Abstract:
A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes anti-oscillating veins attached to the thrust operated actuator. In another alternative embodiment, the travel of the actuator is limited by configuring it to come into contact with a rudder stabilizer bar. Another embodiment includes providing adjustable fin positions relative to the side force stabilizer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/103,154 filed May 9, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an auxiliary system for providing positive steering to marine crafts using jet propulsion systems, typically personal jet driven watercrafts such as jet boats and jet skis. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of background, there are two types of jet propulsion systems currently in use. The first type most commonly used is found on personal watercrafts usually referred to as Jet Skis. This type uses a directional nozzle. The nozzle turns from side to side directing water from the jet to change the direction of the watercraft. 
     The second type is commonly used on Jet Boats and incorporates a movable hood or cover over the directional nozzle to force the water from the jet below the boat to add reverse thrust and allows the boat to back up. For forward thrust, it is pulled up above the jet nozzle. 
     In both types, the steering of the watercraft relies completely on the direction and force of the water being expelled from the directional nozzle. This steering method is extremely unreliable as it responds slowly and fails totally if power is reduced or turned off. As a result, there have been many deadly accidents as a result of such watercraft not being able to quickly and positively respond to a need for directional change at any speed, even if engine power is cut off. 
     In this specification, reference to a directional nozzle drive assembly or system generically includes both of the above types of systems, that is, a directional nozzle by itself or a combination directional nozzle with the reverse thrust hood or cover. 
     The present invention addresses this steering deficiency currently found in existing watercrafts powered by jet propulsion systems by incorporating an auxiliary keel system to dramatically enhance the steering performance of such watercrafts. In normal operation, the keel steering enhances the watercraft&#39;s maneuverability with immediate and controlled response. 
     In operating conditions where the operator reduces the jet power or stalls the engine, the keel steering takes over and the watercraft will steer accurately. Consequently, the present invention makes the operation of jet propelled watercrafts more enjoyable and, more importantly, much safer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an auxiliary rudder system configured for use with a jet propelled watercraft having a directional nozzle drive assembly at the stern of the watercraft, or configured for use with a jet propelled watercraft having a directional nozzle drive assembly at the stern of the watercraft and a movable hood that rotates over a directional nozzle to downwardly direct and force water from the directional nozzle below the watercraft for providing reverse thrust. In either case, the invention attaches to the directional nozzle drive assembly at the stern of the watercraft. 
     The embodiments of the present invention described herein provide for the versatility of operating as a rudder assisted steering in power or reduced power mode, that is, slow or idle speeds, or the invention can be set to provide rudder assistance to the steering at all speeds. In either case, the rudders are capable of being deflected up if they contact a submerged object while the boat is moving or anchored. 
     To provide this multi-functional operation, the invention uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator, wherein the actuator may be set in an up mode, a lower mode and the modes may be selectable, or in a fixed non-selectable mode pre-set for up or down mode only. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the use of one or more articulating or bias means, for example, spring(s) or cable(s) configured to contact with one of the rudders or be attached to one of the rudders, to deploy the rudders down at slow or idle speed to provide needed steering assistance to the operator. The actuator is set to capture water being expelled by the jet pump and as the thrust increases the rudders lift out of the water gradually decreasing their influence to the boat handling, up to the final position where they have no influence at speed meeting the individual needs or desires of the boat operator. The articulating or bias means may further incorporate means for adjusting the tension of any spring(s) or cable(s). Such tensioning devices are known in the art and are easily provided to adapt to the articulating or bias method chosen, whether the preferred spring or alternative cable or any other suitable method. 
     With the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. As the boat increases speed the pump also increases thrust. The rudders are held down as the water flows on top of the actuator, which is essentially close to or approximately located on a plane more or less aligned with the bottom of the nozzle opening. The thrust of the water exiting the nozzle opening maintain the actuator down, thereby also keeping the rudders in the down position for enhanced steering. The back-up springs or other equivalent articulating or bias means are utilized in the event of power loss or reduced pump thrust due to clogging of the jet with weeds and other possible obstructions to the jet pump. However, in normal operation, the articulating or bias means do not function due to the downward force of the jet pump. This will greatly reduce spring fatigue and increase the reliability of the auxiliary rudder system. 
     In the down mode, the rudders will provide enhanced steering response, feedback to the operator through the helm, better control for handling rough water conditions. Further, the boat will maintain high speed turns while reducing speed. This is something jet steering will not do by itself. Conventional jets will immediately lose their turning ability if the engine power is reduced dramatically while making a turn. Further, the boat would perform better at towing tubes and skiers. 
