CA1258004A - Marine propulsion device fuel distribution system - Google Patents
Marine propulsion device fuel distribution systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1258004A CA1258004A CA000497946A CA497946A CA1258004A CA 1258004 A CA1258004 A CA 1258004A CA 000497946 A CA000497946 A CA 000497946A CA 497946 A CA497946 A CA 497946A CA 1258004 A CA1258004 A CA 1258004A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- interior
- boat
- conduit
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/0011—Constructional details; Manufacturing or assembly of elements of fuel systems; Materials therefor
- F02M37/0017—Constructional details; Manufacturing or assembly of elements of fuel systems; Materials therefor related to fuel pipes or their connections, e.g. joints or sealings
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
- B63B17/0027—Tanks for fuel or the like ; Accessories therefor, e.g. tank filler caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
- B63H20/001—Arrangements, apparatus and methods for handling fluids used in outboard drives
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/0047—Layout or arrangement of systems for feeding fuel
- F02M37/007—Layout or arrangement of systems for feeding fuel characterised by its use in vehicles, in stationary plants or in small engines, e.g. hand held tools
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/20—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines characterised by means for preventing vapour lock
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B61/00—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing
- F02B61/04—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing for driving propellers
- F02B61/045—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing for driving propellers for outboard marine engines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/0047—Layout or arrangement of systems for feeding fuel
- F02M37/0052—Details on the fuel return circuit; Arrangement of pressure regulators
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an interior, the marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, a supply conduit communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, and a fuel impermeable housing conduit sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surrounding the portion of the supply conduit located interiorly of the boat.
A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an interior, the marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, a supply conduit communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, and a fuel impermeable housing conduit sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surrounding the portion of the supply conduit located interiorly of the boat.
Description
MARINE PROPULSION DEVICE
FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to marine fuel distri~ution systems~ and more part.icularly to marine fuel distribution system~ including a fuel tank inside a ~oat, and means for supplying fuel ~rom the fuel tan~ to tn2 engine of a marine propulsion device mounted on the boatO
Present fuel distrioution systems typically include a fuel pump mounted on and driven by the engine of the marine propulsion device, and a fueL supply line communicating ~etween a fuel tank and the suction side of the fuel pu~p. otner components, such as an anti-siphon valve, a tank switching valve, and an in-line fuel filter, may be s included on the suction side of the fuel pump. The fuel pump must create a negative pressure to draw fuel th~ough tne fuel distribution system, and this negative pressure can cause the fuel to vaporize in the fuel supply line. The result can be inability of the fuel distribution system to supply liquid fuel to the engine at a given fuel flow rate due to excessive fuel vapor generation, often referred to as vapor lock.
The only known method o preventing vapor lock is to pump the fuel under pressure throush the fuel dis~ri~ution system to the engine. Pumping the fuel under pressure will eliminate the tendency of the fuel to vaporize because it is at a positive pres.~ure. However, leakage of a pre~surized fuel ~2~
lin~ would allow fuel to leak into the bilge o a boat.
Attention is directed to U.S. Ellis Patent No. 4,416 9 638, issued Novem~er 22, 1983, which disclose a fuel distribution system including a casing surrounding the upstream portion of a gas feed pipe between the Doat transom and the car~uretor of the engine. Tne casing is not connected to the source of fuel and does not surround tne entire portion of the fuel pipe located interiorly of the boat.
Attention is also directed to the following U.S. patents which disclose fuel distribution systems: Lee No. 741,512, issued October 13, 1903, Butler No. 1,724,559, issued August 13, 1929~ Wise No. 3,031,010, issued April 24, 1962, Gauc~ No. 3,696,799, issued October 10, 1972, Heath No. 3,957,025, issued May 18, 1976, Weissenbach NO. 3,977,379, issued August 31, 1976, Lee No.
4,136,652, issued Januacy 30, 1979, Stolz No.
4,285,316, issued August 25, 1981 and Robinson No.
4,362,130, issued December 7, 1982.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.
The invention provides a marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an inte~ior, the marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propellec driven ~y the ~ngine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, suppLy conduit means communicating between the source of fueL and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of tne boat, and fuel impermea~le housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surroundin~ the portion of tne supply conduit ~e2ns.
~.~5~
In one embodiment, the marine propulsion installation further comprises means for ven~ing the housing means to the exterior of the boat~
In one embodimentp the engine is adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, and the means for venting the housing means includes conduit means communicating with the engine and with the housing means adjacent the engine for venting the housing means into the engine.
In one embodiment, the engine includes a vacuum source, and the means for venting the housing means includes conduit means communicating between the vacuum source and the housing means adjacent the engine.
In one embodiment, the venting means s includes means communicating with the housing means adjacent the source of uel for venting the housing ~eans to the exterior of the boat.
In one embodiment, the boat includes a transom including an opening, the engine is adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom, the supply conduit extends through the opening in the transom to the engine, and the marine propulsion device further comprises means for sealing the housing means to the interior o~ the transom in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between the housing means and the interior of the boat.
In one embodiment, the source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exteeior and including a fuel chamber, and the housing means is sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the housing means and ~25~
the interior o the boat, and between the housing means and the fuel chamber.
In one embodiment, the sou~ce of fuel includes a fuel tank including a fuel chamber, and the source of the fuel further includes a pump mounted in the fuel tank and communicating with the fuel chamber and with the supply conduit means.
