U.S. patent application number 13/919618 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for marine propulsion systems, intake air systems for marine propulsion systems, and marine propulsion systems having exhaust gas relief outlet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brunswick Corporation. Invention is credited to Daniel E. Clarkson, John J. Litjens, Thomas S. Lonnborg, Randall J. Poirier, Neil A. Rothe.
Application Number | 20130280970 13/919618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49380511 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130280970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clarkson; Daniel E. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2013 |
MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEMS, INTAKE AIR SYSTEMS FOR MARINE PROPULSION
SYSTEMS, AND MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEMS HAVING EXHAUST GAS RELIEF
OUTLET
Abstract
A marine propulsion system is for propelling a marine vessel in
water. The system comprises a marine vessel and an outboard motor
that is coupled to the marine vessel. The outboard motor has a
first inlet that receives intake air for combustion. A second inlet
is located on the hull of the marine vessel and a conduit conveys
the intake air from the second inlet on the marine vessel to the
first inlet on the outboard motor. The system comprises an outboard
motor that is coupled to a marine vessel, and that comprises an
exhaust gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the
outboard motor is at idle speed. A conduit conveys exhaust gas from
the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge outlet located on the
marine vessel.
Inventors: |
Clarkson; Daniel E.;
(Oshkosh, WI) ; Litjens; John J.; (St. Cloud,
FL) ; Lonnborg; Thomas S.; (Lac du Flambeau, WI)
; Rothe; Neil A.; (Campbellsport, WI) ; Poirier;
Randall J.; (Howards Grove, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brunswick Corporation |
Lake Forest |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49380511 |
Appl. No.: |
13/919618 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13594547 |
Aug 24, 2012 |
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13919618 |
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13605425 |
Sep 6, 2012 |
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13594547 |
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61622614 |
Apr 11, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
440/88A |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H 20/245 20130101;
B63H 20/02 20130101; F02M 35/167 20130101; F01N 13/082 20130101;
F01N 2590/021 20130101; F16L 37/252 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
440/88.A |
International
Class: |
B63H 20/24 20060101
B63H020/24 |
Claims
1. A marine propulsion system for propelling a marine vessel in
water, the system comprising: a marine vessel; an outboard motor
that is coupled to the marine vessel and has a first inlet that
receives intake air for combustion; a second inlet located on the
hull of marine vessel; an intake conduit that conveys the intake
air from the second inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet
on the outboard motor; wherein the outboard motor has an exhaust
gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the outboard
motor is at idle speed; and an exhaust conduit conveying exhaust
gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge outlet
located on the marine vessel.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second inlet
extends through one of a port and a starboard side of the marine
vessel.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the outboard motor is
enclosed by the marine vessel.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the marine vessel at
least partially surrounds all sides of the outboard motor that are
above the water.
5. The system according to claim 4, comprising a hatch providing
access to the outboard motor.
6. The system according to claim 4, wherein operation of the
outboard motor creates a negative pressure that does not affect
pressure of the intake air received by the second inlet.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the intake conduit
comprises a flexible hose.
8. The system according to claim 1, comprising a primary exhaust
gas outlet that is located lower than the exhaust gas relief outlet
on the outboard motor and that discharges exhaust gas to the
water.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the marine vessel
comprises a hull and wherein the discharge outlet is on the
hull.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust conduit
extends through one of a port and starboard side of the hull.
11. The system according to claim 10, comprising a muffler
receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust conduit.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the muffler is
located on the hull.
13. A marine propulsion system for propelling a marine vessel in
water, the system comprising: an outboard motor coupled to a marine
vessel, the outboard motor comprising an exhaust gas relief outlet
and a primary exhaust gas outlet that is located lower than the
exhaust gas relief outlet on the outboard motor and that discharges
exhaust gas to the water; and an exhaust conduit conveying exhaust
gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge outlet
located on the marine vessel; wherein the exhaust conduit is sloped
along its length so that water does not stagnate therein; wherein
the outboard motor has a first inlet that receives intake air for
combustion; a second inlet located on the hull of marine vessel;
and an intake conduit conveying the intake air from the second
inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the outboard
motor.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the exhaust conduit
extends through the marine vessel at a location that is higher than
the exhaust gas relief outlet and higher than the discharge
outlet.
