This application describes clutch mechanisms for use in a steering control system, e.g., a steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such clutch mechanisms can reduce and avoid damage to the steering control system (e.g., a steering motor) when the system is subjected to unusually large impact loads (e.g., when the trolling motor or boat contacts an obstruction). The clutches described in this application can be used to decouple the steering control system from a steering shaft (or other drive mechanism) upon application of a large impact load, thus reducing damage to and increasing the lifespan of such system. In some cases, the clutch is a ball and spring mechanism. In other cases, the clutch is a slip tooth mechanism.

This application describes clutch mechanisms for use in a steering control system, e.g., a steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such clutch mechanisms can reduce and avoid damage to the steering control system (e.g., a steering motor) when the system is subjected to unusually large impact loads (e.g., when the trolling motor or boat contacts an obstruction). The clutches described in this application can be used to decouple the steering control system from a steering shaft (or other drive mechanism) upon application of a large impact load, thus reducing damage to and increasing the lifespan of such system. In some cases, the clutch is a ball and spring mechanism. In other cases, the clutch is a slip tooth mechanism.

A hybrid type vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, an electric motor, a propeller shaft that rotates together with a propeller, a first transmission path, a second transmission path, and a third transmission path. The first transmission path transmits power of the engine to the propeller shaft. The second transmission path transmits power of the electric motor to the propeller shaft without transmitting the power through the first transmission path. The third transmission path transmits a portion of the power of the engine, which has been transmitted from the first transmission path to the propeller shaft, to the electric motor in order for the electric motor to generate electricity.

A hybrid type vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, an electric motor, a propeller shaft that rotates together with a propeller, a first transmission path, a second transmission path, and a third transmission path. The first transmission path transmits power of the engine to the propeller shaft. The second transmission path transmits power of the electric motor to the propeller shaft without transmitting the power through the first transmission path. The third transmission path transmits a portion of the power of the engine, which has been transmitted from the first transmission path to the propeller shaft, to the electric motor in order for the electric motor to generate electricity.

A motor comprising: (a) a stator having a plurality of ferrous cores surrounded by a plurality of windings; (b) a pair of rotors positioned on opposing sides of the stator, each rotor including a ring gear; and (c) a drive shaft extending through a cutout of the stator, the drive shaft having a pinion gear positioned near an end of the drive shaft in communication with the ring gears of the rotors; wherein the rotors rotate in opposing directions so that the ring gears translate a movement of the rotors to the drive shaft through the pinion gear to rotate the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the rotors.

A motor comprising: (a) a stator having a plurality of ferrous cores surrounded by a plurality of windings; (b) a pair of rotors positioned on opposing sides of the stator, each rotor including a ring gear; and (c) a drive shaft extending through a cutout of the stator, the drive shaft having a pinion gear positioned near an end of the drive shaft in communication with the ring gears of the rotors; wherein the rotors rotate in opposing directions so that the ring gears translate a movement of the rotors to the drive shaft through the pinion gear to rotate the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the rotors.

A marine outboard motor is provided with a gear casing, a propeller shaft rotatable within the gear casing about a propeller shaft axis, a drive shaft having a drive gear, a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging the drive gear with the propeller shaft and a shift mechanism configured to operate the clutch mechanism. The shift mechanism comprises a support shaft which is fixed relative to the gear casing and which extends along or parallel with the propeller shaft axis, a shift shuttle which is slidable along the support shaft and is connected to a clutch member of the clutch mechanism, a shift finger pivotally mounted on the support shaft, and a shift rod coupled to the shift finger by a releasable coupling. The shift finger is configured to move the shift shuttle along the support shaft to operate the clutch member.

A marine outboard motor is provided with a gear casing, a propeller shaft rotatable within the gear casing about a propeller shaft axis, a drive shaft having a drive gear, a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging the drive gear with the propeller shaft and a shift mechanism configured to operate the clutch mechanism. The shift mechanism comprises a support shaft which is fixed relative to the gear casing and which extends along or parallel with the propeller shaft axis, a shift shuttle which is slidable along the support shaft and is connected to a clutch member of the clutch mechanism, a shift finger pivotally mounted on the support shaft, and a shift rod coupled to the shift finger by a releasable coupling. The shift finger is configured to move the shift shuttle along the support shaft to operate the clutch member.

A marine transmission (1) with a main driveshaft (3), a first intermediate shaft (4) and a drive output shaft (6), by way of which at least one propeller (21) can be driven. The marine transmission (1) has an electric machine (7), as an additional drive, a second intermediate shaft (5) and a planetary gear assembly (8). The electric machine (7) can be connected to the second intermediate shaft (5) by way of the planetary gear assembly (8). Also a drive arrangement for a marine transmission with a main drive motor (2) and with a marine transmission (1) of that type are disclosed.

A marine transmission (1) with a main driveshaft (3), a first intermediate shaft (4) and a drive output shaft (6), by way of which at least one propeller (21) can be driven. The marine transmission (1) has an electric machine (7), as an additional drive, a second intermediate shaft (5) and a planetary gear assembly (8). The electric machine (7) can be connected to the second intermediate shaft (5) by way of the planetary gear assembly (8). Also a drive arrangement for a marine transmission with a main drive motor (2) and with a marine transmission (1) of that type are disclosed.