Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MARI NE PROPULSION DEVICE
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 2010941
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of Serial No.
316,329, filed February 27, 1989.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to outboard
motors. More particularly, the invention relates to internal
combustion engines included in outboard motors.
In the past, certain relatively expensive
outboard motor components have experienced considerable
corrosion problems, especially when the outboard motors were
used in sea water. The invention hereinafter disclosed is
intended to economically overcome this problem.
Attention is directed to the following United
States patents.
Kiekhaefer 2,549,483 April 8, 1949
Davies 2,676,559 December 11, 1951
Kiekhaefer 2,798,471 September 14, 1955
Iwahashi, et al. 4,134,370 January 16, 1979
Walsh 4,348,194 September 7, 1982
Tamba, et al. 4,561,386 December 31, 1985
Onda, et al. 4,632,070 December 30, 1986
Iwai 4,661,076 April 28, 1987
Suzuki 4,721,485 January 26, 1988
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an internal combustion
engine comprising an engine block, and means on the en~ine
block for defining a substantially sealed chamber.
In one embodiment, the block includes an outer
surface, and the means includes a member connected to the outer
surface of the engine block.
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In one embodiment, the engine further comprises a
crankshaft extending from the engine block and into the
chamber, and a flywheel located in the chamber and connected to
the crankshaft.
In one embodiment of the invention, the engine
further comprises means located in the chamber for generating
an electrical current.
In one embodiment of the invention, the current
generating means includes a stator located in the chamber and
fixed to the engine block, and a magnet or magnets supported in
the chamber for rotation in a path adjacent to the stator.
In one embodiment of the invention, the engine
further comprises means located in the chamber for extracting
heat from the chamber.
In one embodiment of the invention, the heat
extracting means includes a finned water jacket located in the
chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of coolant
exterior to the chamber, and means for creating an air flow in
a path adjacent the water jacket.
In one embodiment, the means for creating an air
flow includes an aperture in the flywheel, and means for
creating an air flow through the aperture.
In one embodiment, the means for creating an air
flow through the aperture includes a plurality of fins
extending from the flywheel.
In one embodiment, the flywheel includes an outer
surface extending generally perpendicular to the crankshaft and
facing away from the engine block, and the fins are located on
the outer surface of the flywheel.
~o~o9~
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In one embodiment of the invention, the engine
further comprises means located in the chamber for starting the
engine.
In one embodiment of the invention, the engine
further comprises a starter motor mounted on the block
exteriorly of the chamber and including an output shaft
extending into the chamber through the member, and seal means
between the starter ou.tput shaft and the member for preventing
fluid flow relative to the chamber between the output shaft and
the member while affording rotary movement of the output shaft,
and the engine starting means includes a starter gear located
in the chamber, and a mechanism located in the chamber,
drivingly connected to the output shaft and engageable with the
starter gear in response to output shaft rotation to rotate the
flywheel.
The invention also provides an engine comprising
an engine block, means including a first member mounted on the
engine block and a second member supported for movement in a
path adjacent the first member for generating an electrical
potential, a finned coolant heat exchanger supported by the
engine block, and means for circulating an air flow heat
exchanger between the heat exchanger and the first member.
The invention also provides an internal
combustion engine comprising an engine block including an outer
surface, means including the engine block and a member
connected to the surface of the engine block for defining a
chamber, a crankshaft extending from the engine block and into
the chamber, a flywheel located in the chamber, connected to
~ 2010941
the crankshaft, and having thereon a starter gear, a stato{
located in the chamber and fixed to the engine block, a magnet
located in the chamber and fixed to the flywheel for rotation
therewith in a path adjacent to the stator, a starter motor
mounted on the block exteriorly of the chamber and including an
output shaft extending into the chamber and a mechanism located
in the chamber, drivingly connected to the output shaft, and
engageable with the starter gear in response to output shaft
rotation to rotate the flywheel.
The invention also provides an internal
combustion engine comprising an engine block, means on the
engine block for defining a substantially sealed chamber, and
pressure relief means for venting the chamber when the pressure
in the chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
The invention also provides an internal
combustion engine comprising an engine block at least partially
defining a crankcase, a crankshaft extending from the engine
block, an outermost bearing rotatably supporting the
crankshaft, and sealing ~eans which is located outwardly of the
bearing and which surrounds the crankshaft for sealing the
crankcase to prevent loss of f luid to the exterior of the
engine block.