15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the outboard motor is
at least partially enclosed by a portion of the marine vessel.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the portion of the
marine vessel is an engine housing that surrounds all sides of the
outboard motor that are above the water.
17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the exhaust conduit
comprises a flexible hose.
18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the intake conduit
comprises a flexible hose.
19. In a marine propulsion system having an outboard motor coupled
to a marine vessel for propelling the marine vessel in water, an
exhaust gas system comprising an exhaust gas relief outlet that is
located above the water when the outboard motor is at idle speed
and a conduit conveying exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief
outlet to a discharge outlet located on the marine vessel, and an
intake air system comprising a first inlet that receives intake air
for combustion, a second inlet located on the hull of marine
vessel, and an intake conduit conveying the intake air from the
second inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the
outboard motor.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the marine vessel
comprises a hull, wherein the discharge outlet is on the hull, and
wherein the second inlet extends through one of a port and a
starboard side of the marine vessel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present utility application is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/605,425, filed Sep. 6, 2012,
and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/594,547, filed Aug. 24, 2012, both of which are incorporated
herein by reference in entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/605,425 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/622,614, filed Apr. 11, 2012, which also
is incorporated herein by reference in entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to marine propulsion systems
and particularly to intake air systems for marine propulsion
systems and exhaust systems for marine propulsion systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0028517
discloses a marine vessel including an outboard motor mounting
portion provided at a stern of a hull, an outboard motor locating
hole provided rearward of the outboard motor mounting portion and
near the outboard motor mounting portion and penetrating vertically
through the stern, a platform provided rearward of the outboard
motor locating hole, and an outboard motor located in the outboard
motor locating hole and mounted to the outboard motor mounting
portion. This structure enables an occupant of the marine vessel to
freely move in a space around the outboard motor on the platform
and use the space.
SUMMARY
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the Detailed
Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0005] Through research and experimentation, the present inventors
have determined that when an outboard motor is partially or
entirely enclosed by portions of the marine vessel, such as
described in the above referenced patent publication, the enclosure
experiences a negative pressure when the vessel is underway, which
draws water vapor into the enclosure and, in turn, into engine air
inlets on the outboard motor. Moist air that is drawn in under the
cowl of the outboard motor condenses on hot engine components and
causes mineral/salt deposits to form on the engine, resulting in
corrosion and overheating problems. The present disclosure is
directed to overcoming these types of problems.
[0006] Through research and experimentation, the present inventors
also have discovered that marine propulsion systems, such as
described in the above referenced patent publication wherein the
outboard motor is enclosed, have certain drawbacks. For example,
the present inventors have found that exhaust gas emitted by idle
relief components on the outboard motors are entrapped in the
enclosed space of the outboard motor. This has been found to cause
problems such as ingestion of carbon monoxide gas by the outboard
motor, negatively affecting combustion performance. Further, carbon
monoxide buildup within the enclosure can present dangerous
situations for the operators of the vessel. Therefore, through
research and experimentation the present inventors arrived at the
present inventive concepts for overcoming these problems.
[0007] In some examples, a marine propulsion system is for
propelling a marine vessel in water. The system comprises a marine
vessel and an outboard motor that is coupled to the marine vessel.
The outboard motor has a first inlet that receives intake air for
combustion. A second inlet is located on the hull of the marine
vessel. An intake conduit conveys the intake air from the second
inlet on the marine vessel to the first inlet on the outboard
motor.
