IP Library Granted Patent US 12668343
Granted Patent B2
US 12668343 · App. 18/262,203 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Ship propulsion device and battery temperature adjustment method

Inventor: Mutsuhiko Takeda (Kyoto, JP)
Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
B63H20/28B63H21/17
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668343
App. No.
18/262,203
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ship propulsion device includes: a motor; a battery; a temperature-adjustment-water flow path including a first route passing through a first exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the battery; a route switch unit switchable between a state which permits a flow of water to the first route and a state which restricts the flow of the water to the first route; a first temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the battery; a second temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the water; and a controller which controls the route switch unit utilizing the temperatures detected.

Claims (16)

1 . A ship propulsion device comprising:

a motor which drives a propulsion unit;

a battery which supplies electric power to the motor;

a temperature-adjustment-water flow path through which water outside a hull flows, the temperature-adjustment-water flow path including a first route which passes through a first exchanger connected to the battery in a heat exchangeable manner;

a route switch unit switchable between a permitted state and a restricted state, the permitted state permitting a flow of the water to the first route, the restricted state restricting the flow of the water to the first route;

a first temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the battery;

a second temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the water; and

a controller which controls the route switch unit based on the temperature of the battery detected by the first temperature sensor and the temperature of the water detected by the second temperature sensor,

wherein the controller:

sets the route switch unit to the permitted state at least one of (i) when the temperature of the battery exceeds a predetermined upper limit value and the temperature of the water is lower than the temperature of the battery or (ii) when the temperature of the battery is lower than a predetermined lower limit value and the temperature of the water exceeds the temperature of the battery;

sets the route switch unit to the restricted state at least one of (i) when the temperature of the battery exceeds the predetermined upper limit value and the temperature of the water exceeds the temperature of the battery, or (ii) when the temperature of the battery is lower than the predetermined lower limit value and the temperature of the water is lower than the temperature of the battery; and

a power converter which converts the electric power of the battery and supplies the electric power after the conversion to the motor,

wherein the temperature-adjustment-water flow path includes a second route which passes through a second heat exchanger without passing through the first exchanger, the second heat exchanger being connected to the power converter in a heat exchangeable manner, and

the route switch unit permits a flow of the water to the second route in the restricted state.

2 . The ship propulsion device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first route passes through the second heat exchanger.