The invention also provides an internal
combustion engine comprising an engine block including an outer
surface having thereon an arcuate boss, a crankshaft extending
from the engine block, a flywheel connected to the crankshaft,
a stator mounted on the boss, and a magnet fixed to the
flywheel for rotation therewith in a path adjacent the stator.
2010941
Other features and advantages o~ the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of
the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an outboard
motor embodying the invention and comprising an engine
including a crankshaft and a flywheel.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partially
in section, of the engine.
Fig. 3 is a further enlarged, partial view of the
engine.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the engine.
Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing an
alternative embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 7.
~ efore one embodiment of the invention is
explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the details of the
construction and the arrangements of components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to
be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein
is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Shown in Figs. 1-5 (see Fig. 1) is an outboard
motor 11 comprising a mounting assembly 13 adapted to be
connected to a boat transom 15. More specifically, the
mounting assembly 13 includes a transom bracket 17 adapted to
be fixed to the transom 15, and a swivel bracket 19 pivotally
connected to the transom bracket 17 for swinging movement
relative thereto about a tilt axis 21 which is generally
horizontal when the transom bracket 17 is fixed to the boat
transom 15.
The outboard motor 11 also includes a propulsion
unit 31 connected to the swivel bracket 19 for pivotal movement
in common with the swivel bracket 19 about the tilt axis 21 and
eor swinging movement relative to the swivel bracket 19 about a
steering axis 33 which extends transversely of the tilt axis 21
and which is generally vertical when the propulsion unit 31 is
in the normal running position.
The propulsion unit 31 also includes a power head
35 which comprises an internal combustion engine 37 defined, in
part, by (see Fig. 2) an engine block 38 having an upper
surface 39. The propulsion unit 31 also includes (see Fig. 1)
a lower unit 40 including a drive shaft housing 41 which, at
its upper end, supports the power head 35 and which, at its
lower end, is fixed to a gearcase 43 rotatably supporting a
propeller shaft 45 which is driven by the engine 37 and which
carries a propeller 47.
2010941
The engine block 38 defines one or more cylinders
51 (one shown schematically in Fig. 1) which respectively
extend from a like number of one or more crankcases 53 (one
shown schematically). In addition, the engine block 38
rotatably supports a crankshaft 61 which is journaled, in part,
by bearings 63 (one shown in Fig. 2) supported by the engine
block 38, and which includes a first or upper portion 67
extending above the upper surface 39 of the engine block 38.
In addition, the crankshaft 61 includes a second or end portion
71 which projects above the first or upper portion 67 and which
has a diameter less than the diameter of the first or upper
portion 67 so as to define a radially extending shoulder 77 at
the upper end of the first or upper portion 67.
Fixed or secured to the crankshaft shoulder 77 by
~uitable means in the form of one or more bolts 81 is a
flywheel 83 having an outer or upper surface 84 extending
generally perpendicularly to the crankshaft 61 and facing away
from the engine block 38. The flywheel 83 also has a central
aperture 85 which has a diameter slightly larger than the
diameter of the second or end crankshaft portion 71 and through
which the second crankshaft portion 71 extends. While other
constructions can be employed, in the illustrated construction,
as shown in Fig. 5, five bolts 81 are employed. More
specifically, in this regard, the bolts 81 are identical and
each bolt 81 includes (see Fig. 3) an enlarged head 91 engaging
the upper surface 84 of the flywheel 83 and a shank portion
including a non-threaded cylindrical part 95 which is snugly
received in a cooperating aperture in the flywheel 83 and which
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has a diameter less than the diameter of the head 91, and a
threaded end part 97 which, in the illustrated embodiment, has
a diameter less than the diameter of the part 95 and which is
received in a threaded bore 99 extending into the crankshaft
first or upper portion 67 from the shoulder 77. Accordingly,
tightening of the bolts 81 into the crankshaft upper portion 67
fixedly attaches the flywheel 83 to the crankshaft 61.
The flywheel 83 is located, as shown in Fig. 2,
in a substantially sealed chamber 101. Various arrangements
can be employed for providing the sealed chamber 101. In the
disclosed construction, the sealed chamber 101 is defined, in
part, by an upper engine block surface which can be the upper
engine block surface 39 and by a cover 105 which is suitably
fixed to the engine block 38 in sealing engagement therewith.
In this last regard, a gasket (not shown) can be employed
between the cover 105 and the engine block 38 and a suitable
number of bolts or screws 106 (Fig. 2) can be employed to fix
the cover 105 to the engine block 38. The crankshaft portion
71 projects through a suitable aperture 107 in the cover 105.
A suitable seal 109 is provided between the crankshaft 61 and
the cover 105 to prevent fluid flow to or from the sealed
chamber 101. While other materials can be employed, the cover
105 is preferably fabricated of plastic or composite material.
The resulting sealed chamber 101 provides a space from which
moisture, and especially salt moisture from sea water, can be
excluded and into which a fuel/lubricant mist is supplied from
the uppermost of the crankcases 53 in response to pulsating
crankcase pressure, and through the bearing 63 notwithstanding
Z0~0941.
g
the usual crankcase seal (not shown) which ordinarily serves to
substantially reduce pressure and fluid loss from the uppermost
of the crankcases 53.
Also included in the sealed chamber 101 is means
for generating an electrical potential for charging a battery
(not shown). While other constructions can be employed, in the
disclosed construction, such means comprises at least one first
member or stator 121 which is fixedly mounted on the engine
block 38 and which includes one or more coils and coil cores
terminating in closely adjacent relation to a second member or
armature 131 in the form of one or more magnets supported for
rotation in a path adjacent the stator 121. In the illustrated
embodiment, the magnets are carried by the flywheel 83. Any
suitable construction for the stator 121 and armature 131 can
be employed. In alternative embodiments, the flywheel 83 and
attached magnets 131 can be placed inside the stator 121 with
coils and coil cores facing inward.
Also located in the sealed chamber 101 is a
mechanism for starting the engine 37 in response to a rotary
input. In this regard, suitably mounted on the engine block 38
exteriorly of the sealed chamber 101 is a starting motor 141
tFig. 2) which includes an output shaft 143 extending into the
sealed chamber 101 to provide the rotary input referred to
imrnediately above. In the illustrated embodirnent, the shaft
143 extends into the chamber 101 through a flange 144 which is
an integral part of the engine block 38 and which partially
defines the upper surface 39 of the block 38. Suitable seal
means 145 can be provided between the output shaft 143 and the
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flange 144 to prevent fluid flow into or out of the sealed
chamb~r 101.
The engine starting mechanism is of the ~'Bendix~
type and includes a gear 151 on the periphery of the flywheel
83 and a pinion 153 which is movable axially of a rotatably
mounted shaft 155 and into a position of driving engagement
with the flywheel gear 151 in response to rotation of the shaft
155. The shaft 155 is rotated in response to rotation of the
output shaft 143 via a gear 157 which is mounted on the shaft
143 and a gear 159 which meshes with the gear 157 and which is
mounted on the shaft 155. Any suitable means within the sealed
chamber 101 can be employed to rotatably support the shaft 155
in position to afford driving connection with the output shaft
143 of the starter motor 141 and to afford movement of the
deive pinion 153 into and out of driving engagement with the
flywheel gear 151. As "Bendix" type starting mechanisms are
well known, no further description is believed to be necessary.
Means are provided for circulating the air and
the fuel/lubricant mist in the sealed chamber 101. In this
regard, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the flywheel 83 is
provided with a series of vanes or fins 171 and a series of
adjacent apertures or openings 173, which fins 171 and openings
i73 function like a centrifugal fan and agitate the air and
cause circulation thereof within the sealed chamber 101.
Alternatively stated, the fins 171 constitute means for
creating an air flow through the openings 173. The air
circulation draws heated air away from the stator 121 and
armature 131 and facilitates dissipation thereof to the
20~094~
atmosphere through the engine block 38 and cover 105 or through
cooling means still to be described. Such circulation also
serves to convey the fuel/lubricant mist throughout the sealed
chamber 101 and aids in carrying heat away from the stator. In
the illustrated embodiment, the fins 171 are formed on an
annular member 175 that is secured to the upper surface a4 of
the flywheel 83 by suitable means such as bolts 177 (Fig. 5).
