Combined outboard motor and rudder device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combined outboard motor and rudder device, comprising: an upper part and a helm connected to said upper part, two elongate rudder blades which are connected to said upper part and extend downward from said upper part in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the two rudder blades are constructed to function as a rudder, a motor and a propeller which is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is mounted to the rudder blades via a bearing and a housing, and wherein when seen in front view the rotation axis is positioned between the rudder blades.

1 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device, comprising:
 an upper part and a helm connected to said upper part,   two elongate rudder blades which are connected to said upper part and extend downward from said upper part in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the two rudder blades are constructed to function as a rudder,   a motor and a propeller which is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is mounted to the rudder blades via a bearing and a housing, and wherein when seen in front view the rotation axis is positioned between the rudder blades.   
   
   
       2 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rudder blades are positioned at such a distance from one another that in use a part of the water which is thrust by the propeller flows between the rudder blades and causes a Venturi effect, thereby enhancing the rudder function of the rudder blades. 
   
   
       3 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the distance between the rudder blades is 50-60 percent of the length of the rudder blades. 
   
   
       4 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is provided at a lower end of said rudder blades. 
   
   
       5 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the two rudder blades extend further downwards from the housing. 
   
   
       6 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the two rudder blades extend substantially parallel to one another and are positioned at a distance from one another. 
   
   
       7 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the width of each rudder blade is between 8 and 12% of the length of the rudder blade. 
   
   
       8 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the housing which houses the motor is positioned centrally, when seen in front view. 
   
   
       9 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the propeller is positioned to the rear of a trailing edge of the rudder blades, when seen in side view. 
   
   
       10 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the propeller is positioned to the front of a front edge of the rudder blades, when seen in side view. 
   
   
       11 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the combined outboard motor and rudder device is pivotable about a vertical axis which is located between the rudder blades, when seen in front view. 
   
   
       12 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the combined outboard motor and rudder device is movable between a working position and a retracted position. 
   
   
       13 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the combined outboard motor and rudder device comprises a hinge which defines a substantially horizontal pivot axis, wherein the hinge is configured to be connected to a hull of a vessel. 
   
   
       14 . Combined outboard motor and rudder device according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper part accommodates an electronic control device for controlling the motor.