Watercraft propulsion system

Abstract

A power and control module for a watercraft propulsion system having an electric motor unit is disclosed. In one embodiment. the module includes a housing having a first surface including a first region for receiving an appendage supporting or containing the electric motor unit and a second surface including a second region for contacting an underside of a hull of the watercraft; an electrical power source located within the housing; and an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit.

1 . A power and control module for a watercraft propulsion system having an electric motor unit, the module comprising:
 a housing having a first surface including a first region for receiving an appendage supporting or containing the electric motor unit and a second surface including a second region for contacting an underside of a hull of a watercraft;   an electrical power source located within the housing; and   an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit.   
     
     
         2 . The power and control module according to  claim 1 , further including control electronics located within the housing, the control electronics operably associated with the electrical power source to control an operational power of an electric motor of the electric motor unit. 
     
     
         3 . The power and control module according to  claim 2 , wherein the control electronics includes a receiver for receiving a command signal communicated by a transmitter of an external controller module. 
     
     
         4 . The power and control module according to  claim 3 , wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver and wherein the external controller module is a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         5 . The power and control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a body having plural through holes for receiving a respective fastener therethrough for securing the appendage to the hull via the power and control module in use. 
     
     
         6 . The power and control module according to  claim 5 , wherein the body is a generally brick-shaped element, wherein the first surface is an upper or top surface of the body, and wherein the second surface is a lower or underside surface of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The power and control module according to  claim 5 , wherein the plural through holes have a mapping which corresponds with a mapping of plural holes located on the underside of the hull. 
     
     
         8 . A power and control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a nose section, the nose section being removable from a body of the housing to access an interior compartment of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The power and control module according to  claim 8 , wherein the nose section is shaped to improve hydrodynamic flow over the body of the housing in use. 
     
     
         10 . The power and control module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an aft section, the aft section being removable from a body of the housing to access an interior compartment of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The power and control module according to  claim 10 , wherein the removable aft section is shaped to improve hydrodynamic flow over the body of the housing in use. 
     
     
         12 . A watercraft propulsion system comprising:
 a power and control module including:
 a housing having a first surface including a first region for receiving an appendage supporting or containing an electric motor unit and a second surface including a second region for contacting an underside of a hull of a watercraft; 
 an electrical power source located within the housing; and 
 an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit; and 
   the appendage mechanically attached to the first region of the power and control module; and   the electric motor unit mechanically attached to the appendage and electrically connected to the electrical interface of the power and control module.   
     
     
         13 . A watercraft propulsion system, comprising:
 a power and control module including:
 a housing having a first surface including a first region for receiving an appendage supporting or containing an electric motor unit and a second surface including a second region for contacting an underside of a hull of a watercraft; 
 an electrical power source located within the housing; and 
 an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit; and 
   the electric motor unit electrically connected to the electrical interface of the power and control module.   
     
     
         14 . The watercraft propulsion system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a controller located within an interior compartment of the housing, the controller being operatively associated with the electrical power source to control an operational power of an electric motor of the electric motor unit depending on wireless command signals transmitted by a transmitter of an external control module,
 wherein the controller includes a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless command signals, said wireless receiver including an antenna, and   wherein the second surface includes a window which is transmissive to the wireless command signals to provide a signal propagation path which allows the wireless command signals to be received by the antenna.   
     
     
         15 . A watercraft, comprising:
 a hull; and   a watercraft propulsion system including:
 a power and control module including:
 a housing having a first surface including a first region for receiving an appendage supporting or containing an electric motor unit and a second surface including a second region for contacting an underside of the hull of the watercraft; 
 an electrical power source located within the housing; 
 an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit; and 
 a controller located within an interior compartment of the housing, the controller being operatively associated with the electrical power source to control an operational power of an electric motor of the electric motor unit depending on wireless command signals transmitted by a transmitter of an external control module, 
 
   wherein the controller includes a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless command signals, said wireless receiver including an antenna,   wherein the second surface includes a window which is transmissive to the wireless command signals to provide a signal propagation path which allows the wireless command signals to be receive by the antenna, and   wherein the power and control module is positioned and retained between the appendage and the underside of the hull of the watercraft.   
     
     
         16 . The watercraft according to  claim 15 , wherein the watercraft is a foiling surf or a paddle board and wherein the appendage is a foiling unit having a mast to which the electric motor unit is attached for slidable adjustment therealong. 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft according to  claim 15 , wherein the watercraft is a surf board or a kayak and wherein the appendage is a fin having an integrated electric motor unit. 
     
     
         18 . A watercraft comprising:
 a hull having an underside and an upper side or deck;   a power and control module located on the underside of the hull, the power and control module comprising:
 a housing having a first region for receiving an appendage in a downwardly depending orientation from the housing, the appendage for supporting or containing an electric motor unit; 
 an electrical power source located within the housing; 
 an electrical interface for completing an electrical circuit including the electrical power source and the electric motor unit; and 
 control electronics located within the housing, the control electronics operably associated with the electrical power source to control an operational power of the electric motor unit, the control electronics including a receiver having an antenna for receiving a wireless command signal communicated by a transmitter of an external controller module through the hull of the watercraft. 
   
     
     
         19 . The watercraft according to  claim 18 , wherein the housing includes a window which is transmissive to wireless signals transmitted by the external controller, said window being in contacting relationship with the underside of the hull, wherein the window and hull provide a signal propagation path which allows the wireless signals to be received by the antenna. 
     
     
         20 . The power and control module according to  claim 4 , wherein the second surface includes a window which is transmissive to wireless signals, and wherein the wireless receiver includes an antenna for receiving the wireless signals communicated through the window, said wireless signals transmitted by the external controller module.