WATERCRAFT WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM

Abstract

A watercraft includes a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull. An electrically-powered propulsion pod is engaged with the hull on opposite sides of the keel. A single control unit is in communication with the propulsion pods, wherein the single control unit is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull. An associated method of forming a watercraft is also provided.

Claims

1. A watercraft, comprising: a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull; two electrically-powered propulsion pods engaged with the hull and arranged on opposite sides of the keel; and a single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods, the single control unit being arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are fixedly engaged with the hull with the propulsion units arranged in a fixed orientation such that the thrust is produced substantially parallel to the keel.

3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the control unit is arranged to direct the propulsion units to produce a different amount of thrust or a different direction of thrust between the propulsion units so as to control steering of the hull.

4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each propulsion pod includes an electric motor engaged with a propulsion unit, the electric motor and the propulsion unit being arranged to cooperate to produce thrust, and wherein the electric motor is mounted in the propulsion pod externally to the hull.

5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the electric motor is arranged in a direct drive relation with the propulsion unit, and wherein the control unit is arranged to reverse polarity to the electric motor to change a thrust direction of the propulsion unit to control the direction of the hull.

6. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are engaged with the hull such that the propulsion units are forward of the transom.

7. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are engaged with the hull adjacent to the transom such that the propulsion units extend aft of the transom.

8. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the propulsion pods are fixedly engaged with the hull and are spaced apart toward opposing sides of the hull away from the keel.

9. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods fixedly engaged with the hull are arranged with respect to the hull such that the propulsion units extend downwardly from the hull equal to or less than the keel.

10. The watercraft of claim 1, comprising a power source within the hull and arranged in communication with the propulsion pods and the control unit, the power source being movable fore and aft within the hull, substantially parallel to the keel.

11. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a single joystick input device arranged to control both propulsion pods, or a pair of joystick input devices with each of the pair of joystick input devices being arranged to control a corresponding one of the propulsion pods.

12. A method of forming a watercraft, the watercraft including a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull, the method comprising: engaging two electrically-powered propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion pods are arranged on opposite sides of the keel; and engaging a single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods, such that the single control unit is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull, with the propulsion units arranged in a fixed orientation, such that the thrust is produced substantially parallel to the keel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods such that the control unit is arranged to direct the propulsion units to produce a different amount of thrust or a different direction of thrust between the propulsion units so as to control steering of the hull.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein each propulsion pod includes an electric motor engaged with a propulsion unit, the electric motor and the propulsion unit being arranged to cooperate to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises mounting the electric motor in the propulsion pod externally to the hull.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric motor is arranged in a direct drive relation with the propulsion unit, and wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods such that the control unit is arranged to reverse polarity to the electric motor to change a thrust direction of the propulsion unit to control the direction of the hull.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion units are forward of the transom.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises engaging the propulsion pods with the hull adjacent to the transom such that the propulsion units extend aft of the transom.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion pods are spaced apart toward opposing sides of the hull away from the keel.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion units are arranged with respect to the hull to extend downwardly from the hull equal to or less than the keel.

21. The method of claim 12, comprising arranging a power source within the hull in communication with the propulsion pods and the control unit, the power source being movable fore and aft within the hull, substantially parallel to the keel.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit, comprising a single joystick input device arranged to control both propulsion pods, or a pair of joystick input devices with each of the pair of joystick input devices being arranged to control a corresponding one of the propulsion pods, in communication with the propulsion pods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0032] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a watercraft including an electric drive system, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a rear view of a watercraft including an electric drive system, according to the aspect of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 1; and

[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate plan views of a watercraft including an electric drive system, according to different aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0036] The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0037] Particular aspects of the present disclosure, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-4 are generally directed to a watercraft 100 implementing a drive system. Such a watercraft 100 comprises a hull 200 having a lengthwise-extending keel 300 and a transom 400 extending perpendicularly to the keel 300 about an aft end 220 of the hull 200. The hull 200 also includes a fore end or bow 240 opposing the aft end 220. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the watercraft 100 includes a pair of electrically-powered propulsion pods 500, wherein the propulsions pods 500 are engaged with the hull 200 on opposite sides of the keel 300. Further, aspects of the present disclosure implement a single control unit 600 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) in communication with the propulsion pods 500, wherein the single control unit 600 is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods 500 to control, for example, steering, direction, and velocity of the hull 200.

