Abstract: A distance recognition system for use in a marine vessel includes at least one memory, and a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit both positioned on a hull so that their imaging areas include a water surface. The second imaging unit is higher than the first imaging unit. The distance recognition system further includes at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured or programmed to acquire a first image and a second image captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, and perform a matching process between the first image and the second image to acquire distance information about any position in the first image.

Abstract: A computerized device for driving assistance comprises a memory (4) designed to receive data point cloud data (8) in which a point cloud associates, for a given instant, points each having coordinates in a plane associated with the point cloud and a value denoting a height.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device includes an engine, a driveshaft powered by the engine, a propulsor shaft coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the driveshaft, and a propulsor coupled to the propulsor shaft and rotatable to produce a thrust. A housing supports the propulsor shaft therein. The housing has fore and aft skegs projecting from a bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A lower unit for a marine propulsion device includes a gearcase housing defined along a longitudinal center axis between a fore end and an aft end. A propulsor shaft extends through the gearcase housing along the longitudinal axis. A driveshaft extends non-parallel to the propulsor shaft and rotates in a direction of rotation when powered by an engine. The driveshaft is coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the propulsor shaft. A skeg projects from a bottom surface of the gearcase housing proximate at least the aft end thereof. The skeg or the gearcase housing is cambered such that a moment acting in a direction opposite the driveshaft's direction of rotation is induced on the skeg or the gearcase housing as the lower unit moves through water. A marine propulsion device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The drive unit is designed to be mounted on a marine vessel, including a mobile housing, and is able to pivot around an axis against the hull of the marine vessel. A drive shaft mounted rotary is against the mobile housing and is supported by two roller bearings. A propulsion element rotates in solidarity with the drive shaft. The propulsion unit has, at the front, at least two braking and locking systems of the drive shaft located in an area between the upstream rolling bearing and propulsion element.

Abstract: A device including an outboard motor including a jet outlet portion, a stabilizer plate, and a rudder, where the stabilizer plate includes a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion is proximal to the jet outlet portion, where the second end portion is distal to the jet outlet portion, where the rudder extends from the stabilizer plate between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: An outboard marine drive with an engine is described. The marine drive may include a drive housing with an upper drive housing and lower drive housing. The drive housing may be configured to be attached to a transom of a marine craft. An upper drive assembly may be located in the upper drive housing. A lower gear drive assembly may be located in the lower drive housing. A cone clutch may be located in the lower drive housing to engage the upper drive assembly with the lower gear drive assembly.

Abstract: A remote powered propulsive device having a rudder which carries a propeller or oscillating fins which are powered by pedals alone or with hydraulic assist or by an electric motor.

Abstract: A rudder propeller with an underwater mechanism including a planetary gearing, the planetary gearing including a sun gear, a fixed internal gear and planetary gears, mounted between the sun gear and the internal gear and running on planetary axles of a planet carrier, wherein the planetary gears are mounted on the planetary axles by hydrodynamic slide bearings.

Abstract: A rudder propeller including a drive shaft and a propeller shaft that can be driven by the drive shaft by an angular drive and a planetary gear that can be located on the propeller shaft and including a sun gear that is connected to the angular drive via a coupling, a fixed ring gear and planet gears that revolve between the sun gear and ring gear and that are mounted on a planet carrier. The planet carrier can be secured against torque to the propeller shaft and the coupling between the angular drive and the sun gear can be designed as a double cardanic, rotationally-fixed flexible coupling, in such a way that radial and angular displacements of the sun gear in relation to the angular drive can be compensated.

Abstract: A steering assist system for a marine vessel includes a steering vane extending into water in the vicinity of a steering device for the vessel and that is pivotable about an at least generally vertical axis by an electromechanical drive unit. The drive unit is energized by an actuator assembly in response to the imposition of external forces on the steering system. The actuator assembly includes an actuator that is movable in response to the imposition of external forces in the steering system and a switch that is selectively engageable by the actuator arm to energize the drive unit to drive the steering vane to pivot. The actuator assembly may comprise a biasing assembly that resists movement of the actuator creating a force threshold that must be overcome to engage the switch. The biasing assembly may take the form of one or more springs, preferably having a settable preset.

