Abstract: A marine propulsion system for shallow waters, swamps, savannahs and the like includes a rotating propeller shaft supporting a propeller. An anti-cavitation body defines a partial cylinder having a longitudinal axis adjacent to the propeller. The propeller generates a vacuum between the anti-cavitation body and a surface of a water body. First and second wings adjacent to edges of the anti-cavitation body are generally planar and operatively angled towards the bottom of a water body. The first and second wings are adjusted to run below the water body surface and seal the anti-cavitation body to maintain generated vacuum. A first thread is cut in a first helical direction at an end of the rotating propeller shaft adjacent the propeller, and slightly more distal therefrom a second thread is cut in a second helical direction opposed to the first thread helical direction. The second thread drives matter away from the bearing.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes at least one permanent magnet motor, the magnet motor including an outer housing structure. In the housing structure, a stator and a rotor are arranged in such a way that a gap is formed between the stator and rotor, the stator being fixedly connected to the housing structure, while the rotor is connected to a motor shaft extending through the housing structure. A plurality of coils/windings are arranged around an inner circumference of the stator, while a plurality of permanent magnets are arranged around an outer circumference of the rotor. Through a coupling, the motor shaft is connected to a propeller shaft including a propeller. A thrust bearing and a propeller pitch control system are integrated into the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for shallow waters, swamps, savannahs and the like includes a rotating propeller shaft supporting a propeller. An anti-cavitation body defines a partial cylinder having a longitudinal axis adjacent to the propeller. The propeller generates a vacuum between the anti-cavitation body and a surface of a water body. First and second wings adjacent to edges of the anti-cavitation body are generally planar and operatively angled towards the bottom of a water body. The first and second wings are adjusted to run below the water body surface and seal the anti-cavitation body to maintain generated vacuum. A first thread is cut in a first helical direction at an end of the rotating propeller shaft adjacent the propeller, and slightly more distal therefrom a second thread is cut in a second helical direction opposed to the first thread helical direction. The second thread drives matter away from the bearing.

Abstract: A method for drilling with a buoyant structure having a hull, a planar keel defining a lower hull diameter, a lower cylindrical portion connected to the planar keel, a lower frustoconical portion disposed above the lower cylindrical portion with inwardly-sloping wall at a first angle, an upper frustoconical portion directly connected to the lower frustoconical portion. The method uses a ballasted chambered buoyant storage ring which is either dockside and connected to the buoyant structure for drilling at a subsea location, or the ballasted chambered buoyant storage ring is preinstalled at a subsea location and then the buoyant structure is mounted to the ballasted chambered buoyant storage ring at sea.

Abstract: A modifier may be used to prevent formation of a rooster tail when surface drive propellers are used with marine vessels. The modifier may be retractable by attaching it to the transom of the marine vessel or fixed-mounted by attaching it to the drive housing. The modifier changes the direction of the rooster tail so it flows substantially parallel to the surface of the water and hull of the marine vessel.

Abstract: Multi-directional marine propulsors for use with boats having a hull, a keel and a motor with a propeller are disclosed. The propulsor may have a cylindrical housing with fore, aft, port and starboard apertures and define a central axis when the housing is mounted to the boat. The housing may receive the propeller proximate the fore aperture such that the propeller may rotate about the central axis to provide forward thrust. An elliptical diverter gate may be mounted within the housing proximate the aft aperture for vertical rotation between port, central and starboard positions. When the gate is in port, central and starboard positions, forward thrust may exit the port, central and starboard apertures respectively. The elliptical diverter gate may be rotated between the port, central and starboard positions as desired. Alternative multi-directional marine propulsors may be mounted directly onto boat motors.

Abstract: A combined hull and steering mechanism for a marine vessel has a substantially rectangularly-shaped upper hull joined to a lower hull that is dual-tapered from its sidewalls to both its forward and aft portions. A directional thrust steering mechanism having a pair of vertical rudder blades positioned on either side of a conventional propeller extending from the centerline of the lower hull directs the water from the propeller, thus enabling the vessel to move more efficiently and with greater maneuverability in both forward and reverse directions. The dual-tapered hull permits a significantly better flow of water to and from the propeller and steering mechanism of the vessel, particularly when operating in reverse, thereby allowing the vessel to turn 360° in its own length.

Abstract: A propeller system for a boat includes a housing adapted to be mounted to a stern of the boat and having a receiving chamber inside and waterway at the bottom side thereof, a propeller rotatably disposed in the waterway of the housing, a driving device mounted in the receiving chamber of the housing and having a driving member and a linking member pivotally coupled to the driving member, and a guide ring connected to the linking member of the driving device and located in the waterway of the housing in such a way that the guide ring surrounds the blades of the propeller and is pivotable relative to the propeller. Thus, the propelling system has the advantage of increasing the utilization of the internal space of the boat.

Abstract: The mechanism of the present invention maneuvers a vehicle by deflecting the flow from a propulsor of the vehicle. The mechanism has an elastomeric nozzle that encases the flow and is deflected via an articulation device mountable inside the vehicle. The nozzle is shaped and supported by spiral-wound composite to maintain a circular cross-section through a range of motion. An end of the nozzle is attached to the shroud of the propulsor and another end is supported by a ring with support struts radiating from a hub. The hub is supported by a shaft attached to a gimbal. The gimbal is constrained in movement by an outer race and an anti-rotation stud in a radial slot in a ball of the gimbal. A linkage as part of an articulation device controls rotation of the gimbal to direct movement of the shaft and enclosed nozzle thereby deflecting flow of the propulsor.

Abstract: A prop wash straightening apparatus for increasing the efficiency of propeller-driven watercraft. An elongated outer tubular member open at each end thereof is adapted for connection to the boat or vessel to position said outer member immediately downstream of the propeller and in substantially longitudinal fixed alignment with the direction of axial thrust produced by the propeller. A plurality of elongated hollow open-ended inner tubular members are positioned in closely packed fashion within, and generally coextensive with a substantial portion of the length of the outer tubular member. A proximal or forwardly end of the inner tubular members is positioned in close proximity to a trailing plane of the propeller. The outer tubular member extends from the proximal end of the inner tubular members to surround the blade tips of the propeller to direct substantially all prop wash from the propeller into the inner tubular members.

Abstract: A water craft propulsion and steering system is disclosed in which a pair of tubular steering rudders are mounted one on the front end and aft end, respectively, of a propeller shroud tube. Power means is provided for turning both steering rudders in the same direction for increased steering thrust.

Abstract: A propeller drive for watercraft, preferably for ferry boats and car ferries, which has two propellers located one behind the other in the center-line plane. The forward propeller is preferably located on a marine shaft which exits the hull, and can be driven by means of a drive system. The aft propeller is preferably driven by means of a separate drive system, and the aft propeller is realized so that it can pivot by at least about 90 degrees around an axis, the axis being preferably vertical.

Abstract: A marine rudder comprises a generally S-shaped rudder plate having a pair of semi-circular concave portions. The rudder plate is connected to the stern of a ship such that the semi-circular concave portions of the rudder plate are disposed on opposite sides of an axis of rotation of the propeller and in the path of a rotary flow produced by the propeller so that the semi-circular concave portions convert the rotary flow produced by the propeller to principally linear flow.

Abstract: The invention is a manoeuvring device for boats, comprised of a pair of pivotal tube plates (17, 18) mounted outside a propeller 14 and, under normal operation, forming a tube (19) around the propeller. These plates can be swung to one side relative to a medial position to enable sideways steering of the vessel, and be brought together astern of the propeller to form a blade when reversing. The tube plates (17, 18) extend down beneath the propeller (beside 19B). A tube wing (20), extending in a longitudinal direction, is mounted immediately beneath the propeller (14) and is arched upwards towards the propeller wings. Under normal operation, a tube that is sickle-shaped in cross section is delimited between the tube wing and the lower portion of the tube plates. The pivot axis of the tube plates (17, 18) is preferably located close to the propeller wing plane.

Abstract: A marine drive apparatus including a shroud channel selectively rotatable to direct the water produced by a rotatable propeller so as to provide reversing and steering of a marine craft. The shroud channel has spaced side walls joined by a roof portion, the side walls being used to deflect the water flow so as to produce a steering thrust and the roof portion being movable aft of the propeller to deflect the water flow and produce a reverse thrust.

