Propulsion module, propulsion system, watercraft and related methods

Abstract

A propulsion module, a propulsion system, a watercraft, an assembly method for a propulsion module, an assembly method for a propulsion system and an assembly method for a watercraft are provided. The propulsion module includes a waterjet. The propulsion module also includes an electric motor configured to channel seawater through the waterjet, wherein in use, the electric motor is configured to be externally passively cooled by surrounding seawater. Further, the propulsion module includes an electronic speed controller (ESC) connected to the electric motor and configured to control the electric motor, wherein in use, the ESC is configured to be externally passively cooled by the surrounding seawater.

1 . A propulsion module for a watercraft, comprising:
 a waterjet;   an electric motor configured to channel seawater through the waterjet, wherein in use, the electric motor is configured to be externally passively cooled by surrounding seawater; and   an electronic speed controller (ESC) connected to the electric motor and configured to control the electric motor, wherein in use, the ESC is configured to be externally passively cooled by the surrounding seawater.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is a brushless direct current (BLDC) sensored motor. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion module of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor comprises a hollow member disposed along a rotational axis of a rotor of the electric motor, and wherein in use, the electric motor is configured to be further passively cooled by the surrounding seawater channeled through the hollow member by a centrifugal force created by the electric motor. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion module of  claim 1 , wherein the ESC comprises electrical components housed in an ESC casing, and wherein the electrical components are in thermal contact with an inner surface of the ESC casing. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion module of  claim 1 , further comprising a connecting member attached to the ESC and the electric motor, wherein the connecting member is watertight and houses wires connecting the ESC and the electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising:
 a propulsion module, wherein the propulsion module comprises:   
       a waterjet;
 an electric motor configured to channel seawater through the waterjet, wherein in use, the electric motor is configured to be externally passively cooled by surrounding seawater; and 
 an electronic speed controller (ESC) connected to the electric motor and configured to control the electric motor, wherein in use, the ESC is configured to be externally passively cooled by the surrounding seawater; and 
 a power module detachably attachable to the propulsion module, wherein the power module is configured to provide electricity to the propulsion module. 
 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion system of  claim 6 , wherein the power module comprises one or more corrugated surfaces configured to, in use, increase a contact surface area between the power module and the surrounding seawater. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion system of  claim 6 , wherein the power module comprises a first sensor configured to detect that the power module is attached to the propulsion module. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion system of  claim 8 , wherein the power module further comprises a second sensor configured to detect that an external kill switch is attached to the power module. 
     
     
         10 . The propulsion system of  claim 6 , wherein the power module comprises a cam attached to a handle of the power module, and wherein in use, the cam pushes the power module in a direction away from the propulsion module. 
     
     
         11 . A watercraft, comprising:
 a hull module;   a propulsion module detachably attachable to the hull module, wherein the propulsion module comprises:
 a waterjet; 
   
       an electric motor configured to channel seawater through the waterjet, wherein in use, the electric motor is configured to be externally passively cooled by surrounding seawater; and 
       an electronic speed controller (ESC) connected to the electric motor and configured to control the electric motor, wherein in use, the ESC is configured to be externally passively cooled by the surrounding seawater; and
 a power module detachably attachable to the propulsion module, wherein the power module is configured to provide electricity to the propulsion module. 
 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the hull module has a first cavity formed therein, the first cavity configured to receive the propulsion module, and wherein the hull module has a second cavity formed therein, the second cavity configured to receive the power module. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 12 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are on opposite sides of the hull module. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the hull module comprises a plurality of fins disposed at a bottom surface of the hull module that faces the surrounding seawater, and wherein the plurality of fins is configured to provide traction. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller module, wherein the controller module comprises a wireless controller configured to transmit a signal to the ESC based on a user preference. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein the user preference comprises a speed level. 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein the controller module is configured to indicate a connection status between the controller module and the power module. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)