     The spaced-apart rudders are typically configured to be mounted to the outside of an original equipment manufacturer directional nozzle housing. When nozzle reverse hoods are installed on the existing nozzle assembly, then the rudder system may be configured to be installed such that the rudders are either on the outside the nozzle/reverse hood assembly or the rudders can be configured to be installed between the nozzle and the reverse hood, depending on the practicality of the overall design of the nozzle/reverse hood assembly. For purposes of illustration only, the rudders will be depicted in the below described drawings on the outside. 
     The down mode will also provide assistance to the operator while making turns at high speed by reducing the force needed to turn the helm. This is due to external side forces being placed on the rudders as the boat turns at speed. 
     In the present invention a side force stabilizer is placed between the spaced-apart rudders. The stabilizer is attached to the existing nozzle housing below its exit opening. It serves as means for transferring the force to the steering helm and to prevent the rudders from bending due to the side forces. 
     Conventional jet steering becomes quite difficult at speed due to internal side forces from the high pressure water jet striking the inner wall of the steering nozzle as it tries to re-direct the water jet to turn the boat. With the rudders deployed at speed, external forces build up on the rudders as they are pushed through the water sideways. These forces counteract the internal forces and reduce the physical strength required to turn the helm. The end result is a power steering effect. 
     The present invention may also incorporate one or more anti-oscillation veins placed on the actuator as necessary to eliminate oscillation of the steering unit as it rides in or on the high pressure jet of water exiting the jet pump nozzle. These veins may be added to the top, bottom or both sides of the actuator as needed to obtain the required results, although the preferred location is on the bottom surface. This added stabilization is important especially when the steering unit is set to ride on top of the jet stream as the parts can build up a violent harmonic vibration caused by thousands of swirling pulsations in the exiting jet of water. Generally, the fins serve as anti-oscillation veins but when the fins are up, the veins assist the fins and provide an anti-oscillation functional feature. This vibration has been reported to cause serious issues with the operation of the boat and is suspected of causing damage to adjacent parts of the pump as well. 
     Another embodiment includes a variation for the stops where it is built in to the side force stabilizer and the actuator so that they meet at points for the fins to rest against when the set is in the down mode. The actuator itself would be configured to interact with the stabilizer and serve as a stop in lieu of using a boss as described above. On example of a configuration is providing the actuator with an extended portion at each end or at the edge near the fins and the side force equalizer could have points (although such points are necessary) going up at the end to make contact with the actuator and act as a set of stops for the fins to come to rest on when in use in the down function. 
     In another embodiment, a set of variable effect rudders, using a fixed position side force stabilizer and several graduating mounting holes on the fins that allow the consumer to vary the amount of steering assistance they receive. From full assistance with the fins all the way down, they will get both high speed and slow speed assistance. With the fins part way down they get less assistance in high speed and with the fins all the way up, they only get low speed assistance. This system can use a number of positioning holes so they can fine tune the results they desire, without having to modify the system. In this variant of the invention, the auxiliary rudder system comprises a pair of spaced-apart fins, the fins being configured to be attached at one end to a proximal end of the nozzle drive system so that the fins are oriented along sides of the nozzle drive system. The fins extend in length from the proximal end of the nozzle drive system a predetermined distance beyond a jet water flow outlet of the nozzle drive assembly. A side force stabilizer member is configured to be fixed to an underside of the directional nozzle of the nozzle drive system. The stabilizer member is oriented transversely such that respective ends of the stabilizer member are attached to the inside surface of the fins. The fins are selectively attachable to the stabilizer member ends such that the fins are positioned in an “up” position, a “down” position and one or more intermediate positions relative to the stabilizer member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional conceptual view of the present invention with the hood lifted out of the way and the actuator member in position  2 , that is, the lower positioning aperture being utilized on the bent portion of the actuator member to allow exiting water to flow over the actuator member upper surface; 
         FIG. 2  is a representational cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  with the hood of the nozzle drive system lowered; 
         FIG. 3  is a is a cross-sectional conceptual view of the present invention with the hood lifted out of the way and the actuator member in position  1 , that is, the upper positioning aperture being utilized on the bent portion of the actuator member to allow exiting water to flow partially under the actuator member; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of the present invention with the hood down over the outlet and the fins in a down position; 
