Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The DCT includes first and second clutches; a first shaft operatively connected to the first clutch, the first clutch being selectively actuated to couple the first shaft to a clutch input member; a second shaft operatively connected to the second clutch, the second clutch being selectively actuated to couple the second shaft to the clutch input member; first and second driving members mounted to the first and second shafts respectively; and an output shaft operatively connecting the first and second driving members to a ground-engaging member of the vehicle. The method includes determining if the vehicle is substantially stationary; and in response to being substantially stationary, actuating the first and second clutches to cause simultaneous driving engagement of both the first and second shafts with the output shaft to thereby lock the output shaft.

Abstract: A watercraft has a retractable lift-propulsion system including a mast connected to a buoyant body of the watercraft and movable between retracted and deployed positions. A distance between a distal end of the mast and a lower surface of the buoyant body is greater in the deployed position than in the retracted position. A lift-propulsion assembly includes a hydrofoil for providing lift to the watercraft at least in the deployed position of the mast and a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the watercraft in the retracted and deployed positions of the mast. The lift-propulsion assembly is connected to the distal end of the mast such that, in the deployed position of the mast, the lift-propulsion assembly is distanced from the buoyant body of the watercraft and, in the retracted position of the mast, the lift-propulsion assembly is proximate the buoyant body of the watercraft.

Abstract: Steel material whose constituent grains comprise a matrix in which precipitates are incorporated, the precipitates comprising at least one metallic element selected from a metallic element M, a metallic element M?, a metallic element M? or mixtures thereof; the microstructure of the steel being such that the grains are equiaxed and the average grain size being such that the average of their largest dimension “Dmax” and/or the average of their smallest dimension “Dmin” is comprised between 10 ?m and 50 ?m. The steel material has optimized, stable and isotropic mechanical properties, in particular so that the steel material can best withstand mechanical and/or thermal stresses.

Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle is provided. The wheel has a rim configured for mounting a tire thereto. The wheel also has a rotary drive member that is integrally connected to the rim. The drive member is configured to be operatively connected to a motor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for producing a powder of a reinforced alloy (ODS alloy) in which the grains forming the particles of the powder comprise a metal matrix, in the volume of which crystalline oxide particles are dispersed, said method comprising the following successive steps: i) providing a powder mixture to be milled comprising a master alloy intended to form the metal matrix and an additional powder comprising at least one intermediate intended to incorporate atoms intended to form the dispersed oxide particles; ii) milling the powder mixture according to a mechanical synthesis process for making a precursor powder; iii) subjecting the precursor powder to a thermal plasma generated by a plasma torch comprising a plasma gas, in order to obtain the reinforced alloy powder. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for producing an ODS alloy that has optimized characteristics of composition and/or microstructure.

Abstract: Part comprising a steel material whose constituent grains comprise a matrix in which precipitates are incorporated, the precipitates comprising at least one metallic element selected from a metallic element M, a metallic element M?, a metallic element M? or mixtures thereof; the microstructure of the steel being such that the grains are equiaxed and the average grain size being such that the average of their largest dimension “D max” and/or the average of their smallest dimension “D min” is comprised between 10 ?m and 50 ?m. The steel material has optimised, stable and isotropic mechanical properties, in particular so that the steel material can best withstand mechanical and/or thermal stresses.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a steel material, wherein the grains of which it is composed comprise a matrix into which precipitates are incorporated, the precipitates comprising at least one metallic element selected from a metallic element M, a metallic element M?, a metallic element M? or mixtures thereof; the microstructure of the steel being such that the grains are equiaxial and the average size of the grains being such that the average of their largest dimension “Dmax” and/or the average of their smallest dimension “Dmin” is in the range 10 ?m to 50 ?m. The steel material has optimised, stable and isotropic mechanical properties, in particular so that the steel material is more resistant to mechanical and/or thermal stresses.

Abstract: Steel material whose constituent grains comprise a matrix in which precipitates are incorporated, the precipitates comprising at least one metallic element selected from a metallic element M, a metallic element M?, a metallic element M? or mixtures thereof; the microstructure of the steel being such that the grains are equiaxed and the average grain size being such that the average of their largest dimension “Dmax” and/or the average of their smallest dimension “Dmin” is comprised between 10 ?m and 50 ?m. The steel material has optimized, stable and isotropic mechanical properties, in particular so that the steel material can best withstand mechanical and/or thermal stresses.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of a steel material, wherein the grains of which it is composed comprise a matrix into which precipitates are incorporated, the precipitates comprising at least one metallic element selected from a metallic element M, a metallic element M?, a metallic element M? or mixtures thereof; the microstructure of the steel being such that the grains are equiaxial and the average size of the grains being such that the average of their largest dimension “Dmax” and/or the average of their smallest dimension “Dmin” is in the range 10 ?m to 50 ?m. The steel material has optimised, stable and isotropic mechanical properties, in particular so that the steel material is more resistant to mechanical and/or thermal stresses.

Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle is provided. The wheel has a rim configured for mounting a tire thereto. The wheel also has a rotary drive member that is integrally connected to the rim. The drive member is configured to be operatively connected to a motor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A filter for swimming pool and spa skimmer has a filtering mesh configurable so as to fit inside of a skimmer basket. Strips are disposed around the periphery of said filtering mesh so as to facilitate the adjustment of said filtering mesh so that it can be put up against the inner wall of said basket's inner wall.

Abstract: A lever position sensor assembly (90) has a main housing (92), a lever (48) pivotally connected to the housing about a first axis (100), and a lever position sensor (84). The lever has at least a portion thereof extending outside the housing. The lever position sensor has a fixed portion (120) and a pivoting portion (122). The fixed portion is connected to the housing. The pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the fixed portion about a second axis (124). The second axis is generally parallel to the first axis. The second axis is spaced from the first axis. The lever is operatively connected to the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor such that pivoting the lever about the first axis pivots the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor about the second axis. A vehicle having a lever position sensor assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine jet propulsion system has a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, and a steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a first axis. The steering nozzle has a central longitudinal axis. The first axis intersects the central longitudinal axis. A first link has a first end rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a second axis. The first link has a second end disposed generally rearwardly from the first end of the first link. A second link has a first end rotationally mounted to the first link about a third axis and a second end rotationally mounted to the steering nozzle about a fourth axis. The third axis intersects the second end of the first link. A steering arm is connected to the first link. The axes are generally parallel to each other. A watercraft having the jet propulsion system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lever position sensor assembly (90) has a main housing (92), a lever (48) pivotally connected to the housing about a first axis (100), and a lever position sensor (84). The lever has at least a portion thereof extending outside the housing. The lever position sensor has a fixed portion (120) and a pivoting portion (122). The fixed portion is connected to the housing. The pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the fixed portion about a second axis (124). The second axis is generally parallel to the first axis. The second axis is spaced from the first axis. The lever is operatively connected to the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor such that pivoting the lever about the first axis pivots the pivoting portion of the lever position sensor about the second axis. A vehicle having a lever position sensor assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine jet propulsion system has a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, and a steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a first axis. The steering nozzle has a central longitudinal axis. The first axis intersects the central longitudinal axis. A first link has a first end rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a second axis. The first link has a second end disposed generally rearwardly from the first end of the first link. A second link has a first end rotationally mounted to the first link about a third axis and a second end rotationally mounted to the steering nozzle about a fourth axis. The third axis intersects the second end of the first link. A steering arm is connected to the first link. The axes are generally parallel to each other. A watercraft having the jet propulsion system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Cushioning device for use in a water container has an enclosable envelope including a zipper member for opening and closing a portion of the envelope. Padding material is attached to the inner surface of the envelope; and a plurality of pebble members placed within the envelope, such that the cushioning device is adapted to be placed within and sink to the bottom of a water container, and is adapted to be used as a cushion for a person to sit thereupon.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed having a hull and a sub-deck together forming a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly. Left and right gunnels have generally vertical inner walls. The HSD assembly has a pedestal disposed on a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft generally between the forward portion of the left inner wall and the forward portion of the right inner wall. The pedestal has generally vertical left and right lateral walls. Left and right side channels are defined between the lateral walls of the pedestal and the forward portions of the inner walls. A rear channel is defined between the rearward portions of the left and right inner walls, and is disposed rearwardly of the pedestal on the longitudinal centerline of the watercraft. The width of the rear channel is narrower than the width of the pedestal. A personal watercraft having only a hull and a deck is also disclosed.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed having a hull and a sub-deck together forming a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly. Left and right gunnels have generally vertical inner walls. The HSD assembly has a pedestal disposed on a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft generally between the forward portion of the left inner wall and the forward portion of the right inner wall. The pedestal has generally vertical left and right lateral walls. Left and right side channels are defined between the lateral walls of the pedestal and the forward portions of the inner walls. A rear channel is defined between the rearward portions of the left and right inner walls, and is disposed rearwardly of the pedestal on the longitudinal centerline of the watercraft. The width of the rear channel is narrower than the width of the pedestal. A personal watercraft having only a hull and a deck is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a personal watercraft, comprises a seat portion. A support portion is connected to the seat portion, and is adapted to connect the seat portion to the personal watercraft in a seating position of the seat assembly, in which a rider of the personal watercraft is in a seated position on the personal watercraft. A storable configuration is provided between the seat portion and the support portion, for the seat assembly to be displaceable while being connected to the personal watercraft between the seating position and a collapsed position in which the seat assembly is adapted to be stored in the personal watercraft, such that the rider of the personal watercraft can be in a standing or kneeling position on the personal watercraft.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a personal watercraft, comprises a seat portion. A support portion is connected to the seat portion, and is adapted to connect the seat portion to the personal watercraft in a seating position of the seat assembly, in which a rider of the personal watercraft is in a seated position on the personal watercraft. A storable configuration is provided between the seat portion and the support portion, for the seat assembly to be displaceable while being connected to the personal watercraft between the seating position and a collapsed position in which the seat assembly is adapted to be stored in the personal watercraft, such that the rider of the personal watercraft can be in a standing or kneeling position on the personal watercraft.