Abstract:
The present invention(s) relates to a structure and method for improved auxiliary thruster systems for marine and small vessels, including small fishing and pontoon boats. Under conditions of wind or rough waters it may be impracticable to employ the main drive of a vessel because it may provide more thrust and motility than needed and may not be fuel efficient for such purposes. The present invention(s) relates to auxiliary thrusting and maneuvering systems of marine vehicles which may be employed in addition or independently of main propulsion of the vehicle or craft that protracts and retracts a thruster assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention(s) relates to a structure and method for improved auxiliary thruster systems for marine and small vessels, including small fishing and pontoon boats. Particularly, the invention(s) relates to auxiliary thrusting and maneuvering systems that protract and retract a trolling motor assembly and can be used in marine vehicles in addition to, or independently of, the main propulsion of the vehicle or watercraft. 
         [0002]    Trolling motors are well known in the art and have been used for many years, particularly for small watercraft such as fishing boats and recreational vessels. Such a small watercraft is often lightweight and generally has a main outboard motor mounted to the boat&#39;s transom. The main motor performs as the boat&#39;s main thruster and propulsion system. Due to the lightweight nature, this small watercraft is regularly subject to being tossed about in rough waters or set adrift in strong currents, strong winds, or after a race boat speeds by, leaving choppy water or a high wake. Often, it is undesirable to employ the main outboard motor. For instance, in strong wind or rough waters it may be impracticable to employ the main drive of the vessel because it may provide more thrust and motility than needed and may not be fuel-efficient for such purposes. While traveling close to the shoreline, the main outboard motor is undesirable in some instances as it may cause unwanted waves that may frighten away fish, damage the shoreline, or pose a danger to other boaters or swimmers. Another danger of using the main outboard motor while close to the shoreline is the possibility that debris may impact the motor or become lodged into the motor. 
         [0003]    The single thruster propulsion system also poses problems when attempting to dock watercraft. In order to dock a vessel, the vessel must be pulled up alongside the pier, slowed to a pace that will allow the driver or deckhand to grab hold of the pier either physically or by rope, sufficiently latched to the pier, and then stopped from drifting further once latched to the pier. One solution to the difficulty of docking the watercraft is that the captain, or driver, of the vessel often must employ a second person to assist them in docking the vessel as they direct and maneuver the vessel from a rear mounted main thruster. Without a second person, the driver of the vessel must steer the vessel as well as pull the vessel to the pier with a rope. 
         [0004]    To solve these problems, those skilled in the art have long attempted to employ auxiliary propulsion systems for steering and maneuvering light-to-medium watercraft. The most problematic result of the addition of a fixed, auxiliary thruster is that the auxiliary thruster would provide drag, slowing the vessel, and add an extra element which may collect debris as the vessel travels. Additionally, for small watercraft the addition of an additional auxiliary thruster may make transferring the vessel to and from the water difficult, as the auxiliary thruster may be damaged when being pulled from the slip, or the maneuvering involved in preventing such damage would be all too unwanted. For these reasons and others, the addition of retractable or semi-retractable auxiliary thrusters have been utilized in the marine industry for many years. The known art relating to retractable auxiliary propulsion systems include two types: systems for larger marine vessels, often called a bow thruster in the known art, and the utilization of trolling motor systems utilized by smaller recreational fishing boats. The retractable propulsion systems for larger vessels employ a system for which the thruster is lowered and retracted through a compartment of the hull of the vessel. These systems are only available for larger vessels with sufficient space between the bilge of the ship and the top deck to house such an auxiliary thruster system and compartment that could be flooded upon deployment of the auxiliary thruster. These systems are unavailable to small watercraft because there is insufficient space for such a compartment. 
         [0005]    To overcome these obstacles for small watercraft, the trolling motor has been known to the art for many years. There have been several different trolling systems used for small watercraft, all of which attempt to solve the problems discussed above. The mere number of different systems shows the industry efforts in creating a system that is easy to use and solves most of the problems previously discussed. Early in the art, some attempted to solve the problems inherent with the maneuverability of small watercraft through the use of a trolling motor mounted to the boat&#39;s transom (for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,744,418 and 3,139,853). 
         [0006]    The known art has since evolved and at present, most auxiliary propulsion systems for smaller fishing vessels are retractable and mounted on the deck of the vessel in a forward position near the bow. The thruster, usually a trolling motor, must manually be lowered into the water for operation and use of the thruster assembly, which often contains an extension arm mounted to a folding bracket employed to conserve space when in the retracted position when the vessel is being propelled at normal speeds by the main propulsion system. These systems require the driver of the vessel to leave his position at the helm to place the motor in and out of service and to control the speed and direction of propulsion. Previous incarnations of this system also required the manual adjustment of the position of the motor. Other problems that arise from the deck-mounted, bow thruster assembly design include the necessary use of valuable deck space for an idle auxiliary motor. While not being employed, the motor usually stays on the deck of the vessel and often becomes a hazard on the deck, severely restricting the personnel movement on the deck. Some systems are mounted to the bow of the vessel similarly to the mounting of the main outboard thruster located on the transom of the boat. These systems are bulky, obscure the captain&#39;s vision while navigating the vessel, and are often required to be manually deployed for service and manually steered. 
