US3619632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outboard generator unit for sailboats
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Power generating apparatus suitable for use on sailboats and the like comprising a relatively large propeller means used as a submerged prime mover and rotatably mounted on the lower end of a substantially vertical, tubular housing containing a drive shaft, a gear assembly for converting said rotary motion of said propeller into a substantially increased rate of revolution for driving an alternator or generator mounted proximate the other end of the shaft above water level. The alternator is used to charge a battery carried inboard the sailboat.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A Labombarde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:40
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63J; B63J3/00; B63J3/04; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H21/00; B63H21/12; B63H21/17; F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; B63B; B63B3/00; B63B3/14; B63B3/38; B63B2003/382; B63B2003/387; B63B2209/00; B63B2209/14; B63J2003/046; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T70/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a sailboat of the type having an auxiliary inboard engine, an engine driven main propeller of predetermined diameter, a generator, and a battery recharged by said generator during engine propulsion of said boat, the combination of: an auxiliary, outboard, hydroelectric unit, detachably mounted centrally of the stern of said boat for recharging said battery during wind propulsion of said boat, said unit comprising, a rigid tube enclosing a drive shaft and having a lower end submerged in the wake of said sailboat and extending substantially vertically to an upper end located well above water level, a relatively large diameter propeller About twice the diameter of said engine driven main propeller mounted to rotate in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis at the lower end of said tube to rotate said drive shaft, a generator fixed at the upper end of said tube, above said water level, power transmission means associated with said tube and driven by said shaft, said means converting slow speed of said propeller to high-speed rotation of said generator, fixed pivot means for tilting said unit to lift said propeller out of the water and split clamp means on said unit encircling said tube for vertically moving said propeller to selected depths below water level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a sailboat of the type having an auxiliary inboard engine, an engine driven main propeller of predetermined diameter, a generator, and a battery recharged by said generator during engine propulsion of said boat, the combination of: an auxiliary, outboard, hydroelectric unit, detachably mounted centrally of the stern of said boat for recharging said battery during wind propulsion of said boat, said unit comprising, a rigid tube enclosing a drive shaft and having a lower end submerged in the wake of said sailboat and extending substantially vertically to an upper end located well above water level, a relatively large diameter propeller About twice the diameter of said engine driven main propeller mounted to rotate in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis at the lower end of said tube to rotate said drive shaft, a generator fixed at the upper end of said tube, above said water level, power transmission means associated with said tube and driven by said shaft, said means converting slow speed of said propeller to high-speed rotation of said generator, fixed pivot means for tilting said unit to lift said propeller out of the water and split clamp means on said unit encircling said tube for vertically moving said propeller to selected depths below water level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination with a sailboat, having an auxiliary engine with a main propeller, an electricity generating apparatus detachably and tiltably mounted outboard of the stern of said boat, said apparatus including: a relatively large diameter impeller, or propeller, at least twice the diameter of said main propeller, and normally submerged below the water line, in the wake, or slipstream of said boat and adapted to be rotated while drawn through the water by said boat; an electricity-producing generator, or alternator, mounted on said apparatus above the waterline of said boat and outside the hull thereof; a substantially vertical, sealed, tubular housing, said housing containing drive shaft means operably connecting said normally submerged propeller to said generator for driving the same, and having said generator mounted thereon above said water line, speed change means in said apparatus, mounted above said waterline and interposed between said drive shaft means and said generator, to rotate said generator at high speed when said propeller is rotated at low speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination with a sailboat, having an auxiliary engine with a main propeller, an electricity generating apparatus detachably and tiltably mounted outboard of the stern of said boat, said apparatus including: a relatively large diameter impeller, or propeller, at least twice the diameter of said main propeller, and normally submerged below the water line, in the wake, or slipstream of said boat and adapted to be rotated while drawn through the water by said boat; an electricity-producing generator, or alternator, mounted on said apparatus above the waterline of said boat and outside the hull thereof; a substantially vertical, sealed, tubular housing, said housing containing drive shaft means