Abstract
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.
Claims
1. A marine propulsion unit, comprising: a cylinder, said cylinder substantially surrounding an impeller, said impeller connected to said cylinder; said cylinder having a first end located opposite a second end, said cylinder having a first bearing member and a first sealing member located on said first end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a second bearing member and a second sealing member located on said second end of said cylinder; said cylinder having a plurality of magnets connected to said cylinder, said plurality of magnets are located between said first bearing member and said second bearing member; and, said cylinder is substantially surrounded by a housing, said housing connected to at least one coil winding, said housing has a reduced diameter inlet and outlet, bulging out towards a centerline to contain said at least one coil winding, said at least one coil winding is associated with an electrical power source, whereby, the combination of said at least one coil winding and said plurality of magnets form a motor causing said cylinder to rotate within said housing when said electrical power source is applied to said at least one coil winding, said at least one coil winding is electrically connected with an electronic speed control, said electronic speed control receives commands from a switch.
2. A method of driving an impeller of a marine propulsion unit system, comprising the steps of: providing a vessel; providing said marine propulsion unit connected to said vessel, said marine propulsion unit comprising, a cylinder, said cylinder substantially surrounding an impeller, said impeller connected to said cylinder, said cylinder having a first end located opposite a second end, said cylinder having a first bearing member and a first sealing member located on said first end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a second bearing member and a second sealing member located on said second end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of magnets connected to said cylinder, said plurality of magnets are located between said first bearing member and said second bearing member, and said cylinder is substantially surrounded by a housing, said housing connected to at least one coil winding, said housing has a reduced diameter inlet and outlet, bulging out towards a centerline to contain said at least one coil winding; providing an electrical power source associated with said at least one coil winding, whereby, the combination of said at least one coil winding and said plurality of magnets form a motor causing said cylinder to rotate within said housing when said electrical power source is applied to said at least one coil winding; providing an electronic speed control, said electronic speed control is electrically connected with said at least one coil winding, said electronic speed control receiving commands from a switch; producing thrust in first direction when a liquid is drawn into said first end of said cylinder, whereby, orienting said vessel in a first orientation; and, producing thrust in a second direction when said liquid is draw into said second end of said cylinder, whereby, orienting said vessel in a second orientation.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit having a cylinder substantially surrounded by a housing;
(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of the novel marine propulsion unit having a cylinder substantially surrounded by a housing, the cylinder having a plurality of magnets located between a primary bearing member and a secondary bearing member, and at least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall of the housing;
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective cut-away view of another embodiment of the novel marine propulsion unit having a cylinder substantially surrounded by a housing, the cylinder having a plurality of magnets being flush with the outer wall of the cylinder, the plurality of magnets are located between a primary bearing member and a secondary bearing member, and at least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing;
(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the novel cylinder substantially surrounding an impeller connected to the cylinder, the cylinder has a plurality of magnets being flush with the outer wall of the cylinder, the plurality of magnets are located between a primary bearing member and a secondary bearing member, and the cylinder is substantially surrounded by a housing, whereby, at least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing;
(6) FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view of the novel marine propulsion unit having a cylinder substantially surrounded by a housing, the cylinder is substantially surrounding an impeller connected to the cylinder, the cylinder has a primary end located opposite a secondary end, the cylinder has a plurality of magnets being flush with the outer wall of the cylinder, the plurality of magnets are located between a primary bearing member and a secondary bearing member, at least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing, the at least one coil winging is in electrical connection with an ESC;
(7) FIG. 6 is an exploded cut-away view of the novel cylinder substantially surrounding an impeller connected to the cylinder, the cylinder has a plurality of magnets being flush with the outer wall of the cylinder, the plurality of magnets are located between a primary bearing member and a secondary bearing member, and the cylinder is substantially surrounded by a housing, whereby, at least one coil winding is connected to an inner wall surface of the housing;
(8) FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of the novel cylinder substantially surrounding an impeller connected to the cylinder;
(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit as a bow thruster of a vessel;
(10) FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit being a bow thruster and a stern thruster of a vessel;
(11) FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit being a bow thruster and a stern thruster each located in a boat;
(12) FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit connected to a vessel in place of a conventional outboard motor;
(13) FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit connected to a vessel in place of a conventional outboard motor;
(14) FIG. 13 is a top cut-away view of the novel marine propulsion unit connected to a submarine; and,
(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the novel marine propulsion unit connected to a submarine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(16) In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
(17) It will now be seen, referring to FIGS. 1-6, marine propulsion unit 1 has cylinder 2 substantially surrounding impeller 3. Impeller 3 is connected to inner wall 7 of cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 has primary end 12 located opposite secondary end 13 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Cylinder 2 is substantially surrounded by housing 9 having inner wall 11.
(18) Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 6, coil windings 10A-10D are connected to at least one recess 15A (FIG. 6) of inner wall 11 of housing 9. It is within the scope of this invention for inner wall 11 of housing 9 to have a plurality of recesses 15A-15D as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 2 best shows, plurality of magnets 4A-4D are connected to outer wall 8 of cylinder 2, thereby, protruding from outer wall surface 8 of cylinder 2. FIG. 3 best illustrates plurality of magnets 4A-4D are connected to at least one recess compartment located on outer wall 8 of cylinder 2. It is within the scope of this invention for plurality of magnets 4A-4D to be connected to a plurality of compartments 18A-18D located on outer wall 8 of cylinder 2. Plurality of magnets 4A-4B are located between primary bearing member 5 and secondary bearing member 6.
