Marine propulsion apparatus with dual driveshafts extending from a forward end of an engine
US6361387B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H61/662
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A marine propulsion system provides dual driveshafts which are connected in torque transmitting relation with associated propellers. In addition, a bow thruster is provided to provide a thrust on the bow of the marine vessel in the port and starboard directions. An output shaft extends from an engine in a forward direction, toward the bow, and two driveshafts extend from torque transmitting devices, which are also disposed forward from the engine, wherein the driveshafts extend in a rearward direction toward the transom. The driveshafts can be associated directly with propellers, in applications where the driveshafts extend through the transom or through a bottom portion of the hull. Alternatively, the driveshafts can be associated with stern drive units. Efficient maneuvering can be accomplished by selectably determining the magnitudes and directions of the three thrust vectors provided by the two propellers and the bow thruster.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.