In one embodiment, the marine propulsion device further comprises return conduit means communicating between the engine and the source of fuel and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and the housing means also surrounds the portion of the return conduit means.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, which marine propulsion device comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the housing conduit for venting the housing conduitO
8~
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of tbe boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber~ a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tanlc exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and the boat interiorl and means communicating with the housing conduit for venting the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, which marine propulsion apparatus comprises a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between tne fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening 50 as to prevent communication between the housing and ~he boat interior, and means communicating with the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the housing conduit to the boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and extending through the transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening so as to prevent communication between the housing and the boat interior/ and means communicating with the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the housing conduit to ~he boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom including an opening, which marine ~2~
propulsion installation comprises a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between the source of fuel and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat and adapted to extend through the transom to the enginet fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and including an interior receiving the portion of the supply conduit means, means adapted for sealingly connecting the housing means to the transom with the interior of the housing means in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing means and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom, which marine propulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means for venting the interior of the housing means including a conduit communicating with the interior of the housing means adjacent the ~$~
engine and with the engine for venting the interior of th~ housing means into the engine.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom including an opening therein, which marine propulsion installation comprises a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, which propulsion unit is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, which source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of the fuel tank and communicating with the Euel chamber, a supply conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transvm and communicating between the pump and the engine, a return conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transom and communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving the supply conduit and the return conduit between the fuel tank and the opening in the transom, being sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between the interior of the housing conduit and the fuel chamber, means for sealing the housing condui-t to the interior of the transom and with the interior of the housing conduit in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the ~25~
interior of the housing conduit to the exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom, which marine propulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat and including a vacuum source, and a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, which source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of the fuel tank and communicating with the fuel chamber, a supply conduit communicating between the pump and the engine, a return conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving the supply conduit and the return conduit between the fuel tank and the engine, and being sealillgly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between the interior of the housing conduit and the fuel chamber, means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the interior of the housing conduit to the exterior of the boat, and conduit means communicating between the vacuum source and the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the engineO
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, which marine propulsion device comprises an engine adapted to be mounted ~ 25~
interiorly oE the boat, a drive unit. adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteri.orly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the kransom about a generally vertical ~teering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boa~ and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel condult communlcating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication be-tween the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communica-tion between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating wit~ the interior of the housing conduit for venting the interior of the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the ~ransom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving khe fuel conduit between khe fuel tanlc and '~
-4~-the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the bousing conduit for venting the interior of the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat hav.ing an interior and a transom including therein an opening, which marine propulsion apparatus comprises a propulsion Ullit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit including an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom with the interior of the housing conduit in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the housing ~g~
conduit adjacent the uel tank for venting the housing conduit to the boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening~
a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and extending through the transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the interior of the housing conduit to exteriorly of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom including an opening, a propulsion unit mounted exteriorly of the teansom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between the source of fuel and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat and extending through the transom to the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and including an interior receiving the portion of the supply conduit means, means sealingly connecting the housing means to the transom with the interior o~ the housing means in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing means and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat, which marine p.ropulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly oE the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, :Euel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with ~he interior for venting the interior of the housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and inclllding a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a ~ource of fuel located interiorly of the boa~, fuel supply conduit means extending interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
A principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device comprising an engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of a boat, supply conduit means com~unicating between the source of Euel and the engine, and fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surrounding the portion of the supply conduit means located interiorly of the boat~ This allows the fuel to be pumped under pressure from the source of fuel to the engine while substantially eliminating the possibility of the fuel leaking from the supply conduit means into the bilge of the boat.
Another principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device as described above and comprising an outboard motor pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom of the boat, wherein the supply conduit extends from the source of fuel through an opening in the transom to the engine, and wherein the housing conduit is sealed to the interior of the transom in communication with the opening in the transo~. Thus, the housing conduit surrounds the entire length of the supply conduit inside the boat and is vented to the atmosphere via the opening in the transom.
Another principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device as described above and comprising an inboard engine including an intake manifold, and conduit means communicating between the intake manifold and the housing conduit adjacent the engine. This allows venting of the housing condult through the engine.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
s OESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_ _ Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a marine propulsion installation embodying the invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1~
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view talcen along Line 3-3 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view si~ilar to Fig. 1 of an alternative embodiment of ~he invention.
Before one embodiment of the invention is explalned in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of 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 carrled out in various ways. ~lso, 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIM NT
Figure 1 is a partially schematic view of a marine propulsion installation 10 embodying the invention. The installation l0 comprises a boat 12 having an interior, an exterior, and a transom 14 having an opening 16 therein. The installation 10 also comprises a marine propulsion device including an engine 18, and a rotatably mounted propeller 20 driven by the engine 18. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the marine propulsion device is an outboard motor 22 pivotally ~ounted on s the exterior of the transom 14 for pivotal movement relative to the transom 14 about a generally vertical steering axis 24, and about a generally horiæontal tiLt axis 25.
In an alternative embodiment which is illustrated in Fig. 4, the marine propulsion device is a stern drive or inboard/outboard unit. In another alternative embodiment, the marine propulsion device can include an engine which is located within the boat and which drives a propeller supported for rotation about an axis fixed with respect to the boat.
The marine propulsion installation 10 also comprises a source of fueL located interiorly of the boa~ 12. Preferably, ~he source of fuel includes a conventional fuel tank 26 having an exterior and including a fuel chamber 28, and a pump 30 mounted interiorly of the fuel tank 26 within the fuel chamber 28. The fuel tank 26 also includes a removable fill cap 32, and a conduit 34 venting the fuel chamber 2R to the exterior of the boat 12.
While other constructions can be used, in the illustrated construction, the pump 3Q is a submersible electric pump equipped with a fuel filter 36 which reaches to the bottom of the uel chamber 28.
The marine propulsion installation 10 also comprises supply conduit means communicating between the fuel tank 26 and the engine 18 and having a portion located interiorly of the boat 12. In the preferred embodiment, the supply conduit means includes a flexible supply conduit 38 extending through the opening 16 in the transom 14 and communicating between the pump 30 and the engine 18.
The pump 30 delivess fuel under pressure through the -.
supply conduit 38 to the engine 18.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine pcopulsion installation 10 further comprises return conduit means communicating between the engine 18 and the fuel chamber 28 of the fuel tank 26 and having a portion located interiorly of the boat 12. The return conduit means returns fuel not consumed by the engine 18 to the fuel chamber 2a. Preferably, the return conduit means includes a flexible return conduit 40 communicating between the engine 18 and th~ fuel chamber 28.
The marine propulsion installation 10 further comprises fuel imp~rmeable housing means sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 and surrounding the portions of the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 located interiorly of the boat 12. In the preferred embodimentf the housing means is a housing conduit 42 that is sealingly connect~d to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 so as to prevent communication between the hou5ing conduit 42 and the interior of the boat 12, and between the housing csnduit 42 and the fuel cha~ber 28. The connection of the housing conduit 42 to the fuel tank 26 is best shown in Fiy~ 3. The end of the housing-conduit 42 is closedr except for two openings through which the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 extend~ and only the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 communicate with the fuel chamber 280 The housing conduit 42 surrounds the portions of the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 extending between the fuel tank 26 and the transom 14.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine propulsion installation 10 further comprises means for sealingly connecting the housing conduit 42 to the interior of the transom 14 in communication with the opening 16 in the transom 14 and so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit 42 and interior of the boat 12. In the construction shown in Fig. l, the aft end of the housing conduit 42 includes an annular flange, and the sealing means includes sc~ews 43 securing the flange to the transo~
14. Thus, the ends of the housing conduit 42 are sealingly connected to the fuel tank 26 and to the interior o~ the transom 14, so that any fuel leaking into the housing conduit 42 cannot leak into the interior of the boat 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine propulsion installation lO further comprises means for venting the housing conduit 42 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, the venting means includes the means connecting ~he housing conduit 42 to the transom 14 so that the 5~
.
g interior of the housing conduit 42 is vented to the exterior of the boat 12 via the opening 16 in the transom 14. Preerably, the venting means also includes ~eans communicating with the housing conduit 14 adjacent the fuel tank 26 for venting the nousing conduit 42 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, this means includes a venting conduit 44 having one end communicating with the housing conduit 42 and an opposite end communicating with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat 12.
With the housing conduit 42 being vented at one end by the venting conduit 44 and at the other end through the opening 16 in the transom 14, constant air flow through the housing conduit 42 is permitted. This facilitates the removal of fuel s vapors collecting in the housing conduit 42.
Figure 4 is a partially schematic view of a marine propulsion installation that is an alternative embodiment of the invention. The installation comprises a marine propulsion device 50 which is a stern drive or inboard~outboard unit including an engine 52 mounted inside the boat 12!
and a propulsion unit 54 mounted on the exterlor of the transom 14 for pivotal movement relative to the transom 14 about a generally vertical steering axis 56, and about a generally horizontal tilt axis 57.
~he engine 52 includes a vacuum source, preferably an intake manifold 58.
The installation also comprises supply and return conduits 60 and 62 communicating between the engine 52 and the fueL tank 26, and a housing conduit 64 sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 and surrounding the supply conduit 60 and the return conduit 62. In this embodim~nt, th~
portions of the supply and return c:onduits ~ and 4 located interiorly of the boat 12 are the entire conduits. The housing conduit 64 i.s sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel ~ank 26 as in the preferred embodiment, and is similarly sealingly connected to the en~ine 52. In the illustrated construction, the housing conduit 64 extends inside the engine compartment 65 and is sealingly connected to the engine 52 so as to prevent fuel from leaking into the engine compartment 65.
The installation further comprises means for venting the housing condui~ 64 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, the venting means includes conduit means 66 communicating between the intake manifold 58 and the housing conduit 64 adjacent the engine 52.
Preferably, the venting means also includes a venting conduit 68 having one end communicating with the housing conduit 64 adjacent the fuel tank 26, and an opposite end communicating with the atmosphere exteriorly o~ the boat 12. With the housing conduit 64 being vented at one end into the intake manifold 58 and at the other end by the venting conduit 68, constant air flow through the housing conduit 64 is e~tablished. Fuel vapors collecting inside the housing conduit 64 are sucked in~o the intake manifold 58 via the conduit means 66 and are exhausted through the engine 52.
Various other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to marine fuel distri~ution systems~ and more part.icularly to marine fuel distribution system~ including a fuel tank inside a ~oat, and means for supplying fuel ~rom the fuel tan~ to tn2 engine of a marine propulsion device mounted on the boatO
Present fuel distrioution systems typically include a fuel pump mounted on and driven by the engine of the marine propulsion device, and a fueL supply line communicating ~etween a fuel tank and the suction side of the fuel pu~p. otner components, such as an anti-siphon valve, a tank switching valve, and an in-line fuel filter, may be s included on the suction side of the fuel pump. The fuel pump must create a negative pressure to draw fuel th~ough tne fuel distribution system, and this negative pressure can cause the fuel to vaporize in the fuel supply line. The result can be inability of the fuel distribution system to supply liquid fuel to the engine at a given fuel flow rate due to excessive fuel vapor generation, often referred to as vapor lock.
The only known method o preventing vapor lock is to pump the fuel under pressure throush the fuel dis~ri~ution system to the engine. Pumping the fuel under pressure will eliminate the tendency of the fuel to vaporize because it is at a positive pres.~ure. However, leakage of a pre~surized fuel ~2~
lin~ would allow fuel to leak into the bilge o a boat.
Attention is directed to U.S. Ellis Patent No. 4,416 9 638, issued Novem~er 22, 1983, which disclose a fuel distribution system including a casing surrounding the upstream portion of a gas feed pipe between the Doat transom and the car~uretor of the engine. Tne casing is not connected to the source of fuel and does not surround tne entire portion of the fuel pipe located interiorly of the boat.
Attention is also directed to the following U.S. patents which disclose fuel distribution systems: Lee No. 741,512, issued October 13, 1903, Butler No. 1,724,559, issued August 13, 1929~ Wise No. 3,031,010, issued April 24, 1962, Gauc~ No. 3,696,799, issued October 10, 1972, Heath No. 3,957,025, issued May 18, 1976, Weissenbach NO. 3,977,379, issued August 31, 1976, Lee No.
4,136,652, issued Januacy 30, 1979, Stolz No.
4,285,316, issued August 25, 1981 and Robinson No.
4,362,130, issued December 7, 1982.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.
The invention provides a marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an inte~ior, the marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propellec driven ~y the ~ngine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, suppLy conduit means communicating between the source of fueL and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of tne boat, and fuel impermea~le housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surroundin~ the portion of tne supply conduit ~e2ns.
