Abstract: A method of operating a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft includes an engine, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, the jet propulsion system includes a reverse gate, and a steering assembly for steering the watercraft. The method comprises: determining if the steering assembly is turned; sensing an operating parameter of the watercraft, the operating parameter being related to a thrust generated by the propulsion system; determining if the operating parameter of the watercraft is within a predetermined range; and moving the reverse gate to a lowered position when the steering assembly is turned and the operating parameter of the watercraft is within the predetermined range. A watercraft capable of performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a watercraft is disclosed which comprises actuating a reverse gate operator, sensing a speed of the watercraft, controlling a thrust generated by a jet propulsion system differently depending on whether the speed of the watercraft is above or below a predetermine watercraft speed when the reverse gate operator is actuated, and moving the reverse gate to a position in which the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the jet propulsion system in response to the actuation of the reverse gate operator. A watercraft implementing the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a watercraft comprises actuating a lever, controlling a speed of rotation of an engine to be at or below a reverse gate actuation speed in response to the actuation of the lever, moving the reverse gate in response to the actuation of the lever without further driver intervention once the speed of rotation of the engine is at or below the reverse gate actuation speed, and controlling the speed of rotation of the engine in order to decelerate the watercraft in response to the actuation of the lever and the reverse gate moving without further driver intervention. A watercraft and a method of controlling the watercraft based at least in part on an angle of a helm assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a watercraft is disclosed which comprises actuating a reverse gate operator, sensing a speed of the watercraft, controlling a thrust generated by a jet propulsion system differently depending on whether the speed of the watercraft is above or below a predetermine watercraft speed when the reverse gate operator is actuated, and moving the reverse gate to a position in which the reverse gate redirects a jet of water expelled from the jet propulsion system in response to the actuation of the reverse gate operator. A watercraft implementing the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a watercraft comprises actuating a lever, controlling a speed of rotation of an engine to be at or below a reverse gate actuation speed in response to the actuation of the lever, moving the reverse gate in response to the actuation of the lever without further driver intervention once the speed of rotation of the engine is at or below the reverse gate actuation speed, and controlling the speed of rotation of the engine in order to decelerate the watercraft in response to the actuation of the lever and the reverse gate moving without further driver intervention. A watercraft and a method of controlling the watercraft based at least in part on an angle of a helm assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft includes an engine, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the engine, the jet propulsion system includes a reverse gate, and a steering assembly for steering the watercraft. The method comprises: determining if the steering assembly is turned; sensing an operating parameter of the watercraft, the operating parameter being related to a thrust generated by the propulsion system; determining if the operating parameter of the watercraft is within a predetermined range; and moving the reverse gate to a lowered position when the steering assembly is turned and the operating parameter of the watercraft is within the predetermined range. A watercraft capable of performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body, a seat, an engine, a throttle body, a throttle valve, a throttle valve actuator, a throttle operator, a throttle operator position sensor, a cruise control switch, and a vehicle speed sensor. An ECU controls operation of the engine in one of a normal operation mode and a cruise control operation mode. When in the normal operation mode, the ECU sends a first control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the throttle operator position signal. When the cruise control switch engages the cruise control operation mode, the ECU sends a second control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the vehicle speed signal such that the vehicle speed is maintained at a vehicle cruising speed. The ECU returns to the normal operation mode when the throttle operator position becomes less than or equal to a reference throttle operator position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a straddle seat, a handlebar, an engine, an electronic control unit (ECU), a throttle valve, a throttle valve actuator, and a throttle operator. A throttle operator position sensor senses a throttle operator position. A vehicle speed sensor senses a vehicle speed. The ECU sends a control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the throttle operator position and the vehicle speed. The throttle valve actuator adjusts the opening of the throttle valve in response to the control signal. If the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined maximum vehicle speed, the throttle valve actuator adjusts the opening of the throttle valve based on the throttle operator position signal. If the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined maximum vehicle speed, the throttle valve actuator reduces the degree of opening of the throttle valve. A method of controlling an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for selectively preventing fluid from flowing through a fluid path when a vehicle is in a predetermined orientation. When an orientation sensor signals to a controller that the vehicle is inverted, the controller closes a valve to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough. If the fluid path is part of an open-loop oil system, closing the valve may prevent oil in the oil system from leaking into the ambient environment when the vehicle flips over. Similarly, if the fluid path is part of an exhaust system for an engine of a watercraft, closing the valve may prevent water from entering the exhaust system and/or the engine when the watercraft flips over. Alternatively, the controller may alert an operator that a vehicle has been uprighted in an incorrect direction.

Abstract: In a system according to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus mounted onto a vehicle receives a control signal from a key. The control signal indicates one among a plurality of discrete and unitless vehicle performance levels. The vehicle performance (e.g. engine speed or fuel supply rate) is restricted according to the indicated vehicle performance level. Vehicle performance may also be restricted in a case where the key becomes separated from the apparatus (e.g. because the operator has become separated from the vehicle).

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, an internal combustion engine, a propulsion system, and an air/water separating device. The separating device comprises a container having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port enables at least ambient air to enter the container and the outlet port is communicated to the air intake of the engine. The separating device has structure providing spaced apart generally vertical surfaces that define a plurality of elongated tortuous paths between the inlet and outlet ports. The tortuous paths have one or more angular portions and are positioned and configured such that the ambient air passes through the elongated tortuous paths so that water suspended in the air is separated from the air as the air passes through angular portions of the paths with the separated water flowing downwardly along the surfaces to a bottom of the container by gravity.

Abstract: The personal watercraft vehicle (PWC) component multiplex communication system, as described herein, is configured to accommodate the exchange of information between PWC components. The system employs an engine electronic control unit (ECU), a multipurpose ECU, and a cluster ECU. Management and monitoring data collected from the various PWC components are transmitted to the corresponding ECUs, which process and multiplex the data along with control messages into an aggregate serial data stream and supplies the aggregate data stream to a system bus. System bus interconnects each of the ECUs and accommodates the bi-directional transfer of the aggregate multiplexed data stream to the ECUs and may be configured as a 2-wire interconnection. Accordingly, the ECUs receive and de-multiplex the aggregate data stream containing the data and control messages generated by other ECUs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for selectively preventing fluid from flowing through a fluid path when a vehicle is in a predetermined orientation. When an orientation sensor signals to a controller that the vehicle is inverted, the controller closes a valve to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough. If the fluid path is part of an open-loop oil system, closing the valve may prevent oil in the oil system from leaking into the ambient environment when the vehicle flips over. Similarly, if the fluid path is part of an exhaust system for an engine of a watercraft, closing the valve may prevent water from entering the exhaust system and/or the engine when the watercraft flips over. Alternatively, the controller may alert an operator that a vehicle has been uprighted in an incorrect direction.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, an internal combustion engine, a propulsion system, and an air/water separating device. The separating device comprises a container having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port enables at least ambient air to enter the container and the outlet port is communicated to the air intake of the engine. The separating device has structure providing spaced apart generally vertical surfaces that define a plurality of elongated tortuous paths between the inlet and outlet ports. The tortuous paths have one or more angular portions and are positioned and configured such that the ambient air passes through the elongated tortuous paths so that water suspended in the air is separated from the air as the air passes through angular portions of the paths with the separated water flowing downwardly along the surfaces to a bottom of the container by gravity.

Abstract: The personal watercraft vehicle (PWC) component multiplex communication system, as described herein, is configured to accommodate the exchange of information between PWC components. The system employs an engine electronic control unit (ECU), a multipurpose ECU, and a cluster ECU. Management and monitoring data collected from the various PWC components are transmitted to the corresponding ECUs, which process and multiplex the data along with control messages into an aggregate serial data stream and supplies the aggregate data stream to a system bus. System bus interconnects each of the ECUs and accommodates the bi-directional transfer of the aggregate multiplexed data stream to the ECUs and may be configured as a 2-wire interconnection. Accordingly, the ECUs receive and de-multiplex the aggregate data stream containing the data and control messages generated by other ECUs.