Marine propulsion – Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids – Cooling for engine
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-13
2004-03-02
Wright, Andrew (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids
Cooling for engine
C123S1960AB
Reexamination Certificate
active
06699086
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a coolant management system and, more particularly, to a system and method for cooling the outer surface of an oil sump of an outboard motor by an amount that varies with the operating speed of an internal combustion engine of the outboard motor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Four cycle engines are provided with an oil reservoir, or sump, which stores liquid lubricant that is used to lubricate moving components of the internal combustion engine and associated parts. It is important that the liquid lubricant is prevented from being overheated by heat generated by the internal combustion engine. It is also important that the temperature of the lubricant in the oil sump be prevented from falling below an appropriate operating range. Various systems and methods are known to those skilled in the art for controlling the operating temperature of a liquid lubricant within an oil sump.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,372, which issued to Nozue on Jul. 9, 2002, describes an outboard motor cooling system that includes an improved construction to enhance cooling of the lubricant system. It includes an oil pan of the lubrication system. The oil pan depends from an engine of the outboard motor and into a driveshaft housing. A periphery coolant jacket is provided around the oil pan. A water pool is defined between the oil pan and the driveshaft housing. An exhaust manifold passes through in a hollow of the oil pan and a water curtain is defined between the hollow wall and the exhaust manifold. An upstanding water passage is also disposed through the oil pan. At least one of an upper and lower transverse water jacket extends transversely above or below the oil pan. No drain water from the engine flows through these jackets or passages. The oil pan therefore is sufficiently cooled. In addition, the upper transverse water jacket increases protection of engine components form heat deterioration.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,631, which issued to Kitajima et al on Feb. 6, 2001, describes a camshaft for an engine. It also describes a cooling and exhaust system for the engine which are formed with a minimum number of components and sealing joints and which incorporate a non-metallic camshaft for reduced cost and weight without sacrificing durability. The exhaust system includes an elongated expansion chamber formed in the driveshaft housing. In addition, the driveshaft housing has a cylindrical section that is journaled within a swivel bracket for its steering movement. The volume between the external portion of the driveshaft housing and the internal portion of the swivel bracket forms a second expansion chamber that is employed for the low speed above the water exhaust gas discharge. The flow of cooling water to and from the engine is controlled so that the exhaust gas interchange area between the powerhead and the driveshaft housing will be well cooled as will the oil reservoir for the engine and the oil returned to it.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,956, which issued to Mishima et al on Jun. 9, 1998, describes a cooling water passage structure of an outboard motor. The outboard motor is equipped with an engine, an engine holder, an oil pan disposed below the engine in a state of the outboard motor being mounted to a hull, a water pump disposed below the oil pan, and a cooling water passage structure. The cooling water passage structure includes a vertical cooling water passage vertically passing through the inside of the oil pan and communicated with the side of the engine, a lateral cooling water passage extending in a lateral direction along a bottom surface of the oil pan, a cooling water supply pipe extending upward from the water pump and connected to a side of the engine, and a water pressure relief valve provided for the lateral cooling water passage for controlling a pressure increase of the cooling water. The lateral cooling waster passage has one end communicated with a lower end of the vertical cooling water passage and has another end to which an upper end of the cooling water supply pipe is connected.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,801, which issued to Davis on Aug. 17, 1999, discloses an oil temperature moderator for an internal combustion engine. A cooling system is provided for an outboard motor or other marine propulsion system which causes cooling water to flow in intimate thermal communication with the oil pan of the engine by providing a controlled volume of cooling water at the downstream portion of the water path. As cooling water flows from the outlet of the internal combustion engine, it is caused to pass in thermal communication with the oil pan. Certain embodiments also provide a pressure activated value which restricts the flow from the outlet of the internal combustion engine to the space near the oil pan. One embodiment of the cooling system also provides a dam within the space adjacent to the outer surface of the oil pan to divide that space into first and second portions. The dam further slows the flow of water as it passes in thermal communication with the oil pan.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,957, which issued to Sato et al on Aug. 10, 1999, describes an outboard motor having an oil pan positioned on the underside of the engine. It also has an exhaust passage, a water supply passage for cooling water, and a wastewater passage extending down from the engine and passing near the oil pan. The exhaust passage, the water supply passage, and the wastewater passage are molded as a single unit with the oil pan, and provide a simple, lightweight structure that does not result in an increase in the number of parts or assembly man hours necessary for construction. The oil pan is protected from the exhaust heat by the water passages, and a flush port to clean the cooling system is easily accessible.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,256, which issued to Takahashi et al on Mar. 2, 1999, describes an engine cooling system. A liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine of an outboard motor includes a pump for delivering coolant to one or more coolant passages in the engine. At least one thermostat is provided for controlling the flow of coolant through the engine to one or more return lines which extend to a coolant pool extending about a lubricating oil reservoir. A pressure relief valve is provided between the pump and thermostat for relieving coolant from the engine upon excessive coolant pressure. The relief coolant is preferably either delivered to a drain, a second coolant pool extending about a muffler, or the first coolant pool. Preferably, a diverter is provided for controlling the flow of the relieved coolant. When a temperature of the lubricating oil is high, the relief coolant is preferably diverted to the first coolant pool for additional cooling of the oil in the reservoir, and when the temperature of the oil is low, the relieved coolant is preferably either diverted to the second coolant pool or the coolant drain for passage out of the motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,819, which issued to Isogawa on Jan. 6, 1998, describes an oil pan arrangement for a four cycle outboard motor. The outboard motor has a high performance V-type twin overhead cam four cycle internal combustion engine. The oil reservoir for the engine is disposed in a driveshaft housing below the engine and an oil pump is driven off the lower end of the engine crankshaft for circulating the oil from the oil tank to the engine. The oil supply system for the engine includes a vertically extending main gallery and a drain passage which extends in parallel side-by-side relationship and which are disposed over the oil tank for ease of oil return. The exhaust and cooling system for the engine is configured so as to minimize heat transfer between the exhaust system and the lubricating system and to maintain a compact assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,687, which issued to Idzikowski et al on Jan. 30, 1996, discloses a midsection and cowl assembly for an outboard marine drive. The outboard marine drive has a midsection between the upper powerhead and the lower gearcase a
Belter David J.
Martin Wesley R.
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
Wright Andrew
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