Bow and stern thrusters for watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft is described herein. The watercraft comprises a body including an outer surface having at least one recess extending generally inward. The watercraft also comprises a cassette disposed at least partially within the at least one recess, the cassette housing a drive system including at least one electric motor and at least one impeller coupled to the at least one electric motor. The cassette further comprising a surface having a water intake and a water exhaust port, and wherein the cassette is disposed within the at least one recess such that the base surface of the cassette substantially matches the adjacent outer surface of the body around the recess to form a smooth body outer surface having water intake and exhaust ports therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft, comprising:
 a hull configured to float in water;   at least one recess formed on the hull and extending generally inward; and   at least one cassette disposed at least partially within the at least one recess, the cassette housing a drive system including at least one electric motor and at least one impeller coupled to the at least one electric motor, the cassette further comprising a water intake port and a water exhaust port,   wherein the at least one cassette is disposed within the at least one recess such that the base surface of the cassette substantially matches an adjacent outer surface of the hull around the recess to form a smooth body outer surface having water intake and exhaust ports therein.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one recess comprises a first recess positioned on a port side of the hull proximal to a bow of the hull and a second recess positioned on a starboard side of the hull proximal to the bow of the hull; and   the at least one cassette comprises a first cassette disposed within the first recess and a second cassette disposed within the second recess.   
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the first cassette is configured to generate a propulsive force that moves the bow of the watercraft in a starboard direction, and the second cassette is configured to generate a propulsive force that moves the bow of the watercraft in a port direction. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second recess are generally oriented in a horizontal position. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second recess are generally oriented in a vertical position. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one recess comprises a first recess positioned on a port side of the hull proximal to a stern of the hull and a second recess positioned on a starboard side of the hull proximal to the stern of the hull; and   the at least one cassette comprises a first cassette disposed within the first recess and a second cassette disposed within the second recess.   
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 6 , wherein the first cassette is configured to generate a propulsive force that moves the stern of the watercraft in a starboard direction, and the second cassette is configured to generate a propulsive force that moves the stern of the watercraft in a port direction. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second recess are generally oriented in a horizontal position. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second recess are generally oriented in a vertical position. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one recess comprises a first recess positioned on an underside side of the hull proximal to a stern of the hull and a second recess positioned on an underside side of the hull proximal to the stern of the hull; and   the at least one cassette comprises a first cassette disposed within the first recess and a second cassette disposed within the second recess.   
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the cassette comprises at least one motor controller. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one motor controller is coupled to a power source. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert disposed in the at least one recess. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein the insert comprises a protrusion and wherein at least a portion of the cassette comprises an indentation. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the protrusion is at least partially received within the indentation. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein the cassette is removably coupled to the insert.