Abstract: A variable rating impeller (10) for the pump of a waterjet unit that is rotatably driven by an engine to generate a high velocity jet stream. The impeller (10) having a hub (12) mountable to a rotating shaft through which an input power is transmitted by the engine, and a plurality of blades (18) spaced about the periphery of the hub. The blades (18) have a primary profile that defines the primary rating of the impeller, and a trailing portion (28) of each blade has resilient flexibility relative to the primary profile such that the trailing portion will progressively flex under hydrodynamic load to alter the profile of the blades to progressively lower the rating of the impeller (10) with increase in engine speed.

Abstract: A dynamic control system for a marine vessel having two or more waterjet units as the primary propulsion system of the vessel, for maintaining vessel position or velocity when in a dynamic control mode, comprises a position or velocity indicator to indicate vessel position or velocity or deviations in vessel position or velocity; such as a satellite-based positioning system indicator, or accelerometers as a relative position indicator, a heading indicator to indicate vessel heading from position heading or yaw rate or deviations in vessel heading or yaw rate, such as a compass as an absolute heading indicator or a yaw rate sensor as a relative heading indicator, and a controller to control the operation of the waterjet units to substantially maintain the vessel position or velocity, and vessel heading or yaw rate when the dynamic control mode is enabled.

Abstract: A variable rating impeller (10) for the pump of a waterjet unit that is rotatably driven by an engine to generate a high velocity jet stream. The impeller (10) having a hub (12) mountable to a rotating shaft through which an input power is transmitted by the engine, and a plurality of blades (18) spaced about the periphery of the hub. The blades (18) have a primary profile that defines the primary rating of the impeller, and a trailing portion (28) of each blade has resilient flexibility relative to the primary profile such that the trailing portion will progressively flex under hydrodynamic load to alter the profile of the blades to progressively lower the rating of the impeller (10) with increase in engine speed.

Abstract: A dynamic control system for a marine vessel having two or more waterjet units as the primary propulsion system of the vessel, for maintaining vessel position or velocity when in a dynamic control mode, comprises a position or velocity indicator to indicate vessel position or velocity or deviations in vessel position or velocity; such as a satellite-based positioning system indicator, or accelerometers as a relative position indicator, a heading indicator to indicate vessel heading from position heading or yaw rate or deviations in vessel heading or yaw rate, such as a compass as an absolute heading indicator or a yaw rate sensor as a relative heading indicator, and a controller to control the operation of the waterjet units to substantially maintain the vessel position or velocity, and vessel heading or yaw rate when the dynamic control mode is enabled.