Steering and reversing apparatus for waterjet propulsion systems

Abstract

A waterjet steering and reversing apparatus has a steering nozzle mounted aft of the exit nozzle for pivotal movement about a steering pivot axis that lies in a vertical plane and a reversing deflector that is mounted for pivotal movement about a reversing pivot axis for movement between an inactive position clear of a water jet discharged from the steering nozzle and an operative position in which the water jet impinges on a surface that deflects the water jet to a direction having a forward vector. The reversing pivot axis is perpendicular to the vertical plane and spaced apart from the steering pivot axis. A rotatable steering shaft is coupled at its lower end to the steering nozzle, is coaxial with the steering pivot axis, extends upwardly through an opening in the hull, and has an upper end portion located within the hull. A hollow reversing shaft received telescopically over a portion of the steering shaft is translatable axially relative to the steering shaft. A steering actuator received within the vessel hull and coupled to the steering shaft imparts rotation to the steering shaft. A mechanical linkage coupled between the reversing shaft and the reversing deflector pivots the reversing deflector between the inactive position and the operative position upon axial translation of the reversing shaft relative to the steering shaft by a reversing actuator received within the hull.