초록 ▼

A noise-reducing engine enclosure for an engine includes first and second members removably mounted to one another in cooperating relation to define an engine receiving space therebetween. The first and second members each include a noise-reducing layer of material to reduce noise transmission to th

A noise-reducing engine enclosure for an engine includes first and second members removably mounted to one another in cooperating relation to define an engine receiving space therebetween. The first and second members each include a noise-reducing layer of material to reduce noise transmission to the atmosphere outside of the engine enclosure during operation. The first and second members are movable between (1) an engine accessing position, wherein the first and second members are positioned to allow access to the engine during operation and (2) an engine enclosing position, wherein the first and second members cooperate to define the engine receiving space to receive and enclose the engine therein such that noise transmission to the atmosphere during operation is reduced.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A noise-reducing engine enclosure for surrounding an engine, comprising:a first member; and a second member, the first member and the second member being positioned in cooperating relation with respect to each other to define an engine receiving space between said first and second members, said e

1. A noise-reducing engine enclosure for surrounding an engine, comprising:a first member; and a second member, the first member and the second member being positioned in cooperating relation with respect to each other to define an engine receiving space between said first and second members, said engine receiving space being configured to receive and enclose the engine therein, said first and second members each including a noise-reducing layer of material constructed and arranged to reduce noise transmission to an atmosphere external of said engine receiving space during operation of the engine, and said first member being movable with respect to said second member between (1) an engine accessing position, wherein said first and second members are positioned to allow access to the engine and (2) an engine enclosing position, wherein said first and second members enclose the engine therein such that transmission of noise from said engine receiving space during operation of the engine is reduced. 2. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second members defines at least one opening, the at least one opening being configured to at least one of allow air to be communicated to the engine and enable functional components external to the enclosure to be operatively connected to the engine.3. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said noise-reducing layer of material comprises a plurality of layers constructed and arranged to reduce noise transmission to the atmosphere external of said engine receiving space.4. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 3, wherein said plurality of layers includes an absorbing layer configured to absorb noise, a sound barrier layer configured to reduce noise transmission to the atmosphere external of said engine receiving space and a protective layer configured to surround said absorbing layer and said sound barrier layer.5. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 4, wherein said absorbing layer includes foam.6. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein said foam is an open cell foam.7. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 5, wherein said sound barrier layer includes rubber.8. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 4, wherein said sound barrier layer includes rubber.9. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 4, wherein said protective layer includes at least one of fiberglass, plastic and metal.10. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 4, wherein said sound barrier layer is positioned between said protective layer and said absorbing layer, and wherein said absorbing layer, said protective layer, and said sound barrier layer are bonded together.11. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second members are releasably secured to one another.12. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first member is removable with respect to said second member.13. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second members are removably mounted to one another by a releasable fastener, said releasable fastener being movable between a released position, wherein said first and second members are permitted to move into said engine accessing position, and a fastened position, wherein said first and second members are releasably secured in said engine enclosing position.14. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second members each have a mounting structure, wherein said mounting structure of said first member engages said mounting structure of said second member such that said first and second members are releasably mounted to one another by an interference fit between said mounting structures.15. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 14, wherein said first and second members are each formed of a plurality of layers, and wherein the mounting structure of the first and second members includes interlocking layers.16. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first member includes a lid portion and an intermediate portion, wherein the lid portion is separable from the intermediate portion.17. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 16, wherein said lid member includes an upper wall and a plurality of side walls, said intermediate member includes a plurality of side walls, and said second member includes a lower wall and a plurality of side walls.18. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 17, wherein said upper and side walls of said lid member, said side walls of said intermediate member and said lower wall and side walls of said second member have surfaces that define said engine receiving space.19. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one opening is insulated to reduce noise transmission to the atmosphere external of said engine receiving space.20. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 2, further comprising a hose extending from said at least one opening.21. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, in combination with an engine, wherein said second member includes a lower wall and side walls that are configured to engage and carry a lower portion of said engine.22. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second members each include an inner foam layer, an outer fiberglass layer and an intermediate rubber layer positioned between said inner foam layer and said outer fiberglass layer to a form the noise-reducing layer of material.23. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, in combination with a personal watercraft having an engine, wherein the engine is retained within the engine enclosure.24. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, in combination with a snowmobile having an engine, wherein the engine is retained within the engine enclosure.25. