Invention relates to the paddle-wheel propelling mechanisms, especially to the steerable and retractable paddle-wheel mechanisms for propelling boats. The paddle-wheel propulsion and steering mechanism comprises a frame structure for securing the mechanism to the boat; a propulsion mechanism for propulsion of the boat; a paddle-wheel upward and downward moving mechanism for movement of the paddle-wheel relative to a waterline of the boat; and a steering mechanism for steering of the boat.

A method of de-spinning a rotor of a propulsion system includes providing one or more spinning rotors rotatably mounted on a frame with a bearing having a bearing outer race, bearing balls, and bearing inner race; providing a force mechanism coupled with the one or more spinning rotors for applying a load to the one or more spinning rotors; and loading an outer portion of the outer bearing race, bearing ball, and inner bearing race of the bearing, a load on the outer portion of the bearing race, bearing ball, and inner bearing race of the bearing corresponding to a force applied to the one or more spinning rotors by the drive mechanism. The one or more spinning rotors de-spin at a rate corresponding to the load on the bearing balls.

A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

A vehicle includes a propulsion system using one or more impellers as opposed to propellers. The impellers impart circumferential and radial velocity components to the working fluid, which may be air or water. The air is deflected by counter-vortex chambers in a shroud to convert the circumferential and radial velocity to an axial velocity aligned with the axis of rotation of the impeller.

A watercraft propulsion system configured to be coupled to the transom of a boat. A continuous track is supported by a suspension frame and operably coupled to an outboard motor.

A propulsion mechanism (100) for a maritime vessel (200) including a rotor (75) mounted for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor (75) includes a plurality of vanes (20) extending essentially radial to the rotor axis and the vanes are arranged to define spaces (25) in between the vanes (20). The propulsion mechanism (100) further includes means configured for freeing the spaces (25) of water by means of application of air.

A propulsion mechanism (100) for a maritime vessel (200) including a rotor (75) mounted for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor (75) includes a plurality of vanes (20) extending essentially radial to the rotor axis and the vanes are arranged to define spaces (25) in between the vanes (20). The propulsion mechanism (100) further includes means configured for freeing the spaces (25) of water by means of application of air.

A blade is provided for the cycloidal marine propellers or cycloidal aerial rotors. Said blade is provided with the capabilities, in response to the control system commands to dynamically and in real time; flex itself along its chord in any required way, vary its relative pivot point position, change its planform by extending or retracting a trailing edge extension, differentially if needed on the right and left, turn the flap along the trailing edge in either direction or allow it to be turned by the flows. Said blade is also optionally provided with one or more elastic trailing edges whose stiffness is dynamically, and possibly differentially along the blade span, variable by the control system. For the reversal of the leading and trailing edges for operation in reverse airflow and other conditions the blades are provided with edges that can be made rigid when functioning as the leading edge and flexible if needed when functioning as the trailing edge. Also the blades are provided with the capability of varying their cross-sectional profile thickness and reshaping it. Finally the blades are given on command flow permeability along much of their surface. These capabilities will enable each control system controlled blade to continually optimally adjust to and make the best use of its immediate operating environment as it travels along its trajectory within each revolution.

A device, which is autonomous or which can be associated with another structure, for propulsion in a liquid environment, is described. The device has a bladder body made of a soft material, developing along and around a central longitudinal axis, defining an internal chamber between a dorsal wall and a ventral wall; in the bladder body, an inlet opening and an outlet opening of a liquid in and out of the chamber, arranged at a longitudinal end of the body; and drive means for driving a contraction of the bladder, arranged on the dorsal wall and having a mechanical connection with the ventral to cyclically attract the ventral wall to the dorsal wall, thereby causing a pulsed ejection of a propeller jet from the chamber through the outlet opening.