Abstract: An exhaust system is disclosed that has pipes and a housing, through which exhaust fumes of an internal combustion engine flow. The exhaust fumes generate a condensate, at least in part and/or in certain areas. To prevent the corrosion of sheet metal by the condensate, a sacrificial anode, which can be made of zinc and/or magnesium, is provided at least in one of the areas where the condensate collects.

Abstract: A large recreational powerboat has a forward passenger area, a helm, and a rearward passenger area. A top deck covers the forward passenger area and extends upwardly over the helm. The rearward passenger area is exposed. A large skylight window is formed streamlined with the boat and is imposed into the top deck. The window extends upwardly and forward to the helm, thereby having portions functioning as a windshield for the boat. The windshield and the skylight window transmit abundant natural light to an atrium room that is located between the helm and the forward passenger area cabin rooms. Individuals in the atrium room are shielded from the elements but at the same time can view the outside environment and communicate with people outside of the forward passenger area.

Abstract: A rowing or sculling oar handle in which when the handle is orientated for a stroke it has an axial cross-sectional shape with a greater horizontal extent than vertical extent, and in which an underside of the axial cross-sectional shape is provided with an abutment.

Abstract: A rowboat roving fin system that includes two rotating fin assemblies mounted on the watercraft's opposite sidewalls. Each fin assembly includes a rotating vertical post held on the outside surface of the sidewall by a mounting bracket. When held by the mounting bracket, the upper end of the post extends above the gunwale while the lower end of the post extends below the mounting bracket. In a first embodiment, a pivoting fin arm with a flexible fin attached thereto is pivotally attached to the lower end of each post via a stop hinge. The stop hinge acts to limit the rotating of the fin arm along a vertical arc around the lower end of the post. The fin is perpendicularly aligned and attached to the fin arm. Attached to the upper end of each post that extends near the gunwale is a perpendicularly aligned handle bracket. The handle bracket is perpendicularly aligned with the post and with the rotation arc of the fin arm. A rowing handle is pivotally attached at one end to the handle hinge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable canopy structure adapted to be used in conjunction with the canopy structure on a boat's existing T-top tubular frame near the level of the existing canopy. The canopy frame structure comprises two longitudinally aligned, telescoping members with at least one transverse, telescoping frame member disposed between the two longitudinal members to prevent the canopy from collapsing when under tension. The canopy frame structure is disposed onto the existing T-top frame using a mounting assembly comprising of a grommet adapted to be placed between two frame members and wrapped with an adjustable strap. The canopy and telescoping frame components are designed to be adaptable to various T-top canopy widths, and can be extended to various lengths to increase the amount of available canopy shade area while in the mounted position on the boat's existing T-top.

Abstract: A conduit is configured to facilitate the assembly of a gear case to a driveshaft housing of a sterndrive marine propulsion device while maintaining the proper position of the conduit and assuring proper sealing when the gear case is attached to the driveshaft housing. An alignment protrusion extends from a central portion of the conduit to facilitate the proper positioning of the conduit in relation to the driveshaft housing prior to the attachment of the gear case to the driveshaft housing. A flared portion of a lower end of the conduit is shaped to facilitate the insertion of an outlet of a water pump into the conduit, wherein the water pump is attached to the gear case prior to assembly of the gear case to the driveshaft housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a fairlead for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead comprises a fairlead frame, a pivoting latch, and an actuator. The fairlead frame is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure and supports an axle for a chain sheave. The pivoting latch is mounted to pivot on the axle and comprises a tension link with a chain latch and a counterweight for urging the chain latch into engagement with the chain. The pivoting latch is configured to engage the chain only when the chain is traveling in the payout direction. The actuator controls the action of the counterweight.

Abstract: A transmission for a marine propulsion device is provided with a movable member that responds to relative rotational movement between it and a driving shaft with an axial movement relative to the driving shaft and to a driven component. This axial movement is directed against one of two spring components which resist the axial movement. During the compression of either of the spring components, rotation of the driven component is non-synchronous with the driving component during a brief period of time. Also, the driven component is decoupled at least partially from torque transmitting relation with the driving component during the axial movement of the movable member relative to the driving and driven components.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a marine propulsion device directs a flow of exhaust gas from an engine located within the marine vessel, and preferably within a bilge portion of the marine vessel, through a housing which is rotatable and supported below the marine vessel. The exhaust passageway extends through an interface between stationary and rotatable portions of the marine propulsion device, through a cavity formed in the housing, and outwardly through hubs of pusher propellers to conduct the exhaust gas away from the propellers without causing a deleterious condition referred to as ventilation.

Abstract: The folding boat includes bow and stern members made up of a pair of tubes connectable to each other through a pin mechanism. A polarity of chines extend the length of the boat and are made up of connected tubes which can be disconnected amidships. Cockpit tubes serve to define a cockpit region and are interconnected by hinges and by pin clips to allow folding along two axis approximating one-forth of its assembled size.

