IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
UP-0962396
(2007-12-21)
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등록번호 |
US-7841915
(2011-01-31)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Bourret, Michel
- Denis, Andre
- Schuler, Marc
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.
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대리인 / 주소 |
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
7 인용 특허 :
20 |
초록
▼
A watercraft has a jet pump and a venturi. A variable trim system (VTS) support and a reverse gate are rotationally mounted relative to the venturi. A steering nozzle is rotationally mounted to the VTS support. A rotary actuator has an output portion operatively connected to at least one of the VTS
A watercraft has a jet pump and a venturi. A variable trim system (VTS) support and a reverse gate are rotationally mounted relative to the venturi. A steering nozzle is rotationally mounted to the VTS support. A rotary actuator has an output portion operatively connected to at least one of the VTS support and the reverse gate. Rotation of the output portion between a first angle and a second angle causes a rotation of the VTS support while the reverse gate remains in a stowed position relative to the steering nozzle. Rotation of the output portion between the second angle and a third angle causes a rotation of the reverse gate between the stowed position and a second position while the VTS support remains in a fixed position. A jet propulsion system and a method of operating a jet propulsion system are also disclosed.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A watercraft comprising: a hull; a deck disposed on the hull; an engine compartment defined between the hull and the deck; an engine disposed in the engine compartment; a steering assembly disposed at least in part on the deck; a jet pump connected to the hull and being opera
What is claimed is: 1. A watercraft comprising: a hull; a deck disposed on the hull; an engine compartment defined between the hull and the deck; an engine disposed in the engine compartment; a steering assembly disposed at least in part on the deck; a jet pump connected to the hull and being operatively connected to the engine; a venturi connected to a rearward end of the jet pump; a variable trim system (VTS) support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a VTS axis, the VTS axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; a steering nozzle rotationally mounted to the VTS support about a steering axis such that the steering nozzle rotates about the VTS axis with the VTS support, the steering axis being generally perpendicular to the VTS axis, the steering nozzle being operatively connected to the steering assembly and being disposed at least in part rearwardly of the venturi; a reverse gate rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a reverse gate axis, the reverse gate axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; and a rotary actuator having an output portion operatively connected to at least one of the VTS support and the reverse gate, the output portion being rotatable between a first angle, a second angle, and a third angle, rotation of the output portion between the first angle and the second angle causing a rotation of the VTS support about the VTS axis while a position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support remains substantially the same, the position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support being a stowed position, and rotation of the output portion between the second angle and the third angle causing a rotation of the reverse gate about the reverse gate axis between the stowed position and a second position while the VTS support remains in a fixed position relative to the venturi, the second position being a position wherein the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the steering nozzle when the engine is in operation. 2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the VTS support is a VTS ring encircling at least a portion of the steering nozzle; and wherein the steering nozzle is rotationally mounted to the VTS ring about the steering axis at a top and at a bottom of the VTS ring. 3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the reverse gate is rotationally mounted to the VTS support about the reverse gate axis; and wherein the reverse gate axis is coaxial with the VTS axis. 4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the reverse gate is rotationally mounted to the VTS support about the reverse gate axis; wherein the reverse gate axis is disposed rearwardly of the VTS axis; and wherein rotation of the output portion between the first angle and the second angle causes movement of the reverse gate axis in an arc about the VTS axis. 5. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a main support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a main support axis, the main support axis extending generally laterally and horizontally and being disposed forwardly of the VTS axis; wherein the reverse gate is operatively connected to the main support; and wherein the output portion of the rotary actuator is connected to the main support, an axis of rotation of the output portion being coaxial with the main support axis. 6. The watercraft of claim 5, wherein the rotary actuator having the output portion is a first rotary actuator having a first output portion; and further comprising a second rotary actuator having a second output portion, the second output portion of the second rotary actuator being connected to the VTS support for rotating the VTS support, an axis of rotation of the second output portion being coaxial with the VTS axis. 7. The watercraft of claim 5, further comprising: a tunnel formed in the hull, the tunnel having a front wall, a top wall, and two side walls; and a ride plate mounted to the hull for at least partially closing a bottom of the tunnel; wherein the jet pump is disposed at least in part in the tunnel; wherein the VTS support is rotationally mounted to the two side walls of the tunnel about the VTS axis; and wherein the main support is rotationally mounted to at least one of the two side walls of the tunnel about the main support axis. 8. The watercraft of claim 7, wherein the rotary actuator is disposed inside the hull adjacent one of the two side walls of the tunnel. 