Drive-line mounted direct coupled AC generator for marine water craft

Abstract

A direct coupled, drive-line power generating system for use with marine water craft. The generator is preferably located between the engine and the marine drive system providing an auxiliary or primary source of substantially stabilized constant voltage constant frequency AC power from a variable speed marine engine.

1 . A direct coupled electrical generator for drive-line installation on a marine water craft comprising: 
 a variable speed internal combustion engine providing rotational output;    a generator having a first and second side surface, said first side surface coupled to said engine wherein said rotational output of said engine produces an electrical output;    means for correcting said electrical output to a substantially stabilized constant AC voltage having a constant frequency;    a marine drive system connected to said second side surface of said generator wherein said rotational output of said engine supplies rotary motion to said marine drive system during operation thereof;    a propeller shaft having a proximal end coupled to said marine drive system and a distal end coupled to at least one propeller;    whereby said variable speed internal combustion engine drives said propeller through said marine drive system and said generator, said generator generating an electrical output of variable voltage variable frequency and said means for correcting placing said electrical output into a substantially constant AC voltage constant frequency.    
   
   
       2 . The electrical generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator is sealed.  
   
   
       3 . The electrical generator of  claim 2  wherein said generator is water cooled.  
   
   
       4 . The electrical generator of  claim 1  wherein said means for correcting is further defined as an externally positioned controller for converting said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to substantially stabilized constant AC voltage having a substantially constant frequency.  
   
   
       5 . The electrical generator of  claim 4  wherein said controller is water cooled.  
   
   
       6 . The electrical generator of  claim 4  wherein said means for correcting adjusts AC voltage to a substantially stabilized constant AC voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.  
   
   
       7 . The electrical generator of  claim 4  wherein said means for correcting is an AC to AC converter that adjusts AC voltage to a substantially stabilized constant AC voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.  
   
   
       8 . The electrical generator of  claim 4  wherein said means for correcting includes a rectifier and an inverter, wherein said rectifier converts said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to DC, wherein said inverter converts said direct current into substantially stabilized constant AC voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.  
   
   
       9 . The electrical generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator includes a stator and a rotor.  
   
   
       10 . The electrical generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator operates as a flywheel.  
   
   
       11 . A direct coupled electrical generator for drive-line installation on a marine water craft comprising: 
 a variable speed internal combustion engine having rotational output;    a generator connected to the rotatable output of said internal combustion engine;    an out-drive connected to said generator such that said variable speed internal combustion engine supplies rotary motion to said generator and said out-drive during operation thereof;    a propulsion means coupled to said out-drive;    whereby said variable speed internal combustion engine drives said generator at a variable speed which in turn generates electrical power of variable voltage and variable frequency.    
   
   
       12 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  including a controller for converting said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to substantially stabilized constant voltage constant frequency power.  
   
   
       13 . The electrical generator of  claim 12  wherein said means for correcting adjusts AC voltage to a substantially stabilized constant AC voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.  
   
   
       14 . The electrical generator of  claim 12  wherein said controller includes a rectifier and an inverter, wherein said rectifier converts said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to direct current, wherein said inverter converts said direct current into substantially stabilized constant voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.  
   
   
       15 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  wherein said out-drive is coupled to a propulsion system selected from the group consisting of inboard drive, inboard-outboard drive, jet drive, and surface drive.  
   
   
       16 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  wherein said generator is sealed.  
   
   
       17 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  wherein said generator includes a stator and a rotor.  
   
   
       18 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  wherein said generator operates as a flywheel.  
   
   
       19 . The electrical generator of  claim 12  wherein said generator is water cooled.  
   
   
       20 . The electrical generator of  claim 11  wherein said controller is water cooled.  
   
   
       21 . In a drive train of a water craft including at least one variable speed internal combustion engine in mechanical communication with at least one power transmission device which is further in mechanical communication with at least one impeller means constructed and arranged to provide motive thrust, the improvement comprising: 
 at least one generator for generating electricity, wherein said generator is constructed and arranged for direct coupling between said internal combustion engine and said power transmission device;    means for conditioning electrical power produced by said generator to a substantially stabilized constant voltage constant frequency electrical power.    
   
   
       22 . The electrical generator of  claim 21  wherein said generator is sealed.  
   
   
       23 . The electrical generator of  claim 21  wherein said generator is water cooled.  
   
   
       24 . The electrical generator of  claim 21  including a controller for converting said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to substantially stabilized constant AC voltage having a substantially constant frequency.  
   
   
       25 . The electrical generator of  claim 21  wherein said controller is water cooled.  
   
   
       26 . The electrical generator of  claim 21  wherein said means for correcting includes a rectifier and an inverter, wherein said rectifier converts said variable voltage variable frequency electrical power to DC, wherein said inverter converts said direct current into substantially stabilized constant AC voltage constant frequency power for use onboard said water craft.