Patent ID: 6396161
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B63H,B63J,F02N,Y02T

Abstract:
A propulsion system for a boat comprising:a. an electro-mechanical device operable as an electric motor or an electric generator, the electro-mechanical device having a rotor connected to a drive shaft; b. an internal combustion engine having a rotatable crankshaft releasably connected to the drive shaft; c. a clutch in communication with the drive shaft and the crankshaft, the clutch for releasably connecting the drive shaft to the crankshaft and disconnecting the drive shaft from the crankshaft; d. a propeller operable to rotate when driven by rotation of the rotor and the drive shaft; and e. a controller operable to control the electric currents flowing in the electro-mechanical device and thereby cause the electro-mechanical device to operate as (i) a generator when the internal combustion engine is running, (ii) a starter motor that provides power to crank the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is not running, or (iii) a trolling motor that provides power to rotate the drive shaft and the rotor.