US5951343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine lubricating system for watercraft
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-09-08
•
Granted: 1999-09-14
•
Expires: 2018-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A lubricating system for a four-cycle engine positioned within an engine compartment of a personal watercraft for powering a water propulsion unit thereof, is disclosed. The engine compartment, and engine therein, is accessible through a maintenance opening in deck of the watercraft. Preferably, the lubricating system includes an oil filter which is positioned at other than the bottom of the engine for access through the maintenance opening, such as at the front or rear end of the engine. In addition, the engine preferably includes an oil drain which is positioned below the oil filter for draining the oil from the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayoshi Nanami
- 👤 Toshiyuki Hattori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:00
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H21/00; B63H21/12; B63H21/14; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/10; B63H21/38; B63H21/386; F; F01; F01M; F01M11/00; F01M11/03; F01M11/10; F01M11/12; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B75/20; F01M1/00; F01M1/12; F01M2001/126; F01M2011/0095; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1808; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by a four-cycle internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment defined by a deck connected to a hull of the watercraft, a removable deck member selectively positioned above a maintenance opening in the deck for accessing the engine in the engine compartment, the engine comprising at least one cylinder, an output shaft and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising a reservoir, a fill tube, and a filter wherein at least one of the reservoir, the fill tube, and the filter is accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by a four-cycle internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment defined by a deck connected to a hull of the watercraft, a removable deck member selectively positioned above a maintenance opening in the deck for accessing the engine in the engine compartment, the engine comprising at least one cylinder, an output shaft and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising a reservoir, a fill tube, and a filter wherein at least one of the reservoir, the fill tube, and the filter is accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine further comprises a valve cover, the fill tube is arranged on the valve cover and is accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the output shaft has an output shaft axis and the cylinder is inclined along an incline axis, a vertical plane is defined through the output shaft axis and an inclined plane is defined by the incline axis and the output shaft axis, and the fill tube is arranged on the opposite side of the inclined plane from the vertical plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the output shaft has an output shaft axis and the cylinder is inclined along an incline axis, a vertical plane is defined through the output shaft axis and an inclined plane is defined by the incline axis and the output shaft axis, and the fill tube is positioned between the vertical plane and the inclined plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the reservoir is arranged remotely from the engine and attached to the fill tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The watercraft of claim 1 further comprising an access port defined within the hull adjacent to the fill tube, and a removable hatch selectively positionable to close the access port, the access port being positioned such that the fill tube may be easily accessed through the access port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is arranged higher than the output shaft relative to a bottom of the watercraft, and the fill tube is arranged on the reservoir so as to be accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watercraft of claim 7 wherein the reservoir is arranged at least partially within the engine compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The watercraft of claim 7, wherein the cylinder is inclined, a vertical plane is defined through an axis of the output shaft, the reservoir is arranged on one side of the vertical plane and the inclined cylinder is arranged on the other side of the vertical plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watercraft of claim 1 further comprising a longitudinally-extending straddle-type seat arranged generally above the engine compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the longitudinally-extending straddle-type seat is comprised of a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion being removable separately from the rearward portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watercraft of claim 1 further comprising pumping chamber arranged beneath a rear-portion of the watercraft hull.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watercraft of claim 12 further comprising a means for propelling water arranged within the pumping chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is positioned at the bottom of the engine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine is of the dry-sump type of engine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by a four-cycle internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment defined by a deck connected to a hull of the watercraft, a removable deck member selectively positioned above a maintenance opening in the deck for accessing the engine in the engine compartment, the engine comprising at least one cylinder, an output shaft and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising an oil collector, a fill tube, and a filter wherein at least one of the oil collector, the fill tube and the filter is accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by a four-cycle internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment defined by a deck connected to a hull of the watercraft, a removable deck member selectively positioned above a maintenance opening in the deck for accessing the engine in the engine compartment, the engine comprising at least one cylinder, an output shaft and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising an oil collector, a fill tube, and a filter wherein at least one of the oil collector, the fill tube and the filter is accessible through the maintenance opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The watercraft of claim 16, wherein the oil collector is positioned lower than an axis of rotation of the output shaft relative to a bottom of the watercraft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The watercraft of claim 17 further comprising a secondary oil reservoir positioned remotely from the oil collector and in fluid communication with the oil collector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The watercraft of claim 17, wherein the engine is a dry-sump type of engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |