Rudder technologies for outboard motors

Abstract

A device including an outboard motor including a jet outlet portion, a stabilizer plate, and a rudder, where the stabilizer plate includes a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion is proximal to the jet outlet portion, where the second end portion is distal to the jet outlet portion, where the rudder extends from the stabilizer plate between the first end portion and the second end portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outboard motor comprising:
 a lower unit having a port side and a starboard side;   a monolithic stabilizer plate having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the lower unit is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion such that (1) the port side opposes the first end portion and (2) the starboard side opposes the second end portion, wherein the monolithic stabilizer plate is positionally fixed relative to the lower unit;   a first rudder extending from the monolithic stabilizer plate between the port side and the first end portion, wherein the first rudder is positionally fixed relative to the monolithic stabilizer plate; and   a second rudder extending from the monolithic stabilizer plate between the starboard side and second end portion, wherein the second rudder is positionally fixed relative to the monolithic stabilizer plate.   
     
     
         2 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is monolithic with the monolithic stabilizer plate, wherein the second rudder is monolithic with the monolithic stabilizer plate. 
     
     
         3 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is secured to the monolithic stabilizer plate via a plurality of first fasteners in a first manner, wherein the second rudder is secured to the monolithic stabilizer plate via a plurality of second fasteners in a second manner. 
     
     
         4 . The outboard motor of  claim 3 , wherein the first manner is same as the second manner. 
     
     
         5 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic stabilizer plate and the first rudder is in a first T-shape relationship, wherein the monolithic stabilizer plate and the second rudder are in a second T-shape relationship. 
     
     
         6 . The outboard motor of  claim 5 , wherein the first relationship is same as the second relationship. 
     
     
         7 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is parallel to the second rudder. 
     
     
         8 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is non-parallel to the second rudder. 
     
     
         9 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third rudder extending from the monolithic stabilizer plate.   
     
     
         10 . The outboard motor of  claim 9 , wherein the third rudder extends from the monolithic stabilizer plate between at least one of between the port side and the first end portion or the starboard side and the second end portion. 
     
     
         11 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic stabilizer plate includes a U-shaped portion from which the first rudder and the second rudder extend. 
     
     
         12 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic stabilizer plate includes a C-shaped portion from which the first rudder and the second rudder extend. 
     
     
         13 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is an only rudder extending from the monolithic stabilizer plate between the port side and the first end portion, wherein the second rudder is an only rudder extending from the monolithic stabilizer plate between the starboard side and second end portion. 
     
     
         14 . The outboard motor of  claim 1 , wherein the first rudder is fastened to the monolithic stabilizer plate via at least two first fasteners such that the at least two first fasteners extend through the monolithic stabilizer and the first rudder in at least two first co-aligned locations, wherein the second rudder is fastened to the monolithic stabilizer plate via at least two second fasteners such that the at least two second fasteners extend through the monolithic stabilizer and the second rudder in at least two second co-aligned locations.