Controlled thrust steering system for watercraft

• US 6,159,059 A
• Filed: 11/01/1999
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Bernier, Fred H., Hazard, Frank, Christopherson, Herman P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US09/431,444
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1, 440/38, 440/40-42, 440/87, 114/55.5, 114/55.52
• US Class Current: 440/40
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/113 Pivoted outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/213 Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for outboard marine engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/02 characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08

Abstract

A watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising a steering mechanism, a throttle control mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a throttle regulator and a controlled thrust steering system. The steering mechanism has a straight-ahead position. The steering mechanism is able to rotate in a clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position and in a counter-clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position. The throttle control mechanism is biased toward an idle position. The thrust mechanism provides jet propulsion thrust for the watercraft. The throttle regulator regulates thrust provided by the thrust mechanism. The controlled thrust steering system causes the throttle regulator to increase thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the straight-ahead position.

Claims

1. A throttle system for a jet propulsion type watercraft comprising:

a throttle control mechanism biased toward an idle position;

a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;

a throttle regulator for regulating thrust provided by said thrust mechanism;

a controlled thrust steering system for allowing thrust decrease from a first thrust position to an idle thrust position in a first time period; and

wherein said first time period is longer than a second time period for thrust decrease from said first thrust position to said idle thrust position without said controlled thrust steering system.

2. The throttle system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a steering handle, wherein said throttle control mechanism is mounted on said steering handle.

3. The throttle system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said throttle control mechanism is a throttle lever pivotably mounted on said steering handle.

4. The throttle system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said controlled thrust steering system is a compressible material located between said throttle lever and said steering handle.

5. The throttle system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said compressible material is a foamed material.

6. The throttle system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said controlled thrust steering system is a dampening mechanism located between said throttle lever and said steering handle.

7. The throttle steering system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said dampening mechanism is a shock.

8. The throttle system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said throttle regulator is a carburetor.

9. The throttle system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said throttle regulator is a throttle body of a fuel injection system.

10. The throttle system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a throttle closed switch and a solenoid, wherein said solenoid is activated to increase thrust and maintain said increased thrust for a given amount time upon said throttle lever abutting said throttle closed switch.

11. The throttle system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said given amount of time is between 0.5 to 3 seconds.

12. A throttle system for a watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising:

a steering mechanism having a straight-ahead position, said steering mechanism able to rotate in a clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position and counter-clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position;

a throttle control mechanism biased toward an idle position;

a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;

a throttle regulator for regulating thrust provided by said thrust mechanism;

a controlled thrust steering system; and

wherein said controlled thrust steering system causes said throttle regulator to increase thrust upon said steering mechanism rotating from said straight-ahead position.

13. The throttle system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said throttle regulator increases thrust to a steerable thrust upon said steering mechanism rotating a certain angle from said straight-ahead position, thereafter, said throttle regulator maintains thrust approximately constant for a given amount of time.

14. The throttle system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said given amount of time is between 0.5 to 3 seconds.

15. The throttle system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said controlled thrust steering system includes a cable connecting said steering mechanism to said throttle regulator, wherein rotating said steering mechanism from said straight ahead position pulls on said cable to cause said throttle regulator to increase thrust.

16. The throttle system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said controlled thrust steering system includes a cylindrically spaced first magnet and second magnet fixed on said steering mechanism, a proximity switch rotationally independent of said steering mechanism and a solenoid, wherein said solenoid is activated to increase thrust upon said proximity switch at a given distance from one of said first magnet and said second magnet.

17. A throttle system for a watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising:

a steering mechanism having a straight-ahead position, said steering mechanism able to rotate in a clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position and counter-clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position;

a throttle control mechanism biased toward an idle position;

a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;

a throttle regulator for regulating thrust provided by said thrust mechanism;

a controlled thrust steering system; and

wherein said controlled thrust steering system causes said throttle regulator to maintain thrust approximately constant for a given amount of time upon said steering mechanism rotating from said straight-ahead position.

18. The throttle system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said given amount of time is between 0.5 to 3 seconds.

19. The throttle system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said controlled thrust steering system includes a cylindrically spaced first magnet and second magnet fixed on said steering mechanism, a proximity switch rotationally independent of said steering mechanism and a solenoid, wherein said solenoid is activated to increase thrust upon said proximity switch at a given distance from one of said first magnet and said second magnet.

20. A throttle system for a watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising:

a steering mechanism having a straight-ahead position, said steering mechanism able to rotate in a clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position and counter-clockwise direction from said straight-ahead position;

a throttle control mechanism biased from a wide open throttle position toward an idle position;

a thrust mechanism for providing jet propulsion thrust;

a throttle regulator for regulating thrust provided by said thrust mechanism;

a controlled thrust steering system; and

wherein said controlled thrust steering system causes said throttle regulator to increase thrust upon said steering mechanism rotating from said straight-ahead position and said throttle control mechanism at a position below wide open throttle position.

21. The throttle system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said throttle regulator increases thrust to a steerable thrust upon said steering mechanism rotating a certain angle from said straight-ahead position, thereafter, said throttle regulator maintains thrust approximately constant for a given amount of time.

22. The throttle system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said given amount of time is between 0.5 to 3 seconds.

23. The throttle system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said throttle thrust steering system includes a cable connecting said steering mechanism to said throttle regulator, wherein rotating said steering mechanism from said straight ahead position pulls on said cable to cause said throttle regulator to increase thrust.

24. The throttle system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said throttle thrust steering system includes a cylindrically spaced first magnet and second magnet fixed on said steering mechanism, a proximity switch rotationally independent of said steering mechanism and a solenoid, wherein said solenoid is activated to increase thrust upon said proximity switch at a given distance from one of said first magnet and said second magnet.