Marine rudder exhaust system

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed toward a marine exhaust system in which the marine exhaust is directed into the water via an exhaust system integrated within a marine rudder. Exhaust travels from the engine to the rudder via a pipe or tube and is expelled through a cavity in the rudder outward into the water. A swivel is located in the system to allow the rudder to rotate in normal steering operations to allow at least a portion of the exhaust pipe or tube to remain static.

Claims

1. A method of installing a rudder on a marine vessel, said method comprising the following steps: the step of providing a rudder body configured for the steering of a boat, said rudder body comprising a passageway for dispelling of gaseous exhaust having an input opening and an output opening, wherein said output opening is located on a trailing edge of said rudder; the step of attaching said rudder to a boat; the step of providing a connection between said rudder and a motor of said boat such that exhaust generated by said motor passes from said motor to said rudder and through said passageway through said rudder, wherein said connection comprises a swivel such that said rudder is configured to move in response to a user input for steering said boat, wherein said rudder is configured to move independently of said motor via said swivel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method comprises a method of retrofitting a boat with a rudder, wherein said rudder comprises a passageway through said rudder configured for the passage of gaseous exhaust from a boat motor.

3. A rudder exhaust system for controlling gaseous emissions from a boat engine, said system comprising: a rudder body configured for the steering of a boat, said rudder body comprising a passageway for dispelling of gaseous exhaust having an input opening and an output opening, wherein said output opening is located on a trailing edge of said rudder; an exhaust connection for connecting a boat exhaust hose to said rudder body such that gaseous exhaust passes from a boat exhaust hose into said passageway; an exhaust hose attached to said exhaust connection; and a swivel located to allow rotation of said rudder body while allowing said exhaust hose to remain static.

4. The exhaust system of claim 3, wherein said rudder comprises an outboard rudder.

5. The exhaust system of claim 3, wherein said swivel is connected to said exhaust connection.

6. The exhaust system of claim 3, wherein said swivel is positioned such as to be between two sections of said exhaust hose, pipe, or a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rudder exhaust system.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of a rudder exhaust system.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of a rudder exhaust system.

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear view of a rudder exhaust system.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a dissection of embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rudder exhaust system.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rudder exhaust system cross sectional along the line 5 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined herein.

(9) In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of e.g., etc, and or indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of including means including, but not limited to, unless otherwise noted.

(10) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rudder with an integrated exhaust cavity and exhaust exit portal. The rudder exhaust system of the invention includes a rudder having an integrated exhaust that is coupled via an exhaust hose to an inboard motor. The rudder exhaust system includes an attachment point for an exhaust hose that is in connection with the exhaust port of an inboard motor. Exhaust travels from an exhaust manifold, pipe, and/or hose (not shown) attaching at point 4. Exhaust travels from the motor to the rudder exhaust system at which point the exhaust enters into the rudder exhaust system via opening 6. The rudder rotates in order to direct the travel direction of the boat.

(11) A swivel 8 allows the rudder to swivel while allowing the exhaust hose between the motor and the rudder to remain in a generally static position. In a preferred embodiment the rudder exhaust system includes an integrated tiller arm 10. The tiller arm allows for either manual or automatic steerage of the rudder. The steerage can include, for example, a console steering system including a steering wheel, or a computer controlled steering system.

(12) The rudder exhaust system has a rudder body 20 attached to the steering the tiller arm and swivel via rudder box assembly 12. The rudder body 20 includes a leading edge 22 and a trailing edge 24. The rudder body has a cavity or void 16. Exhaust travels into the rudder cavity via opening 6 and travels through the cavity or void 14 in the rudder shaft. The exhaust then travels into the cavity or void 16 in the rudder body that is expelled at exit point or portal 18.

(13) The exhaust exit point is located in the trailing edge of the rudder in a preferred embodiment although in alternate embodiments the exit point could be located on either side of the rudder or in any edge of the rudder. In a preferred embodiment the exit point is located in the trailing edge of the rudder in order to propel the exhaust into the water in the opposite direction in which the boat is traveling. This allows the exhaust to essentially to be steered into the trailing wake of the boat. By integrating the exhaust portal and exhaust system with the rudder this allows for a decrease in the amount of hardware and/or pipes located on or around the transom or stern of a boat.

(14) While in one embodiment the rudder exhaust system is utilized on a inboard rudder, the rudder exhaust system is also thought to be applicable to an outboard rudder system in which the rudder is located aft of the boat. The exhaust system can be utilized with a variety of motor types. These motor types preferentially thought to be inboard motors, however it is conceivable that the invention could be utilized with an outboard motor in which the outboard motor is separate from the rudder system.

(15) Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.