         FIG. 5  is a is a perspective rear view of the present invention with the hood up over the outlet and the fins in a down position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention looking toward the outlet with the hood up and the fins down; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention looking toward the outlet with the hood up and the fins up; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 6  except with the actuator being pre-set and fixed to the sides of the fins; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 7  except with the actuator being pre-set and fixed to the sides of the fins; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  except with the actuator being pre-set and fixed to the sides of the fins; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2  except with the actuator being pre-set and fixed to the sides of the fins; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the present invention looking toward the outlet with the hood up and the fins down with an added feature of the anti-oscillating veins, in this case, a single vein added to the actuator; 
         FIG. 13  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 12  except the depiction of multiple veins, in this case, two veins added to the actuator; 
         FIG. 14  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 12  except the depiction of multiple veins, in this case, three veins added to the actuator; 
         FIG. 15  is a depiction of another embodiment of the invention wherein the actuator is configured to contact with stabilizer to stop the travel of the fins; 
         FIG. 16  is a depiction of the embodiment of  FIG. 15  with the actuator separated from contacting the stabilizer; 
         FIG. 17A  is a conceptual depiction of another variant of the present invention where the fins are attached directly to the ends of the stabilizer member, in this case, the fins are positioned in the “DOWN” position; 
         FIG. 17B  is a conceptual depiction of the invention of  FIG. 17B  where the fins are attached directly to the ends of the stabilizer member, in this case, the fins are positioned in one of the one or more “INTERMEDIATE” positions; and 
         FIG. 17C  is a conceptual depiction of the invention of  FIG. 17A  where the fins are attached directly to the ends of the stabilizer member, in this case, the fins are positioned in the “UP” position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-11  conceptually disclose the present invention, which is an auxiliary rudder system configured for use with a jet propelled watercraft having a directional nozzle drive system  12 . The directional nozzle itself is depicted as  12   a  and its outlet is depicted as  12   b . The rudder system is depicted generally as  10 . 
     The auxiliary rudder system  10  comprises a pair of spaced-apart fins  14 . The fins  14  are configured to be pivotally attached at one end to a proximal end of said nozzle drive system  12  so that said fins  14  pivot up or down along sides of said nozzle drive system  12 . The fins  14  extend in length from said proximal end of said nozzle drive system  12  a predetermined distance beyond a jet water flow outlet  12   b  of the directional nozzle  12   a  of the drive assembly  12 . The length beyond the outlet plane is sufficient to include the dual thrust actuator  16  between the fins  14  and to also subject the actuator surfaces  16   a , 16   b  to thrust forces from the water flow exiting the nozzle outlet  12   b.    
     The invention further includes a thrust operated actuator  16 . Each end of the actuator is removably attached or optionally permanently fixed to an inside surface of the fins  14 . The actuator  16  further has respective top and bottom surfaces  16   a , 16   b , and is dimensioned and configured to be subjected to a thrust force caused by a flow of water exiting the outlet  12   b  of the directional nozzle. 
     In one embodiment when the permanent fixed installation of the actuator  16  is not desired, the actuator  16  may further comprise opposing bent portions  16   c  at each end of the actuator  16 . Each of the bent portions  16   c  are in contact with a respective inside surface of the fins  14 . The bent portions  16   c  are attached to the inside surfaces of the fins  16 . They can be attached with or without a pivoting feature, for example, if the actuator  16  is intended to be oriented to stay in a down position at speed or if the actuator  16  is intended to be oriented so as to lift the fins  14  at speed as water flows partially under the bottom surface of the actuator  16 . Of course, the bent portions  16   c  can pivotally attached to the fins  14  to provide for dual purpose operating characteristics, as further described below. The bent portions  16   c  shown in the drawings are depicted to be vertically oriented in an upward direction however it is understood that they may be vertically oriented in the downward direction as well. 
     The bent portions  16   c  further have means  24  for pivoting and positioning the actuator orientation such that the top surface  16   a  of the actuator  16  is constantly subjected to a thrust force of water exiting the nozzle outlet  12   b  to keep the fins  14  in a down position at any speed or for pivoting and positioning the actuator orientation such that a bottom surface  16   b  of the actuator  16  is at least partially subjected to the thrust force of water exiting the nozzle outlet  12   b  to lift the fins  14  in an up position at an operating speed. This can be done in a number of ways. The pivoting feature can be a rotatable rivoted or fastened pivot point  24   a  in which the actuator bent portions  16   c  are pivoted attached to the fins  14 . Then two apertures  24   b  can be provided on the fins  14  and an additional aperture  24   c  can be provided on the bent portions  16   c  through which a removable pin or fastener  24   d  may be inserted and passed through one of the two apertures on the fins  14 . Each aperture represents a position  1  for allowing for partial flow of exiting water to pass under the actuator  16  and position  2  to for allowing the water flow above the top surface of the actuator  16 . Other means not depicted may include two slots on each fin where the fins can be partially disassembled (spread out) and the ends of the actuator may be placed in corresponding slots to provide for the up or down performance characteristics described above. 