[0038] Each propulsion pod 500 includes a propulsion unit 520 arranged to produce thrust to propel the hull 200 through the water. The propulsion unit 520 is, for example, a propeller, a waterjet unit, or the like. Each propulsion pod 500 includes an electric motor 540 engaged with the propulsion unit 520, wherein the electric motor 540 and the propulsion unit 520 are arranged to cooperate to produce the thrust. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the electric motor 540 is mounted in the propulsion pod 500, externally to the hull 200. That is, for example, the electric motor 540 is arranged in a direct drive relation with the propulsion unit 520, and can thus be mounted in the foot 560 of the propulsion pod 500. Mounting the electric motor 540 in the foot 560 of the propulsion pod 500 may, for example, promote stability of the hull 200 by moving the weight of the electric motors 540 externally to the hull 200 and lowering the center of gravity. In addition, cooling provisions for the electric motor 540 can be integrated into the foot 560, and thus such cooling provisions are also not required to be mounted within the hull 200.

[0039] In some aspects, the propulsion pods 500 are fixedly engaged with the hull 200 such that the propulsion units 520 are arranged in a fixed orientation (e.g., the propulsion pods 500 and/or the propulsion units 520 are not rotatable or steerable with respect to the hull 200). In one fixed orientation, for example, the propulsion pods 500/propulsion units 520 are arranged and fixedly mounted to the hull 200 such that the thrust is produced substantially parallel to the keel 300.

[0040] In further aspects, the hull 200 is configured, for example, as a cathedral hull or a tri-hull, or defines longitudinally-extending tunnels or pockets 250 on either side of the keel 300. In many instances, the keel 300 defines the deepest portion of the hull 200, and thus determines the draft of the hull 200. In such aspects, the propulsion pods 500 are fixedly engaged with and are arranged with respect to the hull 200 within the tunnels/pockets 250, or are disposed between the sponsons and the keel 300 of the hull 200 such that the propulsion units 520 extend downwardly from the hull 200 equal to or less than the keel 300. That is, the propulsion pods 500 are mounted to the hull between the sponsons and the keel 300, or within the tunnels/pockets, such that the propulsions units 520 (e.g., propellers) are raised above the bottom of the keel 300. This arrangement serves to protect the propulsion units (e.g., propellers) from damage in the event of, for example, beaching of the hull 200 or the hull 200 running over a floating object.

[0041] In other aspects, the propulsion pods 500 are engaged with the hull 200 such that the propulsion units 520 are disposed forward of the transom 400. Arranging the propulsion units 520 forward of the transom 400 serves, for example, a safety purpose by arranging the propulsion units 520 (e.g., propellers) under the hull 200 so as to lower the risk of contact with persons approaching the transom 400. In other aspects, the propulsion pods 500 are engaged with the hull 200 adjacent to the transom 400 such that the propulsion units 520 extend aft of the transom 400. In such instances, the aft-most disposition of the propulsion pods 500 conserves space within the hull 200 and the propulsion units 520 disposed aft of the transom 400 can, for example, facilitate a flat running attitude of the hull 200. In this manner, aspects of the watercraft 100 disclosed herein do not require and/or implement a supplemental attitude adjustment provision such as, for example, trim tabs or propulsion pods having tilt/trim adjustments, though one skilled in the art will appreciate that such a supplemental attitude adjustment provision can be implemented, if necessary or desired.

