Patents by Inventor Yves Berthiaume
Yves Berthiaume 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).
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Patent number: 6886488Abstract: A watercraft includes a towing bar that allows the tow line connection point to move with respect to the watercraft. This movement of the point of force application reduces moments created on the watercraft resulting in pitch, yaw, and roll. The towing bar can be formed as an inverted V-shape. The towing bar can also be formed as a flexible beam that bends in the lateral direction of the object being towed. The watercraft may also include a pylon that can be moved between an operative position and a stowed position. The pylon is selectively supported on one of two longitudinally and vertically displaced mounts and at an upper lateral support member formed by the grab handle.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, John T. Huberty
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Patent number: 6857918Abstract: A hybrid fuel/electric powered watercraft includes an electronic turning machine (ETM), and internal combustion engine, and a propulsion system, which are operatively connected to each other, preferably via one or more clutches. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls the ETM, clutch(es), and engine. At low speeds, the ECU disengages at least one clutch and solely uses the ETM to power the propulsion unit and propel the watercraft. At high speeds, the ECU engages the clutch and uses both the engine and the ETM or just the engine to power the propulsion system. When the watercraft's battery discharges, the ECU operates the ETM in a generator mode and runs the engine to charge the battery. The watercraft can also include a shore button feature that selectively limits/governs the speed of the watercraft. A clutch may be used to avoid driving the propulsion system when the engine is idling or being started.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Rénald Plante, Yves Berthiaume
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Publication number: 20040154851Abstract: A wheeled vehicle is described that includes a frame with at least a front wheel and a rear wheel. A seat is disposed on the frame as well. An engine, having an output shaft, is connected to the frame via an engine mount. A second shaft, operatively connected to the engine's output shaft, is supported by the engine mount. So constructed, the output shaft of the engine and the second shaft supported by the engine mount are maintained in a relatively fixed positional relationship with respect to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Alain Massicotte, Yves Berthiaume
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Patent number: 6772061Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, Dominic Dagenais
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Publication number: 20040025774Abstract: A watercraft includes a towing bar that allows the tow line connection point to move with respect to the watercraft. This movement of the point of force application reduces moments created on the watercraft resulting in pitch, yaw, and roll. The towing bar can be formed as an inverted V-shape. The towing bar can also be formed as a flexible beam that bends in the lateral direction of the object being towed. The watercraft may also include a pylon that can be moved between an operative position and a stowed position. The pylon is selectively supported on one of two longitudinally and vertically displaced mounts and at an upper lateral support member formed by the grab handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Bombardier Inc.Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, John T. Huberty
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Publication number: 20040029459Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull, a deck supported by the hull, a propulsion system that is mounted to at least one of the hull and the deck, and a helm that is connected to the deck and configured to control the direction of the watercraft. A pole is mounted to the deck and a compensation device is operatively connected to at least one of the deck and the hull. A controller is in communication with the compensation device, and a sensor is operatively connected to the pole and in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to sense a pulling force exerted on the pole and communicate a signal regarding the force to the controller. The controller is configured to send a signal to the compensation device based on the signal from the sensor to reposition the watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Bombardier Inc.Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, Sam Spade
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Publication number: 20040003767Abstract: A personal watercraft (PWC) is disclosed that is convertible between a stand-up type watercraft, and at least one of a straddle-type watercraft and a sit-down type watercraft. The PWC includes a hull supporting a power source, and a deck, the deck supporting a steering handle support assembly. A seat assembly is removably supported by the deck, such that the seat assembly can be selectively removed by the user so that the personal watercraft can be operated with and without the seat assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Rick Adamczyk, Yves Berthiaume, Tom Bucaccio
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Patent number: 6595811Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Bombardier Inc.Inventors: Dominic Dagenais, Stéphane Proulx, Yves Berthiaume, Eric Quellette
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Patent number: 6592415Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Bombardier Inc.Inventor: Yves Berthiaume
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Publication number: 20030127035Abstract: A watercraft includes a watercraft control mechanism that is capable of steering, decelerating, and/or trimming a watercraft without causing the stern to elevate and the bow to dive; steers or assists steering in off-power situations; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that can be stowed or retracted to minimize hydrodynamic drag at high speeds; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that does not become clogged or jammed by seaweed or flotsam or foreign objects floating in the water; and decelerates or assists in decelerating a watercraft in a smooth and stable manner when the watercraft is travelling at high speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Richard Simard, Normand Beauregard, Yves Berthiaume, Robert Bourret, Jean Daunais, Daniel Nadeau, Martin Pelletier, Gilles Pesant, Sam Spade, Martin Talbot
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Patent number: 6568970Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Bombardier Inc.Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, Jean-François Forest
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Publication number: 20030019411Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water that exits through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. A vane is connected to either or both of the port or starboard sides and is operatively connected to the nozzle. The vane is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly in response to steering signals. The vane can also move between an operative position and an inoperative position based on pressure in the propulsion system. The vanes are designed to provide steering assistance when insufficient thrust is generated by the propulsion system to effectively steer the watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Richard Simard, Renald Plante, Yves Berthiaume, Rick Adamczyk
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Publication number: 20020160671Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, Jean-Francois Forest
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Publication number: 20020160670Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventor: Yves Berthiaume
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Publication number: 20020077007Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Dominic Dagenais, Stephane Proulx, Yves Berthiaume, Eric Quellette
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Publication number: 20020025742Abstract: A vehicle, including watercraft and personal watercraft, includes a hull, an engine system and a propulsion system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine and an air intake for receiving air to be mixed with fuel supplied to the engine. The propulsion system connects to the engine and propels the watercraft along a surface of a body of water using power from the engine. The watercraft can include a quick connect air/water separator, or air box. A fuel system is provided that has a fuel supply line and a fuel return line which are connected with a bypass line. For evacuating fuel from the supply line and the return line, the bypass line contains a valve which can be actuated to allow fuel to flow into the fuel reservoir. A lubrication system is provided that includes a filler neck comprising an oil/air separator which allows a mixture of oil and air to be separated and the oil to be returned to the oil reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventors: Yves Berthiaume, Jean-Francois Forest, Martin Lachance