Jonathan J Servais

US Patent:

6840095, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Apr 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/559867

Inventors:

Patrick C. Tetzlaff - Franklin WI, US
James E. Macier - Beach Park IL, US
Jonathan J. Servais - Kenosha WI, US

Assignee:

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. - Valcourt

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

731181

Abstract:

The present invention, in one aspect, includes a diaphragm assembly for being connected between an engine exhaust path and an engine electronic control unit to transmit changes in exhaust gas pressure from the exhaust path to the control unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm housing and a diaphragm positioned in the housing and separating a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is configured to be in flow communication with the exhaust path and the second chamber is configured to be in flow communication with the engine control unit. The diaphragm housing, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a first housing member and a second housing member. An inner surface of the first housing member also is a side wall of the first chamber, and the inner surface has a conical shape to facilitate drainage of water from the first chamber. Also, the first chamber has a first volume and said second chamber has a second volume.

US Patent:

6491554, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/614186

Inventors:

Jonathan Servais - Kenosha WI

Assignee:

Bombardier Motor Corporation of America - Grant FL

International Classification:

B63H 11113

US Classification:

440 42, 440 40

Abstract:

A watercraft having a turnable (i. e. , pivotable) planing surface, preferably with at least one skeg projecting generally vertically downward from the planing surface. This structure is designed to provide improved steering performance of watercraft, particularly jet-powered boats, while minimizing drag. The turnable planing surface is formed by a bottom surface of a steering pad mounted beneath a jet propulsion unit. In one embodiment, the water jet propulsion unit is fixed (i. e. , not turnable) and the skeg-bearing planing surface is turnable relative to the water jet propulsion unit. In another embodiment, the water jet propulsion unit is turnable relative to the hull centerline (e. g. , in the manner of an outboard engine) and the skeg-bearing planing surface is fixed relative to the water jet propulsion unit (i. e. , the skeg-bearing planing surface turns in unison with the jet propulsion unit).