         [0007]    Others skilled in the art have attempted to solve this problem for smaller watercraft by suggesting the use of a retractable docking line coupled to a rotatable spool used to pull the vessel to the shore or pier. This may solve the problem of docking the watercraft, but this posed solution does not address the issues of maneuverability inherent in the small watercraft construction. 
         [0008]    As the above-referenced scenarios exhibit, a secondary thrusting system, such as is known in the art, is nearly a necessity for small watercraft, and although many auxiliary thruster systems are known to the art, all, or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantage. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved design and apparatus for auxiliary thruster systems for marine vessels. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The primary objective of the invention(s) is to aid in the protracting and retracting of a propulsion device mounted to marine vessels. 
         [0010]    One object of the invention(s) is to provide a solution to maneuverability problems inherent in a rear-mounted thruster system for watercraft. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention(s) is to provide a kit of a retractable thruster system that can be retrofitted to already existing vessels. 
         [0012]    An even further object of the invention(s) is to provide a retractable thruster that can be protracted and maneuvered through controls that will not interfere with other controls necessary for the vessel&#39;s operation. 
         [0013]    The present invention(s) is directed to a secondary thruster system mounted to the hull of a vessel below the waterline, with the secondary thruster being protracted and retracted through an actuator, and is utilized through a control system on the deck of the vessel. The present invention(s) may be fitted to the vessel during production or retrofitted after the vessel is built. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, a digital maximizer is attached to the power supply to create efficiency for the power supply, but is not an integral part of the invention. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the control system directs the speed and direction of the thruster as well as the movement of the actuator through electrical connection. In another embodiment, the control system utilizes remote, wireless control of the actuator and thruster. 
         [0016]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention(s) will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention(s), along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the hull-mounted retractable thruster; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a lowered thruster assembly and its control; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is side and isometric views of the thruster assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a control unit according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a control unit; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a boat retrofitting kit according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Before the present invention(s) is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention(s) is not limited to the particular embodiments described, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention(s) will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0025]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention(s) belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention(s), a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention(s) is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention(s). Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed. 
         [0026]    The retractable thruster system according to the present invention broadly comprises a thruster assembly  100 , which includes a thruster  102  mounted to one end of an elongated motor tube  104 . At its opposite end, the motor tube  104  is secured to a hull mounting member  120 , which is attached to, and extends longitudinally along, a bottom of a vessel hull. An actuator assembly  110  having an actuator  112  is operationally connected to the thruster assembly  100  and is configured to control operation of the thruster assembly  100 . The actuator assembly  110  is secured to the hull mounting member  120  adjacent the thruster assembly  100 . 
         [0027]    The motor tube  104  is configured for a pivotal movement about a pivot pin  108 , pivoting between a normally retracted position and an operationally extended position, when the motor tube  104  extends substantially perpendicularly to the hull mounting member  120 . 
         [0028]    The hull mounting member  120  can be formed by two ( 2 ) parallel beams  120   a  and  120   b  connected by a transverse beam  120   c,  which extends between the parallel beams  120   a  and  120   b  at a substantially the right angle. Of course, the hull mounting member  120  may be configured in various ways or may comprise separate brackets for mounting the actuator assembly  110  or thruster assembly  100  and may be formed of various dimensions, shapes, and materials. 
         [0029]    The thruster assembly  104  is connected to a power source  250  by suitable electrical wiring  252 . A propeller  103  is mounted on a distant end of the motor tube  104 . The power source  250  supplies motive power to the propeller  103  during operation of the thruster assembly, causing 360-degree rotation of the propeller  103  during operation of the thruster assembly. In the preferred embodiment the power supply  250  is a standard battery, but may include a generator, motor, turbine, or other electric generating device. The electrical wiring or power cord  252  can be a standard cord used to conduct electricity and is durable enough to withstand being submerged in water for a considerable amount of time without malfunction. In an alternate embodiment the power supply  250  can be connected to a variable power regulator  400 , which is configured to control the amount of power being supplied to the actuator  112 . 
         [0030]    It is envisioned that the thruster  102  may be a standard trolling motor. However, other alternative thrusters are contemplated, such as water-jet thrusters, twin propeller thrusters, rudder propeller thrusters, azimuth thrusters, and so forth. The particular thruster selected depends on several factors such as type of vessel, specific purpose of the auxiliary thruster, cost, and various other factors and such thruster type is not meant to limit the instant invention. 
