A self-contained marine propulsion impeller system, whereby, the impeller is driven from an outer perimeter of a cylinder, thereby, creating thrust. The impeller is connected to an inner wall of the cylinder. The cylinder has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the cylinder has a primary sealing member and a primary bearing member. The secondary end of the cylinder has a secondary sealing member and a secondary bearing member. A plurality of magnets are connected to an outer perimeter wall of the cylinder. The plurality of magnets are located between the first bearing member and the second bearing member. The cylinder is surrounded by a housing. At least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing. The rotating cylinder is suspended within the housing by the first bearing member and the secondary bearing member.

A self-contained marine propulsion impeller system, whereby, the impeller is driven from an outer perimeter of a cylinder, thereby, creating thrust. The impeller is connected to an inner wall of the cylinder. The cylinder has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the cylinder has a primary sealing member and a primary bearing member. The secondary end of the cylinder has a secondary sealing member and a secondary bearing member. A plurality of magnets are connected to an outer perimeter wall of the cylinder. The plurality of magnets are located between the first bearing member and the second bearing member. The cylinder is surrounded by a housing. At least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing. The rotating cylinder is suspended within the housing by the first bearing member and the secondary bearing member.

A vessel propulsion device transmits a drive force of an engine to a propulsive force generator. The vessel propulsion device includes a generator that is driven by the engine, a power shutoff detector that detects a power shutoff state in which the drive force of the engine is not transmitted to the propulsive force generator, and a controller configured or programmed to, when the power shutoff detector detects the power shutoff state, select one of a plurality of charging modes to charge a battery connected to the generator and control a target speed of the engine based on a selected one of the charging modes.

A vessel propulsion device transmits a drive force of an engine to a propulsive force generator. The vessel propulsion device includes a generator that is driven by the engine, a power shutoff detector that detects a power shutoff state in which the drive force of the engine is not transmitted to the propulsive force generator, and a controller configured or programmed to, when the power shutoff detector detects the power shutoff state, select one of a plurality of charging modes to charge a battery connected to the generator and control a target speed of the engine based on a selected one of the charging modes.

A method of controlling power transfer in a power system including a main bus, having a first and second bus sections, the first bus section connectable to the second bus section, first and second power generating units connectable to the first and second bus sections, a first and second drive systems connectable to the first and second bus sections, a central energy storage system, and a control system. The first and second drive systems include first and second bi-directional power converters connectable to the central energy storage system, and wherein the control system is arranged to control the first bi-directional power converter to transfer power from the first drive system to the central energy storage system, and to control the second bi-directional power converter to transfer power from the central energy storage system to the second drive system.

A marine propulsion unit includes a duct including a stator, a propeller including a rim including a rotor disposed at a position that faces the stator and a blade provided radially inward of the rim, a steering shaft that supports the duct such that the duct is steerable, a casing provided separately from the steering shaft and that extends along a rotation axis of the propeller, and a motor controller disposed in the casing and configured or programmed to control rotational driving of the propeller.

A marine propulsion unit includes a duct including a stator, a propeller including a rim including a rotor disposed at a position that faces the stator and a blade provided radially inward of the rim, a steering shaft that supports the duct such that the duct is steerable, a casing provided separately from the steering shaft and that extends along a rotation axis of the propeller, and a motor controller disposed in the casing and configured or programmed to control rotational driving of the propeller.

A submersible electric thruster operable to propel underwater vehicles, surface vehicles, amphibious vehicles, etc. The submersible electric thruster includes a stator assembly having a base, stator, windings, and bearings and an external rotor assembly having a cylindrical arrangement of permanent magnets with a hub that is secured to a shaft. The stator forms the center of the motor and the permanent magnets spin around the stator. A propeller hub is integrally connected to the rotor assembly with angularly spaced propeller blades extending radially from the propeller hub. An annular nozzle surrounds the propeller and motor, forming an inlet and outlet for water flow. A nose cone is connected to the stator assembly and a tail cone is integrally connected to the nozzle assembly. Supporting arms may extend from the stator assembly to support the nozzle and/or supporting arms may extend from the nozzle to the support the tail cone.

A submersible electric thruster operable to propel underwater vehicles, surface vehicles, amphibious vehicles, etc. The submersible electric thruster includes a stator assembly having a base, stator, windings, and bearings and an external rotor assembly having a cylindrical arrangement of permanent magnets with a hub that is secured to a shaft. The stator forms the center of the motor and the permanent magnets spin around the stator. A propeller hub is integrally connected to the rotor assembly with angularly spaced propeller blades extending radially from the propeller hub. An annular nozzle surrounds the propeller and motor, forming an inlet and outlet for water flow. A nose cone is connected to the stator assembly and a tail cone is integrally connected to the nozzle assembly. Supporting arms may extend from the stator assembly to support the nozzle and/or supporting arms may extend from the nozzle to the support the tail cone.

A braking system for waterborne propeller driven vessel which, upon activating a brake pedal or similar actuation device causes the vessel to almost immediately stop its forward movement. The system initiates a burst of highly amplified horsepower and torque, created by a controlled pulse of electrical power released from a bank of fully charged ultracapacitors. This pulse of electrical power is sent directly to AC induction-driven motors, causing oversized propellers to immediately rotate astern, thereby generating a reverse thrust in opposition to the vessel's forward movement sufficient to stop the vessel. The horsepower and torque produced by the braking system and operation of the present invention will also cause the oversize propellers to transmit this tremendous power into the water, without cavitation, to assist in stopping vessel movement.