A modular hybrid propulsion unit is disclosed that is mountable to a watercraft. According to an example, the modular hybrid propulsion unit includes a housing configured to fit within a complementary housing receiver on a topside of the watercraft, and a rotational output coupling configured to rotationally engage with a rotational input coupling for a propeller of the watercraft. The propulsion unit further includes an electric motor within the housing, the electric motor having a motor shaft connected to the rotational output coupling for providing an electrically powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling. The propulsion unit further includes a crank having one or more crank arms. The crank is connected to the rotational output coupling for providing a human powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling independent of the electrically powered rotational input by the electric motor.

A motor/generator/transmission system includes: an axle; a stator ring having a plurality of stator coils disposed around the periphery of the stator ring, wherein each phase of the plurality of stator coils includes a respective set of multiple parallel non-twisted wires separated at the center tap with electronic switches for connecting the parallel non-twisted wires of each phase of the stator coils all in series, all in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel; a rotor support structure coupled to the axle; a first rotor ring and a second rotor ring each having an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the axle, at least one of the first rotor ring or the second rotor ring being slidably coupled to the rotor support structure and configured to translate along the rotor support structure in a first axial direction or in a second axial direction.

A method of operating a vessel includes providing hydrogen or a fuel mixture containing hydrogen and a hydrocarbon fuel to a power generator disposed on the vessel, and providing power from the power generator to an electrical load of the vessel.

The present disclosure is directed to an electric generator and motor transmission system that is capable of operating with high energy, wide operating range and extremely variable torque and RPM conditions. In accordance with various embodiments, the disclosed system is operable to: dynamically change the output “size” of the motor/generator by modularly engaging and disengaging rotor/stator sets as power demands increase or decrease; activate one stator or another within the rotor/stator sets as torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements change; and/or change from parallel to series winding configurations or the reverse through sets of 2, 4, 6 or more parallel, three-phase, non-twisted coil windings with switchable separated center tap to efficiently meet torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements.

A control device for a battery of a marine vessel recovers a power storage amount of a chargeable lithium ion battery while protecting the same. When an acquired power storage amount of the lithium ion battery becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined power storage amount, a switch to connect the lithium ion battery and a line or a load is turned off. While the switch is off, as an electric power balance on the line, a power inflow amount, a first power outflow amount, and a second power outflow amount are acquired. Based on the electric power balance acquired while the switch is off, whether a chargeable condition in which the lithium ion battery is chargeable is satisfied is determined. When the chargeable condition is satisfied, the switch is turned on.

A control system for a marine propulsion device includes a propeller driven by either an engine or a motor. The control system includes a first memory to store first information to identify whether the control system has shut down normally or abnormally even during a reset period of the control system, a second memory to store second information indicating control states of the engine and the motor even during the reset period of the control system, and a controller configured or programmed to start controlling the engine and the motor, based on the second information stored in the second memory, when the first information stored in the first memory indicates an abnormal shutdown of the control system at a startup of the control system.

A watercraft and method for operating the watercraft, wherein the watercraft includes an electrical system that is present in a space that has an atmosphere that differs from air, where the space is formable by a pressure hull, where the atmosphere contains, for example, an inert gas, and where the space having the electrical system is filled with the atmosphere.

A method is provided for enhancing fuel efficiency in an integrated hybrid power system for a marine vessel, the integrated hybrid power system including multiple energy storage units and at least one engine-driven power generator coupled with a power distribution grid. The method includes: determining whether a consumer load on the power distribution grid is greater than a rated maximum efficiency loading of the power generator; starting the power generator when the consumer load is greater than the maximum efficiency loading and/or a charge level of the energy storage units is below a lower threshold value; maintaining a constant load on the power generator equal to the maximum efficiency loading despite fluctuations in consumer load; and shutting down the power generator when the consumer load is less than or equal to the maximum efficiency loading and the charge level of the energy storage units is greater than or equal to the lower threshold value.

A marine propulsion system includes a marine propulsion device, a battery, and a controller. The marine propulsion device includes a propeller shaft, an engine, and an electric motor. The marine propulsion device transmits mechanical power from at least one of the engine and the electric motor to the propeller shaft. The battery supplies electric power to the electric motor. The controller controls the marine propulsion device such that the marine propulsion device is switchable among drive modes including a first drive mode and a second drive mode. In the first drive mode, mechanical power is transmitted from only the engine to the propeller shaft. In the second drive mode, mechanical power is transmitted from only the electric motor to the propeller shaft when the engine is in an idling state.

A motor/generator/transmission system includes: an axle; a stator ring having a plurality of stator coils disposed around the periphery of the stator ring, wherein each phase of the plurality of stator coils includes a respective set of multiple parallel non-twisted wires separated at the center tap with electronic switches for connecting the parallel non-twisted wires of each phase of the stator coils all in series, all in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel; a rotor support structure coupled to the axle; a first rotor ring and a second rotor ring each having an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the axle, at least one of the first rotor ring or the second rotor ring being slidably coupled to the rotor support structure and configured to translate along the rotor support structure in a first axial direction or in a second axial direction.