Speed sensor for personal watercraft

Details Speed sensor for personal watercraft Speed sensor for personal watercraft

1999-04-26

2001-04-10

Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)

Ships

Motorized self-propelled waterski or waterscooter-type vehicle

C440S002000, C440S038000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06213041

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a sensor device for use with a personal watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to a speed monitoring system adapted to be mounted to a ride plate of a personal watercraft.
2. Description of Related Art
Personal watercraft have become very popular in recent years. An enthusiasm for competition has grown with this popularity, and as a result personal watercraft have become increasingly fast. Many personal watercraft today are capable of speeds well in excess of 60 miles per hour. This type of watercraft is sporting in nature; it turns swiftly, is easily maneuverable, and accelerates quickly. Personal watercraft today commonly carry one rider and one or two passengers.
Personal watercraft often include some types of instrumentation to optimize the performance of the watercraft, as well as to monitor various operational characteristics of the watercraft's performance. In this regard, the personal watercraft usually includes a speedometer to allow the operator to monitor the speed of the watercraft.
Most speed indicators require a component of the indicator to be mounted on the underside of the hull. In this position, the component lies within the water and generates a signal indicative of the watercraft's speed. The hull of a personal watercraft, however, does not have large areas on which to mount conventional speed sensors. Most of the practical surface on the underside of the hull is occupied by a jet pump unit that is positioned within a tunnel formed on the underside of the watercraft hull.
As a result of the limited space on the underside of the hull, speed indicators are usually mounted proximate to the stern of the watercraft, near a nozzle section of the jet pump unit. This location of the speed indicator, however, often results in an overly complicated layout of the watercraft components, including the speed sensor, steering nozzle and associated level and cable arrangements. In addition, the speed indicator extends below the planing surface of the lower hull at this location and consequently is susceptible to damage. Moreover, the speed indicator is also visible from the rear of the watercraft when mounted at this location, which lessens the attractive, streamlined appearance of the watercraft. In addition, the speed sensor will often give false readings resulting from the disturbances the watercraft hull causes as it travels through the water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves in part the recognition that several problems arise in connection with employing a speed sensor with a personal watercraft. One such problem involves the fact that the watercraft disturbs the water in which it travels, which can result in false readings from a speed sensor attached to the watercraft. Another problem involves the fact that, as the watercraft maneuvers, much of the bottom surface of the watercraft can often lift out of the water, which can similarly affect speed readings from the attached speed sensor.
The present invention provides a speed measuring system whereby the speed of the watercraft can be accurately measured during watercraft operation, even when the watercraft is travelling at high speeds and/or undergoing violent maneuvers or sharp turns.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention involves a personal watercraft comprising a hull having a longitudinal axis. A generally longitudinally-extending elongated seat is positioned on an aft portion of the hull. An engine compartment is defined within the hull and an engine is mounted within the engine compartment. A tunnel is defined within a lower aft portion of the hull. A propulsion unit is preferably powered by the engine and mounted within the tunnel. A plate covers at least a portion of the tunnel proximate the propulsion unit and has a generally longitudinally-extending channel defined along at least a portion thereof. A sensor is mounted to the plate and has a moveable element that extends into the channel. A display is positioned proximate the straddle seat and communicates with the sensor.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a ride plate assembly for a personal watercraft. The ride plate assembly comprises a sensor and a plate. The sensor generally comprises a moveable element and a housing supporting at least a portion of the moveable element. The plate comprises a longitudinally-extending channel with the channel extending along at least a portion of the length of the plate. The housing is connected to an aft portion of the plate with at least a portion of the rotatable element being positioned in line with the channel.
A further aspect of the present invention involves a personal watercraft comprising a hull having a longitudinal axis. A generally longitudinally-extending elongated seat is positioned on an aft portion of the hull. An engine compartment is defined within the hull with an engine mounted within the engine compartment. A tunnel is defined within a lower aft portion of the hull and contains a propulsion unit powered by the engine. A ride plate assembly covers at least a portion of the tunnel proximate the propulsion unit and generally comprises a plate and a sensor apparatus. The sensor apparatus comprises a moveable element and a display in communication with the movable element. The display is positioned on the hull so as to be easily viewed by an operator. The ride plate assembly also comprises a means for channeling a flow of water into contact with at least a portion of the movable element of the sensor apparatus.
Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3164016 (1965-01-01), Dinsmore
patent: 3349615 (1967-10-01), Finkl
patent: 4070909 (1978-01-01), Carpenter
patent: 4100877 (1978-07-01), Scott et al.
patent: 4644788 (1987-02-01), Boucher
patent: 5176548 (1993-01-01), Morgan
patent: 5187978 (1993-02-01), Tendler
patent: 5244425 (1993-09-01), Tasaki et al.
patent: 5295877 (1994-03-01), Kanno
patent: 5369360 (1994-11-01), Amyot
patent: 5433635 (1995-07-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5606253 (1997-02-01), Boucher et al.
patent: 5699749 (1997-12-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 5894087 (1999-04-01), Ohtuka et al.
Bombardier, Inc.,Sea:Doo 1997 Parts Catalog, GTS 5818, GTI 5641,Canada, 1996, pages A1, A2, D5 (and associated drawing).
Bombardier, Inc.,Sea:Doo 1997 Parts Catalog, GSX 5624,Canada, 1997, pages A1, A2, C3 (and associated drawing).
Bombardier, Inc.,Sea:Doo 1997 Parts catalog, XP 5662,Canada, 1997, pages A1, A2, C8 (and associated drawing).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Speed sensor for personal watercraft does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Speed sensor for personal watercraft, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Speed sensor for personal watercraft will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2441203