to a motor inboard of the transom, and having a propeller leg disposed outboard of the transom. This leg is adjustable to various angles in relation to the transom by tilting about a horizontal axis and is pivotable about an upright steering support. The drive unit comprises an inductive sensor connected to a wire passing through a central bore of the steering shaft, and a magnetic core fixedly attached to the propeller leg. The magnetic core has magnetic areas separated by non-magnetic areas, and when the magnetic core is moved under the sensor, the sensor functions as a pulse counter to count a pulse of each magnetic area is moved under it. The sensor thus provides an output signal depending on the tilting angle relative to the transom, which signal indicates that angle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable system to control and monitor the basic maneuvering functions of marine vessels: The control and monitoring functions are contained on a hand held, small and lightweight consul which can be plugged into multi-pin sockets which are wired from various remote places of the ship to a central electronics logic and control module matrix. Switches on the portable helm control the electronic module matrix which powers servo motors mechanically linked to: engines' throttle controls, shift forward-neutral-reverse controls, and steering apparatus. Feedback loops monitor the positions of these maneuvering functions. Monitored on the portable helm are: rudder angle, engines' idle status, forward, neutral and reverse status of each drive trian, power on, and engines' synchronization.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit, a gimbal housing for mounting the propulsion unit on a boat transom for swinging movement, and a sending device for sensing the general angular position of the propulsion unit. The sending device comprises a resistance element having an end, a fixed resistor in parallel electrical connection with the resistance element, and a wiper supported on the gimbal housing for pivotal movement along the resistance element. The marine propulsion device also includes structure operable between the wiper and the propulsion unit for moving the wiper along the resistance element in an amount which is variably proportional to the amount of swinging movement of the propulsion unit, and for moving the wiper beyond the resistance element end as the propulsion unit moves beyond the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An indicator instrument for boats with outboard drive units which can be adjusted to various angles in relation to the transom and which has an indicator, preferably an LCD which shows the angle of the drive unit within the entire adjustment range, and an indicator, preferably an LED stack, which provides a rough indication of the drive unit setting within the trim angle range.

Abstract: An early warning system detects the failure of a marine cooling system by monitoring a resistance ground signal generated by a sensing element inserted into the cooling system. An alarm is given upon the detection of an increased resistance value of the resistance ground signal due to cessation or a severe reduction of water flow through the cooling system and hence contacting the sensing element. The sensing element is preferably inserted into the exhaust system portion of a marine engine cooling system and a detection circuit is connected to the sensing element. An alarm signal is generated by the detection circuit if insufficient water flow is present to maintain a low resistance value for the resistance ground signal generated by the sensing element. Such low resistance signal is maintained either by the electrical conduction of the water or the cooling effects of the water on the sensing element.

Abstract: An adjustable outboard transom which is characterized by a pair of transom mount brackets bolted in spaced relationship to the transom and a pair of slotted motor mount brackets which support an outboard motor and cooperate with the transom mount brackets in sliding relationship, respectively, for vertical adjustment of the outboard motor. A shaft with a nut on one end rotatably connects the transom mount brackets and a pawl and rachet mechanism cooperates with the shaft to facilitate incremental shaft rotation by applying a wrench to the nut. A pair of cable mounts secured to the motor mount brackets anchor each end of a cable which is wound around the shaft and bolts extend from the cable mounts through the slots in the transom mount brackets, respectively. Raising and lowering of the motor mount brackets and the outboard motor is facilitated by rotation of the shaft to selectively wind and unwind the cable on the shaft.

Abstract: A boat propeller drive unit, a so-called inboard-outboard drive unit, has a sensor which senses the trim/tilting angle of the drive unit and is designed to be connected to an electrical indicator instrument on the boat instrument panel. The sensor is a potentiometer mounted in a recess in the drive unit steering shaft. A shaft mounted in a bore in the steering shaft engages the potentiometer and is joined at its lower end to a gear, which engages a toothed segment on the helmet of the drive unit. When the drive unit is tilted, the gear is rotated by the toothed segment, and the output signal of the potentiometer varies.

Abstract: An improved outer cowling arrangement for the power head of an outboard motor in which both the tray and top housing are formed from a synthetic resin for improving silencing. To insure a good fit and sealing, a supporting member and retaining member are affixed to each other and the supporting member is carried by one of the portions. Releasable latching means are carried by the other portion to engage the retainer member for holding the cowling portions together. The top housing has an inclined forward face in which a panel is positioned for passing the starting handle and starting rope. A guide defines a path of movement for the starting rope that is perpendicular to this inclined surface so that the motor can easily be started from a higher level, for example, when used as an auxiliary power source for a sailboat.

Abstract: An early warning system detects the failure of a marine cooling system by monitoring the presence of water within the cooling system so that an alarm is given upon cessation or a severe reduction of water flow therethrough. A water sensing element is inserted within the cooling system preferably within an exhaust system of a marine engine cooled by the cooling system and a detection circuit is connected to the water sensing element. An alarm signal is generated by the detection circuit if insufficient water flow is sensed by the water sensing element. The circuit preferably comprises a darlington amplifier having a power input terminal, a power output terminal and a control terminal. A resistor and a capacitor are connected in parallel between the power input terminal and the control terminal of the darlington amplifier, the water sensing element is connected to the control terminal and an audible or visual or combined audible and visual alarm device is connected to the power output terminal.

Abstract: A position sensing unit for the outboard drive of a marine engine for providing an indication of the trim angle of the drive. The position sensing unit comprises a sensing device that is carried by the outboard drive outboard of the transom and an angle reading device that is positioned inboard of the transom. A connecting device transmits a position signal from the sensing device to the angle reading device so that the angle reading device may be positioned remotely from the outboard drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an outboard motor on the transom of a boat so that the motor can be raised and lowered on the transom. The apparatus comprises two slidably connected brackets, one for securing to the transom of the boat and one for carrying the outboard motor, and a hydraulic actuating cylinder connected between the two brackets for moving the motor mounting bracket along a vertical line relative to the bracket secured to the transom. A reversible hydraulic pump is provided for operating the hydraulic actuating cylinder.

Abstract: A trim indicator for outboard motors or the like for determining the tilt or angularity of the propeller with respect to a parallel position to the water level. The indicator is attached to the motor to align a vertical sensing member perpendicular to the axis of the propeller. When the motor is tilted, e.g. as the boat comes up to planing speed the sensing member indicates the angular degree of tilt by means of an electrical circuit to a signal receiver suitably located in the operating control panel in order that appropriate trimming measures may be taken. The indicator may be attached to the motor shroud or cover in the form of a signal sending housing. The sensing member may be in the form of an electrically conductive ball which seeks by gravity the lowest point on an arcuate track having a series of spaced electrical contacts.

Abstract: An electronic position monitor (10) and readout device (72, 90) for trim tabs on boats in which the monitor and readout device are connected to the trim tab controls. The device is electronic and position display is based on the time required for trim tab movement. Signals from the trim tab controls produce signals from timers (62, 63) which in turn are directed to enabling circuits (58, 60). If the enabling circuits pass the timer signals, they are counted in counter circuits (44, 46) and thence directed to a decoder (64) and finally to the display panel (72-90). The display panel is arranged to show the precise angular position of the trim tabs to the boat operator.

Abstract: A trimmer for a motorboat with a drive mechanism mounted to be rotatably movable in a gimbal ring by way of horizontal pins is disclosed. The trimmer comprises a revolving part and a fixed part arranged within a horizontal pin. The fixed part is connected for rotation with the pin and the revolving part is connected for rotation with the gimbal ring.