Patent ID: 6135834
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
An exhaust system for a watercraft having an internal combustion engine with an exhaust outlet port, the internal combustion engine producing exhaust gases which are expelled through the exhaust outlet port, a hull having a bottom, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall, the watercraft further having a centerline with a left side and a right side, the exhaust system comprising:a right exhaust pipe extending through said right sidewall;a left exhaust pipe extending through said left sidewall; andmeans for directing the exhaust gases from the exhaust outlet port to at least one of said right exhaust pipe and said left exhaust pipe, wherein said means for directing the exhaust gases includes means for selectively directing a greater portion of the exhaust gases to said right exhaust pipe to generate a steering force tending to steer the watercraft in a first direction and selectively directing a greater portion of the exhaust gases to said left exhaust pipe to generate a steering force tending to steer the watercraft in a second direction;wherein said means for selectively directing a greater portion of the exhaust gases includes:a bifurcated fluid conductor having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;a fluid conductor extending from the exhaust outlet port to said inlet of said bifurcated fluid conductor;a first exhaust valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a first movable member, said first movable member being movable between a first open position and a first closed position, said first exhaust valve allowing fluid to pass therethrough when said first movable member is in said first open position, said first exhaust valve substantially preventing fluid passage therethrough when said first movable member is in said first closed position, said first outlet of said bifurcated fluid conductor communicating with said inlet of said first exhaust valve, and said outlet of said first exhaust valve communicating with said right exhaust pipe; anda second exhaust valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a second movable member, said second movable member being movable between a second open position and a second closed position, said second exhaust valve allowing fluid to pass therethrough when said second movable member is in said second open position, said second exhaust valve substantially preventing fluid passage therethrough when said second movable member is in said second closed position, said second outlet of said bifurcated fluid conductor communicating with said inlet of said second exhaust valve, and said outlet of said second exhaust valve communicating with said left exhaust pipe.