Patent attributes
Steering and reversing apparatus for a waterjet-powered marine vessel, the waterjet having an intake duct, a diffuser, and a steering nozzle and producing a rearward water stream flowing from the steering nozzle, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle pivot pivotably attaching the nozzle to the diffuser about a substantially vertical axis perpendicular to the water stream; at least one reversing duct affixed to and positioned substantially below the nozzle and having an opening to the nozzle; a reverse deflector pivotably attached to the diffuser about a horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to the water stream and having a sealing portion; and a nozzle sealing face having an exit shape mating with the sealing portion of the reverse deflector at any angular position of the steering nozzle, whereby, when the reverse deflector is pivoted such that the sealing portion mates with the nozzle sealing face, the water stream is deflected forward and underneath the vessel through the opening to the nozzle, steerably reversing the vessel.
