Marine propulsion – Means to control the supply of energy responsive to a sensed...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2002-01-08
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Means to control the supply of energy responsive to a sensed...
C440S087000, C440S038000, C114S1440RE
Reexamination Certificate
active
06336833
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to watercraft with steerable propulsion units and, more particularly, to a steering system for such a watercraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion unit can only be steered effectively when the propusiion unit is generating thrust. Examples of watercraft with a steerable propulsion unit are jet boats, personal watercraft, jet skis, and motorboats having swivel-mounted outboard motors. With any of these types of watercraft, the operator who releases the throttle loses the ability to effectively steer the watercraft. At low speeds, this typically makes docking difficult because it becomes necessary to open the throttle to maneuver the boat. Similarly, if the throttle is suddenly cut while running the watercraft at high speeds, the ability to steer can only be regained by re-opening the throttle.
SUMMARY OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,379 (Heidner) discloses a speed control device for use primarily on an outboard motor. When a motorboat that is either at rest or traveling at low speed is steered sharply (i.e. beyond a predetermined angle), a limiting rod interferes with the rotation of a throttle control member thereby limiting the RPM of the motor. The throttle control has a cam with a lobe that catches the limiting rod when the limiting rod is pressed against the cam. This prevents the boat from capsizing when the throttle is suddenly advanced and the motor is already set for a sharp turn. Since the danger of capsizing is significantly less when the boat is already traveling above a predetermined speed, the speed control device allows the motor to be swiveled through a full extent without actuating the limiting rod and interfering with the throttle control member. The predetermined speed (or RPM) above which the throttle control member becomes unconstrained by the limiting rod corresponds to an angular position of the cam at which the leading edge of the lobe has been rotated at least slightly beyond the line of action of the limiting rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,646 (Ghizzoni) discloses a carburetor device having a compensating membrane and a fuel accumulating chamber which is connected through conventional idling and high-speed jets to a Venturi upstream from which there is provided an air intake manifold. Externally of the compensating membrane is a sealed chamber which communicates via a flexible tube with a compensating chamber which is maintained naturally or artificially at atmospheric pressure.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,368,510 and 5,538,449 (Richard) disclose a trolling valve safety device that locks or limits actuation of a boat engine throttle from its idle position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,277 (Gai) discloses a safety device for helm, throttle and directional controls of watercraft which prevents a boat from perilously spiraling into a man thrown overboard by ensuring that the rudder does not flop to one side under normal water flow pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,092 (Jones) discloses a carburetor-adjusting accessory harness for personal jet-propelled watercraft. This removably mounted harness enables one to finely tune the carburetor while the watercraft is operating unanchored and afloat without having to remove the hood.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,604 (Bohlin) discloses an electro-mechanical steering device, especially for boats, that comprises an electronic control unit capable of comparing an actual position signal generated by the steering wheel to a predetermined position signal and thus actuating a servo motor in accordance with the difference between said signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,929 (Rieben) discloses a paired motor system for small boat propulsion and steerage. Two spaced-apart electrically driven motors, which are variable, reversible and separately controllable by a joystick-type controller, provide differential propulsion for improved steering and maneuverability.
French Patent 2 687 364 (Cany et al) discloses an ergonomic, simplified control device for operating an outboard motor. A plurality of control cables links the outboard motor with a single, centrally mounted control stick.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,553 (Spencer) discloses a vector steering control system that features at least one thruster mounted transversely (perpendicular) to the stern drive propeller shaft. Turning of the steering wheel activates one of the thrusters whose thrust accelerates the stern of the boat in a direction perpendicular to the stern drive shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,717 (Tsumiyama) discloses a control stick that allows a boat to be both steered and accelerated with a single hand.
European Patent Application 388 228 (Glen) discloses a control apparatus for controlling a plurality of outboard motors with a single tiller. The tiller has a twist grip that winds the control cables around a drum so that the throttle of each motor can be controlled by a positive pull—pull action.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,902 (Havins) discloses a boat speed and direction control system for controlling trolling motors which is operable in a hands-free manner so that a lone fisherman operating a craft equipped with such a system would not have to relinquish control of his rod and reel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,236 (Burkenpas) discloses a portable helm that comprises a hand-held controller that can be plugged into multipin connector-sockets wired at various locations on the ship. The hand-held controller is able to control the angle of the rudders, the engine RPM and the direction of the power train (i.e. forward, neutral or reverse).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,026 (Eastling) discloses a slow-speed steering control for jet-powered watercraft having a steering plate (similar to a rudder) mounted parallel to, but beneath, the deflector plates that vector the thrust of the water exiting the exhaust port of the jet propulsion unit. The steering plate is mounted to, and moveable with, the deflector plates such that when the deflector plates are angled (by turning the steering wheel or handlebars) the steering plate moves as well. The steering plate is submerged so that it assists the steering of the boat when the deflector plates are turned. Even when no flow of water is exiting the jet propulsion unit, the submerged steering plate still produces a steering effect when the steering wheel or handlebars are turned. The steering plate is resiliently mounted to the deflector plates so that if the underside of the steering plate collides with land, the steering plate will rise.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,321 (Smith) discloses a boat steering and reversing system. This system provides a mechanism for rotating the propulsion unit about a vertical axis by means of a steering mechanism for normal steering and combining with this arrangement a reversing changeover control capable of rotating the propulsion unit by 180 degrees. The mechanism uses a throttle idler or clutch control to effect the changeover.
As evinced by the foregoing survey of related prior art, the closest prior art appears to be a watercraft adapted to carry a rudder on the underside of its hull. Such a rudder allows the watercraft to be maneuverable even when the steerable propulsion unit is not generating any thrust. However, such a rudder is unsuitable for many jet boats, personal watercraft, jet skis and motorboats because they preclude these watercraft from operating in shallow waters which is where these watercraft are commonly used. The rudder also precludes such a watercraft from being “beached” without risking damage to the rudder.
Thus, there is a need in the industry for an improved steering system for a watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion unit.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved steering system for a watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a watercraft that can be steered effectively when the manual throttle control is off.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a watercraft whose throttle is couple
Michel Camille
Rheault Alain
Avila Stephen
Bombardier Inc.
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