Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6506086
-
Patent Number
6,506,086
-
Date Filed
Thursday, June 28, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 14, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 440 88
- 440 89
- 181 212
- 181 264
- 181 266
- 181 272
- 181 273
- 181 276
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An exhaust system for a watercraft includes an improved construction of an exhaust silencer in which inlet and outlet conduits are arranged without interfering with each other. An inlet conduit is arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer. An outlet conduit is arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer. The silencer includes a main body defining a first chamber. The inlet conduit is coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber. The silencer further includes a side body bulging laterally outward from the main body. The side body defines a second chamber communicating with the first chamber. The outlet conduit is coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-19276, filed Jun. 28, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an exhaust system for a watercraft, and more particularly to an improved exhaust silencer for the exhaust system.
2. Description of Related Art
Personal watercrafts have become very popular in recent years. This type of watercraft is quite sporting in nature and carries one or more riders. A hull of the watercraft typically defines a rider's area above an engine compartment. An internal combustion engine powers a jet propulsion unit that propels the watercraft by discharging water rearward. The engine lies within the engine compartment in front of a tunnel which is formed on an underside of the hull. The jet propulsion unit is placed within the tunnel and includes an impeller that is driven by the engine.
The watercraft is provided with an exhaust system to route exhaust gases from the engine to a location out of the watercraft. In a typical arrangement, the exhaust system comprises exhaust conduits connected in series and the last conduit opens to the tunnel to discharge the exhaust gases thereto. One of the exhaust components forms a silencer to reduce exhaust noise. A body of the silencer typically is configured as a cylindrical shape structure. Usually, an inlet conduit is coupled with the body adjacent to a front end surface thereof, while an outlet conduit is coupled with the body toward an aft end of the silencer body. In some layouts of the personal watercraft, such an arrangement is not available or is not convenient due to surrounding device configurations or arrangements. For example, the outlet conduit must be placed in close proximity to the inlet conduit in one occasion. In this arrangement, however, another problem can arise in connection with the following special circumstances of the watercraft. That is, the outlet conduit preferably extends generally upwardly from the silencer body because outside water can be surely inhibited from entering the silencer body. In the meantime, normally, this type of watercraft includes a water cooling system to cool at least the engine with water, and the exhaust system allows the water to be delivered to the silencer body with the exhaust gases. In order to drive the water in the silencer body out, an inside end of the outlet conduit preferably is placed at the lowermost position within the silencer body. If, however, the outlet conduit must be placed adjacent to the inlet conduit, both the conduits (i.e., the conduits themselves and/or exhaust flows coming in and going out through the conduits) can interfere with each other within the silencer body.
A need therefore exists for an improved exhaust system of a watercraft that can have a construction of a silencer in which inlet and outlet conduits are arranged without interfering with each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a watercraft comprises an internal combustion engine. An exhaust system is arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to a location external of the watercraft. The exhaust system includes an exhaust silencer. An inlet conduit is arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer. An outlet conduit is arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer. The silencer comprises a main body defining a first chamber. The inlet conduit is coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber. A side body extends to a side of the main body. The side body defines a second chamber communicating with the first chamber. The outlet conduit is coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a watercraft comprises an internal combustion engine. An exhaust system is arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to a location external from the watercraft. The exhaust system includes an exhaust silencer. An inlet conduit is arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer. An outlet conduit is arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer. The silencer comprises first and second body members coupled with one another. The first body member defines a first chamber. The second body member defines a second chamber communicating with the first chamber. The inlet conduit is connected to the first chamber. The outlet conduit is connected to the second chamber. A lowermost point of the second body member is lower than a lowermost point of the first body member.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an exhaust silencer for an engine comprises a first outer housing containing a first internal volume and a partition dividing the internal volume into at least first and second chambers. The first chamber is defined between a first wall and the partition. An inlet conduit extends through the first wall into the first chamber. A first plane extends through the partition and a second plane extends through the first wall, generally parallel to the first plane. A second outer housing contains a second internal volume, and an outlet conduit extends through the second outer housing at a point disposed between the first and second planes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment which is intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The drawings comprise 5 figures.
FIG. 1
is a partially sectioned, side elevational view of a personal watercraft including an exhaust system configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a partial top plan view of the watercraft of FIG.
1
. An upper hull section of the watercraft is removed in this figure to illustrate an exhaust silencer of the exhaust system.
FIG. 3
is a sectional side view of the exhaust silencer of
FIG. 2
taken along the line
3
—
3
.
FIG. 4
is a sectional view of the exhaust silencer taken along the line
4
—
4
of FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is a sectional view of the exhaust silencer taken along the line
5
—
5
of FIG.
4
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
With reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, an overall construction of a personal watercraft
30
that employs an exhaust system
32
configured in accordance with the present invention will be described. The exhaust system has particular utility with the personal watercraft, and thus, is described in the context of the personal watercraft. The exhaust system, however, can be applied to other types of watercrafts as well, such as, for example, but without limitations, small jet boats and the like.
The personal watercraft
30
includes a hull
36
generally formed with a lower hull section
38
and an upper hull section or deck
40
. The lower hull section
38
can include one or more inner liner sections to strengthen the hull
36
or to provide mounting platforms for various internal components of the watercraft
30
. Both the lower and upper hull sections
38
,
40
are made of, for example, a molded fiberglass reinforced resin or a sheet molding compound. The lower hull section
38
and the upper hull section
40
are coupled together to define an internal cavity. An intersection of the hull sections
38
,
40
is defined in part along an outer surface gunnel or bulwark
42
. The hull
30
houses an internal combustion engine
44
that powers the watercraft
30
.
The lower hull section
38
is designed such that the watercraft
30
planes or rides on a minimum surface area at the aft end of the lower hull
38
in order to optimize the speed and handling of the watercraft
30
when up on plane. For this purpose, the lower hull section
38
generally has a V-shaped configuration formed by a pair of inclined sections that extend outwardly from a longitudinal center line
54
of the hull to the hull's side walls at a dead rise angle. Each inclined section desirably includes at least one strake and the strakes preferably are symmetrically disposed relative to the keel line of the watercraft
30
. The inclined sections also extend longitudinally from the bow toward the transom of the lower hull
38
. The side walls are generally flat and straight near the stern of the lower hull
38
and smoothly blend toward the longitudinal centerline
54
at the bow. The lines of intersection between the inclined sections and the corresponding side walls form the outer chines of the lower hull section
38
.
A steering mast
46
extends generally upwardly toward the top of the upper hull section
40
to support a handlebar
48
. The handlebar
48
is provided primarily for a rider to control the steering mast
46
so that a thrust direction of the watercraft
30
is properly changed. The handlebar
48
also carries control devices such as, for example, a throttle lever for operating throttle valves of the engine
44
.
A seat
52
extends fore to aft along a center plane
54
(
FIG. 2
) of the hull
36
at a location behind the steering mast
46
. The center plane
54
extends generally vertically with the watercraft resting in normal upright position. The seat
52
has generally a saddle shape so that the rider can straddle it. Foot areas are defined on both sides of the seat
52
and at the top surface of the upper hull section
40
. A cushion, which has a rigid backing and is supported by a pedestal section of the upper hull section
40
, forms part of the seat
52
. The pedestal forms the other portion of the seat
52
. The seat cushion is detachably affixed to the pedestal of the upper hull section
40
. An access opening is defined on the top surface of the pedestal, under the seat cushion, through which the rider can access at least a portion of the internal cavity, i.e. an engine compartment. The engine
44
is placed in the engine compartment. The engine compartment may be an area within the internal cavity or may be divided for one or more other areas of internal cavity by one or more bulkheads.
The upper hull section
40
includes a hutch
56
that is hinged to open or is detachably affixed in front of the steering mast
46
. A fuel tank
58
is placed in the internal cavity under the upper hull section
40
and preferably in front of the engine compartment. The rider can access the fuel tank
58
by opening or detaching the hatch
56
. The fuel tank
58
is coupled with a fuel inlet port positioned at a top surface of the upper hull section
40
through a filler duct
60
. A closure cap
62
closes the fuel inlet port. The fuel inlet port can be covered by the hatch
56
or can be disposed on the bow of the hall
36
next to the hatch
56
.
Air ducts or ventilation ducts
66
are provided at appropriate locations of the upper hull section
40
so that the ambient air can enter the internal cavity through the ducts
66
. Except for the air ducts, the engine compartment is substantially sealed so as to protect the engine
44
, a fuel supply system (including the fuel tank) and other systems or components from water.