~.~5~
In one embodiment, the marine propulsion installation further comprises means for ven~ing the housing means to the exterior of the boat~
In one embodimentp the engine is adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, and the means for venting the housing means includes conduit means communicating with the engine and with the housing means adjacent the engine for venting the housing means into the engine.
In one embodiment, the engine includes a vacuum source, and the means for venting the housing means includes conduit means communicating between the vacuum source and the housing means adjacent the engine.
In one embodiment, the venting means s includes means communicating with the housing means adjacent the source of uel for venting the housing ~eans to the exterior of the boat.
In one embodiment, the boat includes a transom including an opening, the engine is adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom, the supply conduit extends through the opening in the transom to the engine, and the marine propulsion device further comprises means for sealing the housing means to the interior o~ the transom in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between the housing means and the interior of the boat.
In one embodiment, the source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exteeior and including a fuel chamber, and the housing means is sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the housing means and ~25~
the interior o the boat, and between the housing means and the fuel chamber.
In one embodiment, the sou~ce of fuel includes a fuel tank including a fuel chamber, and the source of the fuel further includes a pump mounted in the fuel tank and communicating with the fuel chamber and with the supply conduit means.
In one embodiment, the marine propulsion device further comprises return conduit means communicating between the engine and the source of fuel and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and the housing means also surrounds the portion of the return conduit means.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, which marine propulsion device comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the housing conduit for venting the housing conduitO
8~
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of tbe boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber~ a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tanlc exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and the boat interiorl and means communicating with the housing conduit for venting the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, which marine propulsion apparatus comprises a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between tne fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening 50 as to prevent communication between the housing and ~he boat interior, and means communicating with the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the housing conduit to the boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and extending through the transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening so as to prevent communication between the housing and the boat interior/ and means communicating with the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the housing conduit to ~he boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom including an opening, which marine ~2~
propulsion installation comprises a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between the source of fuel and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat and adapted to extend through the transom to the enginet fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and including an interior receiving the portion of the supply conduit means, means adapted for sealingly connecting the housing means to the transom with the interior of the housing means in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing means and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom, which marine propulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means for venting the interior of the housing means including a conduit communicating with the interior of the housing means adjacent the ~$~
engine and with the engine for venting the interior of th~ housing means into the engine.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom including an opening therein, which marine propulsion installation comprises a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, which propulsion unit is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, which source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of the fuel tank and communicating with the Euel chamber, a supply conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transvm and communicating between the pump and the engine, a return conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transom and communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving the supply conduit and the return conduit between the fuel tank and the opening in the transom, being sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between the interior of the housing conduit and the fuel chamber, means for sealing the housing condui-t to the interior of the transom and with the interior of the housing conduit in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the ~25~
interior of the housing conduit to the exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom, which marine propulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat and including a vacuum source, and a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, which source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of the fuel tank and communicating with the fuel chamber, a supply conduit communicating between the pump and the engine, a return conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving the supply conduit and the return conduit between the fuel tank and the engine, and being sealillgly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between the interior of the housing conduit and the fuel chamber, means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the interior of the housing conduit to the exterior of the boat, and conduit means communicating between the vacuum source and the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the engineO
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, which marine propulsion device comprises an engine adapted to be mounted ~ 25~
interiorly oE the boat, a drive unit. adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteri.orly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the kransom about a generally vertical ~teering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boa~ and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel condult communlcating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication be-tween the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communica-tion between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating wit~ the interior of the housing conduit for venting the interior of the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the ~ransom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving khe fuel conduit between khe fuel tanlc and '~
-4~-the engine and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the engine so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the bousing conduit for venting the interior of the housing conduit.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat hav.ing an interior and a transom including therein an opening, which marine propulsion apparatus comprises a propulsion Ullit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit including an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom with the interior of the housing conduit in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the housing ~g~
conduit adjacent the uel tank for venting the housing conduit to the boat exterior.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening~
a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between the fuel chamber and the engine and extending through the transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving the fuel conduit between the fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to the fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and each of the fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with the interior of the housing conduit adjacent the fuel tank for venting the interior of the housing conduit to exteriorly of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom including an opening, a propulsion unit mounted exteriorly of the teansom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between the source of fuel and the engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat and extending through the transom to the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and including an interior receiving the portion of the supply conduit means, means sealingly connecting the housing means to the transom with the interior o~ the housing means in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between the interior of the housing means and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to exterior of the boat.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat, which marine p.ropulsion installation comprises an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly oE the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, :Euel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with ~he interior for venting the interior of the housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
The invention also provides a marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and inclllding a rotatably mounted propeller driven by the engine, a ~ource of fuel located interiorly of the boa~, fuel supply conduit means extending interiorly of the boat and communicating between the source of fuel and the engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and to the engine and including an interior receiving the fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with the interior of the housing means for venting the interior of the housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
A principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device comprising an engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of a boat, supply conduit means com~unicating between the source of Euel and the engine, and fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to the source of fuel and surrounding the portion of the supply conduit means located interiorly of the boat~ This allows the fuel to be pumped under pressure from the source of fuel to the engine while substantially eliminating the possibility of the fuel leaking from the supply conduit means into the bilge of the boat.
Another principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device as described above and comprising an outboard motor pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom of the boat, wherein the supply conduit extends from the source of fuel through an opening in the transom to the engine, and wherein the housing conduit is sealed to the interior of the transom in communication with the opening in the transo~. Thus, the housing conduit surrounds the entire length of the supply conduit inside the boat and is vented to the atmosphere via the opening in the transom.
Another principal feature of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device as described above and comprising an inboard engine including an intake manifold, and conduit means communicating between the intake manifold and the housing conduit adjacent the engine. This allows venting of the housing condult through the engine.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
s OESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_ _ Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a marine propulsion installation embodying the invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1~
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view talcen along Line 3-3 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view si~ilar to Fig. 1 of an alternative embodiment of ~he invention.
