Hydra-marine propulsion system

Abstract

A marine propulsion system comprising an engine, hydraulic pump, torque motor and propeller combination. The system is currently adaptable to diesel fuel operated engines. The hydraulic pump is a pressure compensating pump. The hydraulic pump a pressure relief value incorporated to minimize damage to the system due to propeller strikes. Engine and hydraulic pump operating controls / valves are included. Preferably, synthetic grade hydraulic fluid is used. The system is configured for use in any one of an inboard shaft drive configuration, an inboard / outboard motor configuration, an outboard motor configuration and a multi-propeller drive configuration.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 783,611 filed Mar. 16, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention related to marine propulsion system utilizing hydraulic power to drive the propellers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Even from the early days, propeller drive marine systems had always used the revolutions per minute (rpm) of an engine as a direct relationship to the rpm of the propeller. Increasing the engine rpm would directly increase the rpm of the propeller. This relationship continues even today with the use of transmissions incorporated into the drive train, that is, the rpm of the propeller is still directly proportional to the engine rpm.[0004]This relationship of the engine producing high rpm to increase the propeller rpm tends to utilize the engine horsepower rather than the engine's torque aspects. The draw back to this propulsion system is inefficiency in fuel usage.[0005]The higher an engine's r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The preferred hydraulic fluid selected to be used in the inventive propulsion system is synthetic hydraulic fluid, which is bio-degradable and non-toxic to people, wild life or the environment and is self-extinguishing in the event of a fire. Also in keeping the operation range equal to the previous boat specification dramatically decreases the fuel requirements, which in the event of a mishap again reduces environment impact.

[0010]The advantages of the invention marine propulsion system are many. Fuel consumption is perhaps the most advantageous and the driving force for this invention, but there are other advantages that also translate into economic enhancements. First of which is the reduction of weight of the drive system, which again translates into additional fuel savings. Secondly, the drive system is simplified in that it has less moving parts, which consequently directly reduces maintenance cost and increases reliability. The engine rpm operating range is dramatically lower thereby increasing the operating life expediency of the engine and again lower maintenance cost. Furthermore, since the engine rpm operating range is decreased, this will produce lower noise decimal output.

[0012]the inventive drive system has yet another advantage in that there is reduced damage to the propeller and drive train from propeller strikes or sudden stoppage, reducing maintenance cost further. Additionally the drive system has the ability to select forward or reverse at full throttle operation.

[0015]The hydraulic pump further comprises means for relieving sudden increases in hydraulic system pressure, thereby reducing possible damage to the marine propulsion system, control means for operating the engine, control means for operating the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic pump control valve in fluid communication with hydraulic fluid conduit lines communicating with the torque motor. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid is a synthetic grade hydraulic fluid.

Problems solved by technology

Also in keeping the operation range equal to the previous boat specification dramatically decreases the fuel requirements, which in the event of a mishap again reduces environment impact.

Secondly, the drive system is simplified in that it has less moving parts, which consequently directly reduces maintenance cost and increases reliability.

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