A jet pump assembly
68
propels the watercraft
30
. The jet pump assembly
68
is mounted in a tunnel
70
formed on the underside of the lower hull section
38
. Optionally, the tunnel can be isolated from the engine compartment by a bulkhead. The tunnel
70
has a downward facing inlet port
72
opening toward the body of water. A pump housing
74
(
FIG. 2
) is disposed within a portion of the tunnel
70
and communicates with the inlet port
72
. An impeller
76
is journaled within the housing
74
. An impeller shaft
78
extends forwardly from the impeller
76
and is coupled with a crankshaft or output shaft
80
of the engine
44
by a coupling unit
82
to be driven by the crankshaft
80
. The rear end of the pump housing
74
defines a discharge nozzle
76
. A deflector or steering nozzle
78
is affixed to the discharge nozzle
76
for pivotal movement about a steering axis extending generally vertically. A cable connects the deflector
78
with the steering mast
46
so that the rider can steer the deflector
78
.
When the crankshaft
80
of the engine
44
drives the impeller shaft
78
and hence the impeller
76
rotates, water is drawn from the surrounding body of water through the inlet opening
72
. The pressure generated in the pump housing
74
by the impeller
76
produces a jet of water that is discharged through the discharge nozzle
76
and the deflector
78
. The water jet thus produces thrust to propel the watercraft
30
.
The engine
44
in the illustrated embodiment operates on a two-cycle crankcase compression principle and has three cylinders spaced apart from one another along the center plane
54
. The illustrated engine, however, merely exemplifies one type of engine in connection with which various aspects and features of the present exhaust system can be used. Other types of engines having other number of cylinders, having other cylinder arrangements, other cylinder orientations (e.g., upright cylinder banks) and operating on other combustion principles (e.g., four-cycle or rotary) can of course be applied.
The engine
44
typically includes a cylinder block defining three cylinder bores in which pistons reciprocate. At least one cylinder head member is affixed to the upper end of the cylinder block to close respective upper ends of the cylinder bores and defines combustion chambers with the cylinder bores and the pistons. A crankcase member is also affixed to the lower end of the cylinder block to close the respective lower ends of the cylinder bores and to define a crankcase chamber with the cylinder block. The crankshaft
80
is rotatably connected to the pistons through connecting rods and is journaled for rotation within the crankcase. The cylinder block, the cylinder head and the crankcase member preferably are made of aluminum alloy and together define an engine body
86
.
Engine mounts
88
, which are schematically shown in
FIG. 1
, extend from both sides of the engine body
86
. The engine mounts
88
preferably include resilient portions made of, for example, rubber material. The engine body
86
is mounted on the lower hull section
38
(or possibly on the hull liner) by the engine mounts
88
so that vibration of the engine body
86
is inhibited from transferring to the hull section
38
.
The engine
44
preferably includes an air induction system to induct air into the combustion chambers from within the internal cavity. Throttle valves are disposed within the induction system to regulate an amount of air delivered to the combustion chambers. The engine
44
can also include a fuel supply system including one or more charger formers, such as, for example, a carburetor system, or a direct or indirect fuel injection system. The fuel supply system supplies fuel to the combustion chambers generally in proportion to the air amount regulated by the throttle valves so that a proper air/fuel ratio can be held.
An ignition or firing system preferably is provided to ignite the air/fuel charge in the combustion chambers. The ignition system preferably includes spark plugs that have electrodes exposed into the combustion chambers, and ignition devices such as ignition coils and an igniter. The spark plugs fire the air/fuel charges in the combustion chambers by sparks made by the ignition devices at proper ignition timings controlled by an ECU (electronic control unit) or other control units.
The exhaust system
32
is provided to route burnt charges, i.e., exhaust gases, from the combustion chambers to a location outside the watercraft
30
. In the illustrated embodiment one exhaust port is defined in the cylinder block for each combustion chamber. An exhaust manifold
92
preferably is coupled with the cylinder block. Three branched portions of the manifold
92
are connected to the respective exhaust ports. An exhaust conduit
94
is coupled with the downstream, common end of the exhaust manifold
92
and extend generally around and above the front end of the engine body
86
. An end portion of the exhaust conduit
94
then turns generally rearward.
