US20140330545A1 - Method of designing a custom propeller - Google Patents

Method of designing a custom propeller Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20140330545A1
US20140330545A1 US14/271,419 US201414271419A US2014330545A1 US 20140330545 A1 US20140330545 A1 US 20140330545A1 US 201414271419 A US201414271419 A US 201414271419A US 2014330545 A1 US2014330545 A1 US 2014330545A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
boat
motor
propeller
data
custom
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/271,419
Inventor
Andrew H. REBELE
Christopher M. Gil
Kerwin M. LOUKUSA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pure Watercraft Inc
Original Assignee
Pure Watercraft Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pure Watercraft Inc filed Critical Pure Watercraft Inc
Priority to US14/271,419 priority Critical patent/US20140330545A1/en
Assigned to PURE WATERCRAFT, INC. reassignment PURE WATERCRAFT, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GIL, CHRISTOPHER M., LOUKUSA, KERWIN M., REBELE, ANDREW H.
Publication of US20140330545A1 publication Critical patent/US20140330545A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B63B9/001—
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
    • B63H21/12—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels the vessels being motor-driven
    • B63H21/17—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels the vessels being motor-driven by electric motor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/90—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by specific means not covered by groups B60L50/10 - B60L50/50, e.g. by direct conversion of thermal nuclear energy into electricity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B71/00—Designing vessels; Predicting their performance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
    • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
    • B63H1/04—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially at right angles to propulsive direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H20/02—Mounting of propulsion units
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H20/14—Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/32—Waterborne vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/42—Drive Train control parameters related to electric machines
    • B60L2240/421—Speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H2020/003—Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H2020/005—Arrangements of two or more propellers, or the like on single outboard propulsion units
    • B63H2020/006—Arrangements of two or more propellers, or the like on single outboard propulsion units of coaxial type, e.g. of counter-rotative type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
    • B63H25/02—Initiating means for steering, for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring
    • B63H2025/028—Initiating means for steering, for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring using remote control means, e.g. wireless control; Equipment or accessories therefor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/64—Electric machine technologies in electromobility
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention deals with designing and selecting a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination.
  • Propellers are designed to operate at a particular rotational speed under full propulsive power.
  • An improperly selected propeller can result in that rotational speed being reached at a lower power level.
  • the major problem with a mismatched propeller and a boat and motor is that the motor is unable to use all of its available power.
  • Propeller efficiency can be expressed as (propeller thrust*boat velocity) divided by (torque generated at the propeller shaft*propeller shaft rotational speed).
  • efficiency can be optimized at one particular boat speed, it will be suboptimal at all other speeds. For this reason it is critically important to know how the user is operating the boat (essentially a time history of their speed) so that the propeller can be optimized for that specific usage pattern.
  • the benefits of higher efficiency include higher boat speed capability (more power available to overcome hull resistance) and increased range (a larger percentage of energy is being used to propel the boat).
  • propellers are not always optimized to a boat and motor and the user performance profile. And presently there is no technology available that allows users to generate custom propeller geometry and optimize a propeller for the specific boat and motor combination. Therefore, there is a need for properly designing or selecting the appropriate propeller geometries allowing users to get the highest efficiency and performance from their hull and motor combination.
  • the present invention solves the aforementioned propeller selection problem and provides a method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set. Specifically, the present invention provides selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination; operating the boat for a period of time and generating usage and performance data; collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data.
  • the resulting custom propeller geometry can be used to fabricate a new propeller based upon the data Alternatively, the data and custom geometry can be used for selecting a more suitable propeller for the boat and motor combination from an array of available propellers.
  • the present invention is a novel method enabling users to get a custom propeller tuned for their exact boat or hull and motor combination. Currently boaters are only able to test their propeller performance by a sequence of guess and check cycles.
  • the present invention allows the user to gather data of hull and motor performance by operating the watercraft and collecting performance data during normal operation. This data is then used to generate a custom propeller design based upon the users actual use and desired functionality.