Before one embodiment of the invention is explalned in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of 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 carrled out in various ways. ~lso, 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIM NT
Figure 1 is a partially schematic view of a marine propulsion installation 10 embodying the invention. The installation l0 comprises a boat 12 having an interior, an exterior, and a transom 14 having an opening 16 therein. The installation 10 also comprises a marine propulsion device including an engine 18, and a rotatably mounted propeller 20 driven by the engine 18. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the marine propulsion device is an outboard motor 22 pivotally ~ounted on s the exterior of the transom 14 for pivotal movement relative to the transom 14 about a generally vertical steering axis 24, and about a generally horiæontal tiLt axis 25.
In an alternative embodiment which is illustrated in Fig. 4, the marine propulsion device is a stern drive or inboard/outboard unit. In another alternative embodiment, the marine propulsion device can include an engine which is located within the boat and which drives a propeller supported for rotation about an axis fixed with respect to the boat.
The marine propulsion installation 10 also comprises a source of fueL located interiorly of the boa~ 12. Preferably, ~he source of fuel includes a conventional fuel tank 26 having an exterior and including a fuel chamber 28, and a pump 30 mounted interiorly of the fuel tank 26 within the fuel chamber 28. The fuel tank 26 also includes a removable fill cap 32, and a conduit 34 venting the fuel chamber 2R to the exterior of the boat 12.
While other constructions can be used, in the illustrated construction, the pump 3Q is a submersible electric pump equipped with a fuel filter 36 which reaches to the bottom of the uel chamber 28.
The marine propulsion installation 10 also comprises supply conduit means communicating between the fuel tank 26 and the engine 18 and having a portion located interiorly of the boat 12. In the preferred embodiment, the supply conduit means includes a flexible supply conduit 38 extending through the opening 16 in the transom 14 and communicating between the pump 30 and the engine 18.
The pump 30 delivess fuel under pressure through the -.
supply conduit 38 to the engine 18.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine pcopulsion installation 10 further comprises return conduit means communicating between the engine 18 and the fuel chamber 28 of the fuel tank 26 and having a portion located interiorly of the boat 12. The return conduit means returns fuel not consumed by the engine 18 to the fuel chamber 2a. Preferably, the return conduit means includes a flexible return conduit 40 communicating between the engine 18 and th~ fuel chamber 28.
The marine propulsion installation 10 further comprises fuel imp~rmeable housing means sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 and surrounding the portions of the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 located interiorly of the boat 12. In the preferred embodimentf the housing means is a housing conduit 42 that is sealingly connect~d to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 so as to prevent communication between the hou5ing conduit 42 and the interior of the boat 12, and between the housing csnduit 42 and the fuel cha~ber 28. The connection of the housing conduit 42 to the fuel tank 26 is best shown in Fiy~ 3. The end of the housing-conduit 42 is closedr except for two openings through which the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 extend~ and only the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 communicate with the fuel chamber 280 The housing conduit 42 surrounds the portions of the supply and return conduits 38 and 40 extending between the fuel tank 26 and the transom 14.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine propulsion installation 10 further comprises means for sealingly connecting the housing conduit 42 to the interior of the transom 14 in communication with the opening 16 in the transom 14 and so as to prevent communication between the housing conduit 42 and interior of the boat 12. In the construction shown in Fig. l, the aft end of the housing conduit 42 includes an annular flange, and the sealing means includes sc~ews 43 securing the flange to the transo~
14. Thus, the ends of the housing conduit 42 are sealingly connected to the fuel tank 26 and to the interior o~ the transom 14, so that any fuel leaking into the housing conduit 42 cannot leak into the interior of the boat 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the marine propulsion installation lO further comprises means for venting the housing conduit 42 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, the venting means includes the means connecting ~he housing conduit 42 to the transom 14 so that the 5~
.
g interior of the housing conduit 42 is vented to the exterior of the boat 12 via the opening 16 in the transom 14. Preerably, the venting means also includes ~eans communicating with the housing conduit 14 adjacent the fuel tank 26 for venting the nousing conduit 42 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, this means includes a venting conduit 44 having one end communicating with the housing conduit 42 and an opposite end communicating with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat 12.
With the housing conduit 42 being vented at one end by the venting conduit 44 and at the other end through the opening 16 in the transom 14, constant air flow through the housing conduit 42 is permitted. This facilitates the removal of fuel s vapors collecting in the housing conduit 42.
Figure 4 is a partially schematic view of a marine propulsion installation that is an alternative embodiment of the invention. The installation comprises a marine propulsion device 50 which is a stern drive or inboard~outboard unit including an engine 52 mounted inside the boat 12!
and a propulsion unit 54 mounted on the exterlor of the transom 14 for pivotal movement relative to the transom 14 about a generally vertical steering axis 56, and about a generally horizontal tilt axis 57.
~he engine 52 includes a vacuum source, preferably an intake manifold 58.
The installation also comprises supply and return conduits 60 and 62 communicating between the engine 52 and the fueL tank 26, and a housing conduit 64 sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel tank 26 and surrounding the supply conduit 60 and the return conduit 62. In this embodim~nt, th~
portions of the supply and return c:onduits ~ and 4 located interiorly of the boat 12 are the entire conduits. The housing conduit 64 i.s sealingly connected to the exterior of the fuel ~ank 26 as in the preferred embodiment, and is similarly sealingly connected to the en~ine 52. In the illustrated construction, the housing conduit 64 extends inside the engine compartment 65 and is sealingly connected to the engine 52 so as to prevent fuel from leaking into the engine compartment 65.
The installation further comprises means for venting the housing condui~ 64 to the exterior of the boat 12. In the illustrated construction, the venting means includes conduit means 66 communicating between the intake manifold 58 and the housing conduit 64 adjacent the engine 52.
Preferably, the venting means also includes a venting conduit 68 having one end communicating with the housing conduit 64 adjacent the fuel tank 26, and an opposite end communicating with the atmosphere exteriorly o~ the boat 12. With the housing conduit 64 being vented at one end into the intake manifold 58 and at the other end by the venting conduit 68, constant air flow through the housing conduit 64 is e~tablished. Fuel vapors collecting inside the housing conduit 64 are sucked in~o the intake manifold 58 via the conduit means 66 and are exhausted through the engine 52.
