Marine propulsion system

Claim 2

A jet propulsion system for mounting on the transom of a water vehicle, comprising: a. an intake duct; b. duct support means for supporting said intake duct for movement between an upward tilt angle and downward tilt angle; c. means connected to said duct support means and defining a reaction center line to urge said duct in a downward tilt angle through a downward propulsive thrust; d. means connected to said duct support means and defining a thrust center line disposed below the reaction center line to urge said duct in an upward tilt angle through an upward reactive force; e. a fixed member; and f. a spring interconnecting said intake duct and said fixed member for regulating the tilt angle movement of said intake duct in the changeover between the upward tilt angle and the downward tilt angle.

Claim 3

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed member is a water vehicle mounting means adapted for mounting the jet propulsion system on the transom of a water vehicle.

Claim 4

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said duct support means comprises a forward and reverse channel member on which said duct is mounted, said duct being arranged to move with said forward and reverse channel member between the upward tilt angle and the downward tilt angle.

Claim 5

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said duct support means further comprises a stator housing on which said forward and reverse channel member is supported, said forward and reverse channel member being arranged to move with said stator housing between the upward tilt angle and the downward tilt angle.

Claim 6

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means connected to said duct support means and defining a reaction center line includes a steering assembly supported by said water vehicle mounting means, and means carried by said steering assembly and connected to said stator housing for pivotally supporting said stator housing, said forward and reverse channel member and said duct for movement between the upward tilt angle and the downward tilt angle, said last-mentioned means being rotatable by said steering assembly for moving said stator housing, said forward and reverse channel member and said duct in a direction for steering the water vehicle.

Claim 7

A jet propulsion system for mounting on the hull of the water vehicle, comprising: a. support means adapted for mounting on a transom of a water vehicle; b. a tilt adjustment member fixed to said support means and projecting therefrom, said tilt adjustment member being formed with spaced apart upward limiting and downward limiting stops; c. an intake duct; d. duct support means interconnecting said support means and said intake duct for supporting said intake duct for movement to adjustably position said intake duct between an upward tilt angle and a downward tilt angle; e. an arm carried by said intake duct for movement therewith and disposed in the vicinity of said tilt adjustment member, said arm being formed with a projection extending between said upward limiting stop and said downward limiting stop for limiting the adjusted tilt angle positions of said intake duct; f. means connected to said duct support means and defining a reaction center line to urge said intake duct in a downward tilt angle through a downward propulsive force; and g. means connected to said duct support means and defining a thrust center line disposed below the reaction center line to urge said intake duct in an upward tilt angle through an upward reactive force.

Claim 8

A jet propulsion system for mounting on the hull of the water vehicle, comprising: a. support means adapted for mounting on a transom of a water vehicle; b. a tilt adjustment member fixed to said support means and projecting therefrom, said tilt adjustment member being formed with spaced apart upward limiting and downward limiting stops; c. an intake duct; d. duct support means interconnecting said support means and said intake duct for supporting said intake duct for movement to adjustably position said intake duct between an upward tilt angle and a downward tilt angle; e. an arm carried by said intake duct for movement therewith and disposed in the vicinity of said tilt adjustment member, said arm being formed with a projection extending between said upward limiting stop and said downward limiting stop for limiting the adjusted tilt angle positions of said intake duct; f. means connected to said duct support means and defining a reaction center line to urge said intake duct in a downward tilt angle through a downward propulsive force; and g. means connected to said duct support means and defining a thrust center line disposed below the reaction center line to urge said intake duct in an upward tilt angle through an upward reactive force.

Claim 9

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 6 and comprising a spring interconnecting said tilt angle adjustment member and said intake duct in its changeover between the upward movement and the downward movement.

Claim 10

A jet propulsion system for a water vehicle comprising: a. a mounting bracket mounted on the hull of the water vehicle; b. a steering assembly supported by said bracket, said steering assembly comprising a suitable steering post and knuckle mounted on said post for rotation therewith for a steering movement and for an upward and downward tilt angle movement, said knuckle having an axis which is coincident with a reaction center line of said jet propulsion system, said reaction center line presenting a downward tilt angle propulsive force; c. a stator housing carried by said knuckle; d. an impeller in said stator housing having an axis which is coincident with a thrust center line of said jet propulsion system, said thrust center line presenting an upward tilt angle propulsive force, said thrust center line being below said reaction center line, said impeller communicating with said duct for impelling water therethrough; e. a forward and reverse channel member supported by said stator housing for movement therewith; f. an intake duct for receiving water supported by said forward and reverse channel member; g. a tilt adjustment member fixed to said mounting bracket and projecting therefrom, said tilt adjustment member being formed with spaced apart upward-limiting and downward-limiting stops; and h. an arm carried by said intake duct for movement therewith and disposed in the vicinity of said tilt adjustment member, said arm being formed with a projection extending between said upward-limiting stop and said downward-limiting stop for limiting the adjusted tilt angle positions of said intake duct.

