An electrically-powered unmanned marine vehicle and method of making same, including providing a hull of the marine vehicle and mounting a submersible electric thruster to the hull via a mounting interface of the thruster. The thruster includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly forms an internal cavity with a plurality of magnets arranged radially outwardly of the internal cavity. The stator assembly includes electrical windings that are disposed within the internal cavity of the rotor assembly. The thruster is configured to allow the internal cavity to be flooded with water when the thruster is submerged, and the electrical windings are encapsulated with a protective barrier that prevents the flooded water from contacting the windings. The thruster of the marine vehicle is thus water cooled, and the electromotive forces provided by the windings generate sufficient thrust to propel the marine vehicle through the water.

An electrically-powered unmanned marine vehicle and method of making same, including providing a hull of the marine vehicle and mounting a submersible electric thruster to the hull via a mounting interface of the thruster. The thruster includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly forms an internal cavity with a plurality of magnets arranged radially outwardly of the internal cavity. The stator assembly includes electrical windings that are disposed within the internal cavity of the rotor assembly. The thruster is configured to allow the internal cavity to be flooded with water when the thruster is submerged, and the electrical windings are encapsulated with a protective barrier that prevents the flooded water from contacting the windings. The thruster of the marine vehicle is thus water cooled, and the electromotive forces provided by the windings generate sufficient thrust to propel the marine vehicle through the water.

A pod propulsion device includes: a pod configured to be disposed in water; a rotation shaft supported by the pod to be rotatable about a predetermined axis and having an end portion projecting out from the pod; a screw fixed to the end portion of the rotation shaft; an electric motor installed in the pod to rotationally drive the rotation shaft; multiple guide blades integrally formed on the pod to be arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the pod, each guide blade extending out radially from an outer surface of the pod; and a cooling circuit for cooling the electric motor, wherein the cooling circuit includes a cooling liquid passage formed to pass through an interior of at least one of the guide blades.

A pod propulsion device includes: a pod configured to be disposed in water; a rotation shaft supported by the pod to be rotatable about a predetermined axis and having an end portion projecting out from the pod; a screw fixed to the end portion of the rotation shaft; an electric motor installed in the pod to rotationally drive the rotation shaft; multiple guide blades integrally formed on the pod to be arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the pod, each guide blade extending out radially from an outer surface of the pod; and a cooling circuit for cooling the electric motor, wherein the cooling circuit includes a cooling liquid passage formed to pass through an interior of at least one of the guide blades.

A propeller device has a propeller hub which is elongated along the rotational axis and a propeller blade which radially extends from the propeller hub. The propeller hub and propeller blade are configured so that when the propeller device is forwardly rotated, a first portion of the propeller hub on a first side of the propeller blade encounters a positive pressure and a second portion of the propeller hub on an opposite, second side of the blade encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction, and further so that when the propeller device is reversely rotated, the second portion of the propeller hub encounters a positive pressure and the first portion of the propeller hub encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction. An exhaust vent hole is located in the first portion of the propeller hub and configured to vent exhaust gases from the marine drive via the propeller hub as the propeller device is reversely rotated, thereby enhancing reverse thrust performance of the propeller device.

A propeller device has a propeller hub which is elongated along the rotational axis and a propeller blade which radially extends from the propeller hub. The propeller hub and propeller blade are configured so that when the propeller device is forwardly rotated, a first portion of the propeller hub on a first side of the propeller blade encounters a positive pressure and a second portion of the propeller hub on an opposite, second side of the blade encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction, and further so that when the propeller device is reversely rotated, the second portion of the propeller hub encounters a positive pressure and the first portion of the propeller hub encounters a relatively lower pressure or suction. An exhaust vent hole is located in the first portion of the propeller hub and configured to vent exhaust gases from the marine drive via the propeller hub as the propeller device is reversely rotated, thereby enhancing reverse thrust performance of the propeller device.

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft having a terminal end. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. The housing structure includes an inner surface defining a cavity and an opening in the second end in communication with the cavity. A bushing assembly has first and second ends and includes an outer surface engageablc with the inner surface of the housing structure. An adaptor has first and second sides and is adapted for receipt on the propeller shaft. The adaptor has an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the second end of the housing structure. A nut is receivable on the terminal end of the propeller shaft. The nut is threadable on the propeller shaft to a tightened configuration wherein the nut engages the adaptor and maintains the propeller assembly on the propeller shaft. The nut, in the tightened configuration, the first side of the adaptor engages the second end of the bushing assembly and the enlarged portion of the adaptor is spaced from the second end of the housing structure.

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft having a terminal end. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. The housing structure includes an inner surface defining a cavity and an opening in the second end in communication with the cavity. A bushing assembly has first and second ends and includes an outer surface engageablc with the inner surface of the housing structure. An adaptor has first and second sides and is adapted for receipt on the propeller shaft. The adaptor has an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the second end of the housing structure. A nut is receivable on the terminal end of the propeller shaft. The nut is threadable on the propeller shaft to a tightened configuration wherein the nut engages the adaptor and maintains the propeller assembly on the propeller shaft. The nut, in the tightened configuration, the first side of the adaptor engages the second end of the bushing assembly and the enlarged portion of the adaptor is spaced from the second end of the housing structure.

A propulsion system includes a driving device and a propeller coupled with the driving device. The driving device includes a body portion and a lock portion disposed on the body portion. The lock portion includes a first snap-fitting portion. The propeller includes a hub having a receiving hole, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a second snap-fitting portion arranged on an inner wall of the receiving hole and configured to snap with the first snap-fitting portion.

A propulsion system includes a driving device and a propeller coupled with the driving device. The driving device includes a body portion and a lock portion disposed on the body portion. The lock portion includes a first snap-fitting portion. The propeller includes a hub having a receiving hole, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a second snap-fitting portion arranged on an inner wall of the receiving hole and configured to snap with the first snap-fitting portion.