(19) As best illustrated in FIG. 3, housing 9 has recess 14A (FIGS. 3-6) which receives primary bearing member 5 and recess 14B (FIGS. 3, 5-6) which receives secondary bearing member 6. As best shown in FIG. 6, sealing member 17A is located on an end of cylinder 2 or housing 9. Sealing member 17B is located on an opposite end of cylinder 2 or housing 9. The sealing members 17A and 17B create a liquid resistant seal to prevent water (not shown) from entering between cylinder 2 and housing 9. If cylinder 2 and housing 9 are not sealed properly, water exposure can result in damage to the electrical components of marine propulsion unit 1.
(20) FIG. 4 shows cylinder 2 having a plurality of compartments 18A-18D on outer wall 8 of cylinder 2. It is within the scope of this invention for outer wall 8 of cylinder 2 to have at least one compartment 18A. Compartments 18A retains magnet 4A. Compartments 18B retains magnet 4B. Compartments 18C retains magnet 4C. Compartments 18D retains magnet 4D. Magnets 4A-4D are set back within recess compartments 18A-18D of cylinder 2 so that magnets 4A-4D are flush with outer wall 8 of cylinder 2. Bearing member 5 is located on an end of cylinder 2 and bearing member 6 is located on an opposite end of cylinder 2.
(21) FIG. 5 depicts coil windings 10A-10D being retained within housing 9. Bearing member 5 is connected to an end of cylinder 2. Housing 9 has recess 14A configured to receive bearing member 5 as cylinder 2 rotates. Housing 9 has recess 14B configured to receive bearing member 6 as cylinder 2 rotates. Magnet 4A is located opposite coil winding 10A. Magnet 4B is located opposite coil winding 10B. Magnet 4C is located opposite coil winding 10C. Magnet 4D is located opposite coil winding 10D. Coil winding 10B is in electrical connection 21 with ESC 19. ESC 19 is electrically connected 21 to variable electronic device 20. Electrical power supply, such as battery 22 is in electrical connection 21 with ESC 19.
(22) FIG. 7 illustrates cylinder 2 substantially surrounding impeller 3. Impeller 3 is connected to inner wall 7 of cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 has outer wall 8.
(23) FIGS. 8-10 show vessel 16 being a boat having novel marine propulsion unit 1 as a bow thruster. FIGS. 9-10 illustrate boat 16 having novel marine propulsion unit 1 as a stern thruster. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate boat 16 having novel marine propulsion unit 1 in place of a conventional marine outboard motor and in place of conventional screw type marine propeller. It is within the scope of this current invention for marine propulsion unit 1 to be used as an electric trolling motor for a vessel such as a fishing boat (not shown).
(24) FIGS. 13-14 depict novel marine propulsion unit 1 housed within submarine 16.
(25) Construction of the Novel Marine Propulsion Unit
(26) Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, water (not shown) is drawn in through a manifold and expels water through the stern of submarine 16. Low profile intake cowls are positioned on the sides of submarine 16. Water is drawn into the marine propulsion unit intake. Accelerated exhaust water is then ducted to the stern of the submarine where it exits as thrust and produces forward propulsion. When the polarity to the coil windings is reversed, the cylinder of novel marine propulsion unit 1 rotates in reverse, resulting in water being drawn into the stern nozzle and expelling the accelerated water through the intake cowls. This method provides reverse thrust for slowing, stopping, or maneuvering. Electrical power can be supplied by the onboard electrical generation capabilities of the vessel, such as a submarine or by a battery.
(27) Referring now to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, housing 9 can have a narrow inlet and outlet, bulging out towards the centerline to contain the coil windings. FIG. 2 shows housing 9 internally retaining four rings of coil windings 10A-10D that will line up with permanent magnets 4A-4D on the auger cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 is suspended within housing 9 with roller bearings 5 and 6. Roller bearings 5 and 6 are contained within inner wall 11 of housing 9. Recesses 14A and 14B of housing 9 allow minimal clearance for the rotating permanent magnets 4A-4D that are attached to outer wall 8 of cylinder 2.
(28) Referring now to FIG. 2, marine propulsion unit 1 is a brushless DC motor. A screw-type impeller 3 center auger is fixedly mounted in cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 is connected to permanent magnets 4A-4D. Cylinder 2 rotates within hydrodynamic housing 9 that is embedded with energized coil windings 10A-10D. As electricity alternately energizes the coil windings 10A-10D and creates magnetic fields, opposing electromagnetic poles cause impeller 3 to spin. Water is forcefully drawn at one end of vessel 16 and is ejected at the opposite end of vessel 16, thereby, creating thrust.
(29) Referring now to FIG. 5, the wires in electrical connection to each coil winding 10A-10D set will electrically connect 21 to electronic speed control 19, which will then electrically connect to a joystick controller 20 at the boat helm to digitally and proportionally control the forward, neutral, and reverse orientation. DC power can be supplied by battery bank 22 that replaces a boat's traditional gas or diesel tank.
(30) It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
(31) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
(32) Now that the invention has been described,
