Large outboard motor for marine vessel application and related methods of making and operating same

摘要

An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

主权项

1. An outboard motor configured for attachment to and use with a marine vessel, the outboard motor comprising:
an internal combustion engine that provides rotational power output via a crankshaft that extends horizontally or substantially horizontally, wherein either the internal combustion engine is entirely or substantially above a trimming axis of the outboard motor, or the crankshaft is above the trimming axis of the outboard motor; a propeller rotatable about a propeller axis and positioned vertically below the internal combustion engine when the outboard motor is in a standard operational position; and at least one transmission device that allows for transmission of at least some of the rotational power output to the propeller, wherein an aft surface of the internal combustion engine is rigidly attached to a first transmission device of the at least one transmission device, wherein the first transmission device is further rigidly attached to a second transmission device, wherein the second transmission device is positioned substantially below the internal combustion engine, between the internal combustion engine and the propeller axis, the second transmission device being in addition to a third transmission device within a gear casing of the outboard motor, and wherein the second transmission device is further rigidly attached, at least indirectly by an additional rigid member, to the internal combustion engine, whereby in combination the internal combustion engine, first and second transmission devices, and additional rigid member form a rigid combination structure that is substantially rectangular.