Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic CVT of a vehicle comprises: determining a speed of rotation of a driving shaft; determining a speed of rotation of a driven shaft; determining a ratio of the speed of rotation of the driving shaft versus the speed of rotation of the driven shaft; determining an engine torque; determining a base clamping force to be applied by the driving pulley onto the belt based on the ratio and the engine torque; determining a desired speed of rotation of the driving shaft; determining a corrective clamping force by comparing the speed of rotation of the driving shaft to the desired speed of rotation of the driving shaft; and controlling a hydraulic pressure applied to a movable sheave to apply a sum of the base and corrective clamping forces onto the belt. A vehicle having a CVT controlled by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A watercraft has first and second jet propulsion units. The first jet propulsion unit includes a first inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a first valve. The second jet propulsion unit includes a second inlet, a third outlet, a fourth outlet, and a second valve. The watercraft also includes first and second discharge ports disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline, a first pipe fluidly communicating the first discharge port with the second outlet, a second pipe fluidly communicating the second discharge port with the second outlet, third and a fourth discharge ports disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline, a third pipe fluidly communicating the third discharge port with the fourth outlet, and a fourth pipe fluidly communicating the fourth discharge port with the fourth outlet.

Abstract: A jet propulsion unit has a water inlet, a pump body, an impeller, and a valve assembly fluidly. The valve assembly has a valve housing having an inlet fluidly connected to the pump body, a first outlet and a second outlet. A valve body is disposed in the valve housing and is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, water from a body of water flows consecutively through the water inlet, the pump body, the inlet of the valve housing, the valve housing and the first outlet of the valve housing. In the second position, water from the body of water flows consecutively through the water inlet, the pump body, the inlet of the valve housing, the valve housing, and the second outlet of the valve housing. A watercraft having the jet propulsion unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle (1) having a frame, at least two wheels (14, 16), a straddle seat (28), a handlebar (18) with first (20) and second (22) handles, an engine (30), and a semi-automatic transmission (32). A reverse actuator (152) is electronically connected to a control unit (46) of the semi-automatic transmission. At least one shifter (108) is electronically connected to the control unit such that moving the at least one shifter to an up-shift position causes the control unit to send a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to shift up and moving the at least one shifter to the down-shift position causes the control unit to send a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to shift down. The control unit sends a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to select the at least one reverse gear (34) only when the reverse actuator is actuated while the at least one shifter is moved. A method of controlling a semi-automatic transmission is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has an engine, a driving shaft having a passage defined therein, a driven shaft, a pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a CVT. A driving pulley of the CVT includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave disposed on the driving shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing a movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber fluidly communicating with the passage of the driving shaft. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the passage in the driving shaft. The hydraulic fluid flows from the passage to the CVT chamber to create a hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber. The hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave.

Abstract: An inlet grate cleaning system for a water jet propulsion system to be used in a watercraft. The water jet propulsion system has a water passage, the water passage has an inlet and the inlet has a forward area and a rearward area with respect to the watercraft. The inlet grate cleaning system comprises a pump and at least one water intake fluidly connected to the pump. At least one water outlet is also fluidly connected to the pump. The pump is adapted for pumping water from the at least one water intake to the at least one water outlet to create at least one jet of water. The at least one water outlet is positioned so as to direct the at least one jet of water toward an inlet grate.

Abstract: A driving pulley for a CVT has a shaft, a fixed sheave mounted on the shaft, a first sleeve disposed around the shaft and being operatively connected to the shaft, a movable sheave mounted on the first sleeve, a second sleeve disposed around the first sleeve and being connected to the shaft, a spring biasing the movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber having an annular cross-section. The fixed and movable sheaves are adapted to receive a belt therebetween. The CVT chamber has at least one opening adapted for fluidly communicating the CVT chamber with a hydraulic fluid reservoir. Hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave. The CVT chamber has an inner wall formed by the first sleeve, an outer wall formed by the second sleeve, an outer end, and an inner end formed by the movable sheave.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic CVT of a vehicle comprises: determining a speed of rotation of a driving shaft; determining a speed of rotation of a driven shaft; determining a ratio of the speed of rotation of the driving shaft versus the speed of rotation of the driven shaft; determining an engine torque; determining a base clamping force to be applied by the driving pulley onto the belt based on the ratio and the engine torque; determining a desired speed of rotation of the driving shaft; determining a corrective clamping force by comparing the speed of rotation of the driving shaft to the desired speed of rotation of the driving shaft; and controlling a hydraulic pressure applied to a movable sheave to apply a sum of the base and corrective clamping forces onto the belt. A vehicle having a CVT controlled by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle (1) having a frame, at least two wheels (14, 16), a straddle seat (28), a handlebar (18) with first (20) and second (22) handles, an engine (30), and a semi-automatic transmission (32). A reverse actuator (152) is electronically connected to a control unit (46) of the semi-automatic transmission. At least one shifter (108) is electronically connected to the control unit such that moving the at least one shifter to an up-shift position causes the control unit to send a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to shift up and moving the at least one shifter to the down-shift position causes the control unit to send a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to shift down. The control unit sends a signal to the semi-automatic transmission to select the at least one reverse gear (34) only when the reverse actuator is actuated while the at least one shifter is moved. A method of controlling a semi-automatic transmission is also disclosed.