  • the method of the present invention for generating unique propeller geometries allows users to get the highest efficiency out of their hull and motor combination.
  • the present invention uses a device to gather system data during normal operation.
  • One object of the present invention is to send system data to remote location for analysis by custom algorithm.
  • the user is able to specify operating demands to further customize propeller geometry.
  • the present invention is designed to work with and gather data from any electric drivetrain system or electric outboard motors, such as those provided by Pure Watercraft, Inc. of Seattle, Wash.
  • the present invention contemplates the use with all drivetrain systems including an outboard motor, inboard/outboard motor and inboard motor depending on the ability to gather the necessary data from other motor systems.
  • propeller design can be enabled for many other suppliers, electric or internal combustion powered.
  • the device for gathering performance data can be incorporated into the boat design and manufacture or added later.
  • the data-gathering device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of one or more internal sensors, one or more external sensors and one or more global positioning devices.
  • the present invention gathers data including engine/motor torque/power vs. speed to determine the drag profiles of the boat hull.
  • the drag profiles in combination with the motor/engine torque/power profile are then used to generate custom propeller geometry based upon the users specified demands.
  • the custom propeller can then be manufactured or selected from available propeller designs and sent to the user.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set comprising selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination; operating the boat and generating usage and performance data; collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data.
  • another object of the present invention comprises determining a user performance profile from actual usage and incorporating the user performance profile into the custom propeller design.
  • the invention also contemplates incorporating user-desired performance the custom propeller design.
  • Optimized propeller selection is essential for all marine motors including outboard motors.
  • An outboard motor is portable and can be used with a variety of different boats and hull designs.
  • Each hull has a unique resistance vs. speed relationship, and it is essential to use a customized propeller for the most efficient use of the motor and boat combination.
  • Initial propeller selection will be an educated guess, which is the typical practice.
  • the initial propeller choice is often suboptimal and the historical process for choosing a better propeller for the application is very unscientific as it involves using generic rules of thumb for deciding which propeller design would be a better choice.
  • the present invention adds tremendous value, by using actual performance data collected from the powertrain to implicitly determine the resistance vs. speed relationship of the hull. By using that data coupled with a representative history of boat speed vs. time (usage profile) an optimal propeller can be designed or selected from the best available propeller for that boat and motor combination.
  • propellers are variable pitch, including the ones designed using the present invention.
  • Most outboards are designed for a specific propeller diameter (the circumscribed circle tangent to the outer tips of the blades). Therefore, diameter will not be one of the parameters that changes based on user specific data. All other geometry parameters known in the art can be optimized, including the number of blades on the propeller.
  • the custom propeller can be manufactured by any available means. While traditional methods of propeller design and production rely on high volumes to reduce cost, new production methods including 3D printing and investment casting allow cheaper production of structural parts. The present invention is well suited to take advantage of this growing area of technology. As the 3D printing technology improves and the ability to manufacture one propeller at a time is facilitated, the costs of creating custom propellers will decrease.
  • An alternative option for customizing a propeller for a specific boat and motor combination is to collect the necessary boat performance data and then select a more suitable propeller based upon the motor and boat performance data.
  • Another object of the present invention contemplates developing a set of propellers and maintaining a database of specific propeller geometries for particular boat and motor combinations.
  • the operational performance data for a specific boat and motor combination include the following measurements taken during operation; boat velocity, motor output rotational speed (RPM), input electrical current to the motor/inverter, and input electrical voltage to the motor/inverter.
  • the performance data can then be used with existing propeller design parameters for designing the new propeller geometry.
  • a preferred method of data collection of the present invention involves a mobile app collecting data directly from the outboard, time syncing it with the GPS velocity data, storing it on the mobile device, and transmitting it to a cloud server from the mobile device.
  • a GPS receiver can be included in the outboard motor so that it can determine the boat velocity.
  • the data can be time synced and stored locally within the outboard.
  • the data can then be wirelessly transmitted directly to a mobile device (which then uploads to a cloud server), or it could connect to a local wireless network and transmit the data directly to a cloud server.
  • the data can be loaded onto a flash media device (for example, a USB port on the outboard), which the user could later upload to a cloud server using an internet connected device, or the user could send by email or through regular mail.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Gear Transmission (AREA)
  • Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)

