Boat propulsion assemblies and methods
View Patent ↗Boat propulsion assemblies are provided that can include: a water pump operatively coupled to a first conduit in fluid communication with one portion of a hull of the boat; and a water source in fluid communication with the water pump. Methods for propelling a boat are also provided that can include using a water pump to express water outwardly from one portion of a hull and propelling the boat. Propulsion assemblies may also be configured with: a first conduit extending from a first portion of a hull of the boat to a second portion of the hull of the boat; and a first pump operatively aligned along the first conduit and configured to convey water between the first and second portions of the hull of the boat. Methods for propelling a boat can also include: intaking water at a first portion of the hull of the boat; conveying the water to a second portion of the hull of the boat; and expressing the water at the second portion of the hull to propel the boat. Boat propulsion assemblies of the present disclosure can also include: an underwater member moveable in relation to the boat; and a conduit operably engaged with the member and configured to express water from a portion of the member. Methods for propelling a boat can additionally include expressing water from an underwater member to move the boat.
1. A boat propulsion assembly comprising:
a hydraulically powered centrifugal or flexible vane impeller water pump operatively coupled to a first conduit in fluid communication with one portion of a hull of the boat; and
a water source in fluid communication with the water pump.
2. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic fluid pump operatively engaged with the hydraulically powered water pump.
3. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 2 further comprising an engine operatively engaged with the hydraulic fluid pump.
4. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 3 further comprising a valve operatively aligned between the hydraulic fluid pump and the hydraulically powered water pump.
5. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 4 further comprising processing circuitry operationally coupled to the valve.
6. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 1 wherein the one portion of the boat hull is below the water line.
7. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 1 wherein the water source is outside another portion of the hull of the boat.
8. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 7 further comprising a second conduit extending between the other portion of the hull of the boat and the water pump.
9. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 1 wherein the water source is within the hull of the boat.
10. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 9 wherein the water source is at least one of a ballast container, an engine cooling system, and/or an exhaust cooling system.
11. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 10 further comprising a second conduit extending between the water pump and the at least one of the ballast container, engine cooling system, and/or exhaust cooling system.
12. A method for propelling a boat, the method comprising using a hydraulically powered centrifugal or flexible vane impeller water pump to express water outwardly from one portion of a hull and propelling the boat.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising withdrawing the water from within the hull of the boat using the water pump.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising withdrawing the water from within the at least one of a ballast container, engine cooling system, and/or exhaust cooling system within the hull of the boat.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising withdrawing the water from outside the hull of the boat.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising withdrawing the water from underneath the hull of the boat.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising withdrawing the water from the same side of the hull of the boat.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising withdrawing the water from the opposite side of the hull of the boat.
19. The method of claim 12 further comprising reversing the flow of water prior to or after propelling the boat.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising propelling the boat in a first direction, the reversing the flow of water propelling the boat in a second direction.
21. A boat propulsion assembly comprising:
a first conduit extending from a first portion of a hull of the boat to a second portion of the hull of the boat;
a first centrifugal or flexible vane impeller water pump operatively aligned along the first conduit and configured to convey water between the first and second portions of the hull of the boat.
22. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 21 wherein the first water pump is hydraulically powered.
23. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 22 further comprising a hydraulic fluid motor operatively coupled to the water pump.
24. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 23 further comprising a first hydraulic valve operatively coupled to the hydraulic fluid motor.
25. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 24 further comprising processing circuitry operatively coupled to the first valve.
26. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 21 further comprising:
a second conduit extending from a third portion of the hull of the boat to a fourth portion of the hull of the boat; and
a second centrifugal or flexible vane impeller water pump operatively aligned along the second conduit and configured to convey water between the third and fourth portions of the hull of the boat.
27. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 26 wherein each of the first and second water pumps are hydraulically powered.
28. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 27 further comprising at least one hydraulic fluid pump operatively coupled to a prime mover and the first and second hydraulically powered water pumps.
29. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 28 further comprising first and second valves each operatively coupled respectively to the first and second hydraulically powered water pumps.
30. The boat propulsion assembly of claim 29 further comprising processing circuitry operatively coupled to both the first and second valves.