Bombardier Motor Corporation of America

Outboard Marine Corporation

Other

Modine Manufacturing Company

David J Hartke

Richard P Kolb

Chester G DuBois

Gene F Baltz

James C Kantola

Henry C Billingsley

Peter W Brown

Gregory A Mross

Adam S Kimmel

Paul R Hunt

Michael Steffen

Daniela Welchner

Dale L Taipale

John D Flaig

Glenn R Belec

Donovan K Jourdan

Amos M Clark

James L Holt

James A Holcomb

Kathleen A Appelt

A liquid to refrigerant heat exchanger includes an enclosed coolant volume that is at least partially defined by a plastic housing and by a metal closure plate. The metal closure plate can be part of a brazed assembly containing a continuous refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path is disposed within the coolant volume, where heat can be transferred between the refrigerant within the refrigerant flow path and the liquid within the coolant volume. The plastic housing can at least partially surround the refrigerant flow path to at least partially bound a liquid flow path along a portion of the coolant volume. An inlet diffuser and an outlet diffuser can be mounted to the housing to direct the liquid through the housing. The plastic housing is sealingly joined to the closure plate along an outer periphery of the closure plate.

High pressure capable liquid to refrigerant heat exchanger

A liquid to refrigerant heat exchanger includes a coolant volume that is at least partially defined by a plastic housing and by a metal closure plate. The plastic housing is sealingly joined to the closure plate along an outer periphery of the closure plate. The metal closure plate can be part of a brazed assembly that defines a continuous refrigerant flow path through the heat exchanger between a refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port.

An oil system for a two-stroke outboard marine engine is disclosed. The oil system includes an oil system housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an oil return. The housing includes an oil filter base to receive a replaceable oil filter thereon. The oil is routed in a closed loop that includes an oil reservoir, the inlet to the oil system housing, through the replaceable oil filter, and is then returned to the oil reservoir. Periodically, a solenoid opens the closed loop system to divert oil to the two-stroke engine, at which time a remote vent valve is activated to allow air to enter the oil reservoir to displace the dispensed oil.

Oil system with replaceable oil filter for two-cycle engines

The present invention includes a distribution manifold for evenly distributing engine oil to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, as well as, directing oil and purging any air accompanying the oil through the fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The manifold includes a plurality of cylinder oiling outlet housings, each having a number of cylinder oiling valves corresponding to the number of cylinders in an internal combustion engine. The distribution manifold has a centrally-located dome in fluid communication with the cylinder oiling outlet housings. Extending from the apex of the dome is a fuel system outlet housing also having an oiling valve to regulate the flow of oil to the fuel system. A notch extends along the upper interior surface of the centrally-located dome in fluid communication with the fuel system outlet housing. The notch is positioned so that air that rises to the top of the centrally-located dome can be purged through the fuel system oiling outlet valve to a fuel separator in the fuel system of the internal combustion engine.

Engine oiling system and an oil system distribution manifold, and method of use

A fuel storage and supply apparatus ( ) for a watercraft ( ) incorporating a plurality of connections ( ) penetrating a housing ( ) in a single opening in a fuel tank ( ). Each connection is sealed by a radial O-ring ( ) so that the connection may be rotated about a longitudinal axis without adversely affecting the seal. A single opening ( ) in the tank may thereby be used to provide connections for a fill tube ( ), fuel tube ( ), vent ( ), and electrical penetrations (150) for an in-tank pump ( ) or level sensor ( ).

Watercraft fuel supply apparatus and method

The present invention, in one form, is an oiling system for an outboard engine and includes an oil tank and an oil pump located within the tank. A manifold is coupled to the oil pump, and the manifold includes a solenoid controlled valve. The solenoid controlled valve controls the flow of oil through the manifold. The manifold further includes a plurality of check valves in flow communication with the solenoid controlled valve. The check valves are in flow communication between the solenoid controlled valve and the engine cylinders. The oil system, in the one embodiment, further includes a pressure regulator in flow communication with, and downstream from, the manifold. An outlet of the pressure regulator in flow communication with the oil tank, and allows oil to flow from the manifold to the tank when pressure in the system exceeds a preselected pressure. The oil system also includes a fuel solenoid controlled valve coupled to receive oil from the manifold and to supply oil to the engine fuel system. The engine includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the manifold solenoid and the fuel solenoid. In one embodiment, the ECU controls opening of the manifold solenoid valve and the fuel solenoid valve based on engine revolutions per minute.

