Patent ID: 6428371
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B63H,F02B,F02D,G05G

Abstract:
A jet propulsion watercraft comprising:(A) a hull; (B) a propulsion unit, comprising: an internal combustion engine within said hull; a manual throttle control for controlling a throttle of said internal combustion engine; a jet propulsion water pump driven by said internal combustion engine, said jet propulsion water pump having a body, a water inlet for admitting water into said body, a water outlet at the opposite end of said body, an impeller for circulating water longitudinally through said body; (C) a manual steering control for steering said jet propulsion watercraft; (D) a steering nozzle coupled to said body in registry with said water outlet, said steering nozzle capable of being pivoted for controlling the direction of the jet of water produced by said propulsion unit and thereby steering said jet propulsion watercraft; and (E) a throttle actuator responsive to said manual steering control for causing said propulsion unit to generate a propulsion force at least equal to the minimum propulsive force necessary to effectively steer said jet propulsion watercraft when said manual steering control is turned in either direction beyond a predetermined angular threshold, whereby to cause said jet propulsion watercraft to remain maneuverable independently of the manual throttle control setting.