Intercooler Mounting on Bearing Case for PWC Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In personal watercraft, the limited internal space for an intercooler results in inefficient cooling due to lengthy piping and interference with other components, reducing engine performance.
Innovation Solution
Positioning the intercooler forward of the pump room and mounting it on the upper surface of the bearing case, with a short piping system and an independent cooling water passage, allows for improved cooling efficiency and reduced interference with exhaust pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the intercooler is mounted in a limited internal space of the body, then the space utilization is improved, but the piping length increases and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intercooler is repositioned from a conventional location to the bearing case area, utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively. By mounting the intercooler on the bearing case, the design transforms the spatial arrangement into a compact configuration that reduces piping length while maintaining efficient space utilization within the watercraft body.
2Ease of manufacture
If the intercooler is positioned distant from the water jet pump, then the space arrangement is simplified, but the piping length increases and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intercooler is merged with the bearing case structure, creating an integrated assembly that eliminates the need for separate mounting space. This combination reduces the distance between the intercooler and water jet pump, minimizing piping length and energy loss while simplifying the overall space arrangement through structural integration.
3Loss of energy
If the intercooler is positioned close to the water jet pump, then the piping length decreases and cooling efficiency improves, but the space constraints and interference with other components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing case area is selected as a specific local region that provides both proximity to the water jet pump and sufficient space for intercooler installation. This localized positioning optimizes cooling efficiency by minimizing piping length while avoiding interference with other components, as the bearing case structure provides a dedicated space that does not conflict with other 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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency by shortening piping and allowing independent cooling, thereby improving engine performance and reducing space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
the supercharging device is configured to compress air taken in from outside and supply the compressed air to a throttle device
Implementation Method 2
an intercooler is disposed in close proximity to and downstream of the supercharging device... configured to cool the air pressurized and compressed by the supercharging device
Implementation Method 3
a water jet pump configured to be driven by the engine to propel a body of the watercraft... take in water pressurized inside the water jet pump for use as cooling water
Data Source
AI summary
A personal watercraft with a supercharging device and an intercooler is disclosed. The personal watercraft may include an engine, a water jet pump, a propeller shaft to transmit an output power of the engine to the water jet pump, and a bearing case configured to support a front portion of the propeller shaft. The personal watercraft may further include a supercharging device configured to pressurize air taken in from outside and supplied to the engine, an intercooler configured to cool the air pressurized and compressed by the supercharging device, and a pump room which is formed on a bottom surface of a rear end portion of the body and is configured to accommodate the water jet pump therein. The intercooler may be positioned forward of the pump room and behind the engine and may be mounted to an upper surface of the bearing case.