US6015320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil cooler for watercraft
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1997-06-02
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2017-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A lubrication cooling system for an internal combustion engine positioned within an engine compartment of a personal watercraft for powering a water propulsion unit thereof, is disclosed. The lubrication cooling system lowers the temperature of the lubrication for the internal combustion engine of a personal watercraft. Preferably, the lubrication cooling system incorporates cooling the lubrication by introducing the lubrication cooler to a fluid such as forced air or ambient water.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayoshi Nanami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:24
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01M; F01M5/00; F01M5/002; B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/10; B63H; B63H21/00; B63H21/38; B63H21/386; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/18; B63H21/12; B63H21/14; F01P2050/00; F01P2050/02; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A small watercraft comprising a hull with an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine mounted in the engine compartment and including a crankcase, a water propulsion device powered by the internal combustion engine, and a lubrication system including a pump device, a lubrication cooler and a reservoir, the lubrication system communicating with the engine so as to supply lubricant thereto with the pump device circulating lubricant between the engine, the lubrication cooler, and the reservoir, the reservoir being disposed apart from the crankcase of the engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A small watercraft comprising a hull with an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine mounted in the engine compartment and including a crankcase, a water propulsion device powered by the internal combustion engine, and a lubrication system including a pump device, a lubrication cooler and a reservoir, the lubrication system communicating with the engine so as to supply lubricant thereto with the pump device circulating lubricant between the engine, the lubrication cooler, and the reservoir, the reservoir being disposed apart from the crankcase of the engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The small watercraft of claim 1, wherein the hull comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lubrication cooler is integrally disposed on the lower portion so as to place at least a portion of the lubrication cooler in contact with water with the watercraft residing in a normally upright position in a body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The small watercraft of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the hull comprises a ride plate, and the lubrication cooler is integrally disposed on the ride plate so as to place at least a portion of the lubrication cooler in contact with the water of a body of water in which the watercraft operates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The small watercraft of claim 3, wherein the hull further comprises a pump chamber for the propulsion device and wherein the ride plate extends beneath at least the entire pump chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The small watercraft of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the hull comprises an intake duct for the propulsion device, and the lubrication cooler is integrally disposed in the intake duct so as to place at least a portion of the lubrication cooler in contact with the water of a body of water in which the watercraft operates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The small watercraft of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the hull comprises a pump chamber for the propulsion device, and the lubrication cooler is integrally disposed in the pump chamber so as to place at least a portion of the lubrication cooler in contact with the water of a body of water in which the watercraft operates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The small watercraft of claim 1, wherein the propulsion device communicates with an intake duct, and the lubrication cooler is located at least partially in the intake duct to expose the portion of the lubricant cooler to a water flow through the water intake duct.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small watercraft of claim 1 additionally comprising means for delivering a flow of a generally ambient fluid adjacent to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small watercraft of claim 1, wherein the lubrication cooler is integrated with the hull so that at least part of the lubrication cooler communicates with ambient water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 9, wherein the lubrication cooler is positioned in a ride plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The small watercraft of claim 10, wherein the hull comprises a pump chamber for the propulsion device and wherein the ride plate extends beneath at least the entire pump chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The small watercraft of claim 9, wherein the lubrication cooler is positioned behind a bulkhead.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The small watercraft of claim 9, wherein the lubrication cooler is positioned within a tunnel of the propulsion device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The small watercraft of claim 1 additionally comprising a fluid delivery device for delivering a cooling fluid next to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The small watercraft of claim 14, wherein the fluid delivery device comprises an intake duct which communicates with water propulsion device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The small watercraft of claim 1, wherein the hull comprises an upper deck portion and a lower hull portion, and the lubrication cooler is located in the upper deck portion in a position exposing the lubrication cooler to a fluid flow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The small watercraft of claim 16, wherein the hull includes an intake chamber arranged toward a bow of the watercraft, and the lubrication cooler is located within the intake chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 1, wherein the lubrication cooler is located within a water jacket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The small watercraft of claim 18, wherein the water jacket communicates with the propulsion device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The small watercraft as in claim 18, wherein the water jacket communicates with an engine cooling system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler located within a water jacket.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler located within a water jacket.