Abstract: A steering device, particularly attractive for use with power driven boats, is in the general shape of a cylinder positioned aft, or rearwardly, of the propeller employed, and is arranged to direct the flow of the propelled water in the direction in which the boat is intended to be turned, so as to afford an improved handling of operation. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cylinder is selected to encircle the propeller driving the power boat.

Abstract: A propeller assembly, a so-called rotatable thruster, for propelling, manoeuvering, steering and/or positioning a watercraft, floating docks, pontoons and in particular offshore platforms, includes a propeller (1) having an embracing propeller shroud (2) and mounted on a propeller shaft journalled in a gear housing (3). The gear housing accommodates a bevel gearing through which the propeller shaft is connected to a drive shaft extending through a tubular support strut (4), which is connected at its lower end to the gear housing in order to support the same. The upper end of the support strut is arranged to be rotatably mounted in an opening in a bottom part of the hull of the watercraft, with the propeller shaft extending substantially horizontally, so that the drive shaft can be connected to drive machinery located within the hull and such that the assembly can be rotated about a rotational axis coinciding with the axis of the drive shaft, by means of rotational machinery located within the hull.

Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion assembly includes at least one propeller nozzle unit having a rudder associated with it. The propeller nozzle unit has a shroud laterally surrounding the propeller and the shroud is supported so that it can be pivoted about two different axes each extending transversely of the flow direction. In the desired angular position, the shroud can be locked in position. The two pivot axes of the shroud extend perpendicular to one another. The shroud is connected to a shaft extending in the direction of one of the pivot axes and the shaft can be interlocked with shaft guide means. The shroud and the rudder each include the same angle of pitch of at least two degrees relative to the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A propeller that can be steered to the left or the right of the center line of a boat's keel in order to increase the steerability of a boat or craft driven by a conventional straight line drive inboard mounted engine.

Abstract: A drive for a remotely steerable toy boat includes a reversible motor, a propeller shaft and a propeller. A stationary deflector shield is disposed laterally of the propeller. When the propeller is driven in reverse, part of the stream of water delivered from the rear to front, relatively to the boat, is forced against the deflector. Consequently, the boat turns.

Abstract: A rigid cylindrical collar with an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of a propeller which is mounted over a propeller and is used singly or in combination with a flexible extension thereto for maximizing the efficiency of propeller blades. The invention is adaptable to watercraft or to aircraft so as to prevent water or air from slipping off the ends of propeller blades so as to redirect energy lost as a result of slipping off the ends of propeller blades in the direction useful for advancing a water or air vehicle. The flexible extension is usable primarily on large watercraft, such as tug boats, ocean vessels and barges, and the like, and could be used with or without a rudder in order to steer a boat in the direction desired.

Abstract: An air lock in accordance with the invention is composed of two portions -- stationary hemispherical bell 6 fastened on a submarine rescue device 5 and a swivel skirt 7 in the form of a portion of a swivel joint, nested in the bell with a slight amount of play, bearing a peripheral sealing joint 28 which is applied against the hull 2 of a submarine around an opening 3. Two sealing joints 19 and 15 are placed between the bell and the skirt and the intermediate space 20 is filled with oil maintained at a constant pressure which is slightly different from the hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A propeller nozzle or duct in which the walls thereof terminate in two or more planes inclined symmetrically about an axis normal to the nozzle or duct centerline with one or more deflecter rudders pivotedly mounted across the opening so formed such that by swinging the rudder(s) one half of the exit area may be closed and the propeller race diverted through the remaining open area under the guidance of the rudder(s) upon which the race reacts to develop a steering force. The turning capabilities of a fixed nozzle or duct are thereby improved whilst wetted area may be reduced and propulsive efficiency increased by recovery of rotational energy otherwise lost to the wake. When used in conjunction with a pivoted steering nozzle a reverse thrust may be developed.

Abstract: A pressurized flexible tunnel which employs a plurality of equal length cables between ends of the tunnel. The cables are lengthened or shortened together by a single winch to adjustably constrain elongation. By positioning one set of cables on one side of the tunnel and another on the opposite side of the tunnel, the tunnel may be expanded or contracted along a straight line or along a curve as permitted by externally positioned orienting means.