Catalytic device for watercraft engine

Abstract

A watercraft is provided with an engine. An exhaust system routes exhaust gases from the engine to an external location. The exhaust system has an exhaust conduit and a catalytic device affixed to the exhaust conduit. The catalytic device has a tubular member that extends in the exhaust conduit. Two intermediate members extend in the tubular member one after another along a flow direction of the exhaust gases. The tubular member supports each intermediate member. The catalytic device has two catalysts. Each intermediate member is affixed to the tubular member at one end thereof and supports each catalyst at another end thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system comprising an exhaust conduit and a catalytic device affixed to the exhaust conduit, the catalytic device comprising a support member extending in the exhaust conduit and a plurality of catalysts supported by the support member, the catalysts being disposed one after another along a flow direction of the exhaust gases.  
     
     
         2 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each one of the catalysts has first and second ends and is affixed to the support member generally at the first end.  
     
     
         3 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the catalyst is positioned next to the second end of another catalyst.  
     
     
         4 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first end of the catalyst is spaced apart from the second end of the another catalyst.  
     
     
         5 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the catalyst is positioned next to the first end of another catalyst.  
     
     
         6 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the catalyst is brazed to the support member.  
     
     
         7 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the catalysts are spaced apart from one another.  
     
     
         8 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each one of the catalysts is affixed to the support member via an intermediate member that extends at least within the support member.  
     
     
         9 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein each one of the intermediate members has first and second ends, each one of the intermediate members supports the catalyst generally at the first end and is affixed to the support member generally at the second end.  
     
     
         10 . A watercraft comprising an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system arranged to route exhaust gases from the engine to an external location, the exhaust system comprising an exhaust conduit and a catalytic device affixed to the exhaust conduit, the catalytic device comprising a first support member extending in the exhaust conduit, a plurality of second support members extending at least partially within the first support member and being arranged one after another along a flow direction of the exhaust gases, the first support member supporting each of the second support members, and a plurality of catalysts each supported by one of the second support members.  
     
     
         11 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the catalysts are spaced apart from each other.  
     
     
         12 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein each of the second support members has first and second ends and supports the catalyst generally at the second end.  
     
     
         13 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each of the second support members is affixed to the first support member generally at the first end.  
     
     
         14 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the second support member is positioned next to the first end of another second support member.  
     
     
         15 . The watercraft as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the second support member is positioned next to the second end of another second support member.  
     
     
         16 . A catalytic device for an internal combustion engine comprising a tubular member adapted to be disposed within an exhaust conduit of the engine, a plurality of catalysts extending in series with one another and disposed at least partially within the tubular member, the catalysts being spaced apart from each other.  
     
     
         17 . The catalytic device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein each one of the catalysts has first and second ends and is affixed to the tubular member generally at the first end.  
     
     
         18 . The catalytic device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the catalyst is positioned next to the second end of another catalyst.