Abstract: A rudder system for a kayak includes a rudder configured for pivotal attachment to the kayak and a propeller housed in and extending from the rudder. A battery is in electrical communication with the propeller to selectively power the propeller. The kayak system includes an input in electrical communication with the propeller to operatively actuate the propeller, the input being accessible from inside the kayak. A sensor is operatively coupled to the kayak to determine a relative speed thereof. A processor is in data communication with the sensor and propeller, the processor including programming to determine a necessary propeller speed. The processor is in data communication with the input so as to establish the desired relative speed of the kayak. The propeller includes at least two blades and the propeller motor is housed in the rudder.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dynamically stabilizing a ship in high sea states. A six degree-of-freedom robotic arm is attached to the ship, and a thruster is located at the distal end of the manipulator. The manipulator is be used to orient the thruster to counteract wave forces that act against the ship's hull in real time. This active balancing technique can be used to keep the ship substantially erect in rough seas by making continual corrections to the ship's body attitude. The center of gravity and the center of buoyancy of the ship are utilized, along with a precisely oriented and controlled thrust at the end of the manipulator, to optimally control the ship's state against impending waves.

Abstract: A contra-rotating propeller system is installed between a rudder horn of a ship and shaft support at an engine-output side. The system includes a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the rudder horn and the shaft support, respectively, a front propeller fixed to the propeller shaft, a counter rotating gear set installed on the rudder horn and connected with the propeller shaft, and a rear propeller connected to the counter rotating gear set and disposed between the rudder horn and the front propeller.

Abstract: A rudder propeller ship propulsion system with a rudder propeller containing an underwater housing mounted on a receiver that is detachably fastened on or in a ship's hull has locks for the receiver separate from a fastener whereby the receiver can be locked and unlocked on or in the hull even when the fastener is released. The rudder propeller ship propulsion system is disassembled from the ship by releasing the fastener so that the receiver is only held on or in the ship by the locks, and then the locks are unlocked at locking sites between the receiver and ship so that the receiver and rudder propeller can be removed.

Abstract: A remote powered propulsive device having a rudder which carries a propeller or oscillating fins which are powered by pedals alone or with hydraulic assist or by an electric motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rudder propeller drive comprising a driving motor (1), the output shaft of which can be effectively connected to a shaft of a propeller by means of a drive train. The propeller shaft is accommodated in a rudder propeller housing that can be mounted outside a hull, while the propeller on the propeller shaft is located outside the rudder propeller housing. A lubricating and/or cooling device is provided for the propeller shaft and/or for drive train areas mounted in front of the propeller shaft. The drive train encompasses a hydrodynamic clutch (3) or a hydrodynamic torque converter which is combined with or integrated into the lubricating and/or cooling device in such a way that the hydrodynamic clutch or the hydrodynamic torque converter and the lubricating and/or cooling device use a joint amount of functional fluid.

Abstract: A contra-rotating propeller system is installed between a rudder horn of a ship and shaft support at an engine-output side. The system includes a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the rudder horn and the shaft support, respectively, a front propeller fixed to the propeller shaft, a counter rotating gear set installed on the rudder horn and connected with the propeller shaft, and a rear propeller connected to the counter rotating gear set and disposed between the rudder horn and the front propeller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined outboard motor and rudder device, comprising: an upper part and a helm connected to said upper part, two elongate rudder blades which are connected to said upper part and extend downward from said upper part in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the two rudder blades are constructed to function as a rudder, a motor and a propeller which is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is mounted to the rudder blades via a bearing and a housing, and wherein when seen in front view the rotation axis is positioned between the rudder blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering and propulsion arrangement for a ship. The inventive steering and propulsion arrangement comprises a screw propeller 3 and a rudder 6. A streamlined propulsion bulb 10 is made integral with or fixedly connected to the rudder. The invention also relates to a ship 2 provided with the inventive arrangement.

Abstract: A marine vessel includes an exterior component fitted to a hull of the marine vessel and a propulsion module configured to be received by the exterior component. The propulsion module includes a power source configured to drive a propeller; a shaft configured to couple the power source and the propeller. The module includes a housing configured to store at least the power source and a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A high performance full spade rudder for ships includes a rudder blade, a rudder trunk and a rudder post. The rudder blade widens from the leading edge to a central area which constitutes the widest point of the rudder profile. The rudder blade profile tapers from the central area to a narrow rear area and widens again from the rear area to the trailing edge. A bearing is placed in an inner longitudinal bore of the rudder trunk for bearing the rudder post, wherein the bearing penetrates with its free end into a recess, taper or the like in the rudder blade. No bearing is provided between the rudder blade and the rudder trunk. The bearing for the rudder post is placed in the rudder trunk in the area of the free end of the rudder trunk.

