Abstract: A steering thruster for a vessel includes an oil-filled reversible submergible motor driving a reversible-thrust screw. The motor is mounted on a bracket structure at the stern of the vessel and is preferably suspended from a swim platform on the vessel transom. Power for operating the motor is derived from an on-board A.C. generator through an electrical control box which may be mounted on or near the transom and a manual operating switch which may be located in the vessel cockpit or the like. The thruster assembly, may be readily mounted without having to form holes through the hull of the vessel and without having to pull the vessel from the water. The steering package, comprising the thruster assembly, electrical control box and switch provides a convenient, moderate-cost accessory for enhancing the steering characteristics of vessels of up to about 75 feet in length.

Abstract: A spherical vehicle for operation in a fluid medium utilizes an actuator disk or propeller of approximately half the diameter of the sphere for propulsion. In addition to providing the energy for driving the sphere, the actuator disk acts to draw the flow of fluid smoothly over the after part of the sphere, thus avoiding or minimizing the tendency of the flow to separate from the surface of the sphere and create turbulence. For aircraft launch, a heavy shroud protects the actuator disk propeller and assures that the vehicle will sink rapidly after impact. The shroud is jettisoned at a desired depth. Steering in pitch and yaw planes is effected through the use of a plurality of powered thrusters located at or just behind the circle of maximum diameter (with respect to the direction of motion) and selectively actuated by a guidance or control system. Alternatively a single reversible thruster may be used for steering in yaw combined with a movable internal weight for pitch control.

Abstract: An outboard thruster for use in maneuvering a marine vessel at low speeds, particularly during docking or fishing operations. The apparatus includes a motor-propeller unit which is normally stowed aboard a vessel. The motor-propeller unit is lowered into a submerged position adjacent and outboard the vessel's bow to effect slow speed maneuvering of such vessel. When submerged, the direction of thrust produced by the motor-propeller unit can be controlled.