Integrated Watercraft Drain Assembly Merging Bailer and Hull Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current watercraft designs require dual systems for draining water from the hull, including a drain assembly for when the watercraft is out of the water and a bailer system for when it's operational, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for multiple parts.
Innovation Solution
A single watercraft drain assembly that integrates the functions of both, featuring a tubular drain body with inlet and outlet openings, a check valve, and a hose connection to a jet pump or pump for aspiration, allowing water to be drained both when the watercraft is in and out of the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual system (drain assembly + bailer system) is used to drain water from the watercraft hull, then water can be removed in all operational states, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drain assembly and bailer system into a single integrated drain assembly. The tubular drain body includes both a drain outlet (for when watercraft is out of water) and a bailer outlet with hose connection (for when watercraft is in water), merging two separate systems into one unified component that performs both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drain assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a traditional drain when the watercraft is out of the water, and simultaneously functions as a bailer system when the watercraft is in water by connecting to the jet pump through the hose interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drain and bailer systems
2Reliability
If a dual system (drain assembly + bailer system) is used to drain water from the watercraft hull, then water can be removed in all operational states, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drain assembly and bailer system into a single integrated drain assembly. The tubular drain body includes both a drain outlet (for when watercraft is out of water) and a bailer outlet with hose connection (for when watercraft is in water), merging two separate systems into one unified component that performs both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drain assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a traditional drain when the watercraft is out of the water, and simultaneously functions as a bailer system when the watercraft is in water by connecting to the jet pump through the hose interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drain and bailer systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated solution reduces the number of parts needed, simplifying the drainage process and lowering costs by enabling water removal in all operational states without the need for separate drain and bailer systems.
Implementation Method 1
the water pressure pushes the ball 33 towards the inlet to seal it
Implementation Method 2
the water passing through the jet pump 18 at high speed creates a low pressure which is used by the bailers 22 to aspirate water located near them
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft drain assembly has a tubular drain body having a first end and a second end, at least one inlet opening disposed on the drain body for allowing water to enter the drain body, a first outlet opening disposed at the first end of the drain body for allowing water to exit the drain body, a drain plug for selectively plugging the first outlet opening, and a second outlet opening disposed on the drain body for allowing water to exit the drain body. A watercraft incorporating the watercraft drain assembly is also disclosed.