Watercraft having independent drive inputs

Abstract

A watercraft comprises a hull, and a propulsion system coupled to the hull. The propulsion system comprises at least two propulsion discs, at least two drive inputs, and a differential coupled to the drive inputs. Each drive input is coupled to a respective one of the propulsion discs. The differential includes a power control input and is configured to vary a delivery of power from the drive inputs to the propulsion discs in accordance with the power control input.

1 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull buoyant in water; and   a propulsion system coupled to the hull for propelling the hull in the water, the propulsion system comprising at least two propulsion discs, at least two drive inputs, and a differential coupled to the drive inputs, each said drive input being coupled to a respective one of the propulsion discs, the differential including a power control input and being configured to vary a delivery of power from the drive inputs to the propulsion discs in accordance with the power control input.   
   
   
       2 . The watercraft according to  claim 1 , wherein the power control input comprises a control level, and the differential is configured to couple the drive inputs together when the power control lever is in a first position, and to uncouple the drive inputs from each other when the power control lever is in a second position. 
   
   
       3 . The watercraft according to  claim 2 , wherein each said drive input comprises a pedal provided on a crankshaft, and the differential further comprises a drive key, the drive key being coupled to the power control lever and being movable between a lock position coupling the crankshafts together when the power control lever is in the first position, and an unlock position uncoupling the crankshafts from each other when the power control lever is in the second position. 
   
   
       4 . The watercraft according to  claim 3 , wherein the differential further comprises a plurality of crankshaft couplings, each said crankshaft coupling being coupled to a respective one of the crankshafts and comprising a key, the drive key being configured to be received within the keys of the crankshafts when the power control lever is in the first position. 
   
   
       5 . The watercraft according to  claim 3 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a pair of the propulsion discs, and each said crankshaft comprises a pair of the pedals, the propulsion discs being disposed substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a major axis of the hull. 
   
   
       6 . A propulsion system for watercraft, the propulsion system comprising:
 at least two propulsion discs;   at least two drive inputs; and   a differential coupled to the drive inputs, each said drive input being coupled to a respective one of the propulsion discs, the differential including a power control input and being configured to vary a delivery of power from the drive inputs to the propulsion discs in accordance with the power control input.   
   
   
       7 . The propulsion system according to  claim 6 , wherein the power control input comprises a control level, and the differential is configured to couple the drive inputs together when the power control lever is in a first position, and to uncouple the drive inputs from each other when the power control lever is in a second position. 
   
   
       8 . The propulsion system according to  claim 7 , wherein each said drive input comprises a pedal provided on a crankshaft, and the differential further comprises a drive key, the drive key being coupled to the power control lever and being movable between a lock position coupling the crankshafts together when the power control lever is in the first position, and an unlock position uncoupling the crankshafts from each other when the power control lever is in the second position. 
   
   
       9 . The propulsion system according to  claim 8 , wherein the differential further comprises a plurality of crankshaft couplings, each said crankshaft coupling being coupled to a respective one of the crankshafts and comprising a key, the drive key being configured to be received within the keys of the crankshafts when the power control lever is in the first position. 
   
   
       10 . The propulsion system according to  claim 8 , wherein each said crankshaft comprises a pair of the pedals, and the propulsion discs are disposed substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the crankshafts.