Abstract:
A watercraft comprising a hull and a deck supported by the hull, so as to define a cavity therebetween. The deck has an opening to access an engine compartment in the cavity. An engine is provided in the engine compartment. An engine cover is displaceable between an opened position, remote from the opening in the deck to allow access to the engine, and a closed position, closing the opening. The engine cover has a first surface exposed when the engine cover is in the closed position, a second surface unexposed when the engine cover is in the closed position, a thickness dimension between the first surface and the second surface, an air conduit in the thickness dimension. The air conduit has an inlet end in the first surface and an outlet end in the second surface. The outlet end is in fluid communication with an air intake of the engine.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to watercraft and, more particularly, to an air intake system associated with an engine cover of jet-powered watercraft.  
         [0003]     2. Background Art  
         [0004]     Personal watercraft are common place in the nautical industry. The personal watercraft consists of a versatile jet-powered nautical vehicle for one or more rider, that is used for touring and as a nautical sport. In the latter use, where stand-up type personal watercraft are often used, the personal watercraft is configured to be nimbler.  
         [0005]     The personal watercraft is relatively small when compared to jet-powered watercraft, but nonetheless have similar components, such as the engine and propulsion system, the steering system, etc . . . Therefore, the use of the cavity defined between the deck and the hull must be optimized in order to have sufficient space for all the necessary equipment for the operation of the personal watercraft.  
         [0006]     Air intake systems of personal watercraft take up a good portion of the space. As the personal watercraft is adapted for various maneuvers in the water, the air intake systems must be configured so as to prevent water infiltration in the engine. Therefore, the air intake systems of personal watercraft have an air inlet, conduits that communicate the air inlet to the engine compartment, with the conduits being in chicane configurations to prevent water from reaching the engine.  
         [0007]     It would be desirable to provide air intake systems that use reduced volume within the cavity of the watercraft, while maintaining suitable chicane configurations to substantially prevent water from passing therethrough to reach the engine.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an engine cover having an air intake system.  
         [0009]     It is a further aim of the present invention that the engine cover is readily assembled to form the air intake system.  
         [0010]     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a watercraft comprising: a hull; a deck supported by the hull, so as to define a cavity therebetween, the deck having an opening to access an engine compartment in the cavity; an engine in the engine compartment; and an engine cover being displaceable between an opened position, remote from the opening in the deck to allow access to the engine, and a closed position, closing the opening, the engine cover having a first surface exposed when the engine cover is in the closed position, a second surface unexposed when the engine cover is in the closed position, a thickness dimension between the first surface and the second surface, an air conduit in the thickness dimension, the air conduit having an inlet end in the first surface and an outlet end in the second surface, the outlet end being in fluid communication with the engine compartment.  
         [0011]     Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an engine cover for a watercraft, comprising: a first surface; a second surface adapted to be resting on a deck of the watercraft such that the engine cover is supported by the deck of the watercraft to cover an engine access opening; a thickness dimension between the first surface and the second surface; an air conduit in the thickness dimension, the air conduit having an inlet end in the first surface and an outlet end in the second surface, the outlet end being adapted to be in fluid communication with an an engine compartment of the watercraft. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a port side elevation view of a personal watercraft having an engine cover in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the engine cover with respect to a deck of the personal watercraft, taken from a port side and bow standpoint;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the engine cover of the present invention, taken from a starboard side standpoint;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the engine cover, with an outer skin in an exploded view with respect to a core and an inner skin, from a port side standpoint;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the engine cover of  FIG. 4 , taken from a starboard side standpoint; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the engine cover of  FIG. 4 , taken from a bow standpoint.  
         [0019]     An annex of figures is provided following FIGS.  1  to  6 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Referring to the drawings and, more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a personal watercraft is generally shown at  10  (hereinafter PWC  10 ). The PWC  10  is configured to allow stand-up type riding, but may also be a straddle-type personal watercraft. The PWC  10  has a bow B, a stern S, a port side P and a starboard side D. The PWC  10  has two main parts, namely a hull  12  and a deck  14 . The hull  12  buoyantly supports the personal watercraft  10  in a body of water. The hull  12  and the deck  14  are sealed together at bond line  16 . The space between the hull  12  and the deck  14  forms a cavity that accommodates an engine  18 , as well as other components such as, non exhaustively, a gas tank, an electrical system (battery, electronic control unit, drive shaft, etc.), which form, together with the engine  18 , the propulsion system of the PWC  10 .  
