# US 7,070,467 B2 · Integrated engine-jet pump drive unit for marine application > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,070,467 B2 - Document ID: US7070467B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/773,407 - Filed: 2004-02-09 - Published: 2004-09-23 - Granted: 2006-07-04 - Earliest claimed: 2003-02-07 - Assignees: Brp-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Norbert Korenjak; Heinz Kusel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7070467B2 ## CPC - B63H 11/08: of rotary type - B63B 34/10: Power-driven personal watercraft, e.g. water scooters (water jet propulsion B63H11/00; jet steering B63H25/46); Accessories therefor - B63H 21/14: relating to internal-combustion engines {(of outboard type B63H20/00)} - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract A watercraft includes a shell, a ride plate, an internal combustion engine, and a jet pump. The shell defines a tunnel that extends forwardly from the transom and is defined laterally by the shell. The tunnel is open at its bottom The ride plate mounts to the shell under the tunnel. The engine and jet pump are supported by the ride plate and disposed in the tunnel. The engine drives the jet pump. The engine is cooled by water that continuously flows past the ride plate. The engine, jet pump, and ride plate are installed from below or the behind the shell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A personal watercraft comprising: a hull, the hull comprising a transom; a deck disposed on the hull; a straddle seat disposed on the deck; handlebars mounted on the deck forward of the seat for steering the personal watercraft; a first compartment defined between the hull and the deck; a tunnel extending forwardly from the transom, the tunnel being defined laterally by the hull, the tunnel having an open bottom, a ride plate mounted to the hull at the bottom of the tunnel; the tunnel and the ride plate defining a second compartment separate from the first compartment; an internal combustion engine supported by the ride plate and disposed in the second compartment and below the seat; a jet pump operatively connected to the internal combustion engine, supported by the ride plate, and disposed in the second compartment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hull and the deck defines a top of the tunnel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine is accessible in the watercraft from below. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine is accessible in the watercraft from the rear of the watercraft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the ride plate forms a continuous surface with an underwater portion of the hull. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the second compartment is sealed off from the first compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the ride plate is flexibly mounted to the hull. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising one of a battery, engine electronics, and a fuel tank disposed in the first compartment, wherein the one of a battery, engine electronics, and fuel tank is operatively connected to the engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising an airbox disposed in the first compartment, wherein the airbox operatively connects to the engine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises an engine oil pan mounted to the ride plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises an engine oil pan integrally formed with the ride plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a gearing and a clutch operatively disposed between the engine and the jet pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine is inclined about its longitudinal axis such that the engine is disposed at an angle with respect to a vertical axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine is disposed above the jet pump, wherein the engine includes a crankshaft, wherein the jet pump includes a driveshaft, and wherein the driveshaft and the crankshaft occupy overlapping longitudinal positions on the watercraft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine includes a crankshaft and the jet pump includes a driveshaft, and wherein the crankshaft and driveshaft are parallel to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises a crankcase that is integrally formed with the ride plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the jet pump comprises an intake area that is at least partially integrally formed with the ride plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the jet pump comprises an intake area, and the engine comprises a crankcase that is at least partially integrally formed with the intake area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises a crankcase, and the jet pump comprises a driveshaft that is supported by the crankcase. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) The personal watercraft of claim 2, wherein the hull defines the top of the tunnel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the tunnel is disposed between the first compartment and the transom. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the tunnel and the first compartment are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the personal watercraft.