The engine 37 also comprises means located in the
chamber 101 for extracting heat from the chamber 101 by cooling
the air which is circulated in the chamber 101. While various
suitable means can be employed, in the illustrated embodiment,
this means includes a plurality of finned water jackets 178
which are secured to the underside of the cover 105 and which
are located in adjacent relation to the openings 173 in the
flywheel 83, The water jackets 178 are connected via suitable
supply and return conduits 179 to a supply of cooling water
(not shown) and to an overboard discharge. The water jackets
178 are located relative to the openings 173 so air that is
drawn upwardly through the openings 173 flows in a path
adjacent the water jackets 178 and transfers heat to the water
jackets 178. Thus, the fins 171 and the openings 173
constitute means for creating an air flow in a path adjacent
the water jackets 178.
Carried by the cover 105 on the exterior surface
thereof is a timer base 180 (Figs. 2-4) which is suitably
supported for rotation about the crankshaft axis by the cover
105, which supports one or more trigger coils 182, and which
surrounds the part 71 o the crankshaft 61. The crankshaft
20109~1.
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portion 71 carries a suitable magnet or magnets 184 cooperating
with the trigger coil or coils 182 to generate ignition trigger
pulses.
Any suitable means can be provided for fixing the
timer base to the cover 105 and affording relative rotation
therebetween In the disclosed construction, the cover 105 and
the timer base include interengaging means in the form of a
recess 186 (Figs. 3 and 4) in the cover 105 and a mating part
of the timer base 180 for locating the timer base 180 relative
to the cover 105. A suitable number of retaining means 188 are
provided to fix the timer base 180 to the cover 105 in
encircling relation to the crankshaft portion 71. As is
conventional, the timer base 180 can be operably connected to a
suitable linkage (not shown) adapted to adjust the spark timing.
An outboard motor 200 which is an alternative
embodiment Oe the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6-8.
Except as described hereinafter, the outboard motor 200 is
substantially identical to the outboard motor 11 of the first
embodiment, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
In the outboard motor 200, the fuel/lubricant
mist is substantially eliminated from the chamber 101 by the
addition of a seal 204 which surrounds the upper portion 67 of
the crankshaft 61 and which is located outwardly of or above
the outermost or upper crankshaft bearing 63 for sealing the
chamber 101 from the crankcase 208 (shown in Fig. 6).
Alternatively stated, the seal 204 seals the crankcase 208 to
prevent loss of fluid to the exterior of the engine block 38.
201094~
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The seal 204 substantially prevents any fuel/lubricant mist
that leaks past the uppermost crankcase seal 212 (Fig. 6), as
described above, from entering the chamber 101. The sealed
chamber 101 of the outboard motor 200 still provides a space
from which moisture, and especially salt moisture from sea
water, can be excluded.
The outboard motor Z00 also differs from the
outboard motor 11 in that the water jackets or cooling fins 178
and conduits 179 are omitted. The cooling fins 178 can be
omitted when sufficient air circulation is provided by the fins
171 on the flywheel 83.
The outboard motor 200 also differs from the
outboard motor 11 in that the outboard motor 200 includes
pressure relief means 216 for venting the chamber 101 when the
pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value. Preferably,
such means 216 includes four pressure relief valves 220 (one is
shown in Fig. 6) in the cover 105. The pressure relief valves
220 normally seal the chamber 101 but allow pressure to bleed
off in the event of excessive pressure within the chamber 101.
Such excessive pressure could result, for example, from failure
of the seal 204.
The stator or stators 121 of the outboard motor
200 are mounted on a pair of arcuate bosses 224 (Figs. 7 and 8)
extending upwardly from the upper surface 39 of the engine
block 38. The stator 121 can be mounted on the bosses 224 by
any suitable means. Preferably, the stator 121 is mounted on
the bosses 224 by bolts or screws 226. As shown in Fig. 7,
each of the bosses 224 is centered on the crankshaft axis 230
2010941
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and preferably de~ines an arc of 90. The bosses 224 increase
heat transfer from the stators 121 to the engine block 38 and
thereby help to cool the stators 121.
Various of the features of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