Various other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (43)
1. A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an exterior and an interior, said marine propulsion installation comprising an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, supply conduit means communicating between said source of fuel and said engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and surrounding said portion of said supply conduit means.
2. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 and further comprising means for venting said housing means to the exterior of the boat.
3. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 2 wherein the boat includes a transom including an opening, wherein said engine is adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom, wherein said supply conduit extends through the opening in the transom to said engine, and wherein said venting means includes means for sealingly connecting said housing means to the interior of the transom in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between said housing means and the interior of the boat.
4. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said engine is adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, and wherein said means for venting said housing means includes conduit means communicating with said housing means adjacent said engine and with said engine for venting said housing means into said engine.
5. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 4 wherein said engine includes a vacuum source, and wherein said means for venting said housing means includes conduit means communicating between said vacuum source and said housing means adjacent said engine.
6. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said venting means includes means communicating with said housing means adjacent said source of fuel for venting said housing means to the exterior of the boat.
7. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the boat includes a transom including an opening, wherein said engine is adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom, wherein said supply conduit extends through the opening in the transom to said engine, and wherein said marine propulsion device further comprises means for sealingly connecting said housing means to the interior of the transom in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between said housing means and the interior of the boat.
8. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and wherein said housing means is sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said housing means and the interior of the boat, and between said housing means and said fuel chamber.
9. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said source of fuel includes a fuel tank including a fuel chamber, and wherein said source of fuel further includes a pump mounted on said fuel tank and communicating with said fuel chamber and with said supply conduit means.
10. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 and further comprising return conduit means communicating between said engine and said source of fuel and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and wherein said housing means also surrounds said portion of said return conduit means.
11. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said supply conduit means includes a supply conduit communicating between said source of fuel and said engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and wherein said housing means includes a housing conduit surrounding said portion of said supply conduit.
12. A marine propulsion installation a set forth in Claim 11 and further comprising a return conduit communicating between said source of fuel and said engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, wherein said housing conduit also surrounds said portion of said return conduit.
13. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 12 and further comprising means for venting said housing conduit to the exterior of the boat.
14. A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom including an opening therein, said marine propulsion installation comprising a propulsion unit including a rotably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, said propulsion unit being adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, said source of fuel including a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of said fuel tank and communicating with said fuel chamber, a supply conduit extending through the opening in the transom and communicating between said pump and said engine, a return conduit extending through the opening in the transom and communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between said housing conduit and said fuel chamber, said housing conduit surrounding said supply conduit and said return conduit between said fuel tank and the opening in the transom, means for sealing said housing conduit to the interior of the transom in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said housing conduit to the exterior of the boat.
15. A marine propulsion installation for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom, said marine propulsion installation comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat and including a vacuum source, and a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom and including a rotably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, said source of fuel including a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of said fuel tank and communicating with said fuel chamber, a supply conduit communicating between said pump and said engine, a return conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between said housing conduit and said fuel chamber, said housing conduit surrounding said supply conduit and said return conduit between said fuel tank and said engine, means communicating with said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said housing conduit to the exterior of the boat, and conduit means communicating between said vacuum source and said housing conduit adjacent said engine.
16. A marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, said marine propulsion device comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said engine and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to said engine so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with said housing conduit for venting said housing conduit.
17. A marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of said boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on said boat exteriorly of said transom for pivotal movement relative to said transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of said boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and wholly located interiorly of said boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said engine and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and said boat interior and sealingly connected to said engine so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and said boat interior, and means communicating with said housing conduit for venting said housing conduit.
18. A marine propulsion apparatus for use on a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, said marine propulsion apparatus comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit surrounding said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom in communication with the transom opening so as to prevent communication between said housing and the boat interior, and means communicating with said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said housing conduit to the boat exterior.
19. A marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on said boat exteriorly of said transom for pivotal movement relative to said transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of said boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and extending through said transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit surrounding said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said transom opening and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and said boat interior and sealingly connected to said transom in communication with said transom opening so as to prevent communication between said housing and said boat interior, and means communicating with said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said housing conduit to said boat exterior.
20. A marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom including an opening, said marine propulsion installation comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the transom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between said source of fuel and said engine and having a portion located interiorly of the boat and adapted to extend through the transom to said engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and including an interior receiving said portion of said supply conduit means, means adapted for sealingly connecting said housing means to the transom with said interior of said housing means in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing means and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with said interior of said housing means for venting said interior of said housing means to exterior of the boat.
21. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 20 wherein said venting means includes means communicating with said interior of said housing means adjacent said source of fuel for venting said interior of said housing means to the exterior of the boat.
22. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 20 wherein said source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and wherein said housing means is sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing means and the interior of the boat, and between said interior of said housing means and said fuel chamber.
23. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 20 and further comprising return conduit means communicating between said engine and said source of fuel and having a portion located interiorly of the boat, and wherein said housing means also surrounds said portion of said return conduit means.
24. A marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having a transom, said marine propulsion installation comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between said source of fuel and said engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and to said engine and including an interior receiving said fuel supply conduit means, and means for venting said interior of said housing including a conduit communicating with said interior of said housing means adjacent said engine and with said engine for venting said interior of said housing means into said engine.
25. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 24 wherein said engine includes a vacuum source, and wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing means includes conduit means communicating between said vacuum source and said interior of said housing means adjacent said engine.
26. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 24 wherein said venting means includes means communicating with said interior of said housing means adjacent said source of fuel for venting said interior of said housing means to the exterior of the boat.
27. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 24 wherein said source of fuel includes a fuel tank having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, and wherein said housing means is sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing means and the interior of the boat, and between said interior of said housing means and said fuel chamber.
28. A marine propulsion installation as set forth in Claim 24 and further comprising return conduit means communicating between said engine and said source of fuel, and wherein said housing means also surrounds said return conduit.