Abstract

A method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set.

Description

    PRIORITY
  • The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/820,163 filed May 6, 2013.
    • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention deals with designing and selecting a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Propellers are designed to operate at a particular rotational speed under full propulsive power. An improperly selected propeller can result in that rotational speed being reached at a lower power level. The operating speed of the propulsion unit has been reached, but it is not generating all of its available torque (power=torque*speed), and thus the boat is not able to go as fast. The major problem with a mismatched propeller and a boat and motor is that the motor is unable to use all of its available power.
  • One way to improve the performance of a propeller with a particular boat and motor is to increase the propeller efficiency. Propeller efficiency can be expressed as (propeller thrust*boat velocity) divided by (torque generated at the propeller shaft*propeller shaft rotational speed). However, while efficiency can be optimized at one particular boat speed, it will be suboptimal at all other speeds. For this reason it is critically important to know how the user is operating the boat (essentially a time history of their speed) so that the propeller can be optimized for that specific usage pattern. The benefits of higher efficiency include higher boat speed capability (more power available to overcome hull resistance) and increased range (a larger percentage of energy is being used to propel the boat).
  • The ultimate solution is to properly match a propeller with a specific boat and motor combination. However, propellers are not always optimized to a boat and motor and the user performance profile. And presently there is no technology available that allows users to generate custom propeller geometry and optimize a propeller for the specific boat and motor combination. Therefore, there is a need for properly designing or selecting the appropriate propeller geometries allowing users to get the highest efficiency and performance from their hull and motor combination.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention solves the aforementioned propeller selection problem and provides a method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set. Specifically, the present invention provides selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination; operating the boat for a period of time and generating usage and performance data; collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data.
  • The resulting custom propeller geometry can be used to fabricate a new propeller based upon the data Alternatively, the data and custom geometry can be used for selecting a more suitable propeller for the boat and motor combination from an array of available propellers.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is a novel method enabling users to get a custom propeller tuned for their exact boat or hull and motor combination. Currently boaters are only able to test their propeller performance by a sequence of guess and check cycles. The present invention allows the user to gather data of hull and motor performance by operating the watercraft and collecting performance data during normal operation. This data is then used to generate a custom propeller design based upon the users actual use and desired functionality.
  • The method of the present invention for generating unique propeller geometries allows users to get the highest efficiency out of their hull and motor combination. The present invention uses a device to gather system data during normal operation. One object of the present invention is to send system data to remote location for analysis by custom algorithm. The user is able to specify operating demands to further customize propeller geometry.
  • Preferably the present invention is designed to work with and gather data from any electric drivetrain system or electric outboard motors, such as those provided by Pure Watercraft, Inc. of Seattle, Wash. However, the present invention contemplates the use with all drivetrain systems including an outboard motor, inboard/outboard motor and inboard motor depending on the ability to gather the necessary data from other motor systems. With the ability to extract system data from other motor systems, propeller design can be enabled for many other suppliers, electric or internal combustion powered.
  • The device for gathering performance data can be incorporated into the boat design and manufacture or added later. The data-gathering device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of one or more internal sensors, one or more external sensors and one or more global positioning devices. The present invention gathers data including engine/motor torque/power vs. speed to determine the drag profiles of the boat hull. The drag profiles in combination with the motor/engine torque/power profile are then used to generate custom propeller geometry based upon the users specified demands. The custom propeller can then be manufactured or selected from available propeller designs and sent to the user.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set comprising selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination; operating the boat and generating usage and performance data; collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data.
  • In addition to motor and boat performance data, another object of the present invention comprises determining a user performance profile from actual usage and incorporating the user performance profile into the custom propeller design. The invention also contemplates incorporating user-desired performance the custom propeller design.
  • Optimized propeller selection is essential for all marine motors including outboard motors. An outboard motor is portable and can be used with a variety of different boats and hull designs. Each hull has a unique resistance vs. speed relationship, and it is essential to use a customized propeller for the most efficient use of the motor and boat combination. Initial propeller selection will be an educated guess, which is the typical practice. The initial propeller choice is often suboptimal and the historical process for choosing a better propeller for the application is very unscientific as it involves using generic rules of thumb for deciding which propeller design would be a better choice. The present invention adds tremendous value, by using actual performance data collected from the powertrain to implicitly determine the resistance vs. speed relationship of the hull. By using that data coupled with a representative history of boat speed vs. time (usage profile) an optimal propeller can be designed or selected from the best available propeller for that boat and motor combination.
  • Most modern propellers are variable pitch, including the ones designed using the present invention. Most outboards are designed for a specific propeller diameter (the circumscribed circle tangent to the outer tips of the blades). Therefore, diameter will not be one of the parameters that changes based on user specific data. All other geometry parameters known in the art can be optimized, including the number of blades on the propeller.
  • Once the propeller geometry is optimized, the custom propeller can be manufactured by any available means. While traditional methods of propeller design and production rely on high volumes to reduce cost, new production methods including 3D printing and investment casting allow cheaper production of structural parts. The present invention is well suited to take advantage of this growing area of technology. As the 3D printing technology improves and the ability to manufacture one propeller at a time is facilitated, the costs of creating custom propellers will decrease.
  • An alternative option for customizing a propeller for a specific boat and motor combination is to collect the necessary boat performance data and then select a more suitable propeller based upon the motor and boat performance data. Another object of the present invention contemplates developing a set of propellers and maintaining a database of specific propeller geometries for particular boat and motor combinations.
  • It is an object of the present invention to collect the necessary boat and motor performance data by any means available for designing and selecting a custom propeller. The operational performance data for a specific boat and motor combination include the following measurements taken during operation; boat velocity, motor output rotational speed (RPM), input electrical current to the motor/inverter, and input electrical voltage to the motor/inverter. The performance data can then be used with existing propeller design parameters for designing the new propeller geometry.
  • All of the data necessary for designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination is available from an appropriately equipped outboard, with the exception of boat velocity. However, most mobile devices have a GPS receiver, which can be used to calculate velocity. With mobile connectivity between the outboard and a mobile device, a preferred method of data collection of the present invention involves a mobile app collecting data directly from the outboard, time syncing it with the GPS velocity data, storing it on the mobile device, and transmitting it to a cloud server from the mobile device.
  • In another embodiment, a GPS receiver can be included in the outboard motor so that it can determine the boat velocity. With the positioning of the boat and the performance of the boat and motor combination, the data can be time synced and stored locally within the outboard. The data can then be wirelessly transmitted directly to a mobile device (which then uploads to a cloud server), or it could connect to a local wireless network and transmit the data directly to a cloud server. Alternatively, the data can be loaded onto a flash media device (for example, a USB port on the outboard), which the user could later upload to a cloud server using an internet connected device, or the user could send by email or through regular mail.
  • The present invention is further exemplified by the following claims.

Claims (16)

We claim:
1. A method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set comprising:
a. Selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination;
b. Operating the boat and generating usage and performance data;
c. Collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and
d. Calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a user performance profile from actual usage and incorporating the user performance profile into the custom propeller design.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising incorporating user desired performance into the custom propeller design.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor and boat data collected is at least one selected from the group consisting of boat velocity, motor rotational speed, motor torque, thrust, propeller geometry, input electrical current to the motor/inverter and input electrical voltage to the motor/inverter.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor is at least one selected from the group consisting of outboard motor, inboard/outboard motor and inboard motor.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating the custom boat propeller based upon the motor and boat performance data.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising fabricating the propeller using a 3D printer.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein a boat operator uploads the performance data.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a data-gathering device on the boat for gathering performance data.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the data-gathering device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of one or more internal sensors, one or more external sensor and one or more global positioning devices.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising accumulating global positioning data using at least one portable mobile device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, tablet and laptop.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising using a mobile application for combining the global positioning data with boat and motor performance.
13. The method of claim 9 where in the gathered data is uploaded to a portable data storage device.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein the gathered data is transmitted wirelessly to a remote location.
15. A method of designing a custom boat propeller with optimized geometry for a boat and motor combination based upon a user generated performance data set comprising:
a. Selecting an available stock propeller for the boat and motor combination;
b. Operating the boat and generating usage and performance data;
c. Collecting the motor, boat and propeller performance data during boat operation; and
d. Selecting a more suitable propeller based upon the motor and boat performance data.
16. A method of designing a custom boat propeller for a boat and motor combination comprising:
a. Gathering motor and boat performance data during operation;
b. Calculating custom propeller geometry based upon the motor and boat performance data; and
c. Designing the propeller based upon the motor or and boat performance.
US14/271,419 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Method of designing a custom propeller Abandoned US20140330545A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/271,419 US20140330545A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Method of designing a custom propeller

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361820163P 2013-05-06 2013-05-06
US14/271,419 US20140330545A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Method of designing a custom propeller

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140330545A1 true US20140330545A1 (en) 2014-11-06

Family

ID=51841093

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/271,419 Abandoned US20140330545A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Method of designing a custom propeller
US14/271,404 Abandoned US20140327347A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Sternboard drive for marine electric propulsion with speed control and wireless communication connectivity

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/271,404 Abandoned US20140327347A1 (en) 2013-05-06 2014-05-06 Sternboard drive for marine electric propulsion with speed control and wireless communication connectivity

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (2) US20140330545A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB559281A (en) * 1942-10-08 1944-02-11 Frank Smith Improvements relating to liquid delivery apparatus
GB201411342D0 (en) 2014-06-26 2014-08-13 Rolls Royce Plc Wireless communication system
SE546016C2 (en) * 2023-01-10 2024-04-16 Volvo Penta Corp A diagnostics system for a dual propeller drive unit