[0008] In some examples, a marine propulsion system for propelling
a marine vessel in water comprises at least one outboard motor
coupled to a marine vessel. The outboard motor comprises an exhaust
gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the marine
vessel is stationary, the outlet relieving exhaust gas, for example
when the marine vessel is idling. An exhaust conduit conveys
exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge
outlet located on the marine vessel. The outboard motor also
comprises a primary exhaust gas outlet that is located vertically
lower than the exhaust gas relief outlet on the outboard motor and
that discharges exhaust gas to the water. The noted exhaust conduit
can be sloped along its length so that water does not stagnate
therein.
[0009] In other examples, a marine propulsion system for propelling
a marine vessel in water comprises a marine vessel; and an outboard
motor that is coupled to the marine vessel. The outboard motor has
a first inlet that receives intake air for combustion; a second
inlet located on the hull of marine vessel; and an intake conduit
conveying the intake air from the second inlet on the marine vessel
to the first inlet on the outboard motor. The outboard motor has an
exhaust gas relief outlet that is located above the water when the
outboard motor is at idle speed; and an exhaust conduit conveying
exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet to a discharge
outlet located on the marine vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Examples of marine propulsion systems, intake air systems
for marine propulsion systems, and exhaust systems for marine
propulsion systems are described with reference to the following
figures. In certain instances, the same numbers are used in the
figures to reference like features and components.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking up at a pair of
outboard motors attached to the stern of a marine vessel.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking down at one of the
outboard motors shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the stern of the marine
vessel, showing one of the outboard motors.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing components of an intake
apparatus for the outboard motor.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of Section 5-5 taken in FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an end view of the intake apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a view of Section 7-7 taken In FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an adapter for connecting an
intake air conduit to the outboard motor.
[0019] FIG. 9 is another view of the adapter connected to the
outboard motor.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view looking up at the stern of a
marine vessel having a pair of outboard motors.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a partial top perspective view of one of the
outboard motors.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the outboard motor and
stern of the marine vessel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the present disclosure, certain terms have been used for
brevity, clearness and understanding. No unnecessary limitations
are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior
art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and
are intended to be broadly construed. The different methods and
systems described herein may be used alone or in combination with
other methods and systems. Various equivalents, alternatives, and
modifications are possible within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0024] FIGS. 1-3 depict a marine propulsion system 10 for
propelling a marine vessel 12 in water 14. The system includes the
marine vessel 12 and at least one outboard motor 16 that is
pivotally coupled to the marine vessel 12. The marine vessel 12 is
exemplary and the concepts of the present disclosure can be used
with other types of marine vessels. The number and configuration of
outboard motors 16 can also vary from that which is shown.
[0025] The outboard motors 16 each have a first inlet 18 that
receives intake air for combustion by its internal combustion
engine 20 (see FIG. 5). A second inlet 22 (see FIG. 1) is located
on the body 24 of the marine vessel 12 for receiving the intake
air. A conduit 26 conveys the intake air from the second inlet 22
on the marine vessel 12 to the first inlet 18 on the outboard motor
16. The second inlet 22 is shown on the starboard side of the
marine vessel 12; however it will be recognized by those having
ordinary skill in the art that the second inlet 22 can be located
on either or both of the port and starboard sides of the marine
vessel 12.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each outboard motor 16 is at least
partially enclosed by the marine vessel 12 in an outboard motor
enclosure 32 in a manner such that portions of the marine vessel 12
at least partially surround all sides of the outboard motor 16 that
are above waterline 28. Optionally, a hatch can be provided at
location 30 or at another location to provide access to the
outboard motor 16.
[0027] In the example shown, the conduit 26 includes a flexible
hose extending from the second inlet 22 to the first inlet 18. In
this arrangement, operation of the outboard motor 16 creates a
negative pressure in the enclosure 32, which advantageously does
not negatively affect pressure of the intake air received by the
second inlet 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the conduit 26 extends
through an engine well 34 and then to the second inlet 22 located
on the body 24 of the marine vessel 12.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first inlet 18 is connected
to an intake manifold 36 that distributes intake air for combustion
and also for cooling the outboard motor 16. The manifold 36 is
defined by a top cowl 38, an air intake duct 40 and a rear cowl 42.
Further, a lower air intake tray 44 is provided on the top cowl 38
for deflecting intake air downwardly as shown at arrow 47 (see FIG.
5) for combustion in the outboard motor 16. Specifically, the lower
air intake tray 44 and top cowl 38 define a pair of rear air inlet
holes 46 (see FIG. 4) for receiving the intake air. Deflector walls
48 are angled with respect to air flow in the manifold 36 deflect
the noted intake air into the inlet holes 46 as shown in FIG.
5.
[0029] As air enters the manifold 36 a front air inlet hole 50 in
the top cowl 38 receives intake air and distributes the intake air
downwardly as shown at arrow 52 (see FIG. 5) for cooling the
outboard motor. A fly wheel cover 54 is disposed beneath the intake
manifold 36 and has at least one air inlet slit or hole 56
receiving the intake air from the front air inlet hole 50 in the
manifold 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the noted rear air inlet holes 46
are located aft of the front air inlet hole 50 on the outboard
motor 16.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4-9, an adapter 70 connects the conduit
26 to the outboard motor 16. The adapter 70 is configured to engage
with the outboard motor 16 in a removable, snap-fit connection. In
the example shown, the first inlet 18 includes an opening 72 on the
air intake duct 40 that receives the adapter 70. The opening 72 is
sized slightly larger than an outer diameter of an end 71 of the
adapter 70, such that the end 71 can be received by the opening 72.
The opening 72 includes diametrically opposed channels 74 for
receiving corresponding diametrically opposed protrusions 78 on the
adapter 70. A flexible appendage 76 on one side of the end 71 of
adapter 70 carries one of the protrusions 78. The appendage 76 is
flexible in a radially inward direction, as shown at arrow A to
allow the protrusion 78 thereon to be received by corresponding
channel 74. As described herein below, the appendage 76 radially
flexes back outwardly due to the natural resiliency of the
appendage 76 so as to engage the air intake duct 40 in the noted
snap-fit connection.
[0031] The end 71 of adapter 70 is inserted into the opening 72, as
shown at arrows B, so that the protrusions 78 are aligned with the
channels 74. The appendage 76 is manually flexed radially inwardly
as shown at arrow A to allow the diametrically opposed protrusions
78 to fit within channels 74. Once the protrusions 78 reach the
inside end 77 of channels 74, the adapter 70 is manually rotated
with respect to the opening 72, as shown at arrows C in FIG. 9,
until the protrusion 78 on the appendage 76 becomes aligned with
opening 80, at which point the natural resiliency of the appendage
76 moves the appendage 76 radially outwardly so that the protrusion
78 thereon extends into the opening 80 in the radially outward
direction, thus engaging the adapter 70 with the air intake duct 40
in the noted snap-fit connection. To remove the adapter 70, a tool
can be manually inserted into the opposite end of the opening 80 to
force the appendage 76 and its protrusion 78 radially inwardly, as
shown at arrow D, at which point adapter 70 is free to be manually
rotated opposite to the direction of arrows C and then axially
removed from the opening 72 in the direction opposite arrows B. An
opposite end 75 of the adapter 70 is threaded for engaging with the
conduit 26 in a threaded connection.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, an air filter 82 can he connected to the
conduit 26 for filtering air flow there through. The location and
type of air filter 82 can vary from that which is shown.