9. A jet propulsion system comprising: a jet pump; a venturi connected to an end of the jet pump; a variable trim system (VTS) support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a VTS axis, the VTS axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; a steering nozzle rotationally mounted to the VTS support about a steering axis such that the steering nozzle rotates about the VTS axis with the VTS support, the steering axis being generally perpendicular to the VTS axis, the venturi being disposed longitudinally between the jet pump and the steering nozzle; a reverse gate rotationally mounted to the VTS support about a reverse gate axis, the reverse gate axis extending generally laterally and horizontally; a main support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a main support axis, the main support axis extending generally laterally and horizontally, the VTS axis being disposed rearwardly of the main support axis; and at least one link having a first portion pivotally connected to the main support and a second portion pivotally connected to the reverse gate. 10. The jet propulsion system of claim 9, wherein the VTS support is a VTS ring encircling at least a portion of the steering nozzle; and wherein the steering nozzle is rotationally mounted to the VTS ring about the steering axis at a top and at a bottom of the VTS ring. 11. The jet propulsion system of claim 9, wherein the VTS axis is disposed longitudinally between the reverse gate axis and the main support axis. 12. The jet propulsion system of claim 9, wherein the venturi has a stopper portion disposed on a lower portion thereof; wherein the VTS support, the reverse gate, and the main support are movable between a first arrangement, a second arrangement, and a third arrangement; wherein when in the first arrangement, the main support is in a first position, the reverse gate is in a stowed position relative to the steering nozzle and contacts the VTS support at a contact point located vertically higher than the reverse gate axis, and a bottom portion of the VTS support is spaced from the stopper portion of the venturi; wherein when in the second arrangement, the main support is in a second position rotated in a first direction from the first position, the reverse gate is in the stowed position and contacts the VTS support at the contact point, and the bottom portion of the VTS support contacts the stopper portion of the venturi; and wherein when in the third arrangement, the main support is in a third position rotated in the first direction from the second position, the reverse gate is in a position where the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the steering nozzle when the jet propulsion system is in operation, the reverse gate is spaced from the contact point, and the bottom portion of the VTS support contacts the stopper portion of the venturi. 13. The jet propulsion system of claim 12, further comprising a first guide pin disposed on the VTS support vertically higher than the VTS axis; wherein the main support defines a contact surface on a rearwardly facing side thereof; and wherein as the VTS support, the reverse gate, and the main support are moved between the first arrangement and the second arrangement the first guide pin contacts the contact surface. 14. The jet propulsion system of claim 13, wherein the main support defines a slot therein, the slot defines an opening at an upper end of the contact surface; and wherein as the VTS support, the reverse gate, and the main support are moved between the second arrangement and the third arrangement the first guide pin is disposed in the slot. 15. The jet propulsion system of claim 14, further comprising a second guide pin disposed on the VTS support vertically higher than the VTS axis and vertically lower than the first guide pin; wherein the main support defines a ramp, the ramp having an arcuate surface, the arcuate surface corresponding to a segment of a circle having the main support axis as a center; and wherein when the steering nozzle, the reverse gate, and the main support are moved between the second arrangement and the third arrangement the second guide pin contacts the arcuate surface of the ramp. 16. The jet propulsion system of claim 9, further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the main support for rotating the main support about the main support axis. 17. A method of operating a jet propulsion system, the jet propulsion system including a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, a variable trim system (VTS) support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a VTS axis, the VTS axis extending generally laterally and horizontally, a steering nozzle rotationally mounted to the VTS support about a steering axis such that the steering nozzle rotates about the VTS axis with the VTS support, the steering axis being generally perpendicular to the VTS axis, a reverse gate rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a reverse gate axis, the reverse gate axis extending generally laterally and horizontally, and a rotary actuator having an output portion operatively connected to the VTS support, the method comprising: rotating the output portion of the rotary actuator in a first direction thereby causing the VTS support to rotate from a VTS up position to a VTS down position about the VTS axis; moving the reverse gate such that a position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support remains substantially the same as the VTS support is rotated, the reverse gate being in a stowed position relative to the steering nozzle; and continuing to rotate the output portion of the rotary actuator in the first direction once the VTS support reaches the VTS down position thereby causing the reverse gate to rotate from the stowed position to a second position where the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the steering nozzle when the jet propulsion system is in operation, the VTS support remaining in the VTS down position as the reverse gate is rotated from the stowed position to the second position. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the reverse gate such that a position of the reverse gate relative to the VTS support remains substantially the same as the VTS support is rotated includes moving the reverse gate axis in an arc about the VTS axis as the VTS support is rotated from the VTS up position to the VTS down position. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the jet propulsion system further includes a main support rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a main support axis, the main support axis extending generally laterally and horizontally and being disposed forwardly of the VTS axis, the reverse gate being operatively connected to the main support, and the output portion of the rotary actuator being operatively connected to the main support; wherein rotating the output portion of the rotary actuator in a first direction thereby causing the VTS support to rotate from a VTS up position to a VTS down position about the VTS axis includes: rotating the main support in the first direction using the output portion of the rotary actuator thereby causing rotation of the VTS support from the VTS up position to the VTS down position; and wherein continuing to rotate the output portion of the rotary actuator in the first direction once the VTS support reaches the VTS down position includes: continuing to rotate the main support in the first direction using the rotary actuator thereby causing rotation of the reverse gate from the stowed position to the second position.
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