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030074114A1 (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-17 Takashi Okuyama Watercraft information sharing system
US20060054067A1 (en) * 2004-09-14 2006-03-16 Hoberman Kevin D Methods and arrangements for redirecting thrust from a propeller
US20100274420A1 (en) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 General Electric Company Method and system for controlling propulsion systems
US20110257819A1 (en) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 The Boeing Company Vessel Performance Optimization Reporting Tool
US20140308124A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2014-10-16 The Boeing Company Optimization of downstream open fan propeller position and placement of acoustic sensors

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3141296A (en) * 1960-12-28 1964-07-21 Jr Frank Jacobs Electric discharge devices
US8299669B2 (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-10-30 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Rim driven thruster having transverse flux motor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030074114A1 (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-17 Takashi Okuyama Watercraft information sharing system
US20060054067A1 (en) * 2004-09-14 2006-03-16 Hoberman Kevin D Methods and arrangements for redirecting thrust from a propeller
US20100274420A1 (en) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 General Electric Company Method and system for controlling propulsion systems
US20140308124A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2014-10-16 The Boeing Company Optimization of downstream open fan propeller position and placement of acoustic sensors
US20110257819A1 (en) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 The Boeing Company Vessel Performance Optimization Reporting Tool

Non-Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AUTHORS UNKNOWN, Propellers, Craig Marine, 21 pages, obtained from http://www.craigmarine.info/accessories/controls_steering/Propellers_info.htm on 28 November 2016 *
CALCAGNI, DANILO, GIOVANNI BERNARDINI AND FRANCESCO SALVATORE. “Automated Marine Propeller Optimal Design Combining Hydrodynamics Models and Neural Networks.” (2012). 15 pages *
CONEY, WILLIAM BOWLES. "A method for the design of a class of optimum marine propulsors." PhD diss., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989. 187 pages *
D'EPAGNIER, KATHRYN PORT. "A computational tool for the rapid design and prototyping of propellers for underwater vehicles." PhD diss., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007. 96 pages *
EPPS, BRENDEN, JULIE CHALFANT, RICHARD KIMBALL, ALEXANDRA TECHET, KEVIN FLOOD AND CHRYSSSOSTOMOS CHRYSSOSTOMIDIS. “Openprop: an Open-source Parametric Design and Analysis Tool for Propellers.” (2009). 8 pages *
KEVIN MITCHELL, ADAM ROLINSKI, Propeller Analysis and Design Study for 43 Foot Pleasure Yacht, The Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, 1995, pp1-14 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20140327347A1 (en) 2014-11-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20140330545A1 (en) Method of designing a custom propeller
CN103466041A (en) Real-time optimizing energy-saving ship speed intelligent-analysis system
RU2013150918A (en) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING PUMP PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
KR101863746B1 (en) Speed and power analysis system for standard vessel operating condition
CN110243411A (en) A kind of Multi-functional disome formula water environment unmanned monitoring ship
CN109383727A (en) A kind of nearly vector expression underwater robot propeller
CN111439350B (en) Wind direction measuring method and device, electronic equipment and storage medium
CN211375879U (en) Experimental platform for autonomous navigation control of commercial ship
KR101859671B1 (en) Speed and power analysis method for standard vessel operation condition
CN102486169A (en) High-efficiency axial flow and screw combined pump for ship
JP5544586B2 (en) Variable pitch propeller control ship and variable pitch propeller control method
EP3016854A1 (en) Propulsion system for aquatic vessels
CN207466920U (en) A kind of unmanned cleaning ship of river small-size multifunction
CN207045646U (en) Nearly vector expression underwater robot propeller
CN202124112U (en) Lateral thrust adjustable propeller
CN104527955A (en) Vector propelling device of water-surface unmanned platform
CN101968821B (en) Airfoil profile design method and structure applicable for multi-speed domain
CN206505317U (en) A kind of dynamic efficiency optimal control device of double electric types or pure electric ship
CN108909997A (en) A kind of ship, secondary propulsion system (SPS) and its auxiliary propulsion plant
JP6489641B2 (en) Ship motor control device, control method, and control program
CN203854849U (en) Improved movable-web paddle wheel set propeller
CN206358356U (en) A kind of aircraft of polluted source monitoring sampling
CN102385314B (en) Control algorithm for regulating paddle screw pitch and host revolving speed matching during startup of ship
CN102354112B (en) Control algorithm for pitch of controllable pitch propeller and rotating speed of host machine in stable navigation state of ship
CN110395360A (en) A kind of fishing boat power and propulsion device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PURE WATERCRAFT, INC., WASHINGTON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:REBELE, ANDREW H.;GIL, CHRISTOPHER M.;LOUKUSA, KERWIN M.;REEL/FRAME:032881/0561

Effective date: 20140513

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION