Marine propulsion – Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids – Cooling for engine
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-06-26
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3612)
Marine propulsion
Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids
Cooling for engine
C114S055500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250980
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an engine, and in particular to a component layout for a marine engine, including an arrangement of fuel injectors within the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Internal combustion engines are commonly used to power small watercraft such as personal watercraft. These watercraft include a hull which defines an engine compartment. The engine is positioned in the engine compartment. The output shaft of the engine is coupled to a water propulsion device to propel the watercraft.
Air must be supplied to the engine from outside the hull for use in the combustion process. Typically, air flows through one or more ducts in the hull into the engine compartment, and then through an intake system of the engine to the combustion chamber(s) of the engine.
Fuel also is supplied to the engine for use in the combustion process. In order to accurately meter the fuel, to improve engine operating efficiency and performance, and to better control emissions, many personal watercraft manufacturers are employing fuel injections system in which one or more fuel injectors inject fuel into the engine. In such systems, fuel is supplied to the fuel injectors at high pressure. Each injector has an electrically operated valve which selectively opens and closes, controlling the flow of fuel through the injectors to the engine.
Such systems, however, are not easily employed in a manner ensuring the system's durability on such watercrafts. Personal watercraft are sporting in nature; they turn swiftly, are easily maneuverable, and accelerate quickly. As a result of their sporting nature, they may at times become inverted or at least partially capsized While personal watercraft are designed to float under such conditions (and are easily righted), some water commonly enters the engine compartment under all conditions, even when upright through the air ducts. Such water can damage sensitive components of the fuel injection system, such as, for example, the fuel injectors. This problem is exacerbated should such components become submerged before the watercraft is righted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a fuel injection system on a small watercraft, wherein the system's fuel injectors are arranged in engine compartment so that the fuel injectors, or at least the sensitive mechanical and electrical connections of the fuel injectors, remain above the water level regardless of the orientation of the watercraft. Such an arrangement reduces the likelihood that these connections will be submerged and become damaged.
One aspect of the present invention thus involves a watercraft comprising a hull defining an engine compartment. An internal combustion engine is positioned within the engine compartment and has an output shaft. A propulsion device is carried by the hull and is driven by the output shaft of the engine to propel the watercraft. A fuel supply system includes at least one fuel injector that communicates with the engine. A fuel delivery conduit is connected to the fuel injector to supply fuel thereto. A connection point between the fuel injector and the fuel delivery conduit is arranged within the engine compartment so as to be above the water surface level of the body of water in which the watercraft is operated when the hull floats in an upright position and when the hull floats in an inverted position. In one mode, a water-proof cover desirably encloses the connection point to shield the connection point from water that may slosh about within the engine compartment during use or when righting the watercraft.
Other sensitive components of the fuel injector can also be protected in a similar manner. For instance, an electrical connection point between an electrical connector of the fuel injector and an electrical cable, which controls the functioning of fuel injector, also is arranged in a similar position within the engine compartment. That is, this electrical connection point is arranged so as to be above the water surface level of the body of water in which the watercraft is operated when the hull floats in an upright position and when the hull floats in an inverted position.
In a preferred mode, these connection points are arranged within the engine compartment and on the engine, such that the connection points remain above the water level regardless of the orientation of the watercraft, i.e., upright, inverted, on its side or in an intermediate position.
Such sensitive components and contact points of the fuel injector also preferably lie at a position within the engine compartment that reduces the likelihood of contact with any water either present in or introduced into the engine compartment. For this purpose, the fuel injector, or at least its sensitive connection points, are arranged within the engine compartment above both an inlet to a bilge system and an outlet of an air duct that communicates with the engine compartment. In this manner, the occurrence of water contact with the fuel injector is lessened.
Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4787328 (1988-11-01), Inoue
patent: 4982682 (1991-01-01), Hattori
patent: 5553579 (1996-09-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 5632660 (1997-05-01), Nakase et al.
patent: 5762040 (1998-01-01), Taipale et al.
patent: 5902158 (1999-05-01), Nakase et al.
patent: 5906524 (1999-05-01), Ozawa et al.
patent: 5934253 (1999-08-01), Kojima et al.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Swinehart Ed
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
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