Marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system

Abstract

A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system that comprises: an intake section; an impeller/confusor/stator section; a discharge section; a passage extending from an intake opening of the intake section to an outlet of the discharge section, the passage having a length and an axial cross-sectional area, the passage capable of creating a flow path for a water stream on a volumetric basis; and a plurality of internal working parts, the plurality of internal working parts being at least partially accommodated within the passage, wherein the axial cross-sectional area of the passage is increased and decreased throughout the length of the passage to accommodate a volumetric mass of the plurality of the internal working parts while maintaining a constant water volume from the intake opening of the intake section to the outlet of the discharge section.

1 . A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system comprising:
 an intake section;   an impeller/confusor/stator section;   a discharge section;   a passage extending from an intake opening of the intake section to an outlet of the discharge section, the passage having a length and an axial cross-sectional area, the passage capable of creating a flow path for a water stream on a volumetric basis, the passage being shaped to accelerate the water stream through the passage as the water stream is driven through the passage by a prime mover; and   internal working parts, the internal working parts being at least partially accommodated within the passage,   wherein the axial cross-sectional area of the passage is increased and decreased throughout the length of the passage to accommodate a volumetric mass of the internal working parts while maintaining a constant accelerating water volume from the intake opening of the intake section to the outlet of the discharge section so that the water stream maintains a steady-state flow volume through the passage.   
     
     
         2 . A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  wherein the internal working parts includes at least a portion of one of a drive shaft, straightener intake flow guide vanes, pre-swirl stator vanes, an impeller housing, an impeller hub, impeller blades, a confusor/stator housing, a confusor/stator hub, an interchangeable blade assembly including interchangeable blades and stator vanes, a steering shaft, spoke vanes, and flow guide vanes. 
     
     
         3 . A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  wherein a confusor/stator and the discharge section form an exit radius at a transition point between the confusor/stator and the discharge section which allows for a reduction of turbulent flow for the water stream. 
     
     
         4 . A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an exhaust heat exchanger; 
 a confusor/stator housing; 
 an upper steering nozzle; and 
 a lower steering nozzle, wherein the exhaust heat exchanger heats the confusor/stator housing, the upper steering nozzle and the lower steering nozzle. 
 
     
     
         5 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 4  further comprising: a lower steering nozzle, the lower steering nozzle being interchangeable. 
     
     
         6 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 5  wherein the lower steering nozzle includes a jump-up steering vane, the jump-up steering vane being retractable and maintaining the lower steering nozzle in straight position when a marine vessel is in motion. 
     
     
         7 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  further comprising: straightener intake flow guide vanes, the straightener intake flow guide vanes being positioned in front of an impeller, the straightener intake flow guide vanes directing the water stream from the intake opening to a face of an impeller. 
     
     
         8 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  further comprising: an upper steering nozzle; and a lower steering nozzle, wherein the lower steering nozzle is removably attached to an end of the upper steering nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 8  further comprising: stator vanes, the stator vanes being positioned around an interior of the lower steering nozzle thereby controlling a water stream through a radius of the lower steering nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an upper steering nozzle; and 
 a lower steering nozzle, the upper steering nozzle and the lower steering nozzle being interchangeable to permit a change in height of an efflux of the lower steering nozzle and to accommodate an alignment of the efflux with a hull of a marine craft thereby increasing propulsion efficiency.