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed between said first member and said second member in the engine enclosing position.26. A noise-reducing enclosure for surrounding an engine to reduce noise transmission from the engine to an atmosphere external of the noise-reducing enclosure, comprising:a first member having a first engine surrounding wall; and a second member having a second engine surrounding wall, said first and second engine surrounding walls each including a noise-reducing layer of material and being engageable in cooperating relation with one another to define an engine receiving space therebetween in which noise transmission to the atmosphere from an engine retained within the enclosure during operation is reduced by said noise-reducing layer of material, said first and second members providing at least one opening, said engine-surrounding wall of said first member engaging a first portion of said engine and said engine-surrounding wall of said second member engaging a second portion of said engine. 27. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 26, wherein the at least one opening is configured either to allow air to be communicated to the engine receiving space or to enable functional components external to the enclosure to be operatively connected to the engine.28. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 26 in combination with an engine, wherein the engine surrounding wall of said first member is spaced from a first portion of said engine and said engine surrounding wall of said second member is spaced from a second portion of said engine.29. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 26, wherein said noise-reducing layer of material comprises a plurality of layers.30. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 29, wherein said plurality of layers includes at least an absorbing layer configured to absorb noise, a sound barrier layer configured to reduce noise transmission to the atmosphere surrounding the engine and a protective layer configured to surround said absorbing layer and said sound barrier layer.31. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 30, wherein said absorbing layer includes foam.32. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 31, wherein the foam is an open cell foam.33. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 30, wherein said sound barrier layer includes rubber.34. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 30, wherein said protective layer includes at least one of fiberglass, plastic and metal.35. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 30, wherein said sound barrier layer is positioned between said protective layer and said absorbing layer and wherein said protective layer, said absorbing layer and said sound barrier layer are bonded together.36. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 26, in combination with an engine positioned in a vehicle, and wherein at least one of the first member and the second member comprises a portion of the vehicle.37. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 36, wherein the vehicle is a personal watercraft having a hull and a seat, and wherein at least one of a portion of the seat forms the first member and the a portion of the hull forms the second member.38. A noise-reducing engine enclosure as defined in claim 36, wherein the vehicle is a snowmobile, and wherein the first member constitutes at least a portion of a hood of the snowmobile.39. A personal watercraft, comprising:a hull; an engine that generates power supported by the hull; a propulsion system connected to said engine, wherein said propulsion system propels said watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power generated by said engine; and a noise-reducing engine enclosure supported by the hull and surrounding the engine, wherein said noise-reducing engine enclosure comprises: a first member having a first engine surrounding wall; and a second member having a second engine surrounding wall, said first and second engine surrounding walls each including a noise-reducing layer of material and being engageable in cooperating relation with one another to define an engine receiving space therebetween in which noise transmission to the atmosphere from an engine retained within the enclosure during operation is reduced by said noise-reducing layer of material, said first and second members providing at least one opening. 40. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 39, wherein said engine is an internal combustion engine with a driveshaft and wherein the personal watercraft further comprises:a fuel supply, said engine being in communication with said fuel supply by a fuel supply line; and an air intake for supplying air to said engine, wherein said at least one opening includes an opening in communication with said air intake, an opening that receives the fuel supply line and an opening that receives the driveshaft. 41. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 39, wherein said second member defines a propulsion system opening therethrough, and wherein said propulsion system includes a driveshaft, and said propulsion system opening surrounding a portion of said driveshaft.42. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 39, wherein said second member has a shape that substantially compliments said hull.43. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 39, wherein at least one of said first and second members forms part of at least one of a seat and the hull.44. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 39, further comprising a straddle seat supported by the hull and jet pump operatively connected to the engine.45. A personal watercraft comprising:a hull; an engine that generates power supported by the hull; a propulsion system connected to said engine, wherein said propulsion system propels said watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power generated by said engine; and a noise-reducing engine enclosure supported by the hull and surrounding the engine, wherein said noise-reducing engine enclosure comprises: a first member having a first engine surrounding wall; and a second member having a second engine surrounding wall, said first and second engine surrounding walls each including a noise-reducing layer of material and being engageable in cooperating relation with one another to define an engine receiving space therebetween in which noise transmission to the atmosphere from an engine retained within the enclosure during operation is reduced by said noise-reducing layer of material, said first and second members providing at least one opening. said first and second members each including a noise-reducing layer of material constructed and arranged to reduce noise transmission to an atmosphere external of said engine receiving space during operation of the engine, and said first member being movable with respect to said second member between (1) an engine accessing position, wherein said first and second members are positioned to allow access to the engine and (2) an engine enclosing position, wherein said first and second members enclose the engine therein such that transmission of noise from said engine receiving space during operation of the engine is reduced. 46. A personal watercraft as defined in claim 45, further comprising a straddle seat supported by the hull and jet pump operatively connected to the engine.