Patent ID: 8356566
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A multi-directional marine propulsor apparatus for use with a boat of the type having a hull, a keel defining a bow-stern axial direction and a motor with a rotatable propeller, the propulsor apparatus comprising: a cylindrical thruster housing with opposing fore and aft apertures and with opposing port and starboard apertures, the housing defining a central axis at least substantially parallel to the bow-stern axial direction when mounted in fixed relation to the boat hull, the housing also being sized to receive the propeller proximate to the fore aperture such that the propeller may rotate about the central axis to thereby provide forward thrust within the housing; means for affixing the cylindrical housing to the boat; a non-circular elliptical diverter gate mounted within the cylindrical housing proximate the aft aperture for limited rotation about a vertical control axis between port, central and starboard positions such that substantially all of the forward thrust exits the port aperture when the gate is in the port position, such that substantially all of the forward thrust exits the aft aperture when the gate is in the central position, and such that substantially all of the forward thrust exits the starboard aperture when the gate is in the starboard position, and means for rotating the diverter gate between the port, central and starboard positions.