Patent ID: 6439938
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: F01L,F02B,F02M

Abstract:
An outboard motor comprising a cowling having an air intake duct configured to introduce air into the cowling from the environment outside of the cowling, a four-cycle internal combustion engine positioned within the cowling and adapted to drive a substantially vertically oriented crankshaft, the engine comprising, a combustion chamber, an induction system configured to supply intake air to the combustion chamber, and an exhaust system configured to conduct combustion products away from the combustion chamber, the induction system arranged generally on one of a first side of the engine and a second side of the engine, and the exhaust system arranged generally on the other of the first side and second side of the engine, a camshaft driven by the crankshaft, a variable valve timing mechanism cooperating with the camshaft and positioned at an upper end of the camshaft, an engine cover positioned between an upper end of the engine and the air intake duct, the engine cover having a first upwardly-extending rib positioned between the air intake duct and the first side of the engine, a second upwardly-extending rib positioned between the air intake and a front side of the engine, and an upwardly-extending portion positioned generally above the variable valve timing mechanism, the ribs and upwardly-extending portion configured to direct air from the air intake duct toward the second side of the engine and away from the variable valve timing mechanism, wherein the air intake duct is positioned offset toward the second side of the engine and generally forwardly of the upwardly-extending portion of the engine cover.