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The small watercraft of claim 21, wherein the water jacket communicates with the propulsion device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 22, wherein the water jacket is positioned above the propulsion device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 22, wherein the water jacket further communicates with an ambient water.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The small watercraft of claim 22, wherein the water jacket further communicates with an engine cooling system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 21, wherein the water jacket communicates with an engine cooling system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The small watercraft of claim 26, wherein the water jacket is positioned above the engine.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 26, wherein the water jacket further communicates with the ambient water.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 26, wherein the water jacket further communicates with the propulsion unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The small watercraft of claim 29, wherein the water jacket is positioned above the propulsion device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
79 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, the hull comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler located in the upper portion in a position exposing the lubrication cooler to a fluid flow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
79 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, the hull comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler located in the upper portion in a position exposing the lubrication cooler to a fluid flow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The small watercraft of claim 31, wherein the hull includes an intake chamber arranged toward a bow of the watercraft, and the lubrication cooler is located within the intake chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The small watercraft of claim 32 additionally comprising an air duct placing the engine compartment in communication with the intake chamber, the intake chamber including an inlet opening arranged to permit a flow of air into the intake chamber, and the lubrication cooler being positioned within the intake chamber between the inlet opening and the air duct.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The small watercraft of claim 33 additionally comprising a water drainage mechanism connected to the intake chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The small watercraft of claim 32, wherein the intake chamber is located toward one side of the hull.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The small watercraft of claim 35, wherein the hull is defined between the bow and a stern, and between a pair of sides, and the intake chamber includes a generally front-facing inlet opening and a generally side-facing outlet opening.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
85 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler being integrated with the hull so that at least part of the lubrication cooler communicates with ambient water, the lubrication cooler positioned in a tunnel that communicates with the water propulsion device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
85 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubricant between the engine and a lubrication cooler, the lubrication cooler being integrated with the hull so that at least part of the lubrication cooler communicates with ambient water, the lubrication cooler positioned in a tunnel that communicates with the water propulsion device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
91 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubrication between the engine and a lubrication cooler, and a fluid delivery device for delivering a cooling fluid next to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the fluid delivery device having an air intake chamber in the hull arranged to channel ambient air over the lubrication cooler.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
91 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubrication between the engine and a lubrication cooler, and a fluid delivery device for delivering a cooling fluid next to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the fluid delivery device having an air intake chamber in the hull arranged to channel ambient air over the lubrication cooler.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
103 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubrication between the engine and a lubrication cooler, and a fluid delivery device for delivering a cooling fluid next to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the fluid delivery device having a water jacket located above the propulsion device and arranged to contact at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the water jacket communicating with the propulsion unit.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
103 words
A small watercraft comprising a water propulsion device powered by an internal combustion engine, the engine mounted in an engine compartment of a hull, a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the engine, the lubrication system including a pump device that circulates lubrication between the engine and a lubrication cooler, and a fluid delivery device for delivering a cooling fluid next to at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the fluid delivery device having a water jacket located above the propulsion device and arranged to contact at least a portion of the lubrication cooler, the water jacket communicating with the propulsion unit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The small watercraft of claim 39, wherein the water jacket comprises a port which communicates with an engine cooling system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
87 words
A small watercraft comprising a hull with an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine mounted within the engine compartment and including a crankcase, a propulsion device powered by the internal combustion engine, a lubrication system including a pump and a reservoir, a lubrication system communicating with the engine so as to supply lubricant to the engine with the pump circulating lubricant between the engine and the reservoir, the reservoir being disposed apart from the crankcase of the engine, and means for cooling lubricant within the lubrication system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
A small watercraft comprising a hull with an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine mounted within the engine compartment and including a crankcase, a propulsion device powered by the internal combustion engine, a lubrication system including a pump and a reservoir, a lubrication system communicating with the engine so as to supply lubricant to the engine with the pump circulating lubricant between the engine and the reservoir, the reservoir being disposed apart from the crankcase of the engine, and means for cooling lubricant within the lubrication system.
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) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |