Abstract: The mast device for a submarine comprises a guiding means, a vertically traversable mast guided therein and information means which are provided at the mast upper end and which are in electrical interaction with the inside of the submarine for emitting and receiving information. The information means are arranged in a buoyant unit held on the mast upper end without connection to this. The buoyant unit is fastened to a flexible coupling means which may be let out and retracted and which is of the length essentially of the maximum desired observation depth of the submarine.

Abstract: A compound is added to a device that flushes the cooling system of a marine motor. The device conveys liquid from a source to the marine motor. The liquid is mixed with a compound to form a flushing solution. The compound in solution performs three functions: removing contaminants from the cooling system, reducing corrosion in the cooling system, and coloring the solution for a period of time that corresponds to the period of time that is necessary to complete the flushing operation.

Abstract: A visual display including a container, liquidous fluid within the container, a source of gaseous fluid communicating with the liquidous fluid, and at least one binary bubble formed within the liquidous fluid in response to gaseous fluid entering the liquidous fluid. The liquidous fluid is preferably a polymer in water solution or a polymer in mineral oil or silicon oil solution. The binary bubble has two bulbous portions in fluid communication with each other through a neck. The binary bubbles may link together in a chain extending from the bottom of the container to the top of the liquidous fluid. In other constructions, the binary bubbles float up through the liquidous fluid and collapse into a large individual bubble. The display may also include a light emitting source and a filter for selectively changing the color of light emitted into the container.

Abstract: A detachable handle system (10) includes a connector which in a first embodiment (33) pins (34) to a handle tube (21), and which in a second embodiment (433) attaches through a resilient tube (437) that is radially expanded. The detachable handle is in the preferred embodiment provided with a readily replaced handle grip (22). By detaching the handle (21) and replacing the handle grip (22), a multitude of grips may be fabricated in diverse colors and geometries for a single handle, thereby satisfying the desires of each individual user. A tow rope (35) is attached to the connector (33, 433) through a hole (36) in the connector (33) and then circumferentially about the connector (33), independent of the handle tube (21).

Abstract: A seamless, woven, flexible fluid containment vessel or vessels for transporting and containing a large volume of fluid, particularly fresh water, having beam stabilizers, beam separators, reinforcing, and the method of making the same.

Abstract: A retractable bowsprit for a sailboat is suitable for use with an asymmetrical spinnaker. A support element and a bowsprit positioner such as a track mounted within a hull of a sailboat allow the bowsprit to assume either an extended or retracted position. The bowsprit positioner is mounted to the bottom of the hull. The support element is positioned forward of and above a forward position of the positioner. The bowsprit can slide through the support element, to allow an aft end of the bowsprit to be attached to the positioner's forward point in the extended position. When the bowsprit is so positioned, the geometry causes the bowsprit to rotate, placing a forward end thereof substantially further above the waterline than is the deck, allowing the crew a view beneath an asymmetrical spinnaker attached to the bowsprit forward end.

Abstract: To provide a running control device for a watercraft capable of effecting an easy cruising control of the watercraft even by a beginner, especially allowing a stable running while turning, and capable of reducing cavitation. A running control device 16 for a watercraft with a propulsion device 15 capable of controlling propulsion, comprises a propulsion control section 17 which controls propulsion, based on predetermined input information, said propulsion control section 17 comprising a target propulsion calculation module 18 for determining a target propulsion, based on predetermined input information including at least velocity of said watercraft; and an operation amount calculation module 19 for determining the amount of operation of said propulsion device 15, based on predetermined input information so as to obtain the target propulsion determined by said propulsion calculation module 18.

Abstract: In fuel supply system for an engine in which a discharge port in a fuel pump driven by the engine to draw up fuel in a fuel tank is connected to an inlet port which is provided in a fuel reservoir and which is controlled in opening and closing by a float valve so that the fuel in the fuel reservoir is supplied to the engine, a second discharge port is provided in the fuel pump, and a second inlet port without a float valve is provided in the fuel reservoir. The second discharge port and the second inlet port are connected to each other through a control valve opened during starting of the engine. Thus, when the engine is started, fuel vapor generated in a pump chamber in the fuel pump can be discharged to the fuel reservoir having an air vent, to normalize the function of the fuel pump, leading to an enhancement in hot startability of the engine.

Abstract: A jet-propulsion watercraft comprises: an engine; an oil tank provided independently of the engine, for reserving engine oil; and a water jet pump driven by the engine, the water jet pump pressurizing and accelerating water taken in from outside of the watercraft and ejecting the water from the outlet port to propel the watercraft as a reaction of the ejecting water, and the muffler is provided behind the engine and on one of right and left sides of the watercraft and the oil tank is provided behind the engine and on the other side of the watercraft.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion apparatus having a duct forming a channel, an impeller disposed in the duct, a bearing of the impeller provided in the duct, and a cap closing the rear end of the bearing. In addition, at least one stream-straightening groove is formed in an external face of the cap. In the internal face of the duct, a stationary vane is formed in a portion facing toward the cap. Accordingly, a rotational component of a water stream close to the external face of a cap the bearing is substantially reduced, the size of the cap may be reduced, and cap position is not controlled by the position of the stationary vane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of altering the pitch of a propeller through localized bending of its blades. To alter the propeller's pitch the camber of at least one of its blades is changed by bending a portion of a trailing edge, a leading edge, or both edges relative to a remainder of the blade. A bent portion can be located away from a tip of the blade at a distance that is less than or substantially equal to 60% of a radius of the blade, and bending preferably commences at a distance in from an edge of a blade of up to 50% of a section width of the blade. The maximum preferable change in pitch at any location on the radius due to bending is 30%.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a vending machine display apparatus and method includes a controller, an electroluminescent display electrically coupled to the controller and adapted to be coupled to the vending machine in a location externally visible on the vending machine, and a power line coupled to the electroluminescent display and adapted to supply power to the electroluminescent display. The electroluminescent display can be associated with the user-manipulatable control and/or with a product in the vending machine dispensed by operation of the user-manipulatable control. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent display is responsive to the controller by changing graphics and/or text displayed by the display.

Abstract: A flexible fluid containment vessel or vessels fabricated out of segments of fabric clamped together for transporting and containing a large volume of fluid, particularly fresh water.

Abstract: The electronic controlled drive apparatus includes: a throttle actuator (11) that opens or closes a throttle of an internal combustion engine in accordance with a target throttle opening degree; a shift actuator (12) that actuates a shift in accordance with a target shift position; an engine rotation number holding unit (step S4) for obtaining an engine rotation number when the target shift position is released and holding the obtained engine rotation number; and a waiting time calculating unit (step S5) for calculating a shift drive waiting time in accordance with the held engine rotation number. In the electronic controlled drive apparatus, counting of the shift drive waiting time is started when the target shift position is released (steps S6 and S7), and the shift actuator is allowed to be drive (step S9) after a lapse of the shift drive waiting time (step S8).

Abstract: A watercraft includes moveable sponsons that are moved in response to movements of the handlebars and the accelerator lever. The watercraft can include a number of different kinds of actuators for moving these sponsons relative to the hull of the watercraft. In preferred embodiments, the sponsons are moved outwardly and/or downwardly relative to the hull.

Abstract: A ballast water monitoring and reporting system for seagoing vessels includes a sensor for monitoring a selected parameter of a ballast water system component and transmitting an electronic signal indicative of a condition of the parameter, a distal acoustic modem for receiving the signal from the sensor and for transmitting an acoustic signal equivalent to the electronic signal received, a shipboard metal structure extending substantially throughout the vessel and adapted to carry the acoustic signal, a proximal acoustic modem adapted to receive the acoustic signal from the metal structure and to transmit an electronic equivalent thereof, and a shipboard data acquisition computer adapted to receive the electronic signal from the proximal acoustic modem and to generate at least one of a display, a report relative to the selected parameter, and a recording of data relative to the selected parameter.

Abstract: A boat hoist including a vertical frame and a horizontally disposed movable platform, with the platform movable between a lowered and boat unload position and a raised, boat load position. A cable system transmits force to move the movable platform. The cable system is operated and force transmitted to it, by a hydraulic drive unit, thus eliminating problems with electrically operated drive bar units. This results in the ability to lift heavier boats with less power and faster times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal watercraft capable of preventing oil flow from an engine to a breather device. The personal watercraft comprises: a four-cycle engine; a water jet pump driven by the engine, the water jet pump pressurizing and accelerating water taken in from outside of the watercraft and ejecting the water from the outlet port to propel the watercraft as a reaction of the ejecting water; a breather pipe configured such that a base end is connected to the engine to communicate with an inside of the engine, an intermediate portion is located lower than the base end, and a tip end is located higher than the base end; and a breather box, wherein the tip end of the breather pipe communicates with inside of the breather box and the base end of the breather pipe is located lower than the breather box.

Abstract: An electric motorized propulsion system (10) for swimmers and divers (12) includes pair of leg-mounted propulsion units (14), each containing sealed electric motors (12), propellers (22), and housings (21), attach to the user's legs to provide thrust, manoeuvrability, and hands-fee operation. A control box (18) containing a motor variable speed control (54) is mountable at a convenient place on the swimmer's body. A battery unit, either simulating a diver's weight belt (16) or provided as a cylindrical hard pack (60) is carryable on the back of the swimmer. Electrical power and signal cables (30, 46) connect the control box to the battery unit and to the propulsion motor housings.

Abstract: A fin plug assembly to receive and engage a fin includes a cavity, a cam with gears, and a worm gear. The fin plug assembly allows a quick and easy fore-aft adjustment of the fin. Disclosed also is a method of installing the fin plug assembly in a surfboard using a one-piece complete control jig system including the step of providing additional structural strength by removing and/or spiking the foam material in the body of the surfboard.