[0033] FIGS. 10-12 depict a marine propulsion system 110 for
propelling a marine vessel 112 in water. The system 110 includes a
pair of outboard motors 114 that are pivotally coupled to the stern
116 of the marine vessel 112, as is conventional. The concepts of
the present disclosure are applicable to other types of marine
vessels than what is shown in the FIGURES. Also, the number and
configuration of the outboard motors 114 can vary from that which
is shown. Each outboard motor 114 is enclosed by a portion of the
marine vessel 112. In this example, each outboard motor 114 is
enclosed in an engine housing 118 that partially or entirely
surrounds all sides of the outboard motor 114 that are located
above the waterline 117 when the marine vessel 112 is in the water.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, the engine housing 118 is
located at the stern 116 of the marine vessel 112 and provides a
swimming platform 120 for a swimmer to move about the stern 116
without interference from the outboard motor 114.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 12, each outboard motor 114 has an internal
combustion engine 122 that emits exhaust gases in a conventional
manner. Each outboard motor 114 has an exhaust gas relief outlet
124 located above the waterline 117 for relieving exhaust gas when,
for example, the engine 122 is at idle. The exhaust gas relief
outlet 124 can be located on the back of the engine 122, or other
locations. As explained further herein below, a flexible conduit
126 conveys exhaust gas from the exhaust gas relief outlet 124 to a
discharge outlet 128 located on the marine vessel 112. Each
outboard motor 114 also includes a primary exhaust outlet 130
located in the propeller housing 132, which is positioned
vertically lower than the exhaust gas relief outlet 124 and which
discharges exhaust gas directly to the water. The location of the
respective relief outlet 124 and primary exhaust outlet 130 can
vary from that which is shown.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the conduit 126 includes a flexible
hose that extends from the exhaust gas relief outlet 124 through
the forward side of the outboard motor 114 (at 136) and then
extends through an engine well 138 (at 140) and then to the
discharge outlet 128 on the hull 144 of the marine vessel 112. The
flexible hose 126 can be connected at locations 128, 136 and 140 by
quick-connect fittings or fixed fittings such as a barb with a
clamp. In the depicted arrangement, the location 140 at which the
conduit 126 extends through the engine well 138 is located
vertically higher than the exhaust gas relief outlet 124 and
vertically higher than the discharge outlet 128. This positional
relationship has been found by the present inventors to provide
certain advantages. In addition to exhaust gas, water is often
exhausted out of the internal combustion engine 122. Positioning
the conduit 126 at elevated location 140 helps prevent water from
remaining in the flexible conduit 126 where, for example, the water
can freeze in cold environments. Moisture in the conduit 126 can
drain either to the discharge outlet 128 or back into the internal
combustion engine 122, which is acceptable. Within these concepts,
other portions of conduit 126 can be positioned at relative
elevations to allow gravity to drain water out of the flexible
conduit 126. The location of discharge outlet 128 can vary from
that which is shown and can be on either or both of the port or
starboard sides of the hull 144. The conduit 126 can be
continuously sloped and devoid of low spots along the length of the
conduit where water would otherwise stagnate. This avoids the
problems discussed above. The flexible nature of the conduit 126
advantageously allows movement of the outboard motor 114 with
respect to the engine well 138, for example during tilting,
trimming or rotational movement of the outboard motor 114.
[0036] A muffler 146 is located on the engine well 138, internally
of the hull 144 and is for decreasing idle relief noise. The
muffler 146 can instead, optionally be attached to the outboard
motor 114.
[0037] FIGS. 1-12 thus depict a boat generally indicated as 12, 112
including a hull generally indicated as 144. The boat 12, 112
includes outboard motors indicated as 16, 114 and a corresponding
propeller disposed within a corresponding motor compartment 32, 118
including an air flow system 10 as described hereinabove to supply
air to the outboard motors 16, 114 and vent exhaust gases when at
idle, each at the aft portion of the hull 144 of the boat 12, 122.
Each motor compartment 32, 118 is cooperatively formed between a
center mid-ship console, a substantially vertical rear bulkhead, a
corresponding hull side extension rearwardly projecting from each
side of the stern 116 (all shown in FIGS. 1, 10) and a hatch 30
extending between the hull side extensions to virtually enclose the
motor housing 32, 118.
[0038] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, each outboard motor 16, 114
is mounted within the corresponding motor compartment 32, 118 by a
conventional motor positioning assembly coupled to the stern 116 to
independently pivot each outboard motors 16, 114 vertically on a
corresponding substantially horizontal pivot (shown in FIGS. 3 and
12) between a substantially vertical position, and an inclined or
tilted position and a rotational subassembly to rotate the outboard
motors 16 on a corresponding substantially vertical rotation axis
to steer the boat 12, 112, as is conventional. The pivot trim
subassembly and the rotational subassembly may comprise existing
state of the art devices incorporating drive motors, cylinders or
screws and cables.
