Patent ID: 8062082
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
1. A marine propulsion system, comprising: an engine disposed within a hull of a marine vessel; a housing structure with a staged impact energy absorbing system having a deformable portion configured to absorb a first magnitude of energy in response to an impact with an object that is at least partially submerged, said housing structure being supported by said marine vessel at a frangible interface which is configured to separate at least partially from said marine vessel in response to said impact exceeding a second preselected magnitude of energy, said second magnitude of energy being greater than said first magnitude of energy; a drive shaft; and a propeller shaft supported by said housing structure, said drive shaft being connected in torque transmitting relation between said engine and said propeller shaft; wherein said first magnitude of energy is associated with said marine vessel traveling at a maximum velocity of four miles per hour and the deformable portion absorbs the first magnitude of energy without said frangible interface separating at least partially from said marine vessel and wherein said second magnitude of energy is associated with said marine vessel traveling at a velocity exceeding four miles per hour.