Claim 11

A jet propulsion system for a water vehicle comprising: a. a mounting bracket mounted on the hull of the water vehicle; b. a steering assembly supported by said bracket, said steering assembly comprising a suitable steering post and knuckle mounted on said post for rotation therewith for a steering movement and for an upward and downward tilt angle movement, said knuckle having an axis which is coincident with a reaction center line of said jet propulsion system, said reaction center line presenting a downward tilt angle propulsive force; c. a stator housing carried by said knuckle; d. an impeller in said stator housing having an axis which is coincident with a thrust center line of said jet propulsion system, said thrust center line presenting an upward tilt angle propulsive force, said thrust center line being below said reaction center line, said impeller communicating with said duct for impelling water therethrough; e. a forward and reverse channel member supported by said stator housing for movement therewith; f. an intake duct for receiving water supported by said forward and reverse channel member; g. a tilt adjustment member fixed to said mounting bracket and projecting therefrom, said tilt adjustment member being formed with spaced apart upward-limiting and downward-limiting stops; and h. an arm carried by said intake duct for movement therewith and disposed in the vicinity of said tilt adjustment member, said arm being formed with a projection extending between said upward-limiting stop and said downward-limiting stop for limiting the adjusted tilt angle positions of said intake duct.

Claim 12

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 8 and comprising a spring interconnecting said tilt adjustment member and said intake duct for regulating the tilt angle adjustment of said intake duct in its changeover between the upward tilt angle movement and downward tilt angle movement.

Claim 13

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 8 and comprising a rail carried by said stator housing, a bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member, said bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a bore to receive said rail for enabling said forward and reverse channel member and said duct to be moved fore and aft relative to said stator housing, and means connected to said bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member for imparting fore and aft movement to said forward and reverse channel members and said duct.

Claim 14

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 10, said forward and reverse channel member being disposed at one fore and aft position to conduct the flow of water from said intake duct; and comprising a plurality of nozzles communicating with said forward and reverse channel member for discharging water for propelling the water vehicle in a forward direction, said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a reverse passage, and a plurality of reverse ports communicating with said reverse passage, said means connected to said bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member being adapted to move said forward and reverse channel member to another position, said reverse passage communicates said intake duct for discharging water from said reverse ports for propelling the water vehicle in a reverse direction.

Claim 15

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said reverse passage of said forward and reverse channel member has an inverted u-shape configuration for improved control over the flow of water through said reverse ports.

Claim 16

A jet propulsion system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said nozzles are disposed at equal angular distances apart in a circular pattern for clearing foreign matter that may be entrained in the water about an intake orifice for said duct.

Claim 17

A jet propulsion system for a water vehicle comprising: a. an intake duct for receiving water; b. a forward and reverse channel member supporting said intake duct and communicating therewith for conducting the flow of water from said intake duct, said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a reverse passage having the configuration of an inverted u-shape, said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a plurality of reverse ports communicating with said reverse passage, said inverted u-shape configuration of said reverse passage providing improved control over the flow of water through said reverse ports; c. a stator housing for supporting said forward and reverse channel member; d. a rail carried by said stator housing; e. a bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member, said bracket being formed with a bore to receive said rail for enabling said forward and reverse channel member and said duct to be moved fore and aft relative to said stator housing; f. means connected to said bracket for imparting fore and aft movement to said forward and reverse channel member and said duct; and g. a plurality of nozzles supported by said forward and reverse channel member, said forward and reverse channel member being disposed in one position to conduct the flow of water to discharge water from said nozzles for propelling the water vehicle in a forward direction, said forward and reverse channel member being disposed in another position for the flow of water through said reverse passage to discharge water through said reverse ports for propelling said water vehicle in the reverse direction.

Claim 18

A jet propulsion system for a water vehicle comprising: a. an intake duct for receiving water; b. a forward and reverse channel member supporting said intake duct and communicating therewith for conducting the flow of water from said intake duct, said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a reverse passage having the configuration of an inverted u-shape, said forward and reverse channel member being formed with a plurality of reverse ports communicating with said reverse passage, said inverted u-shape configuration of said reverse passage providing improved control over the flow of water through said reverse ports; c. a stator housing for supporting said forward and reverse channel member; d. a rail carried by said stator housing; e. a bracket fixed to said forward and reverse channel member, said bracket being formed with a bore to receive said rail for enabling said forward and reverse channel member and said duct to be moved fore and aft relative to said stator housing; f. means connected to said bracket for imparting fore and aft movement to said forward and reverse channel member and said duct; and g. a plurality of nozzles supported by said forward and reverse channel member, said forward and reverse channel member being disposed in one position to conduct the flow of water to discharge water from said nozzles for propelling the water vehicle in a forward direction, said forward and reverse channel member being disposed in another position for the flow of water through said reverse passage to discharge water through said reverse ports for propelling said water vehicle in the reverse direction.