Patent ID: 7549902
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: B60L,B63B,B63H,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electric motor assisted marine propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising: a manually-driven power input mechanism configured to accept human effort; a propulsion mechanism comprising at least one propeller mounted on a propeller shaft for providing a propulsive thrust in water; a mechanical drive train extending between the manually-driven power input mechanism and the propeller shaft, the mechanical drive train configured to transmit the human effort to the propeller shaft to rotate the propeller; at least one electric motor mechanically coupled to the propeller shaft, wherein the electric motor is arranged to provide assisting power to the propeller shaft to drive the propeller; an energy storage device configured to supply electrical power to the electric motor; a control mechanism configured to control electrical power supplied to the electric motor as a function of the human effort, wherein a ratio of assisting power supplied by the electric motor and the human effort is variably and selectively adjustable by an operator; and a housing enclosing the mechanical drive train, the electric motor and at least a substantial portion of the propeller shaft.