Abstract: A skidplate projecting into a body of water from a marine craft hull has a symmetric wedge formation extending from the leading edge to differently profiled surfaces on opposite sides of the skidplate producing lift and side force during travel. No side force is however produced during straight line travel by virtue of ventilated cavity enclosure of the profiled surfaces on both sides between cavity establishing streamlines extending through the water from the symmetric wedge formation.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus exercises control of the water flow which is discharged from a marine waterjet propulsor. Typical inventive embodiments comprise plural horizontal and plural vertical blade-like structures which together describe an open-ended, box-like rectilinear configuration characterized by at least two adjacent channels. Every vertical blade-like structure includes, at its aft end, a “steering” flap which is pivotable about a vertical axis. Some inventive embodiments advance marine craft reversing by implementing one or more bucket-like devices behind the inventive apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved water jet propulsion system for a marine vehicle. The water jet propulsion system of the present invention incorporates an unconventional and compact design including a short, steep, hydrodynamically designed inlet duct adapted for mounting to the surface of the vehicle hull and extending internally thereof, a water jet pump having an inlet end attached to the outlet end of the inlet duct, a motor for rotating the pump impeller, a drive shaft located completely outside of the flow path connecting the motor with the pump impeller, a flow passage for discharging accelerated flow received from the pump in a generally rearward direction, and a steering and reversing mechanism pivotably mounted about a substantially vertical axis to the aft portion of the vehicle hull for redirect accelerated flow received from the outlet nozzle so as to provide maneuvering capability to the vehicle.

Abstract: A torque balanced propulsor unit for a submersible vehicle of the type having a bow, a stern, a longitudinally extending central section axisymmetric about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and including therein a maximum diameter of the vehicle, and a tapered aft section axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis is provided. The torque balanced propulsor unit includes a rotor for providing a forward thrust to the vehicle. The rotor includes a central axisymmetric hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart impeller blades extending radially from the central hub. The rotor is rotationally mounted to the tapered aft section of the vehicle. The rotor has a first torque associated therewith. The torque balanced propulsor unit further includes a stator for producing a second torque on the vehicle. The stator is secured to the vehicle at a location aft of the rotor.

Abstract: An improved integral marine propulsion unit is disclosed that can generate a thrust vector in any of three degrees of motion. The unit utilizes both collective and cyclic propeller blade pitch angle variation to generate these thrust. This unit obviates the need for control surfaces and rudders for motion control of a marine vessel. Additionally, this unit provides flexibility in external propulsor arrangements on a marine hull. The unit integrates the swash plate mechanism and actuators within the central bore of a ring type prime mover.