An exhaust silencer
100
preferably is placed at a location generally behind the engine
44
and is secured to the lower hull
38
(or possibly to a hull linear), firm added position generally above one of the inclined sections of the lower hull
38
. The silencer
100
preferably is made of aluminum based alloy. As seen in
FIG. 2
, the silencer
100
is positioned on the port side relative to the longitudinal center plane
54
. The end portion of the exhaust conduit
94
is coupled with an inlet conduit or pipe
102
of the silencer
100
via a flexible joint
103
. An outlet conduit or pipe
104
of the silencer
100
extends generally upwardly from the silencer
100
, and a flexible hose
105
that is coupled with the outlet conduit
104
extends toward the starboard side of the watercraft
30
beyond the longitudinal center plane
54
. A major portion of a water trap or resonator
106
is placed in this half space. The flexible hose
105
is connected to the water trap
106
in the area of the starboard side. A discharge pipe
108
preferably extends from the water trap
106
to couple the water trap
106
with the tunnel
70
. That is, the exhaust system
32
ends at a discharge port
110
that opens at the tunnel
70
and thus to the exterior of the watercraft
30
. The discharge port
110
preferably is positioned at a location which can be out of the body of water in the event the watercraft
30
capsizes. The exhaust gases can be discharged through the exhaust manifold
92
, exhaust conduit
94
, flexible joint
103
, inlet conduit
102
of the silencer
100
, silencer
100
, outlet conduit
104
of the silencer
100
, flexible hose
105
, water trap
106
and discharge pipe
108
. Because of the arrangements of the exhaust components, the outside water cannot enter the engine
44
even if the watercraft
30
capsizes or take any positions on the body of water. The construction of the water trap
106
can be in accordance with the exhaust device indicated by the reference numeral
74
as set forth in a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/895,014 filed Jun. 27, 2001, titled EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR WATERCRAFT, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
As a typical watercraft construction, the watercraft
30
preferably includes an open-loop type water cooling system. The cooling water is introduced into the system from the body of water. The cooling system preferably includes a water intake conduit that is connected to a water jacket defined in the exhaust manifold
92
. The cooling water is delivered at least to water jackets formed within the engine body
86
to cool engine portions which build heat therein. Typically, the water flows through a water jacket formed around the exhaust conduit
94
and then is mixed with the exhaust gases at an appropriate downstream location and is delivered to the silencer
100
.
With primary reference to
FIGS. 3-5
and additionally with reference still to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the exhaust silencer
100
will now be described in greater detail.
The exhaust silencer
100
preferably comprises a main body
120
and a side body
122
. The main body
120
is generally configured as a cylindrical shape that has a longitudinal axis
124
and defines a chamber
126
therein. The longitudinal axis
124
extends to part from the longitudinal center plane
54
rearwardly so as to avoid interference with the pump housing
74
. The side body
122
in turn is generally configured as a rectangular parallelepiped to define another chamber
128
therein. The side body
122
preferably is formed separately from the main body
120
and is welded to a side surface of the main body
120
on its starboard side. That is, the side body
122
bulges out laterally from the main body
120
. As best seen in
FIG. 4
, the side body
122
slants outwardly downwardly so that a bottom
129
thereof is positioned lower than a bottom
130
of the main body
120
. Thus, the lowermost point of the side body
122
(defined by the bottom
129
) is an elevation lower than the lowermost point of the main body
120
(defined by the bottom
130
). With this arrangement, the lowermost points of the main body
120
and the side body
122
generally follow the slope of the inclined section of the lower hull
38
. The side surface where the side body
122
is welded to the main body
120
is located in a forward-most area of the main body
120
.
A partition
131
is welded inside the main body
120
to extend transversely, i.e., normal to the longitudinal axis
124
, between both internal surfaces. The partition
131
thus divides the chamber
126
to define a forward sub-chamber
132
and a rear sub-chamber
134
. The forward sub-chamber
132
is thus defined, in part, by a forward wall
133
of the main body
120
and the partition
131
. The location where the partition
131
is welded corresponds to a portion of the main body
120
which is within the forward area.
While a rear end
136
of the main body
120
is completely closed, a forward end
138
thereof defines an opening which center is almost on the longitudinal axis
124
. The partition
131
also defines an opening which center also is almost on the same axis
124
. Respective inner diameters of the openings are generally equal to each other and also to an outer diameter of the inlet conduit
102
. The inlet conduit
102
thus is fitted into both the openings to dispose a rear end
140
of the inlet conduit
102
within the rear sub-chamber
140
, and is welded with both the forward end
138
and the partition
131
to close up the openings. That is, the inlet conduit
102
penetrates through the forward sub-chamber
132
to reach the rear sub-chamber
134
. As best seen in
FIG. 3
, the inlet conduit
102
slants downwardly rearwardly. As best seen in
FIG. 4
, a center axis of the inlet conduit
102
is almost inconsistent with the longitudinal axis
124
of the main body
120
, although slanting. The rear end
140
of the inlet conduit
102
is cut so that the exhaust gases are directed generally downwardly when entering the rear sub-chamber
134
.
The side surface of the main body
120
where the side body
122
is positioned preferably defines an opening
144
between the forward end
138
and the partition
131
. The opening
144
preferably generally configured as a square shape. The chamber
128
of the side body
122
thus communicates with the forward sub-chamber
132
of the main body
120
. A lower end
146
of the opening
144
is positioned lower than a most-lower end
148
of the inlet conduit
102
. As the silencer construction, the chamber
128
and the forward sub-chamber
132
together define an expansion chamber
150
, while the rear sub-chamber
134
solely defines another expansion chamber. Both the expansion chambers
134
,
150
have certain volumes so that the exhaust gases expand to reduce exhaust energy therein.
The same side surface of the main body
120
also defines an opening slightly rearward the partition
130
but at a portion existing within the chamber
128
of the side body
122
. A connecting pipe
152
is fitted into the opening to connect the chamber
128
with the rear sub-chamber
134
. The connecting pipe
152
is welded with the side surface of the main body
100
. As best seen in
FIG. 4
, the connecting pipe
152
slants outwardly downwardly along the configuration of the side body
122
. The rear end
140
of the inlet conduit
102
is positioned adjacent to the opening, i.e., the connecting pipe
152
. It should be noted that the connecting pipe
152
is not necessarily provided. However, the pipe
152
advantageously orients the exhaust gas flow generally downwardly.
The side body
122
defines an opening atop thereof. The outlet conduit
104
extends through the opening and is welded to the side body
122
. The outlet conduit
104
preferably is disposed closer to the opening
21
rather than the connecting pipe
152
. A lower end
154
of the outlet conduit
104
preferably is positioned lower than the lower-most end
148
of the inlet conduit
102
and is generally positioned at the same level as the lower-most end
146
of the opening
144
. As noted, the outlet conduit
104
extends generally upwardly. More specifically, with the upward extension, the outlet conduit
104
slightly bends rearwardly as seen in FIG.
3
and also slightly protrudes outwardly as seen in FIG.
4
.
Arranged as such, the first sub-chamber
132
, the point at which the inlet conduit
102
passes through the wall
133
, and the outlet conduit
104
extend along a portion of the exhaust silencer having a length equal to approximately one-third of the total length of the exhaust silencer
100
. Thus, the inlet end of the inlet conduit
102
and the outlet end of the outlet conduit
104
can be disposed in the forward-most one-third portion of the silencer
100
and thus, more conveniently connected to other exhaust components while the rearward most end of the silencer
100
can the positioned in a more remote portion of the engine compartment.
The water coming from the exhaust conduit
94
flows into the chamber
126
, specifically, the rear sub-chamber
134
. The water can flow out to the chamber
128
of the side body
122
through the connecting pipe
152
. Due to the slant arrangement of the connecting pipe
152
, a lower end
158
of the pipe
152
located at the rear sub-chamber
134
is higher than a bottom end of the sub-chamber
134
. The water thus can accumulate within the rear sub-chamber
134
. The partition
131
preferably defines one or more water drains
160
that can expedite draining of the accumulated water to the chamber
128
through the forward sub-chamber
132
. The drains
160
preferably are positioned lower than the lower end
158
, which is located at the rear sub-chamber
134
, of the connecting pipe
152
, or at least at the same level as the end
160
.
The exhaust conduit
94
sends the exhaust gases to the inlet conduit
102
through the flexible joint
103
. The exhaust gases flow through the inlet conduit
102
as indicated by the arrows
164
of
FIGS. 3 and 5
, and enter the rear sub-chamber
134
. Because the sub-chamber
134
is the expansion chamber, the exhaust gases expand therein to lose exhaust energy. The exhaust gases then go to the chamber
128
of the side body
122
through the connecting pipe
152
as indicated by the arrows
166
of
FIGS. 3-5
. Since the chamber
128
communicates with the forward sub-chamber
132
of the main body
120
to define the expansion chamber
150
, the exhaust gases again expand in this expansion chamber
150
to lose the energy further. The exhaust gases then flow through the outlet conduit
104
and go to the water trap
106
via the flexible hose
105
as indicated by the arrows
168
of
FIGS. 3-5
. In the illustrated embodiment, because the exhaust gases expand twice, the exhaust noise can be extremely reduced. It should be noted, however, only one expansion chamber is practicable in some occasions.
Simultaneously, the water coming from the exhaust conduit
94
is pushed out to the water trap
106
by the exhaust pressure. Although the water of course is heavier than the exhaust gases, the exhaust pressure is sufficient enough to pressurize and drive the water to go out. The downward slant of the connecting pipe
152
can assist urging of the water by the exhaust pressure. In addition, because the bottom end
129
of the side body
122
is positioned lower than the bottom end
130
of the main body
120
, the water can be collected in the bottom of the side body
122
. The outlet conduit
104
opens closely to the water collection. The water thus is vigorously wiped out toward the outlet conduit
104
. The lower bottom
129
of the side body can also advantageously lower the water level within the silencer
100
than the lower-most end
148
of the inlet conduit
102
so that the water hardly returns back to the engine
44
.
As thus described, the inlet and outlet conduits of the illustrated embodiment can be arranged in the silencer construction without interfering with each other even though they are closely disposed with each other.
Of course, the foregoing description is that of a preferred construction having certain features, aspects and advantages in accordance with the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the above-described arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein the outlet conduit extends generally upwardly through an upper section of the side body.
- 2. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first chamber is divided into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the inlet conduit being connected to the second sub-chamber.
- 3. The watercraft as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and second sub-chambers communicate with each other through the second chamber.
- 4. The watercraft as set forth in claim 3, wherein the second sub-chamber is connected to the second chamber through an opening, the opening being formed adjacent to an outlet end of the inlet conduit disposed within the second sub-chamber.
- 5. The watercraft as set forth in claim 4, wherein the opening comprises a connecting conduit extending transversely to the inlet conduit.
- 6. The watercraft as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first sub-chamber is connected to the second chamber through an opening, and the opening is formed adjacent to the outlet conduit.
- 7. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1 additionally comprising a water cooling system arranged to cool at least a portion of the exhaust system with water, wherein the exhaust system allows the water at least in part to be delivered to the silencer with the exhaust gases.
- 8. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein the first chamber is divided into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the inlet conduit being connected to the second sub-chamber, the first and second sub-chambers communicating with each other through the second chamber, the second sub-chamber being connected to the second chamber through an opening, the opening being formed adjacent to an outlet end of the inlet conduit disposed within the second sub-chamber, and wherein the outlet end of the inlet conduit faces downwardly.
- 9. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein the first chamber is divided into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the inlet conduit being connected to the second sub-chamber, the first and second sub-chambers communicating with each other through the second chamber, the second sub-chamber being connected to the second chamber through an opening, the opening being formed adjacent to an outlet end of the inlet conduit disposed within the second sub-chamber, and a partition disposed between the first and second sub-chambers, the partition including a water drain positioned lower than an inlet end of the opening.
- 10. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein the first chamber is divided into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the inlet conduit being connected to the second sub-chamber, and wherein the inlet conduit extends through the first sub-chamber to communicate with the second sub-chamber.
- 11. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein an outlet end of the inlet conduit disposed within the main body is configured so that the exhaust gases are directed generally downwardly when entering the first chamber.
- 12. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein a bottom of the side body is positioned lower than a bottom of the main body.
- 13. The watercraft as set forth in claim 12, wherein an end of the outlet conduit disposed within the side chamber is positioned lower than an end of the inlet conduit disposed within the main body.
- 14. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein an end of the outlet conduit disposed within the side chamber is positioned lower than an end of the inlet conduit disposed within the main body.
- 15. The watercraft as set forth in claim 14, wherein the outlet conduit extends generally upwardly through an upper surface of the side body.
- 16. The watercraft as set forth in claim 14 additionally comprising a water cooling system arranged to cool at least a portion of the exhaust system with water, the water cooling system communicating with the exhaust system such that at least a portion of the water is introduced into the exhaust gas flow upstream of the exhaust silencer.
- 17. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising a main body defining a first chamber, the inlet conduit being coupled with the main body to communicate with the first chamber, and a side body extending outwardly toward a side of the main body, the side body defining a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and the outlet conduit being coupled with the side body to communicate with the second chamber, wherein the main body generally has a cylindrical shape.
- 18. The watercraft as set forth in claim 17, wherein the main body includes a partition transversely disposed therein to divide the first chamber into two sub-chambers.
