Abstract: A drive mechanism particularly for flat-bottomed watercrafts with at least one centrifugal pump or the like producing a water jet, which pump is arranged closely above the intake opening within the watercraft and within an elbow which is pivotal for controlling the watercraft and the blades or the like of which pump are connected by a ring or the like.

Abstract: A watercraft includes two steerable propellers driven by motors, the angular positions of and the thrusts produced by the steerable propellers being controlled by a control system. The control system includes an input device having a frame, a head and a handwheel supported on the frame for independent pivotal movement about a common first axis, and a lever supported on the head for pivotal movement about a second axis normal to the first axis. The head, handwheel and lever are each operatively coupled to a respective input element by a respective gear arrangement. A microcomputer responsive to the input elements is connected through several control devices to the motor and the steerable propellers for effecting the requisite control thereof.

Abstract: A water-jet drive mechanism for driving and controlling a watercraft includes a substantially cylindrical support housing which is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical pivot axis in a cylindrical recess in the undersurface of the watercraft, with its undersurface flush with that of the watercraft. A centrifugal water pump is encased in the support housing so that its inlet and its discharge nozzle open through the undersurface of the support housing. The pump drive shaft is inclined and lies in a vertical plane arranged at an angle to the direction of water discharge from the nozzle. A normally open ventilating valve provided in a wall of the pump is closed by the flow of water through the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and controlling a watercraft or the like having at least one pair of steerable propellers, the steerable propellers of each pair being located substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the center line of the watercraft, such center line extending through the center of lateral resistance of the watercraft. A control element is provided for carrying out control movements in two degrees of freedom. Each control movement acts for remote control of the steerable propellers through transmitters corresponding respectively to such steerable propellers. Movement of the control element in one degree of freedom effects a rotation about an axis for controlling, through the transmitters, a synchronous pivoting of the servo propellers of each pair. Movement of the control element in the second degree of freedom effects movement of a rack element for controlling, through the same transmitters, an oppositely directed pivoting of the servo propellers relative to one another.

Abstract: A water-jet drive mechanism for driving and controlling a watercraft. A centrifugal water pump is encased in the support housing so that its inlet and its discharge nozzle open through the undersurface of the support housing. The pump drive shaft is inclined and lies in a vertical plane arranged at an angle to the direction of water discharge from the nozzle. A normally open ventilating valve provided in a wall of the pump is closed by the flow of water through the pump.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for ships or the like having at least one main propeller or the like drivable by at least one main motor and further having at least one drivable auxiliary mechanism, for example a maneuvering propeller. An energy producer is drivable by the main motor. A further motor is driven by the energy producer and arranged for driving the drivable auxiliary mechanism. An adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting energy emitted by the energy producer or absorbed by the further motor. A regulator adjusts the adjusting mechanism to a preselected energy output. The main motor and the auxiliary mechanism are sized such that in the higher part of the speed range of the main motor, the sum of the energy required to drive the propulsion means at that speed and simultaneously drive the auxiliary mechanism at that speed exceed the output available from the main motor.

Abstract: A water-jet drive mechanism for driving of watercraft and including an elbow located in the hull of the watercraft and containing a pump or the like by which water is sucked in at the bottom of the watercraft through a suction passage and is ejected downwardly through an ejector passage. A gas is supplied to the water jet at the ejector passage.

Abstract: A hydro-jet drive for watercraft. A device is provided applicable for mounting in the hull of a boat by which a jet stream can be created and directed in any desired direction for movement of the boat accordingly. There is provided an elbow having an intake portion and a substantially horizontal discharge opening. The elbow is rotatable on an axis of rotation and contains a suitable motor driven impeller. A motor driven device is provided for rotating the elbow about the axis of rotation thereof for effecting discharge in an operator determined direction. The axis of rotation of the impeller is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the elbow. The device is particularly adaptable for shallow draft vessels.

Abstract: A watercraft having at least a pair of steerable propellers thereon spaced longitudinally along the center of the watercraft from a center of lateral resistance on the watercraft. The steerable propellers are also spaced equidistant from the longitudinal center line and on opposite sides thereof. The propellers are rotatably supported in underwater housings supported for angular movement through 360.degree.. A control device is provided for varying the direction of applied thrust to the watercraft by systematically varying the axes of rotation of the propellers relative to each other, assuming the thrust force for each steerable propeller is of the same magnitude. The magnitude of thrust can be, if desired, varied to provide additional control variations for the watercraft.

Abstract: A steerable propeller arrangement in a watercraft wherein the propeller is mounted in the forward one-half of the hull of the watercraft. The steerable propeller projects downwardly from the bottom portion of the hull and is pivotal about 360.degree.. The propeller is mounted in a downwardly opening cylindrical well in the bottom of the hull and is housed in an inner cylindrical member which is spaced radially inwardly from an outer cylindrical wall defining the well in the hull. The steerable propeller arrangement can be removed from the hull by raising the inner cylindrical member and propeller upwardly into the interior of the watercraft. Thrust blocks are provided between the two cylindrical members to absorb thrust applied by the drivable propeller arrangement.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle, normally of tracked land drive, having outboard drive device tiltable for removal from drive position when not in use. There is provided a self-contained water drive device comprising a motor and propeller unit which is tiltably mounted at the stern of the vehicle, the tilting being either longitudinally or transversely as desired. Power and latch devices are provided for tilting and holding the water drive device out of operating position. Other latch structure is provided including automatic control if desired, for holding the water drive device in operating position.