Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system

Details Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system

2000-03-31

2001-10-23

Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)

Marine propulsion

Electric drive for propelling means

C440S069000, C440S070000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06305994

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of watercraft, such as pleasure craft, fishing boats, ski boats, pontoon boats, and so forth. More particularly, the invention relates to a hull configuration for accommodating a propulsion system including at least a pair of propulsion units having drive props lodged within recesses formed in the hull shell.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of marine propulsion systems, particularly for small pleasure craft, several drive designs have been proposed and are presently in use. In one general class of designs, an internal combustion engine is associated with a driven prop to displace water and thereby to provide a desired thrust for the boat. Designs of this type include both outboard and inboard motors, with direction of the thrust being determined by either the angular position of the motor or prop, or by appropriately positioning a rudder, typically at the transom of the boat.
In another general class of propulsion systems, typically referred to as trolling motors or electric outboards, an electric motor is energized to drive a prop which is submerged adjacent to the boat. In a typical trolling motor, the electric motor is provided in a submerged propulsion unit along with the prop, and the propulsion unit may be angularly positioned by rotation of a support tube either manually or remotely. Trolling motors of this type are typically mounted to the deck of the boat via a mounting structure which permits them to be deployed before use and retracted for stowage.
Propulsion systems of the foregoing types suffer from several drawbacks. With regards to inboard and outboard motors, the noise and thrust of the motors often make them of limited use for certain activities, such as fishing. Trolling motors, on the other hand, while providing a quiet and controllable navigational means, are prone to damage by contact with submerged objects, as well as to entanglement with weeds and other plant growth. Conventional trolling motors also provide a fairly limited range of control, and can divert the operator from other activities when submerged objects are encountered or when the motor prop becomes entangled. Moreover, because conventional trolling motors are often mounted on retractable structures attached permanently to the boat deck, some effort and care are required in their deployment and storage. The resulting structures also detract from the aesthetic appeal of the boat, and can require significant maintenance and repair over time due to stresses encountered during use and transport.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved technique for navigating watercraft, particularly pleasure craft such as fishing boats. There is a particular need for a system and hull designed to cooperate in such as a way as to provide enhanced navigational capabilities with limited maintenance, deployment, and stowage time. More particularly, there is a need at present for a system which offers an intuitive navigational mechanism with a hull that protects the propulsion system both during use and during transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hull for a watercraft designed to respond to these needs. The hull is specifically designed to accommodate a propulsion system employing separate propulsion units spaced from one another, such as at symmetrical positions with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the hull. The hull includes integral recesses formed in its shell for receiving at least props of the propulsion units. The recesses serve as a housing for the props. Drive units, including electric motors, may be positioned within the inboard cavity of the hull, with power transmission assemblies extending through the hull into the recesses to drive the props. The recesses may include integral cavitation plates to avoid or reduce the incidence of cavitation when the props are driven.
The hull design may be made universal, whether the propulsion system is employed or not. Thus, the basic hull design may include a pair of recesses to accommodate the propulsion units as an option. When the user desires the optional propulsion system, such as to compliment an outboard motor drive, the propulsion units may be added to the hull as kits. When the hull is manufactured, sealing assemblies or plates may be provided to cover apertures formed in the recesses which accommodate the propulsion units when installed. Alternatively, the recesses may be formed in the hull without apertures, the apertures, mounting structures, sealing structures, and so forth being provided (e.g. by drilling and assembly) only if the user opts to add the additional propulsion system. The recesses may also be configured to direct thrust at desired orientations, such as at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the hull. In a present embodiment, lower and aft sides of the recesses are open to permit the free flow of water displaced by the props during operation.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1197181 (1916-09-01), Buck
patent: 1685350 (1928-09-01), Buchet
patent: 5090929 (1992-02-01), Rieben
patent: 5401195 (1995-03-01), Yocom

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hull for dual electric motor marine propulsion system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2569498