Marine propulsion – Screw propeller – Propulsion unit casing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-10-30
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Screw propeller
Propulsion unit casing
C123S1950HC, C440S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309267
ABSTRACT:
PRIORITY INFORMATION
This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 11-126404, filed May 6, 1999, and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-127853, filed May 10, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an outboard motor for a watercraft, and more particularly to a protective covering system for components of an engine in a marine outboard motor.
2. Description of Related Art
As is well known, outboard motors generally include a powerhead that consists of a powering internal combustion engine and a surrounding protective cowling. The cowling is provided around the engine so as to provide a neater appearance, to protect the engine from foreign materials, as well as for aerodynamic considerations. Of course, it is necessary that the protective cowling have an inlet opening arrangement so that air can enter the protective cowling in adequate quantities for combustion purposes. This gives rise to a number of problems.
First, it is important that the cowling inlet opening be positioned and configured to allow air flow to the engine that is adequate for the desired output from the engine. However, during operation in a body of water, water is frequently sprayed upwardly into the proximity of the inlet opening. Thus, it is desirable to provide insurance against the ingestion of water through the inlet opening into the interior of the protective cowling, to prevent damage to the engine.
Although the goal of preventing water from entering the protective cowling of an outboard motor is important, achieving this goal is complicated. Additionally, it is desirable to provide the powerhead with a slim profile and to avoid making the powerhead excessively tall. Accordingly, the upper cowling desirably is sized and shaped to fit tightly around the outer contours of the internal combustion engine provided in the outboard motor and to create a symmetric flow of air around the engine. Thus, the space available for air induction and water separation is quite restricted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a protective cover for an internal combustion engine provided within an outboard motor that has a compact arrangement. It is desirable that the cover is less expensive and easier to manufacture and service than known covers.
One aspect of the present invention includes the realization that the fuel injectors of known fuel-injected outboard motors have been inadequately protected from water entering the protective cowling. In particular, it has been found that even small amounts of salt water contacting fuel injectors can heavily damage the fuel injector over time.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a fuel injected internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft, and is mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine includes at least a first fuel injector extending from the engine body transverse to the vertical axis. A first cover that is independent of the cowling, extends over the first fuel injector. As such, the cover provides enhanced protection from water damage. Preferably, the cover also extends along at least one side of the fuel injector. As such, the cover is particularly useful for V-type engines.
For example, the outboard motor may include an engine having two cylinder banks, forming a valley therebetween, each bank having a plurality of cylinders and corresponding fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors has an inner side facing the valley and an outer side facing away from the valley. Preferably, the cover extends along the outer sides of the fuel injectors. Thus, while the inner side of the fuel injectors are partially shielded by the valley and other engine components provided therein, e.g., the exhaust system, the outer side is protected from splashing water by the cover. Additionally, by constructing the cover so that it is independent of the cowling, the cover may remain in place when the protective cowling is removed. This is particularly useful because, when the protective cowling of an outboard motor is removed, there may be water droplets adhered to the inner and/or outer surface of the protective cowling. Thus, when the protective cowling is raised over the engine during a removal process, the water droplets may drain off the protective cowling onto the engine. Thus, by constructing the cover so as to extend over the fuel injectors, the cover prevents the fuel injectors from incurring further water damage.
Another aspect of the present invention includes the realization that electrical wires that extend substantially horizontally around an outer periphery of the engine body may be inadvertently dislodged when a protective cowling is being reinstalled on an outboard motor. For example, protective cowlings typically include hooks or clips on a lower peripheral edge which are configured to engage a lower cowling of the outboard motor. Thus, when the upper cowling is being lowered over the internal combustion engine, the hooks or clips may engage a portion of any electrical wire that extends substantially horizontally and around an outer periphery of the engine and thereby dislodge the wire, thus making it more difficult to install the protective cowling onto the outboard motor.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft and is mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine also includes a plurality of electrical components and at least a first electrical wire extending between two of the electrical components. At least a portion of the first electrical wire extends transversely to the vertical axis and along an outer periphery of the engine body. The outboard motor also includes a cover covering the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire. Thus, the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire is prevented from becoming engaged with a hook or clip formed on the protective cowling.
For example, an ignition wire of an internal combustion engine provided in an outboard motor extends between an ignition coil and a spark plug of the engine. Desirably, ignition wires are arranged around an outer periphery of the engine body so as to protect the ignition wires from the heat generated by the engine and to prevent potential grounding, due to the high voltages and currents which pass through ignition wires. Thus, ignition wires can be particularly susceptible to being caught in a hook or clip provided on the lower edge of a protective cowling when the cowling is being lowered over the engine. If the ignition wire is caught by the upper cowling as it is lowered over the engine, the ignition wire may be pulled out of engagement with the spark plug, for example, thereby preventing the proper operation of the engine. Thus, a user may be required to repeatedly remove and install the cowling to the outboard motor.
Another aspect of the invention includes a realization that where electrical wires extend in proximity to a fuel supply line, electrical current may leak through the insulation of the wire as well as the walls of the fuel line and undesirably heat the fuel or cause malfunction of the fuel injectors.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft, the engine body being mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine includes at least a first charge former configured to deliver a fuel charge to the engine body. A fuel supply line supplies fuel to the charge former. The outboard motor also includes a plurality of electric
Fujino Ken-ichi
Okabe Yoshihiko
Sogawa Masafumi
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Sotelo Jesus D.
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