         [0021]     The PWC  10  has a steering system that has an exposed portion  19  connected to the deck  14  at the bow B. The steering system is provided for the steering of the PWC  10 . An engine cover  20  is generally positioned above the engine  18 , and is openable so as to provide access to the engine  18 . For instance, a foremost edge of the engine cover  20  may be hinged to the deck  14 , for opening the engine cover  20 .  
         [0022]     The engine cover  20  defines an air intake system in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the engine cover  20  has air inlets and conduits in a chicane configuration to connect the air inlets to the engine  18  compartment. Accordingly, beyond the air conduits of the engine cover  20 , air conduits can go relatively directly to the engine  18 , i.e., without further chicanes.  
         [0023]     Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the engine cover  20  has an outer skin  30 , a core  40  and an inner skin  50 . For reference purposes, a central longitudinal axis of the PWC  10  will be illustrated at X in the Figs. The central longitudinal axis X separates the PWC  10  in the port side P and the starboard side D.  
         [0024]     The outer skin  30  is the exposed portion of the engine cover  20  when the engine cover  20  is in a closed position onto the deck  14  of the PWC  10 . As will be detailed hereinafter, the outer skin  30  has air inlets, and outlet gutters, such that air reaching the air inlets may be directed out of the engine cover  30 .  
         [0025]     The core  40  is sandwiched between the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50 . As will detailed hereinafter, the core  40  defines the chicane configuration conduits with inner surfaces of the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50 .  
         [0026]     The inner skin  50  supports the outer skin  30  and the core  40 . As will be detailed hereinafter, the inner skin  50  ensures the water tightness between the engine cover  20  and the deck  14 . The inner skin  50  is interconnected to the outer skin  30 , and ensures the fluid communication between the engine cover  20  and the air hoses of the engine  18 .  
         [heading-0027]     Air Inlets  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the core  40  is shown positioned onto the inner skin  50 . Reference letters B and S are shown to illustrate how the engine cover  20  is positioned on the PWC. A port inlet  60 P is defined between an underside of the core  40  and an upper side of the inner skin  50 . The port inlet  60 P remains exposed when the outer skin  30  is mounted onto the core  40 /inner skin  50  combination. The port inlet  60 P communicates with an inlet cylindrical passage  62 P of a chicane conduit extending from the underside of the core  40  to an upperside thereof. The inlet cylindrical passage  62 P emerges into a chicane conduit channel  64 P, which will be described in further detail hereinafter.  
         [0029]     To increase the air intake through the engine cover  20 , a similar inlet configuration is provided on the starboard side D of the engine cover  20 . More specifically, referring to  FIG. 5 , the engine cover  20  has a starboard inlet  60 D defined between the underside of the core  40  and the upper side of the inner skin  50 . The port inlet  60 D remains exposed when the outer skin  30  is mounted onto the core  40 /inner skin  50  combination. The starboard inlet  60 D communicates with an inlet cylindrical passage  62 D extending from the underside of the core  40  to an upperside thereof. The inlet cylindrical passage  62 D emerges into a chicane conduit channel  64 D, which will be described in further detail hereinafter. Advantageously, the chicane conduit channels  64 D and  64 P are above the inlets  60 D and  60 P, thereby providing an obstacle against water reaching the chicane conduit channels  64 D and  64 P.  
         [heading-0030]     Outlet Gutters  
         [0031]     Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P are positioned forward of the air inlets  60 D and  60 P, respectively. The outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P are respectively defined by cutouts  68 D and  68 P ( FIG. 6 ) in the core  40 , and by inner surfaces of the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50 .  