     A side force stabilizer member  18  is configured to be fixed to an underside of a directional nozzle  12   a  of the nozzle drive system  12 . The stabilizer member  18  is oriented transversely such that respective ends of the member  18  are located juxtaposed the inside surface of the fins  14  when the fins  14  are in a down position. 
     The invention further includes fin rotation stop means  20  for limiting a rotation downwardly of the fins  14 . This can be done in a number of ways such as providing various ridges or protrusion from the inside surface of at least one of the fins  14  or by having a portion of the side force stabilizer member configured to extend below the fins  14  to that as the fins are lowered, the bottom edge of the fins come in contact with the stabilizer member  18  extended end. This example is not shown in the drawings. A preferred embodiment is to include the former example, that is, a boss member  20  attached to an inside surface of one of the fins  14  and located so as to contact the side force stabilizer member  18  when the fins  14  are rotated downwardly. 
     The invention further comprises bias means  22   a  for holding the fins  14  in the down position. The bias means  22   a  are configured and tensioned to allow the fins  14  to lift in an up position when an object is struck by the fins  14 . In a preferred example of such bias means, at least one spring  22   a  is provided that has an extended end  22   b  which is in contact with a top edge  14   c  of one of the fins  14 . 
     The inventive rudder system components can be made from a variety of materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, bronze/brass materials, polymeric composite materials or many other suitable materials sufficient for the environment in which such watercrafts are used. 
     The present invention may also incorporate one or more anti-oscillation veins  16   d  placed on the actuator as necessary to eliminate oscillation of the steering unit as it rides in or on the high pressure jet of water exiting the jet pump nozzle.  FIGS. 12-14  depict the veins  16   d  under the actuator  16 . These veins  16   d  may be added to the top, bottom or both sides of the actuator as needed to obtain the required results, although the preferred location is on the bottom surface. This added stabilization is important especially when the steering unit is set to ride on top of the jet stream as the parts can build up a violent harmonic vibration caused by thousands of swirling pulsations in the exiting jet of water. This vibration has been reported to cause serious issues with the operation of the boat and is suspected of causing damage to adjacent parts of the pump as well. 
     Another embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 15-16  includes a variation for the stops  20  discussed above. In this embodiment, stop  16   e  is provided. That is, the actuator  16  is configured so that the actuator  16  directly interacts with stabilizer  18  by coming in contact with the stabilizer  18 . The actuator itself would be configured to interact with the stabilizer and serve as a stop in lieu of using a boss as described above. One example of a configuration is providing the actuator with an extended portion at each end or at the edge near the fins and the side force equalizer could have points (although such points are necessary) going up at the end to make contact with the actuator  16  and act as a set of stops  16   e  for the fins to come to rest on when in use in the down function. 
     In another embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 17A-17C , a set of variable effect rudders  14 , using a fixed position side force stabilizer  18  and several graduating mounting holes  14   d  on the fins  14  that allow the consumer to vary the amount of steering assistance they receive. In this variant of the invention, the auxiliary rudder system comprises a pair of spaced-apart fins  14 , the fins  14  being configured to be attached at one end to a proximal end of the nozzle drive system so that the fins are oriented along sides of the nozzle drive system  12 . The fins  14  extend in length from the proximal end of the nozzle drive system  12  a predetermined distance beyond a jet water flow outlet of the nozzle drive assembly  12 . A side force stabilizer member  18  is configured to be fixed to an underside of the directional nozzle  12   a  of the nozzle drive system  12 . The stabilizer member  18  is oriented transversely such that respective ends of the stabilizer member  18  are attached to the inside surface of the fins  14 . The fins  14  are selectively attachable to the stabilizer member  18  ends such that the fins  14  are positioned in an “up” position, a “down” position and one or more intermediate positions relative to the stabilizer member using positioning holes  14   d  for selectively fastening the fins  14  to the stabilizer member  18  so that the fins  14  are in a desired orientation in relation to the directional nozzle outlet. 
     It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.