Bow Thruster Lock Device for Stowed Position Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bow thrusters on marine vessels with retractable designs face insufficient clearance when stored between pontoons, leading to potential damage during transportation on scissor lift trailers, and require additional actuators for rotation, increasing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A stowable propulsion device with a pivotally coupled propulsor that rotates 90 degrees from a fore-aft orientation to a port-starboard orientation for storage, using a gearset to automatically pivot the shaft without additional actuators, and incorporates a lock device to prevent the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the propulsor is made retractable for storage between pontoons, then the width during storage is reduced, but insufficient clearance remains causing potential damage during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth of bow thrusterVSAvoiddamage risk during transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The propulsor is designed to dynamically change its orientation between operational and storage positions through a pivotal connection, rotating 90 degrees from fore-aft to port-starboard orientation, allowing it to adapt to different spatial requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lock device is pre-configured to automatically engage when the propulsor reaches the storage position, preventing any unintended movement or damage during subsequent transportation without requiring additional actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional actuators are added to enable rotation of the propulsor, then the rotation function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gearset mechanism automatically pivots the propulsor shaft without requiring additional actuators, using the existing actuator's motion to drive the rotation through mechanical advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A gearset acts as an intermediary mechanism between the actuator and the propulsor shaft, translating the actuator's linear motion into rotational motion of the propulsor without requiring direct actuation of the propulsor itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the propulsor is pivotally coupled to allow rotation, then storage clearance is improved, but the propulsor may accidentally pivot away from stowed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage clearanceVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lock device is designed to preemptively prevent unintended pivoting of the propulsor from the storage position, engaging automatically when the propulsor reaches the correct orientation to counteract any accidental displacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for safe transportation on scissor lift trailers by minimizing the width of the bow thruster during storage and eliminates the need for additional actuators, reducing complexity and cost while ensuring the propulsor remains securely stowed.

Implementation Method 1

using a gearset to automatically pivot the shaft without additional actuators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11851150B2Propulsion devices with lock devices and methods of making propulsion devices with lock devices for marine vessels

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

A propulsion device for a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a base configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position. A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.