Method and apparatus for propelling a marine vessel
US5863228A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T70/5236
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An auxiliary propulsion system for a boat or other marine vessel according to the invention incorporates an electric motor/transmission device for generating locomotive force to propel the boat or vessel, an electrical power supply for providing electrical energy to drive the electric motor/transmission device, at least one electrical energy generating device for generating electrical energy through conversion from one of at least sunlight, wind motion and water motion, a charging circuit having a device for controlling charging of the power supply with electrical energy from the energy generating device, and a device for controlling speed and direction operation of the electric motor/transmission device. In operation, electrical energy is inputted into the electric motor/transmission device from the electrical power supply and locomotive force is thereby generated by the electric motor/transmission device when the primary propulsion system of the boat or other marine vessel is inactive. Electrical energy to be stored in the electrical power supply is generated by converting at least one of sunlight, wind motion and water motion into electrical energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.