[0042] In some aspects, a power source 700 is disposed within the hull 200 (e.g., so as to be balanced on either side of the keel 300) and is arranged in electrical communication with the propulsion pods 500 and with the single control unit 600 generally disposed at the helm 800 of the watercraft 100. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the control unit 600 may be mounted elsewhere in the hull 200 or may comprise a wired or wireless handheld unit. In particular instances, the control unit 600 is arranged primarily to control the flow of electrical power from the power source 700 (e.g., a battery) to the electric motor 540 mounted in the propulsion pods 500 in order for the propulsion units 520 to provide the thrust to propel the hull 200. Accordingly, the control unit 600 is also arranged to direct the propulsion pods 500 to produce different amounts of thrust (e.g., by differing the amount of electrical power, such as amperage, directed to each electric motor 540) to affect the velocity of the hull 200 (i.e., increased amperage to the electric motors 540 causes increased thrust from the propulsion units 520 which, in turn, causes an increased velocity of the hull 200). In other instances, the power source 700 is movable fore and aft within the hull 200, with the movement being substantially parallel to the keel 300, to determine an appropriate placement of the power source 700 for providing a flat stationary attitude and/or a flat running attitude of the hull 200.

[0043] In particular aspects, the control unit 600 is configured to reverse the polarity of the electrical power from the power source 700 to the electric motor 540 to change the thrust direction of the propulsion unit 520. In this manner, the control unit 600 is arranged to control the direction of propulsion of the hull 200. That is, a first polarity of the electrical power causes the propulsion units 520 to produce the thrust for directing the hull 200 in a first direction (e.g., a forward direction), while switching to a second polarity (opposite to the first polarity) of the electrical power causes the propulsion units 520 to produce the thrust for directing the hull 200 in a second direction (e.g., a reverse direction) opposite to the first direction.

[0044] With the control unit 600 arranged to control the electric motors 540/propulsion units 540 in this manner, the control unit 600 is also arranged to be capable of directing the propulsion units 540 to produce a different amounts of thrust (e.g., by differing the amount of electrical power, such as amperage, directed to each electric motor 540) or to produce different directions of thrust between the propulsion units 540. In this manner, the control unit 600 and the propulsion pods 500 are used to control steering of the hull 200. In some aspects, in order to facilitate or enhance steering responsiveness, the propulsion pods 500 fixedly engaged with the hull 200 are spaced apart toward opposing sides (e.g., port and starboard sides) of the hull 200, away from the keel 300. A relatively wider spacing allows the propulsion pods 500, for example, to produce a greater steering torque about the keel 300. In some instances, the watercraft 100 includes a bow thruster 900 mounted to the hull 200 toward the fore end or bow 240, wherein the bow thruster 900 is arranged in communication with the power source 700 to produce lateral thrust (e.g., perpendicular to the keel 300). Accordingly, the bow thruster 900 also in communication with the control unit 600 can be implemented in conjunction with the propulsion pods 500 to control steering of the hull 200. In this manner, aspects of the watercraft 100 disclosed herein do not require and/or implement a supplemental steering provision such as, for example, a rudder or rotatable propulsion pod, though one skilled in the art will appreciate that such a supplemental steering provision can be implemented, if necessary or desired.

[0045] In particular aspects of the disclosure, the control unit 600 comprises a single joystick input device (see, e.g., FIG. 3) arranged to control both propulsion pods 500 (and the optional bow thruster 900) by way of an appropriately-configured computer device 1000 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) having a processor and a memory storing executable instructions executable by the processor for directing such control. In other aspects, the control unit 600 includes a pair of joystick input devices (see, e.g., FIG. 4), with each of the pair of joystick input devices being arranged to control a corresponding one of the propulsion pods 500, by way of the computer device 1000. In such aspects, the computer device 1000 is in communication with the optional bow thruster 900 and configured to actuate the bow thruster 900, as needed, for example in conjunction with steering inputs from the pair of joysticks. In this manner, aspects of the watercraft 100 disclosed herein do not require and/or implement a supplemental steering input provision such as, for example, a steering wheel, though one skilled in the art will appreciate that such a supplemental steering input provision can be implemented, if necessary or desired.

[0046] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosed embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0047] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one operation or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation may be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step may be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “/” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.