Paddle-Drum Propulsion System for Propeller-Based Watercraft Engines

Abstract

A watercraft propulsion system is disclosed, including: a mechanical drive assembly capable of coupling to and being driven by a power source element of a propeller-based watercraft engine; and a pair of paddle drums coupled to and driven by the mechanical drive assembly, thereby propelling the watercraft through a body of water. For example, the mechanical drive assembly is adapted to couple to a drive shaft power source element, while or to an electrical wiring power source element within a positioning shaft. The paddle drums include blades capable of producing thrust via contact with a solid bottom surface containing the body of water, and/or with a top surface of the body of water. When applied to outboard engines, surface drive engines, air cooled marine engines and trolling motors, this system allows for navigation of extremely shallow water without damaging equipment, scarring lake beds or destroying native grasses.

1 . A watercraft propulsion system, the watercraft propulsion system comprising:
 a mechanical drive assembly,
 the mechanical drive assembly being capable of coupling to, and being driven by, a power source element of a propeller-based engine of a watercraft; and 
   a pair of paddle drums,
 the pair of paddle drums being coupled to, and driven by, the mechanical drive assembly, thereby propelling the watercraft through a body of water. 
   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power source element of the propeller-based engine is a primary drive shaft; and   the mechanical drive assembly includes:
 a secondary drive shaft capable of turning the paddle drums; and 
 a gear assembly connecting the secondary drive shaft to the primary drive shaft,
 the gear assembly also capable of transferring torque from the primary drive shaft to the secondary drive shaft, 
 
   
       the gear assembly thereby powering the secondary drive shaft to turn the paddle drums. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power source element of the propeller-based engine is electrical wiring housed within a positioning shaft, the electrical wiring being capable of delivering electrical power; and   the mechanical drive assembly includes:
 an armature assembly capable of turning the paddle drums; and 
 an armature housing connecting the armature assembly to the positioning shaft,
 the armature housing also providing the electric wiring a path to the armature assembly, so as to enable the electric wiring to deliver power to the armature assembly, the electrical wiring thereby powering the armature assembly to turn the paddle drums. 
 
   
     
     
         4 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle drum includes blades that are capable of at least one of:
 producing thrust via interaction with a bottom surface of the body of water; and   producing thrust via interaction with a top surface of the body of water.   
     
     
         5 . The propulsion system of  claim 4 , wherein the blades include rods operable to improve engagement on firm sandy lake bed surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion system of  claim 4 , wherein the blades include a plurality of blades pivotally coupled to an outer surface of the paddle drums, the blades aligned substantially parallel to a center axis of the paddle drums. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion system of  claim 4 , wherein the blades have a predetermined width, height, shape, and profile. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion system of  claim 4 , wherein the blades are formed of one of:
 plastic;   aluminum;   metal; and   stainless steel.   
     
     
         9 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a protective mechanical assembly case, the protective mechanical assembly case protectively housing the mechanical drive assembly.   
     
     
         10 . A propulsion system operable to replace a marine propeller system, the propulsion system comprising:
 a gear assembly housed within a gear case, the gear assembly being operable to receive and be driven by a primary drive shaft;   a secondary drive shaft coupled to the gear assembly, the secondary drive shaft being driven by the gear assembly; and   a pair of paddle drums, each coupled to the secondary drive shaft, the pair of paddle drums being driven by the secondary drive shaft, each paddle drum having a plurality of mounted blades, each paddle drum being capable of providing thrust upon rotation when partially submerged.   
     
     
         11 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the primary drive shaft couples to and is driven by one of:
 an outboard marine engine; and   an air-cooled marine engine.   
     
     
         12 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary drive is connected to the primary drive in perpendicular relationship. 
     
     
         13 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the blades are capable of producing thrust upon engagement with a bottom surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         14 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the blades include rods operable to improve engagement on sandy bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the blades include a plurality of blades pivotally coupled to an outer surface of each paddle drum substantially parallel to a center axis of each paddle drum. 
     
     
         16 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the blades have a predetermined width, height, shape, and profile. 
     
     
         17 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the blades are formed of one of:
 plastic;   aluminum;   metal; and   stainless steel.   
     
     
         18 . A propulsion system operable to replace a marine propeller system, the propulsion system comprising:
 an armature housing operable to be mounted on a trolling motor positioning shaft;   a deflection shield coupled to the armature housing;   an armature mounted within the armature housing, the armature being electrically coupled to an electrical source;   a field component operable to produce a magnetic flux with which the armature interacts so as to produce an electromotive force to rotate a drive shaft coupled to the armature; and   at least one paddle drum coupled to the drive shaft, the at least one paddle drum rotating about the drive shaft, wherein blades are mounted on the at least one paddle drum, the blades being operable to produce thrust when partially submerged, or when engaged with a solid bottom surface of a body of water.   
     
     
         19 . The propulsion system of  claim 18 , wherein the propulsion system can pivot about the positioning shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The propulsion system of  claim 18 , wherein the blades include a plurality of blades pivotally coupled to an outer surface of the at least one paddle drum substantially parallel to a center axis of the at least one paddle drum, wherein the blades and deflection shield have a predetermined width, height, shape, and profile, and wherein the blades and deflection shield are formed of plastic, aluminum, metal, or stainless steel.