Water cooled fuel reservoir for a carburetor of a marine propulsion device

Abstract

A water cooled fuel reservoir is provided for a carbureted engine. Water is drawn by a pump from a body of water and caused to flow to a water jacket surrounding a fuel reservoir of the carburetor. The fuel reservoir, or float bowl, stores a quantity of liquid fuel which is cooled by thermal contact with the water in a water jacket of the water reservoir.

1 . A marine propulsion device having an engine, comprising:
 a carburetor;   a fuel reservoir configured to contain a volume of fuel for use by said carburetor;   a water reservoir disposed in thermal communication with said fuel, said water reservoir comprising a water jacket substantially surrounding said fuel reservoir;   a water pump configured to draw water from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operating, said water pump being connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir to direct said water from said body of water into said water reservoir; and   an outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a powerhead base configured to support said engine and to direct said water to said water reservoir and to said engine.   
     
     
         3 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said water reservoir is configured to direct said water from said water reservoir back to said body of water.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said water reservoir comprises a water conduit disposed around said fuel reservoir.   
     
     
         6 . A marine propulsion device having an engine, comprising:
 a carburetor;   a fuel reservoir configured to contain a volume of fuel for use by said carburetor;   a water reservoir disposed in thermal communication with said fuel reservoir, said water reservoir comprising a water jacket substantially surrounding said fuel reservoir;   a water pump configured to draw water from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operating, said water pump being connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir to direct said water from said body of water into said water reservoir;   a powerhead base configured to support said engine; and   an outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir.   
     
     
         7 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said powerhead base is configured to direct said water to said water reservoir and to said engine.   
     
     
         8 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said powerhead base is an adapter plate.   
     
     
         9 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said water reservoir is configured to direct said water from said water reservoir back to said body of water.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said water reservoir comprises a water conduit disposed around said fuel reservoir.   
     
     
         12 . A marine propulsion device having an engine, comprising:
 a carburetor;   a fuel reservoir configured to contain a volume of fuel for use by said carburetor;   a water reservoir disposed in thermal communication with said fuel reservoir, said water reservoir comprising a water jacket substantially surrounding said fuel reservoir;   a water pump configured to draw water from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operating, said water pump being connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir to direct said water from said body of water into said water reservoir;   an outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said water reservoir; and   a powerhead base configured to support said engine and to direct said water to said water reservoir and to said engine.   
     
     
         13 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said marine propulsion device is an outboard motor.   
     
     
         14 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said water reservoir is configured to direct said water from said water reservoir back to said body of water.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The marine propulsion device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 said water reservoir comprises a water conduit disposed around said fuel reservoir.