         [0032]     The outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P are in fluid communication with the inlets  60 D and  60 P, respectively, but are slightly below the latters, such that water entering in the inlets  60 D and/or  60 P will flow toward the respective outlet gutters  66 D and/or  66 P. As seen in  FIG. 6 , plenums  68 D and  68 P ensure the fluid communication between the inlets  60 D and  60 P, respectively, and the gutter portions  66 D and  66 P. The plenums  68 D and  68 P are defined by channels formed in the core  40  and an inner surface of the inner skin  50 .  
         [0033]     When the outer skin  30  is mounted onto the inner skin  50 , there is a gap between the periphery of the outer skin  30  and the periphery of the outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P, such that water in the outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P will be drained out of the engine cover  20  upon reaching the outlet gutters  66 D and  66 P.  
         [heading-0034]     Chicane Conduits  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the chicane conduit channel  64 P is in fluid communication with the inlet cylindrical passage  62 P. The chicane conduit channel  64 P is formed into the core  40 . When the outer skin  30  is laid onto the core  40  (as in  FIG. 1 ), an inner surface of the outer skin  30  contacts the core  40  at the periphery of the chicane conduit channel  64 P, such that a chicane conduit is defined therebetween. Small ribs extending from the channel contour nay be added to ensure better sealing between the channel and the outer skin  30 .  
         [0036]     The chicane conduit channel  64 P has a transverse portion  70 P, and a longitudinal portion  72 P. The transverse portion  70 P is transversely positioned with respect to the central longitudinal axis X of the PWC  10 , so as to overlap same. The transverse portion  70 P is connected at an inlet end to the inlet cylindrical passage  62 P, and at a free end to the longitudinal portion  72 P.  
         [0037]     The longitudinal portion  72 P is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis X of the PWC  10 . A free end of the longitudinal portion  72 P is connected to an outlet cylindrical passage  74 P of the chicane conduit, formed concurrently by the core  40  and the inner skin  50 . The outlet cylindrical passage  74 P is in fluid communication with an air intake (not shown) of the engine  18  ( FIG. 1 ), such that air can be supplied to the engine  18 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a groove  76 P is defined in the longitudinal portion  72 P. The groove  76 P is optionally provided to increase a cross-section of the chicane conduit. Minimal intake cross-sections are regulated, and the groove  76 P represents a simple way to increase the intake cross-section of the chicane conduit of the engine cover  20 .  
         [0039]     Similarly to the chicane conduit channel  64 P, the chicane conduit channel  64 D forms a chicane conduit when the outer skin  30  or the rib (not shown) is laid onto the core  40 . The inner surface of the outer skin  30  contacts the core  40  at the periphery of the chicane conduit channel  64 P, thereby together forming the chicane conduit channel.  
         [0040]     The chicane conduit channel  64 D has a transverse portion  70 D, overlapping the central longitudinal axis X of the PWC  10 , and a longitudinal portion  70 P. The transverse portion  70 D is connected at an inlet end to the inlet cylindrical passage  62 D, and at a free end to the longitudinal portion  72 D.  
         [0041]     The longitudinal portion  72 D is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis X of the PWC  10 . A free end of the longitudinal portion  72 D is connected to an outlet cylindrical passage  74 D of the chicane conduit, formed concurrently by the core  40  and the inner skin  50 . The outlet cylindrical passage  74 D is in fluid communication with another air intake (not shown) of the engine  18  ( FIG. 1 ), such that air can be supplied to the engine  18 . A groove  76 D is provided to increase a cross-section of the chicane conduit.  
         [0042]     As mentioned above, the chicane conduit channels  64 D and  64 P have the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P that overlap the central longitudinal axis X. In the event that the PWC  10  has tilted on the side and thus has one of its sides (starboard D or port P) submerged, water entering the chicane conduit will not reach the longitudinal portions  72 D or  72 P, because of the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P.  
