Cutting system for fouling removal from jet drive water intake
OwnerRichard E. Wengren, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cutting system for fouling removal systems used in water-jet drive systems is described. The cutting system includes an actuation system for facilitating movement of a cutting blade that resides outside of the water flow area for the intake of the jet drive system. The cutting system also includes one or more guide tines to restrict movement of the cutting blade away from the surface of the grate. An optional cutter stud is formed as a single structure including two members forming a single angle, one member for mounting and the other for cutting. The single-angled configuration maximizes cutting efficiency while minimizing disruption of water flow to the propulsion system.
Claims23
A cutting system to aid in the removal of debris from the intake of a water jet drive of a watercraft, wherein the water jet drive includes a housing with an impeller therein, and wherein the intake includes a grate with a plurality of grate tines, the grate having a grate frame, the system comprising:
- a. an actuator connectable to the watercraft;
- b. a blade connected to the actuator, wherein the blade is arranged to pass along the grate upon actuation of the actuator without changing a position of the grate;
- and
- c. one or more guide tines joined to the grate, wherein each of the one or more guide tines is configured to enable the blade to pass over the grate tines between the grate tines and the guide tines to restrict movement of the blade away from the grate.
A cutting system to aid in the removal of debris from the intake of a water jet drive of a watercraft, wherein the water jet drive includes a housing with an impeller therein, the system comprising:
- a. a grate having a grate frame, wherein the grate is affixable to the watercraft so that, when affixed to the watercraft, water entering or exiting the water jet drive intake must pass through the grate and wherein the grate includes a plurality of grate tines;
- b. an actuator connectable to the watercraft;
- c. a blade connected to the actuator, wherein the blade is arranged to pass along the grate upon actuation of the actuator without changing a position of the grate;
- and
- d. one or more guide tines joined to the grate, wherein each of the one or more guide tines is configured to enable the blade to pass over the grate tines between the grate tines and the guide tines to restrict movement of the blade away from the grate.
A cutting system to aid in the removal of debris clogging a water jet drive of a watercraft, wherein the water jet drive includes a water intake and a housing with an impeller therein, the system comprising:
- a. a grate having a grate frame, wherein the grate includes a plurality of grate tines and wherein the grate is affixable to the watercraft so that, when affixed to the watercraft, water entering or exiting the water jet drive intake must pass through the grate;
- b. a housing connectable to the grate frame,
- c. an actuator connectable to the watercraft;
- d. a blade connected to the actuator, wherein the blade is arranged to pass along the grate upon actuation of the actuator without changing a position of the grate, and wherein the housing is arranged to store therein the blade out of the path of water flow into the intake;
- e. one or more guide tines joined to the grate, wherein each of the one or more guide tines is configured to enable the blade to pass over the grate tines between the grate tines and the guide tines to restrict movement of the blade away from the grate;
- f. a cutter stud affixable to the interior surface of the housing adjacent to the impeller, wherein the cutter stud is arranged to cut debris stuck to the impeller as the impeller rotates;
- and
- g. a controller coupled to the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.