29. A marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom including an opening therein, said marine propulsion installation comprising a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, said propulsion unit being adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, said source of fuel including a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of said fuel tank and communicating with said fuel chamber, a supply conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transom and communicating between said pump and said engine, a return conduit adapted to extend through the opening in the transom and communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving said supply conduit and said return conduit between said fuel tank and the opening in the transom, being sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between said interior of said housing conduit and said fuel chamber, means for sealing said housing conduit to the interior of the transom and with said interior of said housing conduit in communication with the opening in the transom and so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said interior of said housing conduit to the exterior of the boat.
30. A marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat having an interior, an exterior, and a transom, said marine propulsion installation comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat and including a vacuum source, and a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the exterior of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, said source of fuel including a fuel tank having an exterior and including a fuel chamber, and a pump mounted interiorly of said fuel tank and communicating with said fuel chamber, a supply conduit communicating between said pump and said engine, a return conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine, a fuel impermeable housing conduit including an interior receiving said supply conduit and said return conduit between said fuel tank and said engine, and being sealingly connected to said exterior of said fuel tank so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and the interior of the boat, and between said interior of said housing conduit and said fuel chamber, means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said interior of said housing conduit to the exterior of the boat, and conduit means communicating between said vacuum source and said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said engine.
31. A marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat having an interior and a transom, said marine propulsion device comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a drive unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and adapted to be wholly located interiorly of the boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said engine and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and the boat interior and sealingly connected to said engine so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit for venting said interior of said housing conduit.
32. A marine propulsion apparatus in accordance with Claim 31 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a vent conduit communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank and adapted to communicate with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat.
33. A marine propulsion apparatus in accordance with Claim 31 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a conduit extending between said interior of said housing conduit and said engine.
34. A marine propulsion apparatus in accordance with Claim 31 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a vent conduit communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank and adapted to communicate with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat, and a conduit extending between said interior of said housing conduit and said engine.
35. A marine propulsion installation including a boat having an interior and a transom, an engine mounted interiorly of said boat, a drive unit pivotally mounted on said boat exteriorly of said transom for pivotal movement relative to said transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a fuel tank located interiorly of said boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and wholly located interiorly of said boat, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said engine and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and said boat interior and sealingly connected to said engine so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and said boat interior, and means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit for venting said interior of said housing conduit.
36. A marine propulsion installation in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a vent conduit communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank and with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat.
37. A marine propulsion installation in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a conduit extending between said interior of said housing conduit and said engine.
38. A marine propulsion installation in accordance with Claim 35 wherein said means for venting said interior of said housing conduit comprises a vent conduit communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank and with the atmosphere exteriorly of the boat, and a conduit extending between said interior of said housing conduit and said engine.
39. A marine propulsion apparatus adapted for use on a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, said marine propulsion apparatus comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, a fuel tank adapted to be located interiorly of the boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and adapted to extend through the opening in the transom, a fuel impermeably housing conduit including an interior receiving said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and the transom opening and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and the boat interior and adapted to be sealingly connected to the transom with said interior of said housing conduit in communication with the transom opening and so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and the boat interior, and means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said housing conduit to the boat exterior.
40. A marine propulsion installation comprising a boat having an interior and a transom including therein an opening, a propulsion unit pivotally mounted on said boat exteriorly of said transom for pivotal movement relative to said transom about a generally vertical steering axis and including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to said propeller, a fuel tank located interiorly of said boat and having an exterior and including an interior fuel chamber, a fuel conduit communicating between said fuel chamber and said engine and extending through said transom opening, a fuel impermeable housing conduit having an interior receiving said fuel conduit between said fuel tank and said transom opening and sealingly connected to said fuel tank exterior so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and each of said fuel chamber and said boat interior and sealingly connected to said transom in communication with said transom opening and so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing conduit and said boat interior, and means communicating with said interior of said housing conduit adjacent said fuel tank for venting said interior of said housing conduit to exteriorly of said boat.
41. A marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom including an opening, a propulsion unit mounted exteriorly of said transom and including an engine, and a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel located interiorly of said boat, fuel supply conduit means communicating between said source of fuel and said engine and having a portion located interiorly of said boat and extending through said transom to said engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and including an interior receiving said portion of said supply conduit means, means sealingly connecting said housing means to said transom with said interior of said housing means in communication with said transom opening and so as to prevent communication between said interior of said housing means and the interior of said boat, and means communicating with said interior of said housing means for venting said interior of said housing means to exterior of said boat.