- 19. The watercraft as set forth in claim 18, wherein the inlet conduit extends through the partition to communicate with one of the sub-chambers.
- 20. A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an exterior of the watercraft, the exhaust system including an exhaust silencer, an inlet conduit arranged to deliver the exhaust gases to the silencer, and an outlet conduit arranged to discharge the exhaust gases from the silencer, the silencer comprising first and second body members coupled with each other, the first body member defining a first chamber and a second chamber positioned generally rearward from the first chamber, the first body member defining a first lowermost point, the second body member defining a third chamber disposed at least partially on a lateral side of the first chamber and at least partially forward from the second chamber, the second body member including a second lowermost point disposed lower than the first lowermost point.
- 21. The watercraft as set forth in claim 20 additionally comprising a water cooling system arranged to cool at least a portion of the exhaust system, wherein the exhaust system allows at least a portion of the water to be delivered to the silencer with exhaust gases flowing therein.
- 22. The watercraft as set forth in claim 20, wherein the first chamber is defined between a forward wall of the first body member and a partition which is between the first and second chambers, the inlet conduit extending through the forward wall, the forward wall defining a first plane and the partition defining a second plane, the outlet conduit being positioned between the first and second planes.
- 23. The watercraft as set forth in claim 20, wherein the outlet conduit extends generally upwardly through an upper section of the second body member.
- 24. The watercraft as set forth in claim 20 additionally comprising a partition between the first and second chambers, the partition including at least one water drain through which the first and second chambers communicate with each other.
- 25. The watercraft as set forth in claim 24, wherein one of the first and second chambers communicates with the third chamber through an opening, the drain being positioned lower than a lower end of the opening.
- 26. The watercraft as set forth in claim 20 additionally comprising a hull defining a keel line and having a lower portion comprising two inclined sections extending from the keel line at a dead rise angle.
- 27. The watercraft according to claim 26, wherein the exhaust silencer is disposed above at least one of the two inclined sections.
- 28. The watercraft according to claim 27, wherein the first and second lowermost points are arranged generally to follow a slope of the at least one of the two inclined sections.
- 29. An exhaust silencer for an engine comprising a first outer housing section containing a first internal volume, a partition dividing the internal volume into at least first and second chambers, the first chamber being defined between a first wall and the partition, an inlet conduit extending through the first wall into the first chamber, a first plane extending through the partition, a second plane extending through the first wall and generally parallel to the first plane, a second outer housing section containing a second internal volume, and an outlet conduit extending through the second outer housing section at a point disposed between the first and second planes, wherein the first and second chambers are arranged generally longitudinally in the first outer housing, and wherein the inlet conduit, a longitudinal end wall of the outer housing, and the outlet conduit extend along a portion of the silencer having a length equal to one-third of a total length of the exhaust silencer.
- 30. An exhaust silencer for an engine comprising a first outer housing section containing a first internal volume, a partition dividing the internal volume into at least first and second chambers, the first chamber being defined between a first wall and the partition, an inlet conduit extending through the first wall into the first chamber, a first plane extending through the partition, a second plane extending through the first wall and generally parallel to the first plane, a second outer housing section containing a second internal volume, and an outlet conduit extending through the second outer housing section at a point disposed between the first and second planes, wherein the first outer housing has a substantially cylindrical shape.
- 31. The exhaust silencer as set forth in claim 30, wherein the first and second chambers are arranged generally longitudinally in the first outer housing.
- 32. The exhaust silencer as set forth in claim 30, wherein the first wall comprises a longitudinal end wall of the outer housing.
- 33. The exhaust silencer as set forth in claim 30, wherein the first wall comprises curved portions.
- 34. The exhaust silencer as set forth in claim 30, wherein the second outer housing includes a peripheral edge that is joined to an outer surface of the first outer housing, the first outer housing cooperating with the second outer housing, in part, to define the second internal volume.
- 35. An exhaust silencer for an engine comprising a first outer housing section containing a first internal volume, a partition dividing the internal volume into at least first and second chambers, the first chamber being defined between a first wall and the partition, an inlet conduit extending through the first wall into the first chamber, a first plane extending through the partition, a second plane extending through the first wall and generally parallel to the first plane, a second outer housing section containing a second internal volume, and an outlet conduit extending through the second outer housing section at a point disposed between the first and second planes, wherein the partition is bowl-shaped.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-194276 |
Jun 2000 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (45)