Brunswick Corporation

Other

Stephen E Polakowski

Rock J Helsel

Martin E Olson Gunderson

Tommy R Yerby

A support system is provided for an outboard motor which uses four connectors attached to a support structure and to an engine system for isolating vibration from being transmitted to the marine vessel to which the outboard is attached. Each connector comprises an elastomeric portion for the purpose of isolating the vibration. Furthermore, the four connectors are disposed in a common plane which is generally perpendicular to a central axis of a driveshaft of the outboard motor. Although precise perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis is not required, it has been determined that if the plane extending through the connectors is within forty-five degrees of perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis, improved vibration isolation can be achieved. A support structure, or support saddle, completely surrounds the engine system in the plane of the connectors. All of the support of the outboard motor is provided by the connectors within the plane, with no additional support provided at a lower position on the outboard motor driveshaft housing.

Structural support system for an outboard motor

A support apparatus for a marine propulsion system in a marine vessel is provided with a compliant member that is attachable to the transom of a marine vessel. In certain applications, the compliant member is directly attached to an intermediate plate and to an external frame member that is, in turn, attached directly to the transom of the marine vessel. The intermediate plate is attached directly to components of the marine propulsion system to provide support for the marine propulsion system relative to the transom, but while maintaining non-contact association between the marine propulsion system and the transom.

Marine propulsion device with a compliant isolation mounting system

A personal watercraft having exhaust pipes which discharge exhaust gases to either side of the craft's hull, is disclosed The exhaust system of the personal watercraft has one or more valves which can be used to selectively direct exhaust gases to one side or the other of the hull to thereby generate a steering force to at least aid in the steering of the personal watercraft. Also disclosed, are a pair of sponsons with perforated bottoms which are attached to either side of the hull. Exhaust gases are directed into the sponsons which release exhaust gas bubbles under the waterline and thus muffle the exhaust noise. In conjunction with the sponsons, multi-compartment tuning chambers can be provided inside the hull. A method for steering a personal watercraft using exhaust gases and a method and arrangement for automatically shutting off exhaust gas flow when the craft leaves the water, are also disclosed.

Watercraft exhaust gas control system and method

A coupler is provided which responds to relative rotation of a driving and a driven shaft with variable rates of stiffness. As the two shafts experience slight degrees of relative rotation, such as at idle speed, the elastically deformable member of the coupler responds in a relatively soft manner with a slight degree of stiffness. As relative rotation increases because of the transmission of higher torque between the driving and driven shafts, the elastically deformable member responds with a stiffer reaction. The elastically deformable member also reacts in a similar manner with differing rates of stiffness to misalignment of the driving and driven shafts.

Growing community of inventors

Houghton, MI, United States of America

Stephen E Polakowski