SE2251364A1

SE2251364A1 - A marine mobile propulsion device

Info

Publication number: SE2251364A1
Application number: SE2251364A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Joakim Sällberg
Original assignee: Volvo Penta Corp
Priority date: 2022-11-22
Filing date: 2022-11-22
Publication date: 2023-12-29

Abstract

A marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) comprisingan attachment interface (110, 210) arranged to form a detachable mechanical connection between the propulsion device (100, 200) and a marine vessel (130), for moving the marine vessel (130),a propulsion unit (120, 220) for powering the marine vessel (130) when the mechanical connection is engaged, and for powering the marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) when the connection is disengaged.

Description

A MARINE MOBILE PROPULSION DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD This disclo sure relates generally to marine vessels, such as leisure craft and smaller commercial vessels. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular type of vessel, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vessel.

BACKGROUND Many marine leisure vessels are used rather infrequently and are only underway for very short periods of time. This is an ineff1cient use of resources, in particular propulsion systems. There is a general desire for more cost efficient and sustainable boating.

SUMMARY There is disclosed a marine mobile propulsion device according to claim l. The propulsion device is an on-demand propulsion device that can be shared between two or more boats and only used when the boat user desires to relocate his or her boat. Each "boat" is a passive hull without propulsion means, or a hull comprising a low-power propulsion unit with limited capability. A boat user wanting to undertake a boat trip requests a marine mobile propulsion device which is then detachably mounted onto the boat for temporarily powering the boat during the boat trip. Once the trip is over, the marine mobile propulsion device retums to storage and awaits its next use.

Several optional features can be realized by the marine mobile propulsion device, as set out in the dependent claims.

The above aspects, accompanying claims, and/or examples disclosed herein above and later below may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art.

Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized l Docket No.: P2022-0903SE01 (P450611SE00) by practicing the disclosure as described herein. There are also disclosed herein control units, computer systems, computer readable media, and computer program products associated with the above discussed technical benef1ts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of aspects of the disclosure cited as examples.

Figures 1-2 illustrate example marine mobile propulsion devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure will now be described more ﬁally hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description. Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

Figures 1-2 illustrate example marine mobile propulsion devices 100, 200. Figure 1 illustrates a first example 100 based on a propeller drive and Figure 2 illustrates a second example 200 based on a water jet foil drive arranged to provide a foiling operation by the vessel 130. The marine mobile propulsion devices 100, 200 both comprise an attachment interface 110, 210 arranged to form a detachable mechanical connection between the propulsion device 100, 200 and a marine vessel 130, for moving the marine vessel 130. This attachment interface can be just a towing line that can be used to tow the vessel to a desired destination, as illustrated in Figure 1. However, a rigid detachable connection can also be formed between the mobile propulsion device and the vessel to be powered. In this case the mobile propulsion device attaches directly onto the hull of the vessel and then forms part of the vessel. The attachment interface may be located at the transom of the vessel or at the bow of the vessel, or both, as illustrated by the examples in Figure 1.

Docket No.: P2022-0903SE01 (P450611SE00) The mobile propulsion device comprises a propulsion unit 120, 220 for powering the marine vessel 130. The propulsion unit powers the vessel 130 when the mechanical connection is engaged, and it powers the marine mobile propulsion device 100, 200 when the connection is disengaged, allowing the propulsion device to navigate on its own to the next user or to storage. The mobile propulsion device is arranged to navigate up to the location of the vessel 130, attach itself to the vessel 130, and then function as if the propulsion unit was an integral fixed part of the vessel. A benefit is that the mobile propulsion device can be shared by two or more vessels. The propulsion device may be autonomously controlled when disengaged from the boat, and then enter into a slave mode where the boat owner assumes command of the propulsion device.

The marine mobile propulsion device may be an electrically powered propulsion unit, a combustion engine powered propulsion unit or a hybrid electric propulsion unit.

The propulsion unit 120, 220 may comprises a propeller arrangement and/or a water jet arrangement.

The attachment interface 110, 210 may comprise a towing line and/or a bracket for forming a rigid attachment between propulsion unit and vessel.

The marine mobile propulsion device 100, 200 preferably comprises a control unit arranged to navigate the propulsion device 100, 200 to a location associated with the vessel 130 and to automatically attach the marine mobile propulsion device 100, 200 to the vessel 130 by the attachment interface.

A ﬂeet management system can be arranged to schedule use of a plurality of marine mobile propulsion devices 100, 200.

Claims

1. A marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) comprising an attachment interface (110, 210) arranged to form a detachable mechanical connection between the propulsion device (100, 200) and a marine vessel (130), for moving the marine vessel (130), a propulsion unit (120, 220) for powering the marine vessel (130) when the mechanical connection is engaged, and for powering the marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) when the connection is disengaged.

2. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to claim 1, where the propulsion unit (120, 220) is an electrically powered propulsion unit.

3. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to claim 1, where the propulsion unit (120, 220) is a combustion engine powered propulsion unit or a hybrid electric propulsion unit.

4. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, where the propulsion unit (120, 220) comprises a propeller arrangement.

5. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, where the propulsion unit (120, 220) comprises a water j et arrangement.

6. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, where the attachment interface (110, 210) comprises a towing line.

7. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, where the attachment interface (110, 210) comprises a bracket for forming a rigid attachment between propulsion unit and vessel.

8. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, comprising a control unit arranged to navigate the propulsion device (100, 200) to a location associated with the vessel (130) and to automatically attach the marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) to the vessel (130) by the attachment interface.

9. The marine mobile propulsion device (100, 200) according to any previous claim, arranged to provide a foiling operation.

10. A ﬂeet management system arranged to Schedule use of a plurality of marine mobile propulsion devices (100, 200) according to any previous claim.