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: A golf club and golf ball marking and alignment device 10 which provides a method to place identification and or other indicia on the surface of a golf club head 34 and golf ball 38. The marking and alignment device 10 contains a well 14 that contains a arc for a golf club head 34 and a golf club head centering band 22 that provide a central window to mark the central dorsal surface of a golf club head 34. Marking and alignment device 10 also has a second well to accommodate a golf ball 38 and a golf ball cover 12 which has an opening 30 to allow for marking a golf ball with a variety of markings or symbols. Once a golf club head 34 and golf ball 38 are marked, the marking provide both identification and properties for users of the golf equipment.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame and front and rear wheels suspended from the frame. The vehicle includes a body structure attached to the frame having at least one ventilation opening. An engine is mounted on the frame to provide a mode of power to at least one of the front and rear wheels. An air box is connected to the frame and supplies intake air to the engine. The air box includes an intake tube connected to and receiving intake air from the at least one ventilation opening. A filter is disposed within the intake tube.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a methodology for designing and manufacturing one from a family of vehicles. The family includes a first land vehicle including one of a motorcycle, a snowmobile, and an all terrain vehicle. The first land vehicle has a V-type engine and a first transmission operatively connected to the V-type engine. The first transmission is a separate component from the engine. The family also includes a second land vehicle including one of a motorcycle, a snowmobile, and an all terrain vehicle. The second land vehicle has the V-type engine and a second transmission operatively connected to the engine. The second transmission is a separate component from the engine. In addition, the second land vehicle is any land vehicle other than that selected for the first land vehicle. Alternatively, the second land vehicle is one of a personal watercraft, a boat with an inboard engine, and a boat with an outboard engine.

Abstract: A suspension system for an ATV is provided that includes a torsion control mechanism having a left connecting structure and a right connecting structure. The torsion control mechanism defines an axis of rotation passing through the left and right connecting structures. A left swing arm is fixedly connected to the left connecting structure and a right swing arm is fixedly connected to the right connecting structure, such that the right and left swing arms are pivotable about the rotation axis defined by the torsion control mechanism.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes a frame supporting front and rear wheels, a seat supported above the frame, an engine supported by the frame below the seat to supply power to at least one of the front and rear wheels, and a coolant system having a radiator mounted to the frame and communicated with the engine to cool coolant circulating through coolant passages provided in the engine. The radiator is mounted to the frame such that the radiator is disposed at an angle with respect to a vertical axis of the frame such that an upper end of the radiator is located closer to a front portion of the vehicle than a lower end of the radiator.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The vehicle includes an engine having a clutch housing and a clutch cover sealably connected to the clutch housing. At least one of the clutch housing and the clutch cover include a bottom wall having at least one coolant-fillable cooling channel within the thickness of the bottom wall provided to cool oil above the clutch housing and the clutch cover. The vehicle also includes a frame having a plurality of engine mounting points. The engine is supportable by the frame and includes a crankcase and a plurality of mounting points adapted to engage the plurality of engine mounting points on the frame. The plurality of mounting points include at least one uppermost mounting point, wherein the at least one uppermost mounting point is positioned on the crankcase.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame and front and rear wheels suspended from the frame. The vehicle includes a body structure attached to the frame having at least one ventilation opening. An engine is mounted on the frame to provide a mode of power to at least one of the front and rear wheels. An air box is connected to the frame and supplies intake air to the engine. The air box includes an intake tube connected to and receiving intake air from the at least one ventilation opening. A filter is disposed within the intake tube.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The vehicle includes an engine having a clutch housing and a clutch cover sealably connected to the clutch housing. At least one of the clutch housing and the clutch cover include a bottom wall having at least one coolant-fillable cooling channel within the thickness of the bottom wall provided to cool oil above the clutch housing and the clutch cover. The vehicle also includes a frame having a plurality of engine mounting points. The engine is supportable by the frame and includes a crankcase and a plurality of mounting points adapted to engage the plurality of engine mounting points on the frame. The plurality of mounting points include at least one uppermost mounting point, wherein the at least one uppermost mounting point is positioned on the crankcase.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The vehicle includes an engine having a clutch housing and a clutch cover sealably connected to the clutch housing. At least one of the clutch housing and the clutch cover include a bottom wall having at least one coolant-fillable cooling channel within the thickness of the bottom wall provided to cool oil above the clutch housing and the clutch cover. The vehicle also includes a frame having a plurality of engine mounting points. The engine is supportable by the frame and includes a crankcase and a plurality of mounting points adapted to engage the plurality of engine mounting points on the frame. The plurality of mounting points include at least one uppermost mounting point, wherein the at least one uppermost mounting point is positioned on the crankcase.

Abstract: A system reduces the amount of work exerted by an ATV operator to change transmission gears. The system includes a foot lever assembly with a mechanical portion, such as a mechanical linkage, attached to an automated portion, such as an electrical switch. When the ATV operator applies a predetermined amount of force to the foot lever assembly, a clutch assembly and a gear box are actuated in a single motion, assisted by the automated portion of the foot lever assembly. Thus, the operator is able to exert less work in order to change the gears.