Abstract: Propellers of a marine transport vessel may be independently controlled at their optimal speed when at least one transmission having a plurality of output shafts capable of independent-speed ratios is connected to an engine and the propellers are respectively mounted at the output shafts of the transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable fairing (1) for a marine riser (2) or other slender marine structure. The fairing (1) is arranged on the riser for reducing watercurrent-induced stresses on said riser (2), said fairing (1) having a tail portion (3) for trailing generally in the downstream direction behind said riser. The fairing (1) is provided with an attenuation unit (8) for counteracting the unstable rotation of said fairing (2) relative to said riser (2), in order to prevent undesired vibrations of said riser (2). The fairing is provided with one or more clamps (10) for attachment to and around a periphery of said riser (2), said clamps (10) arranged with a gear rim (12) for engagement with an actuating cogged wheel (14) of said attenuation unit (8).

Abstract: A boat control system includes trim tabs mounted on the lower transom of a boat, with an electric trolling motor attached to each tab. The control system controls positioning of the trim tabs within a trim range and within a troll range. If a main engine ignition switch changes from off to on while the trim tabs are within the troll range, the control system automatically moves trim tabs positions out of the troll range, and disables the trolling motors.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a lower hull, a deck having an opening provided therein, a storage plate, and a storage space defined by a portion of the lower hull, a portion of the deck, and the storage plate. The storage plate has at least one folding line such that the storage plate can be inserted through the opening in the deck when the storage plate is folded along the at least one folding line, and such that the storage plate can be unfolded and installed inside of the hull to define the storage space.

Abstract: A spar-type platform includes a hull defining a centerwell extending downward to a keel. The hull includes a reduced diameter neck portion for diverting ice flow. Adjustable ballast tanks allow the hull to be moved between a ballasted down position defining an upper water line, and a ballasted up position defined by a lower water line. A riser a support buoy is disposed in the keel. Risers extend through the centerwell, each having an upper portion extending upward from the support buoy and a lower portion supported in the support buoy. A disconnect system detachably connects the support buoy to the hull and the upper portion of each riser to the lower portion thereof, whereby the hull and the upper portion of each riser are selectively detachable from the buoy and the lower portion of each riser for movement to avoid a collision with a floating object.

Abstract: A system includes an azimuthing pod configured to be attached to the hull of a ship, a superconducting motor positioned within the azimuthing pod, a refrigeration system including a compressor and a cryogenic refrigeration module coupled to the compressor. The system further comprises a transfer system configured to circulate a coolant between the cryogenic refrigeration module and the superconducting machine, at least one of the compressor and the cryogenic refrigeration module being positioned within the hull of the ship.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle, which may plane on water, has at least one pair of front or rear wheels having wheel suspensions fitted with an anti-roll bar (46). Said bar rotates upwards as the wheels are stowed above the waterline for use of the vehicle on water. The wheels may be driven wheels, and may be steered by pivotable steering link (20); or passively steered. Anti-roll bar (46) may be mounted to the vehicle by at least one bearing (48), so that the bar rotates about a single axis when the wheels are retracted. The bar passes through watertight outside bodywork (60), where it may be sealed by an elastomeric seal (62). Said seal may comprise a lip portion (72), sealing against the bar itself or against a ring or a collar (68) attached thereto. The ring or collar may be continuously welded around the anti-roll bar.

Abstract: A retractable top assembly for a vehicle, commonly referred to as a bimini top, includes a covering mounted on a pair of struts which are movable relative to one another to move the covering between a deployed position covering at least a portion of the vehicle and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the covering is wound upon a spindle rotatably mounted within a housing mounted on one of the struts. The housing has a slot through which the covering extends, so that the covering is attached to the other strut. A torsion spring within the housing biases the spindle in a direction winding the covering onto the spindle and thereby maintaining tautness of the covering as it unwinds from the spindle and is moved into the deployed position.

Abstract: A Savonius vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) rotor is easily and simply constructed while having enhanced functionality. The rotor includes a shaft that is vertical in use, a number (desirably at least four) of vane support hubs each having a number (desirably three) of at least partially curved spokes extending radially outwardly, and a number of vanes corresponding to the number of spokes. The vane support hubs are operatively connected directly to the shaft and spaced vertically from each other along the shaft to provide a plurality of sets of vertically spaced spokes. The vanes, one for each set of spokes, are operatively connected to the spokes to provide surface area for engaging wind and rotating the shaft when in use. Desirably the vane support hubs are operatively connected to the shaft using mechanical fasteners, and the vanes are connected to the spokes using mechanical fasteners. Structural end caps are not necessary, and therefore the rotor is devoid of them.

Abstract: A pulley comprising a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel and a ratchet acting between the two pulley wheels. When substantially equal force is applied to each pulley wheel in use on a rope tail side causing the pulley wheels to rotate, a low gear ratio is achieved through a rope, chain or the like acting on a load through a block. When one pulley wheel is prevented from rotating and a force is applied to the other pulley wheel in use on a rope tail side causing it to rotate, then a higher gear ratio is achieved through a rope or chain or the like acting on a load through a block. When force is applied to the first wheel on a rope tail side and the second pulley wheel is allowed to rotate, then a still higher ratio is achieved in use through a rope, chain or the like acting on a load through a block.