Abstract: A propeller for a boat includes a propeller shaft having a shaft hole, a shaft sleeve mounted in the shaft hole of the propeller shaft and provided with a metal core with a through hole for insertion of a driving shaft of the boat, and a shock-absorbing member covering an outer surface of the metal and having an outer surface contacted with an inner surface of the propeller shaft that surrounds the shaft hole; and a lock unit mounted on the driving shaft for fixing the driving shaft in the through hole of the shaft sleeve, so that the propeller is rotatable by the driving shaft. When the propeller bumps hard things during rotation to result in vibration to the propeller, the shock-absorbing member can absorb the vibration so as to protect the driving shaft from damage.

Abstract: For avoiding a high permanent load of the main and control drives rotatable around the vertical axis for ships for the straight forward sailing by a small and compact course keeping rudder system provided for this purpose, for a propulsion system (10) for ships, in particular for cruise vessels (100) with combined main and control drives (20), in particular with at least one podded propulsor (25; 25?), whereby the drive and at least one propeller (26; 26?) are combined in a rotatable gondel-type unit or gondel-type housing (27) placed outside the proper hull (110) in the stern area (115), at least one course keeping rudder system (30; 30?) is placed outside the swivelling range of the podded propulsor (25) or of the podded propulsors (25; 25?) in the stern area (115) of the hull (110) as an independent, separate, small and preferably electrohydraulically driven rudder configured with a flow favourable profile which makes available only the steering moments necessary for the ship during the straight forward tr

Abstract: A wake control device for a boat, including a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft, a rudder member secured to the mounting member for pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis, and a fin extending laterally relative to the rudder member. Such a wake control device, with or without pivoting about the second axis, may also be secured directly to an outboard drive as well. A control manually operable by a wake boarder while being towed remotely controls the pivotal position controlling drive.

Abstract: A ship propulsion system includes at least one marine propeller, at least one electric motor which drives the at least one marine propeller, and an inverter-fed power supply system which supplies the at least one electric motor with electric power. The power supply system includes at least one drive machine and at least one generator driven thereby. The at least one electric motor and the at least one generator are configured as three-phase synchronous machines. In order to reduce losses per kW installed power and thus to allow for a stronger energizing field in the stator winding, the at least one electric motor configured as a three-phase synchronous machine and/or the at least one generator configured as a three-phase synchronous machine of the power supply system is/are provided with an air-gap three-phase winding devoid of iron grooves as the power supply system.

Abstract: A marine vessel includes a rudder support structure attached to its hull and a rudder device attached to the rudder support structure in a manner allowing pivotal movement of the rudder device relative to the rudder support structure. A first drive train includes a first propeller shaft mounted in the hull and extending from the hull. A first propeller unit is attached to the first propeller shaft and is positioned forward of the rudder device. A second drive train includes a second propeller shaft that is mounted rotatably in the rudder support structure and a second propeller unit is attached to the second propeller shaft. The second propeller unit is aft of the first propeller unit and coaxially aligned therewith.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat. The system includes a swivel shaft connected to the propeller to turn it relative to the boat, a swivel case fixed to the outboard motor and rotatably accommodating the swivel shaft, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the swivel shaft to rotate it. The actuator has a shape whose height is larger than its width and is installed in such a manner that a direction of the height is in parallel with a vertical direction, so as not to project outside a profile of the outboard motor, obtained by looking down the outboard motor from downward, regardless of a steered angle of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A boat propulsion system for propelling a boat through water with debris in the water and shallows. The boat propulsion system includes a motor assembly being designed for being positioned in a boat. A propeller member is operationally coupled to the motor assembly whereby the propeller member is rotated by the motor assembly. The propeller member is designed for being positioned under the boat whereby the propeller member is positioned in the water for rotating in the water to propel the boat through the water when the propeller member is rotated by the motor assembly. A direction assembly is designed for being coupled to the boat. The direction assembly is designed for being actuated by the user whereby the direction assembly is for controlling the direction of the boat when the propeller member is propelling the boat through the water.

Abstract: Boat propeller drive unit with an underwater housing (5), which is solidly joined to a boat hull and has pulling propellers (15, 16) on the forward facing side of the housing. At the aft edge of the underwater housing, a rudder is mounted, comprising a first rudder blade (22a) mounted in the underwater housing and a second rudder blade (22c) mounted on the aft edge of the first rudder blade.

Abstract: Boat propeller drive with an underwater housing which is connected in a fixed manner to a boat hull and has tractor propellers arranged on that side of the housing facing ahead. In the rear edge of the underwater housing, a rudder blade is mounted for pivoting about a vertical rudder axis.

