Bombardier's new steering system and engine

Bambardier Recreational Products will offer its advanced steering system, Off-Power Assisted Steering (OPAS), on several all-new 2002 model watercraft. Acting National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Carol Carmody is shown on the GTX 4-TEC, which will feature both OPAS and Bombardier's first four-stroke watercraft engine.

The Sea-Doo OPAS (Off-Power Assisted Steering) system from Bombardier Recreational Products provides added maneuverability to personal watercraft (PWC) in off-power operation as well as when the throttle is released. Bombardier also has introduced the company's first four-stroke watercraft engine.

"Promoting responsible boating has always been one of Bombardier's motivations in advancing technology to new levels," said Michel Baril, President and COO of Bombardier Recreational Products. "The use of (the OPAS) will have a major positive impact on the boating industry, and it is our hope that other PWC manufacturers will follow our lead."

Carol Carmody, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Acting Chairman, agrees. "Recreational boating safety, including personal watercraft safety, is everyone's responsibility," she said. "The Safety Board wants to be sure that PWC activities remain safe and enjoyable for everyone."

The Sea-Doo OPAS system uses a dual rudder design that enables the PWC to decelerate and redirect its path when the throttle is released or the power is turned off and the handlebars are turned to one side. This system is the next evolution in responsible boating and will be offered on the all-new 2002 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC and GTX DI watercraft and the entry level 2002 Sea-Doo GTI LE and GTI watercraft.

The new Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC has the company's first four-stroke watercraft Rotax engines, designed and built by Bombardier-Rotax GmbH. The PWC powered by the new engines will be up to 50% quieter and 90% cleaner, claims Bombardier.

In other Bombardier news, the company announced several months ago a new manufacturing structure to capture market leadership for its recreational outboard engine brands that include Evinrude, Johnson, and FICHT Ram injection technology. Bombardier has chosen a new manufacturing, sales, and marketing site in Sturtevant, WI, as the 1000-employee hub of a 2700-member outboard engines business—extending from the U.S. mid-west to Asia. Production of Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines in the U.S. is expected to begin this fall. Activities at Sturtevant will include engine assembly and final assembly, production line emissions testing, and final engine testing. The plant will allow the consolidation of engine assembly operations and the machining of lost foam castings, an important boost for productivity and quality.

Last March, Bombardier purchased the outboard engine assets of the former Outboard Marine Corp. The company is also implementing other changes in the division's manufacturing structure to increase competitiveness. The Boats and Outboard Engines division will operate at two additional Wisconsin locations, one in Delavan, where it produces electronic components for Evinrude engines with FICHT Ram injection technology, and another in Beloit, where parts and accessories distribution is centralized. Production operations will also resume in Andrews and Spruce Pine, NC. The former OMC OMEX operation in Mexico will continue, and the newly acquired former OMC Hong Kong and mainland China facilities will be reopened soon.

Parker infiltrates vehicles

Beginning next year, Ford's diesel vehicles will include the Racor fuel-conditioning module (RFCM) from the Racor Division of Parker Hannifin.

The evolution in diesel-engine design from mechanical to electronic fuel-injection systems requires a high level of filtration as well as consistent fuel pressure and fuel delivery regardless of engine speed. To address the requirements of high-pressure fuel-injection systems, Parker Hannifin Corp.'s Racor Division has developed and patented the RFCM, a fuel-conditioning module.

The RFCM is a high-efficiency fuel filter/water separator that can be specified with a broad range of options including a roller-cell electric fuel pump, fuel pressure and thermal control module, fuel heater, and vacuum indicator to monitor element restriction. An electronic water-in-fuel sensor is standard. A specially engineered version of the RFCM will be installed on Ford diesel vehicles beginning next year. Racor is also currently shipping versions of the RFCM to DaimlerChrysler for its diesel engines.

Some of the advantages that Racor cites for its heavy-duty combination precleaner/filters are reduced downtime, a wide range of applications and flow rates, and extended filter, turbocharger, and engine life.

Racor has also recently launched several new precleaning engine-air-filtration products. The precleaners consist of powder-coated steel housings with static vanes and a rustproof rotor mounted on dual ball bearings. Air enters the system through a pre-screen that removes large debris. It then flows through static vanes, causing the air to spin. As the air spins, centrifugal force separates dust, dirt, insects, rain, and snow from the air stream. The swirling air drives a high-velocity rotor that acts as a blower excavating contaminates through special discharge ports in the side of the unit. According to Racor, the end result is that only purified air flows to the air-filter elements.

Racor is offering two heavy-duty combination precleaner/filters, the AFCS dynamic and AFPP static precleaner/filters. Combination systems require only one connection to the engine air intake. The airflow for the AFCS ranges from 1500 to 21,000 L/min (53 to 741 ft³/min), and the AFPP ranges from 1500 to 6000 L/min (53 to 212 ft³/min). The precleaners are self-powered and self-cleaning.