[0039] Since each outboard motor 16, 114 is virtually enclosed
within the corresponding motor compartment 32, 118, the invention
further includes an air flow system 10 to direct the flow of air to
each motor compartment 32, 118 during operation of the
corresponding outboard motor 16, 114 and an idle exhaust system 110
to direct the flow of exhaust gases from each motor compartment 32,
118 when the corresponding outboard motor 16, 114 is at idle. The
air flow system 10 comprises an air intake portion in each motor
compartment 32, 118 to feed fresh air from the environs to the air
intake of each outboard motor 16. The idle exhaust system 110
comprises an exhaust gas portion in each motor compartment 32, 118
to discharge exhaust gases from the exhaust of each outboard motor
16, 114 into the environs when the corresponding outboard motor 16,
114 is idling or at idle.
[0040] Each air intake portion comprises a flexible air intake hose
or conduit 26 coupled between the side of the hull 114 of the boat
12, 112 and an air supply intake 36 attached to the outboard motors
16, 114 to feed air from the environs through the flexible air
intake hose or conduit 26 and the air supply intake 36 into the
corresponding outboard motor 16, 114 through the corresponding air
intake 36.
[0041] Each idle exhaust system 110 comprises a flexible gas outlet
hose or conduit 126 coupled to the corresponding outboard motors
16, 114 over the corresponding exhaust gas outlet 124 and a
corresponding exhaust gas discharge port 128 formed in the hull 144
or the boat 12, 112 to discharge exhaust gases from the exhaust gas
outlet 124 through the flexible gas outlet hose or conduit 126 and
exhaust gas discharge port 128 into the environs.
[0042] The present disclosure thus provides an air flow system to
direct the flow of air to the engine of the outboard motor during
operation thereof and an idle exhaust system to direct the flow of
exhaust gases generated by the engine of the outboard motor from
the motor compartment when the engine of the outboard is at idle
while permitting the outboard motor to be trimmed or tilted about a
substantially horizontal axis and rotated about a substantially
vertical axis for directional control of the boat. The air flow
system comprises an air take portion disposed in said engine
compartment to feed fresh air from the environs to the air intake
of the engine of the outboard motor and said idle exhaust system
comprises an exhaust gas portion disposed in said engine
compartment to discharge exhaust gases from the exhaust outlet of
the engine of the outboard motor into the environs when the engine
of the outboard motor is operating at idle. The air intake portion
comprises an air intake conduit coupled between an air inlet or air
scoop attached to the boat and an air supply intake attached to the
engine of the outboard motor to feed air from the environs into
said air intake or air scoop through said air intake conduit and
said air supply intake into the engine of the outboard motor
through the air intake. The exhaust gas portion comprises a gas
outlet conduit coupled between an exhaust gas outlet coupler
attached to the exhaust gas outlet of the engine of the outboard
motor and an exhaust gas discharge housing or port attached to the
boat to discharge exhaust gases from the exhaust gas outlet through
said exhaust gas outlet coupler, said flexible gas outlet hose and
said exhaust gas discharge housing into the environs when the
outboard motor is idling. The air intake conduit and gas outlet
conduit each comprises a flexible hose permitting the outboard
motor and engine to be trimmed or tilted about a substantially
horizontal axis an rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The
engine compartment is cooperatively formed between a midship
console disposed between the two outboard motors, a rear bulkhead,
a hull side extension projecting rearwardly from each side of the
stern and a hatch extending between said hull side extensions. The
hatch is pivotally coupled to the stern of the boat movable between
an open and closed position to permit access to the upper portion
of the outboard motor when in the open position.
[0043] Although only a few example embodiments have been described
in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments
without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus,
although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in
that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts
together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the
environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be
equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant
not to invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6 for any limitations
of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim
expressly uses the words "means for" together with an associated
function.
* * * * *