         [0043]     Moreover, the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P are slanted toward the respective inlets  60 D and  60 P with respect to a horizon of the PWC  10  in a normal floating position of the PWC  10  (i.e., with the deck  14  being generally horizontal). Accordingly, once the PWC  10  is returned to its normal floating position after being laterally submerged, water drains out of the chicane conduit through the inlets  60 D and  60 P, because of the slant in the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P, and the fact that the inlets  60 D and  60 P are positioned below the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P. Also, the transverse portions  70 D and  70 P are positioned forward of the inlets  60 D and  60 P, respectively, thereby forming another obstacle against water penetration in the chicane conduits.  
         [0044]     Alternatively, the chicane conduit, including the inlet cylindrical passages  62 D and  62 P and the outlet cylindrical passages  74 D and  74 P, may be provided with check valve mechanisms to prevent water from reaching the air intakes of the engine  18  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0045]     The outlet cylindrical passages  74 D and  74 P will be connected to the air intakes of the engine  18  ( FIG. 1 ). As the engine cover  20  is typically openable to reach the engine  18 , it is preferred to provide mating configurations between the outlet cylindrical passages  74 D and  74 P, and respective ones of the air intakes to the engine compartment, such that the outlet cylindrical passages  74 D and  74 P will sealingly connect with the air intakes when the engine cover  20  goes from an opened position to the closed position.  
         [0046]     Construction  
         [0047]     It is contemplated to provide an engine cover, in accordance with the present invention, composed of conduits in a hollow shell. For instance, the outer skin  30  could be used with various conduits on an inner surface thereof, rather than with the core  40  and the inner skin  50 . These various conduits would be connected to the air intakes of the engine  18  ( FIG. 1 ), and would be positioned in suitable chicane configuration to prevent water from reaching the air intakes.  
         [0048]     The three-layer configuration shown in FIGS.  2  to  6  is relatively simple to assemble. As the various conduits are preformed in the outer skin  30 , the core  40  and the inner skin  50 , the interconnection of the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50 , with the core  40  therebetween, is the only step required to form a chicane configuration for the engine cover  20 .  
         [0049]     The core  40  preferably consists of a foamy plastic, such as an expandable plastic. For instance, EPP (expandable polypropylene) or EPE (expandable polyethylene) are resilient, and are thus advantageously used in the engine cover  20  of the present invention. More precisely, the resilience of these materials can be used to isolate the various components of the engine cover  20  formed by the interconnection between the three layers. For example, the core  40  can be molded so as to be of slightly greater surface than the inner surface of the outer skin  30  that will be laid thereupon. Accordingly, when the outer skin  30  is installed onto core  40 , the latter is slightly squeezed by its exceeding surface with respect to the inner surface of the outer skin  30 . This squeeze will serve as a seal between the chicane conduits defined by the connection of the core  40  to the outer skin  30 . Also, expandable polymers increase the buoyancy of the PWC  10 , especially in the event that the PWC  10  is flipped sideways.  
         [0050]     On the other hand, the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50  consist of a more rigid material (e.g., fiberglass, higher density plastics). In addition to cooperating with the resilient core  40  in sealingly separating the conduits (as described above), the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50  have structural functions. The outer skin  30  is the portion of the engine cover  20  that is exposed, and acts as a shell. The inner skin  50  bears the weight of the engine cover  20  when the latter is in its closed position on the deck  14 .  
         [0051]     The outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50  are preferably molded. Complementary connectors are provided in the outer skin  30  and the inner skin  50  for the interconnection therebetween. For instance, referring to FIGS.  2  to  5 , connector supports  80  protrude upwardly from the inner skin  50 . The connector supports  80  each enclose a tapped tube, such that threaded fasteners can be used to releasably fix the outer skin  30  to the inner skin  50 .  
         [0052]     It is pointed out that, although the above described embodiment has two separate conduits, more conduits may be provided for supplying the necessary air to the engine  18 .  
         [0053]     Although the engine cover  20  has been described for use with a personal watercraft such as PWC  10 , it is contemplated to use an engine cover in accordance with the present invention on a jet-powered watercraft of greater size. Cavity space optimization is not as important a design factor for such watercraft. However, the engine cover  20  of the present invention is also convenient for such watercraft.  
         [0054]     It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.