Sealed Marine Engine Air Intake Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine outboard engines face issues when positioned lower on a watercraft, as water ingress into the engine unit housing can occur, leading to air supply disruptions for combustion due to the partial submersion of the engine unit.
Innovation Solution
A marine engine assembly with a sealed engine unit housing and an air intake assembly that acts as a conduit to deliver air from outside the housing to the engine, preventing water and internal fluids from entering and ensuring continuous air supply for combustion, while maintaining the propeller at the correct depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the engine unit is positioned lower on the watercraft to allow more usable room, then the usable room in the watercraft is increased, but water can enter the engine unit housing and air cannot freely circulate for combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into separate components: an air intake assembly with conduit positioned outside the housing, and an air intake port positioned inside the housing. This segmentation allows the external conduit to remain above water level while the internal port supplies air to the engine, resolving the contradiction between lower engine positioning and reliable air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
An air intake assembly acts as an intermediary element between the external air source and the engine. The assembly includes a conduit that extends through the housing wall, providing a dedicated pathway for air to reach the engine even when the housing is submerged, thus maintaining air supply reliability while allowing lower engine positioning.
2Volume of moving object
If the engine unit is positioned lower on the watercraft, then the usable room in the watercraft is increased, but water ingress into the engine unit housing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake conduit is extracted from the internal housing environment and positioned externally. The conduit passes through the housing wall via a sealed opening, allowing air to be drawn from outside the housing while the housing itself remains sealed against water ingress. This extraction resolves the contradiction by separating the air intake function from the housing interior.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal is provided at the opening where the conduit passes through the housing wall. This seal acts as a flexible barrier that prevents water from entering the housing through the conduit opening while allowing the conduit to maintain its position. The seal resolves the contradiction by blocking water ingress paths while preserving air flow through the conduit.
3Reliability
If the housing is sealed to prevent water entry, then water ingress is prevented, but air cannot freely circulate into the engine unit for combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into an external conduit portion and an internal port portion. The sealed housing contains only the internal port, while the external conduit remains outside the housing. This segmentation allows the housing to remain sealed for water protection while the external conduit provides a dedicated air supply path to the internal port, resolving the contradiction between sealing and air circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake assembly serves as an intermediary that bridges the sealed housing environment and the external air source. The assembly's conduit provides a controlled pathway for air to enter the sealed housing and reach the engine, maintaining both water protection through sealing and air circulation through the intermediary conduit system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents water ingress into the engine unit, ensuring reliable air supply for combustion and maintaining engine performance even when partially submerged, thus addressing the challenges of water entry and air circulation in lower-positioned engines.
Implementation Method 1
an engine unit housing being sealed such that water in which the engine unit housing is immersed is impeded from entering the engine unit housing
Implementation Method 2
the air intake assembly forming a conduit between an exterior of the engine unit housing and the engine, the air intake assembly defining an inlet fluidly communicating with air exterior to the engine unit housing, the engine unit housing defining at least one aperture aligned with the inlet, the air intake assembly defining at least one outlet fluidly connected with at least one cylinder intake of the engine
Implementation Method 3
the air intake assembly being sealed such that fluids surrounding the air intake assembly within the engine unit housing are impeded from entering the air intake assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft and a marine engine assembly for mounting to a watercraft are disclosed. The marine engine assembly includes an engine unit including: an engine unit housing being sealed such that water in which the engine unit housing is immersed is impeded from entering the engine unit housing; an engine in the housing; and an air intake assembly in the engine unit housing which forms a conduit between an exterior of the engine unit housing and the engine, the air intake assembly defining an inlet fluidly communicating with exterior air, the engine unit housing defining at least one aperture aligned with the inlet, the air intake assembly defining at least one outlet fluidly connected with the engine intake, the air intake assembly being sealed such that surrounding fluids within the engine unit housing are impeded from entering the air intake assembly; and a propulsion device operatively connected to the engine.