IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,420,901
Granted Patent B2
US 12,420,901 · App. 17/943,854 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Ship propulsion machine and ship propulsion machine set

Inventors: Masatoshi Kimpara (Hamamatsu, JP); Takuya Sato (Hamamatsu, JP)
Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
B63H20/28B63H5/125B63H11/08B63H2020/323
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,420,901
App. No.
17/943,854
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ship propulsion machine includes a ship propulsion machine main body and a propulsion module. The ship propulsion machine main body includes a power source, a tank storing cooling liquid, a heat sink cooling the cooling liquid, a cooling liquid passage connecting the power source and the heat sink, a pump causing the cooling liquid to flow in the cooling liquid passage, a first housing part housing the heat sink. The propulsion module includes a drive shaft rotated by the power source and a propulsion device converting rotation of the drive shaft into the propulsion force. A connection mechanism separably connecting an output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is provided on the power source and on the drive shaft. The first housing part and the propulsion device are provided with an attachment mechanism detachably attaching the propulsion module.

Claims (53)

1. A ship propulsion machine comprising:

a ship propulsion machine main body; and

a propulsion module configured to generate a propulsion force of a ship using power generated by the ship propulsion machine main body, wherein

the ship propulsion machine main body includes:

a power source;

a tank that stores cooling liquid that cools the power source;

a heat sink that cools the cooling liquid;

a cooling liquid passage connecting the power source and the heat sink such that the cooling liquid circulates between the power source and the heat sink;

a pump configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow in the cooling liquid passage;

a mount supporting the power source, the tank, and the pump; and

a first housing part disposed below the mount and housing the heat sink,

the propulsion module includes:

a drive shaft extending in an upper-lower direction and configured to be rotated by power of the power source; and

a propulsion device connected to a lower end side of the drive shaft and configured to convert rotation of the drive shaft into the propulsion force of the ship,

the first housing part is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the drive shaft is removably inserted,

a connection mechanism that separably connects an output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is provided on the power source and on an upper end side of the drive shaft, and

the first housing part and the propulsion device are provided with an attachment mechanism that detachably attaches the propulsion module to a lower portion of the first housing part.

2. The ship propulsion machine according to claim 1 , wherein

the propulsion device includes:

a gear mechanism to which the lower end side of the drive shaft is connected;

a propeller shaft connected to the gear mechanism;

a propeller attached to the propeller shaft; and

a second housing part housing the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft.

3. The ship propulsion machine according to claim 1 , wherein

the propulsion device includes:

a duct; and

an impeller provided in the duct and configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive shaft and to generate a jet flow.

4. A ship propulsion machine set comprising:

a ship propulsion machine main body;

a propeller propulsion module configured to generate a propulsion force of a ship using power generated by the ship propulsion machine main body; and

a water jet propulsion module configured to generate the propulsion force of the ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion machine main body, in which

the ship propulsion machine set is used by selecting one of the propeller propulsion module and the water jet propulsion module and attaching the selected module to the ship propulsion machine main body, wherein

the ship propulsion machine main body includes:

a power source;

a tank configured to store cooling liquid that cools the power source;

a heat sink that cools the cooling liquid;

a cooling liquid passage connecting the power source and the heat sink such that the cooling liquid circulates between the power source and the heat sink;

a pump configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow in the cooling liquid passage;

a mount supporting the power source, the tank, and the pump; and

a first housing part disposed below the mount and housing the heat sink,

the propeller propulsion module includes:

a first drive shaft extending in an upper-lower direction and configured to be rotated by power of the power source;

a gear mechanism to which a lower end side of the first drive shaft is connected;

a propeller shall connected to the gear mechanism;

a propeller attached to the propeller shaft; and

a second housing part housing the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft,

the water jet propulsion module includes:

a second drive shaft extending in the upper-lower direction and configured to be rotated by the power of the power source;

a duct; and

an impeller that is provided in the duct and configured to be rotated by rotation of the second drive shaft and to generate a jet flow,

the first housing part is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are configured to be selectively inserted,

a connection mechanism configured to selectively connect the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to an output shaft of the power source is provided on the power source, an upper end side of the first drive shaft, and an upper end side of the second drive shaft, and

the first housing part, the second housing part, and the duct are provided with an attachment mechanism to which the propeller propulsion module and the water jet propulsion module are configured to be selectively attached to a lower portion of the first housing part.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2022
From: KIMPARA, MASATOSHI; SATO, TAKUYA
To: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061080/0210 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2021-152544 · Sep 17, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230086934A1 · Mar 23, 2023
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