Fuel and related compositions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-13
2001-09-25
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Fuel and related compositions
C440S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293842
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to inboard motors for powering water jet propulsion units in boats and other watercraft. In particular, the invention relates to inboard engines cantilevered to transoms of watercraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to propel a boat or other watercraft using a water jet apparatus mounted to the hull, with the powerhead placed inside (inboard) the hull and an axialflow water jet apparatus mounted outside the boat below the waterline. The drive shaft of the water jet apparatus is coupled to the crankshaft of the motor. The water jet apparatus comprises an impeller mounted on the drive shaft and a housing surrounding the impeller. The interior surface of the housing defines a water tunnel. The impeller is designed such that during motor operation, the rotating impeller impels water rearward through the water tunnel and out an exit nozzle. The reaction force of the rearward water flow exiting the jet propulsion device propels the watercraft forward.
To facilitate use of jet-propelled boats in shallow water, it is known to mount the water jet propulsion unit at an elevation such that the propulsion unit does not project below the bottom of the boat hull. This can be accomplished, for example, by installing a duct in the stern of the boat, the duct being arranged to connect one or more inlet holes formed in the bottom of the hull with an outlet hole formed in the transom. The pump jet is then installed outside the hull in a position such that the pump jet inlet is in flow communication with the duct outlet at the transom.
Typically the jet drive power plant is mounted on stringers built into the hull of a boat for in-line drive applications or on an adapter plate mounted to stringers for 90° drive applications. It is also known to mount a marine engine to the inboard or forward face of a transom in a cantilever arrangement. In such a cantilevered arrangement, it is conventional practice to provide a hole in the transom through which the engine drive shaft passes.
There is a need for a design whereby a water jet propulsion unit is powered by an engine cantilevered from the transom. The mounting arrangement should also incorporate means for venting exhaust gases from the engine to a locus below the waterline and behind the transom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a marine vessel or watercraft in which the power plant or engine is cantilevered off of the inboard face of the transom by a mounting adapter. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting adapter is attached to the transom on the inboard side thereof, and an inboard engine is attached to the mounting adapter. By this arrangement, the mounting adapter provides cantilevered support to the engine.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the engine comprises at least one exhaust port for engine exhaust gases. The mounting adapter comprises an exhaust channel in flow communication with an exhaust port of the inboard engine. In addition, the transom comprises an opening in flow communication with the exhaust channel of the mounting adapter. Thus the passage provides a flow path for engine exhaust gases to pass through an opening in the hull. Optionally the exhaust channel in the mounting adapter comprises a noise suppression device, e.g., a muffler.
Furthermore, a transom mounting plate is attached to the transom on its aft side. This transom mounting plate provides cantilevered support for a jet propulsion unit and comprises an exhaust pipe in flow communication with the opening in the transom. The exhaust pipe has an outlet which is located below the hull waterline. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the transom mounting plate further comprises a tube portion having an inlet in flow communication with a water tunnel formed in the hull and an outlet in flow communication with an inlet of the jet propulsion unit. Preferably the exhaust pipe or manifold branches into two exhaust pipes which straddle the tube portion.
Preferably, each of the transom mounting plate and the mounting adapter is a cast metal structure. Also the transom mounting plate and the mounting adapter are preferably attached to the transom (on opposite sides thereof) by the same set of fasteners, with the transom sandwiched therebetween. The shafts of the fasteners are preferably encased in rubber isolation mounts to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the engine to the transom and the transom mounting plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2064463 (1936-12-01), Crosley, jr.
patent: 3083679 (1963-04-01), Conover
patent: 3170435 (1965-02-01), Najmian, Jr.
patent: 3259099 (1966-05-01), Kiekhaefer
patent: 3583357 (1971-06-01), Shimanckas
patent: 3742895 (1973-07-01), Hoiuchi
patent: 3834344 (1974-09-01), Yoshino
patent: 3888203 (1975-06-01), Lohse
patent: 3929089 (1975-12-01), Lambrecht et al.
patent: 5490768 (1996-02-01), Veronesi et al.
patent: 5536187 (1996-07-01), Nanami
Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
Flaherty Dennis M.
Swinehart Ed
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