42. A marine propulsion installation adapted for use on a boat, said marine propulsion installation comprising an engine adapted to be mounted interiorly of the boat, a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on the boat exteriorly of the transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel adapted to be located interiorly of the boat, fuel supply conduit means adapted to extend interiorly of the boat and communicating between said source of fuel and said engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and to said engine and including an interior receiving said fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with said interior for venting said interior of said housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
43. A marine propulsion installation including a boat having a transom. an engine mounted interiorly of said boat, a propulsion unit mounted on said boat exteriorly of said transom and including a rotatably mounted propeller driven by said engine, a source of fuel located interiorly of said boat, fuel supply conduit means extending interiorly of said boat and communicating between said source of fuel and said engine, fuel impermeable housing means sealingly connected to said source of fuel and to said engine and including an interior receiving said fuel supply conduit means, and means communicating with said interior of said housing means for venting said interior of said housing means to the atmosphere above the normal water level.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US727,814 | 1985-04-26 | ||
| US06/727,814 US4722708A (en) | 1985-04-26 | 1985-04-26 | Marine propulsion device fuel distribution system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1258004A true CA1258004A (en) | 1989-08-01 |
Family
ID=24924184
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000497946A Expired CA1258004A (en) | 1985-04-26 | 1985-12-18 | Marine propulsion device fuel distribution system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4722708A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0688560B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1258004A (en) |
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| JPS63102806A (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-07 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Multi-spindle head exchange type machine tool |
| JPS63102807A (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-07 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Multi-spindle exchange type machine tool |
| JPS63102804A (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-07 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Method of indexing multi-spindle head in multi-spindle head exchange type machine tool, and device therefor |
| JPS63102810A (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-07 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Multi-spindle head exchange type machine tool |
| JPH0443436Y2 (en) * | 1987-03-26 | 1992-10-14 | ||
| US4940027A (en) * | 1988-04-15 | 1990-07-10 | Brunswick Corp. | Marine engine with water cooled fuel line from remote tank |
| CA2019360C (en) * | 1989-06-21 | 1994-05-17 | Mitsumasa Mito | Fuel injection system |
| GB2235265A (en) * | 1989-08-11 | 1991-02-27 | Ford Motor Co | A fuel tank closure component with push-fit pipe couplings |
| US5076242A (en) * | 1990-07-18 | 1991-12-31 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Integral fuel line |
| US5103793A (en) * | 1991-01-15 | 1992-04-14 | Brunswick Corporation | Vapor separator for an internal combustion engine |
| GB2258694A (en) * | 1991-08-15 | 1993-02-17 | Ford Motor Co | I.c.engine fuel supply and return pipe arrangment. |
| US5404858A (en) * | 1991-10-18 | 1995-04-11 | Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | High pressure fuel feeding device for fuel injection engine |
| JP3422811B2 (en) * | 1993-01-13 | 2003-06-30 | ヤマハマリン株式会社 | Fuel injection engine |
| US5368001A (en) * | 1994-01-21 | 1994-11-29 | Walbro Corporation | Fuel handling system |
| CH689281A5 (en) * | 1994-02-03 | 1999-01-29 | Christian Dipl-Ing Eth Mathis | Fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, especially for a diesel engine, and a method for monitoring the same. |
| JPH09184462A (en) | 1995-12-28 | 1997-07-15 | Yamaha Motor Co Ltd | Small jet propelling vessel |
| IT1284334B1 (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 1998-05-18 | Fiat Ricerche | FUEL CONTAINMENT AND COLLECTION STRUCTURE FOR A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL ENGINE INJECTION SYSTEM |
| JPH10196394A (en) * | 1996-12-28 | 1998-07-28 | Yamaha Motor Co Ltd | Small ship |
| CN1192936C (en) | 1999-08-18 | 2005-03-16 | 威廉·劳森 | Outboard jet drive boat |
| US6244917B1 (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2001-06-12 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Fuel delivery system for a boat |
| US6379200B1 (en) | 2000-07-21 | 2002-04-30 | Bombardier Motor Corporation Of America | Watercraft fuel supply apparatus and method |
| JP4128503B2 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2008-07-30 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel tank |
| US7220154B2 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2007-05-22 | Sword Marine Technology, Inc. | Outboard jet drive marine propulsion system |
| EP1750996A4 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2009-08-19 | Sword Marine Technology Llc | Outboard jet drive marine propulsion system and control lever therefor |
| JP2010101488A (en) * | 2008-09-18 | 2010-05-06 | Yamaha Motor Co Ltd | Fuel supply system for outboard motor, and outboard motor |
| ITUD20120150A1 (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2014-03-01 | Energy Automation S R L | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE DISTRIBUTION AND MONITORING OF GAS IN GAS PIPELINES |
| US9815539B1 (en) | 2016-06-21 | 2017-11-14 | Brian Provost | Outboard-motor vibration-isolating cooler method |
| US9545985B1 (en) * | 2016-06-21 | 2017-01-17 | Brian Provost | Outboard-motor closed-loop cooler system method |
| US11092116B1 (en) | 2017-10-31 | 2021-08-17 | Brp Us Inc. | Fuel system for internal combustion engine and marine outboard engine |
| CN110454304A (en) * | 2019-08-26 | 2019-11-15 | 安庆泰邦船舶科技有限公司 | Self-operated type stable-pressure device peculiar to vessel |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA666124A (en) * | 1963-07-02 | The Tillotson Manufacturing Company | Fuel feed system for charge forming apparatus | |
| US741512A (en) * | 1903-05-04 | 1903-10-13 | Charles H Lee | Marine vessel. |
| US1724559A (en) * | 1925-08-19 | 1929-08-13 | Thomas J Butler | Motor boat and propelling means therefor |
| US3031010A (en) * | 1958-07-30 | 1962-04-24 | Chrysler Corp | Fuel filter and vapor separator |
| US3696799A (en) * | 1970-12-04 | 1972-10-10 | Herbert M Gauck | Gas vapor device |
| US3977379A (en) * | 1971-01-05 | 1976-08-31 | Joseph Weissenbach | Contained volatile liquids vapor retention system |
| US3645244A (en) * | 1971-03-31 | 1972-02-29 | Gen Motors Corp | System for mixing air with fuel tank vapor |
| IT1009230B (en) * | 1974-03-07 | 1976-12-10 | Lancia E C Fabbrica Automobili | FUEL SYSTEM OF THE BUSTIBLE COM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES FOR VEHICLES |
| US3957025A (en) * | 1974-11-04 | 1976-05-18 | Rohr Industries, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling displaced vapor emissions in motor vehicles |
| DE2549104A1 (en) * | 1975-11-03 | 1977-05-05 | Volkswagenwerk Ag | FUEL CONVEYOR |
| DE2841557A1 (en) * | 1978-09-23 | 1980-04-03 | Daimler Benz Ag | FUEL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL VEHICLE |
| US4416638A (en) * | 1979-03-20 | 1983-11-22 | Frank Ellis | Apparatus for feeding fuel to a marine engine |
| US4371348A (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1983-02-01 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Mounting for marine propulsion device located aft of boat transom |
| US4375356A (en) * | 1980-09-24 | 1983-03-01 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Arrangement for supplying air, fuel, power and control cables to a marine propulsion unit |
| US4362130A (en) * | 1981-05-26 | 1982-12-07 | Antonio Robinson | Supplementary composition for and a method of combustion-burning of gasoline |
-
1985
- 1985-04-26 US US06/727,814 patent/US4722708A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-12-18 CA CA000497946A patent/CA1258004A/en not_active Expired
-
1986
- 1986-02-17 JP JP61032670A patent/JPH0688560B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0688560B2 (en) | 1994-11-09 |
| JPS61249898A (en) | 1986-11-07 |
| US4722708A (en) | 1988-02-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |