초록 ▼

A propulsion drive system for boats that is operated by wind power is disclosed. Upon initial observation of a boat equipped with the invention, it looks like a conventional boat. However, after closer inspection, it can be seen that a mast located at the rear of the boat supports a windmill structu

A propulsion drive system for boats that is operated by wind power is disclosed. Upon initial observation of a boat equipped with the invention, it looks like a conventional boat. However, after closer inspection, it can be seen that a mast located at the rear of the boat supports a windmill structure. The windmill operates in a horizontal manner, similar to that of an anemometer. The central drive shaft is routed down the mast where it terminates in a gear box which increases the revolutions per minute by a factor of approximately 20 to 1. The output of the gearbox, complete with a clutch, is then routed to a propellor on the rear of the boat which is then used in a conventional manner. The features of the invention provide all of the advantages of a wind-powered boat without any of the disadvantages.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A propulsion apparatus for a boat comprising:a vertical shaft assembly axially rotatable, said shaft assembly having a superior shaft engaging an intermediate shaft, said intermediate shaft engaging an inferior shaft;a hub affixed to said superior shaft, said hub having a plurality of arms radiat

1. A propulsion apparatus for a boat comprising:a vertical shaft assembly axially rotatable, said shaft assembly having a superior shaft engaging an intermediate shaft, said intermediate shaft engaging an inferior shaft;a hub affixed to said superior shaft, said hub having a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, each one of said arms having a wind cup at a distal end thereof, and a gearbox housing affixed to said boat, said gearbox housing mechanically coupling said intermediate shaft and said inferior shaft to a propellor;a speed adjustment lever operatively engaging a speed reduction mechanism within said gearbox housing, said lever adjustable so that said mechanism reduces the rotational energy imparted by said shaft assembly;said propellor external to said boat, said propellor having a propellor shaft operatively coupled to said inferior shaft;wherein air strikes one of said wind cups and concomitantly rotates said hub and said shaft in the axial direction corresponding to the direction of said wind cup, the rotational energy generated by said shaft assembly is transferred through said gearbox and to said propellor to mobilize said boat.2. The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wind cups have a convex surface complimentary to an opposing concave surface, said concave surface capturing wind for axially displacing said arms and said hub.3. The propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of arms comprises three arms, said arms equidistant from adjacent said arms.4. The propulsion apparatus of claim 3, wherein said wind cups are aligned facing in the same axial direction.5. The propulsion apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of arms comprises four arms, said arms equidistant from adjacent said arms.6. The propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein said wind cups are aligned facing in the same axial direction.7. The propulsion apparatus of claim 5, wherein said arms comprises:a first arm, a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm;said first arm and said third arm co-axially aligned, said wind cups corresponding to said first arm and said third arm facing opposing compass directions; andsaid second arm and said fourth arm co-axially aligned, said wind cups corresponding to said second arm and said fourth arm facing opposing compass directions.8. The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gearbox housing comprises:a first bearing seal through which said intermediate shaft engages said inferior shaft;a second bearing seal through which said lever engages said mechanism;a third bearing seal through which said propellor shaft engages said inferior shaft; anda support bearing seal at a base of said gearbox housing, said support bearing seal providing support to said shaft assembly.9. The propulsion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inferior shaft engages a large diameter gear engaging a small diameter gear, said small diameter gear engages said propellor shaft, and rotational energy imparted by said inferior shaft rotates said large diameter gear and said small diameter gear, thereby rotating said propellor shaft and said propellor, thereby propelling said boat.10. A propulsion apparatus for a boat comprising:a vertical shaft assembly axially rotatable, said shaft assembly having a superior shaft engaging an intermediate shaft, said intermediate shaft engaging an inferior shaft;a hub affixed to said superior shaft, said hub having a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, each one of said arms having a wind cup at a distal end thereof;said superior shaft removable from said shaft assembly, said arms foldable for parallel alignment with said superior shaft; anda gearbox affixed to said boat, said gearbox mechanically coupling said intermediate shaft and said inferior shaft to a propellor;a speed adjustment lever operatively engaging a small diameter gear engaging a large diameter gear, said large diameter gear engaging said inferior shaft, said lever turned for rotating said gears and imparting rotational energy along said inferior shaft to a propellor, said lever provided for occasions when air current is negligible for rotating said shaft assembly;said propellor external to said boat, said propellor having a propellor shaft operatively coupled to said inferior shaft;wherein air strikes one of said wind cups and concomitantly rotates said hub and said shaft in the axial direction corresponding to the direction of said wind cup, the rotational energy generated by said shaft assembly is transferred through said gearbox and to said propellor to mobilize said boat.11. The propulsion apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wind cups have a convex surface complimentary to an opposing concave surface, said concave surface capturing wind for axially displacing said arms and said hub, said wind cups aligned facing in the same axial direction; andsaid plurality of arms comprising three arms, said arms equidistant from adjacent said arms.12. The propulsion apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wind cups have a convex surface complimentary to an opposing concave surface, said concave surface capturing wind for axially displacing said arms and said hub, said wind cups aligned facing in the same axial direction; andsaid plurality of arms comprises four arms, said arms equidistant from adjacent said arms.13. The propulsion apparatus of claim 10, wherein said gearbox housing comprises:a first bearing seal through which said intermediate shaft engages said inferior shaft;a second bearing seal through which said lever engages said mechanism;a third bearing seal through which said propellor shaft engages said inferior shaft; anda support bearing seal at a base of said gearbox housing, said support bearing seal providing support to said shaft assembly.