Abstract: For avoiding a high permanent load of the main and control drives rotatable around the vertical axis for ships for the straight forward sailing by a small and compact course keeping rudder system provided for this purpose, for a propulsion system (10) for ships, in particular for cruise vessels (100) with combined main and control drives (20), in particular with at least one podded propulsor (25; 25′), whereby the drive and at least one propeller (26; 26′) are combined in a rotatable gondel-type unit or gondel-type housing (27) placed outside the proper hull (110) in the stern area (115), at least one course keeping rudder system (30; 30′) is placed outside the swivelling range of the podded propulsor (25) or of the podded propulsors (25; 25′) in the stern area (115) of the hull (110) as an independent, separate, small and preferably electrohydraulically driven rudder configured with a flow favourable profile which makes available only the steering moments necessary for the ship during

Abstract: A swivel drive assembly for an electrically powered boat. The swivel drive assembly comprising a housing which has a propeller shaft extending therethrough and a propeller mechanically coupled to the propeller shaft. The swivel drive assembly further includes a turning post having a hollow interior mechanically coupled to the housing. A drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the propeller shaft and is disposed within the hollow interior of the turning post and the housing. The swivel drive assembly further includes an electric motor mechanically coupled to the drive shaft and operable to spin the propeller thereby. In this respect, the rotation of the turning post is operative to point the housing and the propeller in a desired direction to facilitate steering of the boat.

Abstract: A marine propulsion and steering unit (10) comprises a pod (13) having front and rear ends, a driving machine (14), e.g. a drive motor, accommodated in the pod, a substantially horizontal propeller shaft (15) drivingly connected to the driving machine and provided with a propeller (18) externally of the front end of the pod (13), and an upright pod supporting strut (12) rigidly attached to the pod and having at the upper end thereof swivel bearing means (11) supporting the pod supporting strut and the pod below a buoyant body for angular motion about a substantially vertical axis (C). The pod supporting strut (12) is shaped essentially as an upstanding airfoil the chord plane (V) of which contains or is proximal to the axis (T) of the propeller shaft (15) and the leading edge (12A) of which is directed towards the propeller (18).

Abstract: An electric trolling motor has a motor body with a propeller, and a vertical shaft extending upward from the motor body. A rudder attachment having forward, rearward and lower portions is secured to the motor. The forward portion is a diagonal blade located between the shaft and a forward end of the body. The rearward portion is a thin rudder which extends between a rearward end of the motor body and the shaft. The lower portion has is mounted to a lower side of the motor body and tapers downward. Tie wraps are used to securely fasten the portions of the rudder attachment to each other and to the trolling motor.

Abstract: A method and an assembly are provided for mounting a pair of hydrofoils to an outboard engine without drilling holes or otherwise defacing the anticavitation plate of the engine. The assembly includes a mounting plate, an adaptor, and a pair of hydrofoils. The hydrofoils are mountable to the outer edge portions of the mounting plate. In use, the counter-rotation tab of the engine is removed and then replaced by the adaptor. The mounting plate, if not already secured to the adaptor, is coupled to the adaptor. The hydrofoils are then mounted to the opposing edges of the mounting plate. A pair of reinforcing brackets may be secured to the mounting plate such that they extend over the edge portions of the cavitation plate. The forces generated upon the mounting plate will accordingly be distributed to the anti-cavitation plate as well as the adaptor. The hydrofoils employed in the assembly preferably include rudders, which obviate the need for the counter-rotation tab replaced by the adaptor.

Abstract: A marine tractor surface drive propulsion system is provided with a housing construction that can be retrofit to existing boat hulls and does not require a dedicated hull, with a parallel countershaft transmission that provides the efficiencies of a tractor surface drive and where a portion of the transmission housing extends over and protectively shields the,surface drive propeller of the drive system.

Abstract: A surface drive is provided mounted from the stern of a hull for up and down swinging movement in the manner of an outdrive unit, but wherein the surface drive includes a forwardly and upwardly inclined propeller shaft with a forward extension thereof coupled, through the utilization of a universal joint, to the rear end of a power shaft journaled through and projecting rearwardly of the transom of the associated hull and with which the propeller is generally aligned, the surface drive being laterally stabilized and including an upstanding rudder oscillatably supported therefrom rearward of the surface drive propeller.

Abstract: A hydrofoil for watercraft is provided. The hydrofoil includes a generally flat body including an upwardly extending wing for providing low speed torque control and rudders extending from the bottom surface of the body to provide high speed torque control. The hydrofoil is adapted for mounting to an anti-cavitation plate. The depth of the hydrofoil can be controlled through the use of shims or a bracket including an offset arm to which the hydrofoil is mounted. The angular position of the hydrofoil is adjustable in the horizontal plane, thereby allowing the rudders to compensate for the lateral torque produced by a propeller.