operably connecting said normally submerged propeller to said generator for driving the same, and having said generator mounted thereon above said water line, speed change means in said apparatus, mounted above said waterline and interposed between said drive shaft means and said generator, to rotate said generator at high speed when said propeller is rotated at low speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A hydroelectric unit for use on a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a main propeller, a sealed hollow assembly having mechanical power transmission means therewithin, said assembly including a tubular housing mounted vertically outboard of the center of the stern of said boat, the lower end of said housing being below the waterline and normally submerged, and the upper end of said housing being above said waterline, an impeller mounted on the lower end of said housing for rotation in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis and operably connected to said power transmission means, said impeller being at least twice the diameter of said main propeller, an electricity-generator mounted on the upper end of said housing above said waterline and operably connected to said power transmission means, said generator being actuated as said impeller is drawn through the water by said boat when under sail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A hydroelectric unit for use on a sailboat having an auxiliary engine driving a main propeller, a sealed hollow assembly having mechanical power transmission means therewithin, said assembly including a tubular housing mounted vertically outboard of the center of the stern of said boat, the lower end of said housing being below the waterline and normally submerged, and the upper end of said housing being above said waterline, an impeller mounted on the lower end of said housing for rotation in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis and operably connected to said power transmission means, said impeller being at least twice the diameter of said main propeller, an electricity-generator mounted on the upper end of said housing above said waterline and operably connected to said power transmission means, said generator being actuated as said impeller is drawn through the water by said boat when under sail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A hydroelectric unit as specified in claim 3, wherein, said sailboat includes a battery connected to said generator, said generator is compound wound to also serve selectively as a motor and said unit includes split sleeve, clamp means for moving said propeller vertically to a selected depth below said waterline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hydroelectric unit as specified in claim 3, wherein, said power transmission means includes reduction gearing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A hydro-electric unit as specified in claim 3, plus electric starter means operably connected to said impeller for initially turning the same to overcome the inertia thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A hydroelectric unit as specified in claim 3, plus clamp means, tiltably and slidably supporting said housing on said stern, to permit said impeller to be turned from forward to rearward direction, to permit said housing to be lifted until said impeller is above said waterline and to permit said unit to be pivoted to raise said impeller above the waterline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
Electricity-generating apparatus suitable for use on a sailboat, having an engine driven main propeller, said apparatus comprising: a substantially vertical, hollow, tubular housing; a propeller at least twice the diameter of said main propeller rotatably mounted proximate the lower end of said housing, to rotate in a vertical plane below water level, a generator rotatably mounted proximate the upper end of said housing, above water level; pivot clamp means centrally of the stern of said sailboat, for tilting said shaft to raise said propeller, said means being positioned proximate said generator, above water level, speed-increasing gear means including a drive connection in said tubular housing, operably connecting said propeller and said generator to convert slow rotation of said propeller to faster rotation of said generator, and electrical storage means electrically connected to said generator for storing electricity generated thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
Electricity-generating apparatus suitable for use on a sailboat, having an engine driven main propeller, said apparatus comprising: a substantially vertical, hollow, tubular housing; a propeller at least twice the diameter of said main propeller rotatably mounted proximate the lower end of said housing, to rotate in a vertical plane below water level, a generator rotatably mounted proximate the upper end of said housing, above water level; pivot clamp means centrally of the stern of said sailboat, for tilting said shaft to raise said propeller, said means being positioned proximate said generator, above water level, speed-increasing gear means including a drive connection in said tubular housing, operably connecting said propeller and said generator to convert slow rotation of said propeller to faster rotation of said generator, and electrical storage means electrically connected to said generator for storing electricity generated thereby.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, plus starter means on said apparatus for overcoming inertia thereof and thereby reducing the minimum water speed at which said apparatus is useful.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |