Patent ID: 8043132
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B60L,B63H,B63J,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a propulsion system of a watercraft, comprising the steps of: providing an engine having a rotatable crankshaft; providing a propulsion shaft which is configured to support a propulsor for rotation about a generally horizontal propulsion shaft axis, said propulsor comprising a plurality of blades which are configured to provide a thrust which is parallel to said propulsion shaft axis in response to rotation of said propulsor about said propulsion shaft axis; providing a water impervious containment which is configured to provide at least a portion of said watercraft and is shaped to define one or more internal cavities of sufficient total displacement to support said watercraft on a body of water, said water impervious containment having an outer surface which is disposable on said body of water, said plurality of blades being shaped to provide thrust when said propulsor is rotated within water of said body of water; providing a transmission which comprises forward, neutral, and reverse gear positions; disposing said transmission in torque transmitting relation between said crankshaft of said engine and said propulsion shaft, said transmission being configured to cause said propulsion shaft to rotate in a forward direction when said transmission is placed in said forward gear position when said engine is operating, said transmission being configured to cause said propulsion shaft to rotate in a reverse direction when said transmission is placed in said reverse gear position when said engine is operating; determining a rotation status of said propulsion shaft; providing an energy storage device, said energy storage device being disposed for support on said watercraft and configured to receive energy from a first source of energy, said first source of energy being located on shore; providing an energy transfer device which is alternatively placed into first and second states, said first state enabling energy transfer between said first source of energy and said energy storage device, said second state disabling energy transfer between said first source of energy and said energy storage device, said total displacement of said water impervious containment being sufficient to provide support for said engine, said transmission, and said energy storage device; determining the state of said energy transfer device; and inhibiting the concurrent rotation of said propulsion shaft and placement of said energy transfer device in said first state.