Abstract: Several embodiments of jet propelled watercraft including steering rudders pivotally supported by the steering nozzle of the jet propulsion unit for providing a steering affect at low speeds and when coasting. The steering rudder is selectively moveable between its steering position and non-steering position so as to permit unincumbered high speed operation. An arrangement is incorporated that permits the rudder to pivot automatically from its steering position to an out of the way position when an underwater obstacle is struck.

Abstract: A rudder sleeve for enlarging the surface area of a boat rudder includes first and second stainless steel plates having four side edges defining first and second opposed major hydrodynamic surfaces. The rudder sleeve has a substantially rectilinear periphery. The first and second plates are secured together around the periphery of three of the four side edges by welding to define a narrow pocket between the first and second plates enclosed on three side edges.An open side edge is provided for placing the boat rudder into the pocket. Fastening bolts are provided for being extended through the first and second plates and the boat rudder from side-to-side to fasten the rudder sleeve to the boat rudder.

Abstract: A marine drive (20) has a trim tab (50) with a flair (56) on one side (58) thereof at an upper portion (52). When the drive is trimmed in, the flair is unshrouded by the anti-ventilation plate (34) and diverts mainstream water flow therearound, which produces a force on the other side (62) of the trim tab opposite the flair which conteracts steering torque. In another embodiment, a variable compensation flair (72) is provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a steerable propeller unit for use in place of a steerable rudder and fixed propeller on watercraft employing inboard straight line propulsion systems. A coupler is fitted to the rear of the drive shaft projecting from the craft in place of a propeller. The coupler is affixed to a splined shaft which, in turn, is connected to a universal drive joint. A pivotable rudder shaft interconnects with the steering mechanism for the craft, and carries at its lower end a strut bearing. A short shaft connected to the universal joint extends through the strut bearing, and the propeller is affixed to the shaft behind the strut bearing. The propeller may thus be swung through an arc to either side of the center line of the craft by the steering mechanism. Top, bottom and side rudder plates may optionally be affixed to the strut bearing assembly.

Abstract: The device comprises a thruster assembly which consists of a housing, thruster motor, thruster propeller, and thruster motor control device. When integrated into a stern mounted main drive, the thruster housing becomes integral with the main drive. The thruster is situated on the transom just above the bottom line of the hull with its axis in line with the transom, horizontal with the water line, and at right angles to the main drive. The thruster control device is connected to the boat's steering wheel linkage so that when the wheel is turned the thruster is activated. Turning the steering wheel causes the thruster to push the boat's stern at right angles to the main drive thus causing the boat to turn. The direction the wheel is turned determines the direction of thrust (right or left) and therefore, the direction the boat turns. Additionally, thruster control can be achieved by connecting the thruster control device to the throttle/shift lever.

Abstract: A hydrofoil adapted for attachment to a boat propulsion unit. The hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside in which a trolling plate may be positioned. A pivot shaft couples the plate to the hydrofoil permitting upright deployment of the plate for slowing of the watercraft. A locking bar on the hydrofoil serves to engage stops on the plate to lock same in retracted and deployed positions. A control permits remote operation of the locking bar.

Abstract: A device is provided for attachment to the submerged portion of an electric trolling motor to serve as a rudder and to further provide quieter operation and resistance to fouling by aquatic vegetation. The device, which may be of integral or two piece construction, attaches to the vertically disposed control shaft of the trolling motor and further embraces the drive unit of the motor. An upper section of the device has opposed side walls of large area, thereby providing a rudder effect.

Abstract: A propeller drive system for marine applications having a constant velocity universal joint for articulating the propeller shaft without transmitting the propeller thrust therethrough, the propeller thrust being delivered to the boat hull in line with an inner propeller shaft. The inner propeller shaft is gearingly connected to a marine power plant located within the boat, exits from the boat and connects to the inner race of the constant velocity universal joint. An outer propeller shaft connects to the outer race of the constant velocity universal joint and ends at the propeller.

Abstract: An improved trim tab actuator for a watercraft for permitting the operator to automatically select any of a plurality of steering effects by automatic control of the trim tab. The trim tab is positioned in response to sense steering and watercraft conditions and the operator may also select any of a plurality of modes mapped in response to these conditions.

Abstract: An improved trim tab actuator for an outboard drive for assisting in steering by creating a hydrodynamic steering force immediately upon sensing of a steering input force. The mechanism includes an operator control that permits the operator to select from any of a plurality of preset maps for achieving the optimum trim tab condition.

Abstract: A trim tab actuator for a marine propulsion device wherein a plurality of watercraft running conditions are sensed and a trim tab is automatically positioned so as to maintain the watercraft in its preset course as dictated by the measured preset condition.