Propulsion devices having electric motors for marine vessels and methods for making the same
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsKass W. Sawyer, Laura K. Mueller, David J. Waldvogel, John O. Scherer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis. A motor is positioned within the cavity. The motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis. The shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel.
Claims20
A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the propulsion device comprising:
- a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis;
- and
- a motor positioned within the cavity, wherein the motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis, and wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel;
- wherein the drive housing comprises a fixed portion and a removable portion removably coupled to the fixed portion, wherein the cavity is defined in the fixed portion and the motor is coupled to the removable portion.
A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the propulsion device comprising:
- a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis;
- a motor positioned within the cavity, wherein the motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel, and wherein the motor has a body;
- and
- wiring that extends radially outwardly from the body of the motor.
A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the propulsion device comprising:
- a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis;
- a motor positioned within the cavity, wherein the motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis, and wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel;
- a cap coupled to the drive housing that radially aligns the shaft within the cavity, wherein the cap defines an opening through which the shaft extends;
- and
- a first bearing coupled to the cap that rotatably supports the shaft.
A method for making a propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the method comprising:
- providing a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis, wherein the drive housing comprises a fixed portion and a removable portion configured to be removably coupled to the fixed portion, and wherein the cavity is defined in the fixed portion;
- coupling a motor to the removable portion of the drive housing, wherein the motor is configured to rotate a shaft that extends along a second central axis, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel;
- and
- coupling the removable portion of the drive housing to the fixed portion such that the motor is positioned within the cavity and the second central axis is non-coaxial with the first central axis.
A method for making a propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel, the method comprising:
- providing a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis;
- providing a motor that rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel;
- positioning the motor within the cavity such that the second central axis is non-coaxial with the first central axis, wherein the drive housing has a fixed portion and a removable portion removably coupled to the fixed portion, and wherein the cavity is defined in the fixed portion and the motor is coupled to the removable portion;
- and
- coupling a cap to the removable portion, wherein the cap radially aligns the shaft within the drive housing such that the second central axis is parallel with the first central axis.
A propulsion device for a marine vessel, the propulsion device comprising:
- a drive housing having a fixed portion and a removable portion coupled to the fixed portion, the fixed portion having a cavity with a circular cross section that extends along a first central axis, the removable portion having an opening with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circular cross section, and wherein a notch extends radially outwardly from the opening in the removable portion;
- a motor positioned within the opening of the removable portion, wherein the motor is a transverse flux motor having a body with wires extending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein the wires are positioned within the notch, wherein the motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis, and wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel;
- and
- a cap coupled to the removable portion, wherein the cap radially aligns the shaft within the drive housing such that the second central axis is parallel and non-coaxial with the first central axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.