Patent ID: 6022254
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B63H,F01N

Abstract:
In an inboard/outboard marine propulsion system including an internal combustion engine mounted within a boat and an outdrive mounted to the boat rearward of the transom, an improved exhaust system comprising:a transom including an exhaust opening through which water-cooled exhaust flows into the outdrive;a water-jacketed exhaust elbow mounted to the engine that receives engine exhaust from the engine exhaust manifold and also spent cooling water from an engine cooling system, and that discharges water-cooled exhaust gas in a rearward direction towards the transom;an exhaust system water separator mounted in a fixed position relative to the transom and having an outlet portion that discharges water-cooled exhaust through the exhaust opening in the transom;a rigid intermediate exhaust pipe having an inlet portion that receives the water-cooled exhaust directly from the water-jacketed exhaust elbow and an outlet portion that is connected to an inlet portion of the water separator;wherein the connection between the intermediate exhaust pipe outlet portion and the water separator inlet portion comprises a sealed latching mechanism that allows the orientation of the intermediate exhaust pipe to be rotated with respect to the water separator inlet portion, thereby allowing the intermediate exhaust pipe inlet portion to be properly aligned with a cooling water discharge outlet for the exhaust elbow.