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US 6,200,176 B1Granted
Marine jet drive pump preloader for reducing cavitation
OwnerDonald I. Bowersinventor
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OwnerDonald I. Bowersinventor
Estimating the term…
This invention relates to marine jet drive systems and, more particularly to marine jet drive systems which include or are retrofitted with a preloader for reducing cavitation. The invention also relates to such a preloader which may be retrofitted to a standard marine jet drive system. The invention further relates to a method for reducing cavitation during operation of a marine jet drive system. The preloader comprises a water propelling device mounted on a shaft and rotatable within an intake housing of a marine jet drive unit ahead of and in axial alignment with the eye of the jet drive pump impeller whereby the water propelling device causes water to be drawn from the intake housing into the pump such that the pump impeller is preloaded with water across the eye of the impeller cavitation is reduced.
In a marine jet drive comprising a housing having a forward intake portion, a rearward discharge portion and a pump portion disposed therebetween, the pump portion containing an impeller rotationally driven by a shaft extending through the intake portion;
A method for preloading water in a marine jet drive pump and reducing cavitation in a jet drive pump impeller comprising providing a water propelling device for mounting on a drive shaft of the marine jet drive pump in a position to be rotatable within an intake housing of a marine jet drive unit ahead of and in axial alignment with the eye of the jet drive pump impeller, whereby water is drawn from the intake housing into the pump thereby preloading the pump with water across the eye of the impeller, thereby reducing the formation of partial vacuum and cavitation within the water about the impeller.
A kit for retrofitting an existing marine jet drive unit with a marine jet drive pump preloader, comprising a water propelling device, at least one spacer, means for securing the water propelling device to a jet drive pump shaft and an instruction set.
A method for reducing cavitation within a marine jet drive pump and improving performance of a watercraft propelled by a marine jet drive, comprising increasing water flow from an intake portion of the marine jet drive to the jet drive pump impeller when the watercraft is accelerated, thereby preloading a marine jet drive pump impeller with water from the intake portion of the marine jet drive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.