         [0031]    The actuator assembly  110  is operationally connected to the motor tube  104  via the actuator  112  and an actuator output arm  114  to impart pivotal movement on the motor tube  104 . An actuator arm bracket  115  secures the motor tube  104  to the actuator output arm  114 . The actuator output arm  114  is configured to telescopically coaxially extend from the actuator  112  and push or pull the motor tube  104  for movement between extended and retracted positions, respectively. 
         [0032]    The actuator  112  is affixed to the hull mounting member  120  at an end distant from the actuator output arm  114  by a securing bracket. The actuator  112  may be hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electro/magnetic, or powered rack and pinion. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment the motor tube  104  is comprised of an elongate tubular housing which encases a control cable. In some of the embodiments, the motor tube  104  can be a hollow tube having the length of between 20 inches and 25 inches, and a diameter between 3 inches and 5 inches. Of course, the specific dimensions of the motor tube  104  can vary according to multiple factors such as cost, durability, the size of the watercraft, etc. A relatively short motor tube  104  is preferred as to prevent drag on the propulsion of the boat, debris build up, and damage to the thruster assembly  100 . The motor tube  104  may be formed of metal, plastic, composite material, or other suitable durable noncorrosive material. 
         [0034]    The system of the present invention comprises a deck-mounted control unit  200  to allow activation and de-activation of the actuator assembly  110  and the thruster assembly  100  from the boat deck. In one embodiment, schematically shown in  FIG. 4 , a control panel  201  has an actuator switch  202  operationally connected to the actuator  112  and a thruster rotation knob  204  configured to control rotation of the propeller  103  and the thruster  102 . The control unit  200  is connected to the actuator assembly  110  and the thruster assembly  110  by suitable electrical wiring. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, schematically shown in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  203  uses wireless communication for operation of the thruster assembly and the actuator assembly. The alternative control unit  203  comprises a wireless control panel  208  and wireless communication receiving device  210 . The wireless control panel  208  may include a digital user interface  212 , which displays the operational conditions of the system. An actuator switch  202  and the thruster rotation knob  204  may be similar to the first embodiment of the control unit  200 . An antenna  207  built into the control unit  203  is configured to send signals to the receiving device  210 , which is equipped with a receiving antenna  211 . 
         [0036]    The digital user interface  212  may be a touch screen control capable of receiving instructions from a user and transmitting the control signals via the antenna  207  to the receiving unit  210 . The wireless control unit  203 , similar to the hard-wired control unit  200 , is configured to control pivotal and rotational movement of the thruster assembly  100 , rotational movement of the propeller  103 , as well as the extension and retraction of the motor tube  104  using the actuator assembly  110 . 
         [0037]    It is envisioned that the rotational position of the thruster  104 , while in service, may be regulated by other devices, such as for instance, without limitation, a joy stick, digital control, touch screen control, or other technology remotely used for communication with an electrical device. Furthermore, the control unit may include radio, electromagnetic devices, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, Wimax, etc. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a retrofitting kit  500  according to the present invention. The retrofitting kit comprises the thruster  102 , motor tube  104 , pivot pin  108 , actuator  112 , actuator output arm  114 , actuator arm bracket  115  and associated securing elements, the control unit  200  along with the electrical wiring  206 , the hull mounting member  120 , a variable power regulator  400 , an owner&#39;s manual  300 , and all necessary bolts, screws, etc. for mounting the auxiliary thruster system of the present invention to the hull of the boat. 
         [0039]    One of the important advantages of the hull-mounted retractable thruster system according to this invention is the ease to which the thruster is deployed for service. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in operation, during times when the thruster is not needed, the thruster assembly  100  is in a retracted position under the vessel and above the water. In the retracted position of the thruster assembly  100 , the actuator output arm  114  is in an extended position from the actuator  112 . When port or starboard thrust is needed, the operator of the vessel can activate the actuator switch  202  on the control unit  200 ,  203 . The control unit  200 ,  203  signals the actuator to pull the actuator output arm  114  back toward the actuator  112 . This pulling acts upon the actuator arm bracket  115  attached to the motor tube  104 , which then pivots about the pivot pin  108 , pulling the motor tube  104  into an essentially vertical position, putting the thruster assembly  100  into the water at enough depth to clear the pontoons. Then the operator can manipulate the thruster rotation knob  204  to control the port-starboard direction and the speed of the thruster  102  and the propeller  103 . When the thruster is again not needed, the operator can activate the actuator switch  202  again, which signals the actuator  112  to extend the actuator output arm  114 , pushing and pivoting the actuator arm bracket  115 , the motor tube  104 , and the thruster assembly  100  into a retracted position under the vessel and above the water. 
         [0040]    It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 
         [0041]    Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.