Electrically powered watercraft
Improvements to electrically powered watercraft including kayaks are disclosed. The watercraft comprises a hull defining a cavity and a battery powered retractable propulsion unit. The retractable propulsion unit can be retracted into the cavity with powered or unpowered means. Various retractable propulsion units are disclosed, including propulsion units that are steerable wherein the thrust can be selectively directed. Specific embodiments to improve the steerability of electrically powered watercraft are disclosed. Mechanisms for disengaging the steering controls from the retractable propulsion units are also disclosed. Locking mechanisms for locking the retractable propulsion unit in an extended or fully retracted position are also disclosed.
1. An electrically powered watercraft having an intended forward direction of travel, the watercraft comprising:
a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the watercraft;
propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the watercraft, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat; and
a steerable retractable propulsion unit comprising:
a motor;
a driveshaft;
a propeller;
wherein the driveshaft transfers force from the motor to the propeller; and
wherein the propulsion unit is removable from the watercraft, the propulsion unit comprising a selective connection that secures the driveshaft and establishes electrical connections between the propulsion unit and watercraft.
2. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary motor configured to retract the propeller, wherein the secondary motor is coupled to a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to a raise/lower strut, such that when the secondary motor turns the gear, the raise/lower strut applies a force that rotates the driveshaft and propeller about a pivot point.
3. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic limit switch and one or more magnets, wherein the magnetic limit switch is configured to detect a magnet position and signal a rotational position of the driveshaft and propeller to a controller.
4. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 1 , wherein the driveshaft and propeller are configured with a latch that releases when a given impact force is exceeded, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
5. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 1 , wherein the driveshaft and propeller are configured with a hinge with a safety pin, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
6. An electrically powered watercraft having an intended forward direction of travel, the watercraft comprising:
a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the watercraft;
a propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the watercraft, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat; and
a steerable retractable propulsion unit comprising:
a motor;
a driveshaft;
a propeller;
wherein the driveshaft transfers force from the motor to the propeller; and
wherein the driveshaft and propeller are configured with a latch that releases when a given impact force is exceeded, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
7. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , wherein the latch comprises a flexible latch that gives way under the force of an impact.
8. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , wherein the driveshaft and propeller are configured with a hinge with a safety pin, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
9. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , wherein the propulsion unit comprises a pull-style motor, said pull-style motor comprising a push-style trolling motor, wherein the battery leads on the push-style trolling motor are reversed, and wherein the push-style trolling motor is rotated 180 degrees, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
10. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , wherein the propulsion unit is removable from the watercraft, the propulsion unit comprising a selective connection that secures the driveshaft and establishes electrical connections between the propulsion unit and watercraft.
11. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , further comprising a secondary motor configured to retract the propeller, wherein the secondary motor is coupled to a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to a raise/lower strut, such that when the secondary motor turns the gear, the raise/lower strut applies a force that rotates the driveshaft and propeller about a pivot point.
12. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 6 , further comprising a magnetic limit switch and one or more magnets, wherein the magnetic limit switch is configured to detect a magnet position and signal a rotational position of the driveshaft and propeller to a controller.
13. An electrically powered watercraft having an intended forward direction of travel, the watercraft comprising:
a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the watercraft;
a propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the watercraft, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat; and
a steerable retractable propulsion unit comprising:
a motor;
a driveshaft;
a propeller;
wherein the driveshaft transfers force from the motor to the propeller; and
wherein the driveshaft and propeller are configured a hinge with a safety pin, allowing the driveshaft and propeller to fold upward when impacted.
14. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 13 , further comprising a secondary motor configured to retract the propeller, wherein the secondary motor is coupled to a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to a raise/lower strut, such that when the secondary motor turns the gear, the raise/lower strut applies a force that rotates the driveshaft and propeller about a pivot point.
15. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 13 , further comprising a magnetic limit switch and one or more magnets, wherein the magnetic limit switch is configured to detect a magnet position and signal a rotational position of the driveshaft and propeller to a controller.
16. An electrically powered watercraft having an intended forward direction of travel, the watercraft comprising:
a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the watercraft;
a propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the watercraft, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat;
a steerable retractable propulsion unit comprising:
a motor;
a driveshaft;
a propeller;
wherein the driveshaft transfers force from the motor to the propeller; and
a secondary motor configured to retract the propeller, wherein the secondary motor is coupled to a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to a raise/lower strut, such that when the secondary motor turns the gear, the raise/lower strut applies a force that rotates the driveshaft and propeller about a pivot point.
17. The electrically powered watercraft of claim 16 , further comprising a magnetic limit switch and one or more magnets, wherein the magnetic limit switch is configured to detect a magnet position and signal a rotational position of the driveshaft and propeller to a controller.
18. An electrically powered watercraft having an intended forward direction of travel, the watercraft comprising:
a seat formed in a cavity defined by a hull of the watercraft;
a propulsion unit cavity defined by the hull of the watercraft, wherein the propulsion unit cavity is separate from the cavity with the seat;
a steerable retractable propulsion unit comprising:
a motor;
a driveshaft;
a propeller;
wherein the driveshaft transfers force from the motor to the propeller; and
a magnetic limit switch and one or more magnets, wherein the magnetic limit switch is configured to detect a magnet position and signal a rotational position of the driveshaft and propeller to a controller.