Oiling system

The present invention includes an oiling distribution system having an oil distribution manifold for evenly distributing engine oil to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine and an adapter base for coupling to the oil distribution manifold having therein an air purging passage for purging any air accompanying the oil exiting an oil pumping system. The air purging passage discharges air to the oil distribution manifold wherein the air is transported to the fuel system of an internal combustion engine through a fuel system oiling outlet. The air purging passage has an air inlet and air outlet that are sufficient size to allow the transport of air but minimize the flow of oil through the air purging passage. The present invention also provides a method for purging air from an oiling system.

Engine oiling distribution system for purging air and method of use

A multi-function pressure relief valve having a moveable seat and a needle is mounted on a fuel vapor separator. The needle is connected to a float assembly for opening and closing the pressure relief valve for venting an internal chamber of the fuel vapor separator. The moveable seat is biased to engage the needle for relieving excess pressure when vapor pressure in the internal chamber exceeds a biasing force on the movable seat. The valve opens in response to at least one of (1) changing fluid level in the fuel vapor separator, and (2) excess vapor pressure within the vapor fuel separator. During operation, the valve vents an internal chamber of the fuel vapor separator by disengaging the needle from the movable seat using a float attached to the needle. The valve closes when the float reaches a desired position to pressurize the internal chamber by engaging the needle to the movable seat. The valve also releases excess vapor pressure in the internal chamber when the pressure in the internal chamber exceeds a biasing force on the movable seat and disengages the movable seat from the needle.

Multi-function valve having a movable seat and needle

The invention includes an oil system vent that is remote from an oil reservoir so that the oil reservoir can be stored in the bilge section of a boat. The oil reservoir has an oil supply outlet and an oil supply return. The oil reservoir is constructed without a ventilation means attached thereto. The oil system vent includes an oil return port having an oil input and an oil output. The oil input receives pressurized lubricant and the oil output returns the pressurized lubricant to the oil supply return of the oil reservoir. The oil return port has a vent port in communication with atmospheric pressure so that when lubricant is drawn and used from the oil reservoir, the vent port allows air to displace the used lubricant in the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir is positioned at a relatively low elevation, in the bilge section of the boat, and the vent port is positioned at a relatively high elevation with respect to the outboard motor.

Oil system vent with remote oil reservoir

An oil system for an outboard marine engine is disclosed. The oil system includes an oil system housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an oil return. The housing includes a solenoid chamber to receive a solenoid therein to toggle lubricant flow from the inlet passage to either the return passage or the outlet passage. The oil is routed in a closed loop that includes an oil reservoir, the inlet to the oil system housing, through the housing, and is then returned to the oil reservoir. Periodically, the solenoid opens the closed loop system to divert oil to the two-stroke engine, at which time a remote vent valve is activated to allow air to enter the oil reservoir to displace the dispensed oil. The system preferably includes a replaceable oil filter to filter the continuous flow of oil in the closed loop system.

Oil system and housing with periodic oil diversion

A fuel storage and supply apparatus ( ) for a watercraft ( ) incorporating a plurality of connections ( ) penetrating a housing ( ) in a single opening in a fuel tank ( ). Each connection is sealed by a radial O-ring ( ) so that the connection may be rotated about a longitudinal axis without adversely affecting the seal. A single opening ( ) in the tank may thereby be used to provide connections for a fill tube ( ), fuel tube ( ), vent ( ), and electrical penetrations ( ) for an intank pump ( ) or level sensor ( ).

A fluid level sensor for a fluid tank of a marine vessel is provided. The sensor includes a sensor mount and further includes a circuit housing that is pivotally connected to the mount to pivot about a predetermined pivot axis. A float assembly is configured to supply an actuating angle substantially impervious to fluid tank tilt and/or fluid splash at least along an axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axis. A circuit in the circuit housing is responsive to the actuating angle from the float assembly to provide an output signal indicative of the fluid level in the tank.

Fluid level sensor for fluid tanks of boats

A fuel delivery system for a boat having an internal combustion engine is provided. The system provides a source of fuel. A fuel supply conduit is connected to the source of fuel to deliver fuel to the engine. A fuel impermeable housing has one end coupled to the source of fuel and defines a passageway that receives the fuel supply conduit interiorly of the boat. The passageway is hermetically sealed relative to the interior of the boat and provides a return path into the fuel source to any fuel that may spill in the passageway.

Growing community of inventors

Gurnee, IL, United States of America

David J Hartke