Bow Thruster Propulsor Stowage and Blade Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bow thrusters on marine vessels face challenges when stored, as they often lack sufficient clearance between pontoons, leading to potential damage during transportation on scissor lift trailers or bunk trailers, and require additional actuators for rotation, increasing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A stowable propulsion device with a propeller that pivots 90 degrees from a fore-aft orientation to a port-starboard orientation for storage, using a gearset to automatically rotate the shaft without additional actuators, and an alignment device to ensure propeller blades align within the mounting base for compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bow thruster is stored in a conventional orientation, then the propulsion function is maintained, but the device requires additional actuators for rotation and increases in width, leading to potential damage during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion functionVSAvoidadditional actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rotation function and propulsion function into a single integrated mechanism. The gearset mechanism is integrated with the propeller shaft, allowing the same mechanical system to both rotate the propeller for propulsion and reorient the entire assembly for storage without requiring separate actuators for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic reconfiguration system where the bow thruster can change its orientation from a horizontal propulsion position to a vertical storage position. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its configuration based on operational needs versus transportation requirements, eliminating the need for additional fixed actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the bow thruster is stored in a conventional orientation, then the propulsion function is maintained, but the device increases in width, increasing the risk of damage during transportation on scissor lift trailers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion functionVSAvoiddamage risk during transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the bow thruster from a horizontal orientation (width-oriented) to a vertical orientation (height-oriented) during storage. This dimensional change allows the propeller to be positioned above the hull rather than extending horizontally between the pontoons, significantly reducing the device's width profile and eliminating interference with scissor lift trailer mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional storage approach by rotating the propeller shaft 90 degrees clockwise rather than counter-clockwise, and positioning the propeller blades to point upward rather than outward. This inverted configuration maximizes clearance from the trailer structure and minimizes the risk of damage during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the propeller blades are not aligned in the stowed position, then the device structure is simpler, but the propeller cannot be properly received within the mounting base, compromising storage safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment mechanismVSAvoidstorage safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an alignment device that automatically positions the propeller blades in the correct orientation before the propeller is fully received within the mounting base. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the blades are properly oriented within the base structure, preventing damage during storage without requiring complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional actuators are added for rotation, then the propeller can be rotated for storage, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidadditional actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the gearset mechanism to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the drive mechanism for propeller rotation during operation and the reorientation mechanism for changing the propeller's angular position for storage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuators, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11866144B2Propulsion devices and methods of making propulsion devices that align propeller blades for marine vessels

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.