The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 21, 1999
Stephen E Polakowski, Houghton, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A personal watercraft having exhaust pipes which discharge exhaust gases to either side of the craft's hull, is disclosed The exhaust system of the personal watercraft has one or more valves which can be used to selectively direct exhaust gases to one side or the other of the hull to thereby generate a steering force to at least aid in the steering of the personal watercraft. Also disclosed, are a pair of sponsons with perforated bottoms which are attached to either side of the hull. Exhaust gases are directed into the sponsons which release exhaust gas bubbles under the waterline and thus muffle the exhaust noise. In conjunction with the sponsons, multi-compartment tuning chambers can be provided inside the hull. A method for steering a personal watercraft using exhaust gases and a method and arrangement for automatically shutting off exhaust gas flow when the craft leaves the water, are also disclosed.