Watercraft with electric drive system

Abstract

A watercraft includes a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull. An electrically-powered propulsion pod is engaged with the hull on opposite sides of the keel. A single control unit is in communication with the propulsion pods, wherein the single control unit is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull. An associated method of forming a watercraft is also provided.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A watercraft, comprising:
 a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull;   two electrically-powered propulsion pods engaged with the hull and arranged on opposite sides of the keel; and   a single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods, the single control unit being arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are fixedly engaged with the hull with the propulsion units arranged in a fixed orientation such that the thrust is produced substantially parallel to the keel. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is arranged to direct the propulsion units to produce a different amount of thrust or a different direction of thrust between the propulsion units so as to control steering of the hull. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each propulsion pod includes an electric motor engaged with a propulsion unit, the electric motor and the propulsion unit being arranged to cooperate to produce thrust, and wherein the electric motor is mounted in the propulsion pod externally to the hull. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein the electric motor is arranged in a direct drive relation with the propulsion unit, and wherein the control unit is arranged to reverse polarity to the electric motor to change a thrust direction of the propulsion unit to control the direction of the hull. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are engaged with the hull such that the propulsion units are forward of the transom. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods are engaged with the hull adjacent to the transom such that the propulsion units extend aft of the transom. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the propulsion pods are fixedly engaged with the hull and are spaced apart toward opposing sides of the hull away from the keel. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein the propulsion pods fixedly engaged with the hull are arranged with respect to the hull such that the propulsion units extend downwardly from the hull equal to or less than the keel. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , comprising a power source within the hull and arranged in communication with the propulsion pods and the control unit, the power source being movable fore and aft within the hull, substantially parallel to the keel. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a single joystick input device arranged to control both propulsion pods, or a pair of joystick input devices with each of the pair of joystick input devices being arranged to control a corresponding one of the propulsion pods. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a watercraft, the watercraft including a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull, the method comprising:
 engaging two electrically-powered propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion pods are arranged on opposite sides of the keel; and   engaging a single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods, such that the single control unit is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull, with the propulsion units arranged in a fixed orientation, such that the thrust is produced substantially parallel to the keel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods such that the control unit is arranged to direct the propulsion units to produce a different amount of thrust or a different direction of thrust between the propulsion units so as to control steering of the hull. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each propulsion pod includes an electric motor engaged with a propulsion unit, the electric motor and the propulsion unit being arranged to cooperate to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises mounting the electric motor in the propulsion pod externally to the hull. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electric motor is arranged in a direct drive relation with the propulsion unit, and wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit in communication with the propulsion pods such that the control unit is arranged to reverse polarity to the electric motor to change a thrust direction of the propulsion unit to control the direction of the hull. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion units are forward of the transom. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises engaging the propulsion pods with the hull adjacent to the transom such that the propulsion units extend aft of the transom. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion pods are spaced apart toward opposing sides of the hull away from the keel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each propulsion pod includes a propulsion unit arranged to produce thrust, and wherein engaging the propulsion pods with the hull comprises fixedly engaging the propulsion pods with the hull such that the propulsion units are arranged with respect to the hull to extend downwardly from the hull equal to or less than the keel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising arranging a power source within the hull in communication with the propulsion pods and the control unit, the power source being movable fore and aft within the hull, substantially parallel to the keel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging the single control unit comprises engaging the single control unit, comprising a single joystick input device arranged to control both propulsion pods, or a pair of joystick input devices with each of the pair of joystick input devices being arranged to control a corresponding one of the propulsion pods, in communication with the propulsion pods.