Patents by Inventor Jeffrey T. Walkowiak

Jeffrey T. Walkowiak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10843778
    Abstract: A rudder device for a hydrojet vessel. The rudder device includes a mounting plate, a primary rudder and a secondary rudder coupled to a hydrojet. The primary rudder and the secondary rudder providing steerage as the hydrojet vessel is displaced through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Patent number: 10259552
    Abstract: A rudder device is disclosed for a hydrojet vessel. The rudder device comprises a first mounting bracket coupled to a first hydrojet. A first rudder is coupled to the first hydrojet and the first mounting bracket. A second mounting bracket is coupled to a second hydrojet. A second rudder is coupled to the second hydrojet and the second mounting bracket. A coupling rod is pivotably coupled to the first hydrojet, the second hydrojet and a hull rudder for pivoting in alignment and in unison the first rudder with the first hydrojet and the second rudder with the second hydrojet relative to the hull rudder. The first rudder and the second rudder provide steerage to the vessel during non directional thrust absent from the first hydrojet and the second hydrojet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Patent number: 8425269
    Abstract: A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes anti-oscillating veins attached to the thrust operated actuator. In another alternative embodiment, the travel of the actuator is limited by configuring it to come into contact with a rudder stabilizer bar. Another embodiment includes providing adjustable fin positions relative to the side force stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Publication number: 20120285356
    Abstract: A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes anti-oscillating veins attached to the thrust operated actuator. In another alternative embodiment, the travel of the actuator is limited by configuring it to come into contact with a rudder stabilizer bar. Another embodiment includes providing adjustable fin positions relative to the side force stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Publication number: 20120285355
    Abstract: A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Patent number: 6702630
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary system for providing positive steering to marine crafts using jet propulsion systems, typically personal jet driven watercrafts such as jet boats and jet skis. In one embodiment, it includes, among other features, a combination of keel members attached to a stern section of a hull. The keels are interconnected using tie rods to the directional steering drive assembly. In other embodiments, the keels are instead attached directly to the directional nozzle or integrally made with the nozzle, and where a hood is included in the directional nozzle assembly, notches may be included in the keels to allow for full operation of the hood into its lowest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Publication number: 20030176120
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary system for providing positive steering to marine crafts using jet propulsion systems, typically personal jet driven watercrafts such as jet boats and jet skis. In one embodiment, it includes, among other features, a combination of keel members attached to a stern section of a hull. The keels are interconnected using tie rods to the directional steering drive assembly. In other embodiments, the keels are instead attached directly to the directional nozzle or integrally made with the nozzle, and where a hood is included in the directional nozzle assembly, notches may be included in the keels to allow for full operation of the hood into its lowest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Patent number: 6561858
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary system for providing positive steering to marine crafts using jet propulsion systems, typically personal jet driven watercrafts such as jet boats and jet skis. In one embodiment, it includes, among other features, a combination of keel members attached to a stern section of a hull. The keels are interconnected using tie rods to the directional steering drive assembly. In other embodiments, the keels are instead attached directly to the directional nozzle or integrally made with the nozzle, and where a hood is included in the directional nozzle assembly, notches may be included in the keels to allow for full operation of the hood into its lowest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak