# US 2013/0157527 A1 · Watercraft Propulsion Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157527 A1 - Document ID: US20130157527A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,579 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-02 - Inventors: John Raynes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157527A1 ## CPC - B63H 21/17: by electric motor - B63B 71/00: Designing vessels; Predicting their performance - B63H 5/07: of propellers (forming part of outboard units {or Z-drives} B63H20/00) - B63H 20/14: Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element - B63H 21/383: {for handling cooling-water (in outboard drives B63H20/28; in machines or engines in general F01P3/00)} - B63H 23/00: Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements (adaptation of transmission to allow adjustment in direction of propellers B63H5/125; transmission between wind motors and propulsive elements B63H13/00; in outboard propulsion units B63H20/14; adaptation of transmission to allow adjustment of location of propellers B63H20/08) - B63H 23/02: with mechanical gearing - B63H 23/06: for transmitting drive from a single propulsion power unit - B63H 2005/075: {using non-azimuthing podded propulsor units, i.e. podded units without means for rotation about a vertical axis, e.g. rigidly connected to the hull} - B63H 2023/344: {comprising flexible shafts members} - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract A watercraft propulsion apparatus is provided. The watercraft propulsion apparatus includes a watercraft having a hull, wherein the hull has at least an interior side and an exterior side. A motorized device is positioned proximate to the interior side of the hull. A shaft is connected to a propeller structure and positioned proximate to the exterior side of the hull. A drive structure is mechanically connected between the motorized device and the shaft, wherein the drive structure is at least partially positioned within an opening in the hull, wherein the opening is connected between the interior side and the exterior side. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A watercraft propulsion apparatus comprising: a watercraft having a hull, wherein the hull has at least an interior side and an exterior side; a motorized device positioned proximate to the interior side of the hull; a shaft connected to a propeller structure and positioned proximate to the exterior side of the hull; and a drive structure mechanically connected between the motorized device and the shaft, wherein the drive structure is at least partially positioned within an opening in the hull, wherein the opening is connected between the interior side and the exterior side. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hydrodynamic-shaped housing positioned on the exterior side of the hull and substantially housing the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motorized device further comprises at least one electrically powered motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one shaft connected to at least one propeller. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive structure further comprises a means to transmit rotational motion to the shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a means to flow water through the hydrodynamic-shaped fin′ for cooling and lubrication of the propeller shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing further comprises an open top to the interior side of the hull for internal installation, alteration, maintenance, removal and repair. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing further comprises a means to provide water cooling to the motor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of curved vertical forward and rear pointed ends. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of a straight vertical acute angular front leading edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drive structure is comprised of a driveshaft positioned mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drive structure contains a flexible driveshaft mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drive structure includes a pulley and belt mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drive structure comprises of sprockets and chain mechanically connected to the motorized device and the shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing includes a flange and gasket to locate and secure the housing through the inside opening in the hull with means of connection to the inside surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing comprises a flange and gasket with means of attachment to secure said housing onto the outside surface over the opening in the bottom of the hull. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of composite or non-metallic material for lower weight. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrodynamic-shaped housing is comprised of metal for the thermal transfer of heat. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, further comprised of a means to provide lift to the watercraft thereby reducing wetted surface and drag from the hull. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The watercraft propulsion apparatus of claim 1, comprising of a self contained and modular propulsion apparatus for installations under the hull of any watercraft old and new.