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Methods and arrangements to redirect a forward thrust generated by a propeller of a watercraft to provide a non-forward thrust are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments comprise a control surface to redirect the forward thrust from the propeller. Based upon a position (i.e., distance and orientation) of the control surface with respect to the propeller, the redirection generates the non-forward thrust or thrusts. By redirecting a component of the forward thrust back toward the bow, the net forward or reverse, port or starboard thrusts and rotational ...
Methods and arrangements to redirect a forward thrust generated by a propeller of a watercraft to provide a non-forward thrust are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments comprise a control surface to redirect the forward thrust from the propeller. Based upon a position (i.e., distance and orientation) of the control surface with respect to the propeller, the redirection generates the non-forward thrust or thrusts. By redirecting a component of the forward thrust back toward the bow, the net forward or reverse, port or starboard thrusts and rotational thrust can be adjusted in fine increments. For instance, by adjusting the amount of prop wash hitting the control surface, the magnitude of the redirected thrust from the control surface can be adjusted. Further, adjusting the angle of the control surfaces adjusts the direction as well as magnitude of a reverse thrust component. The net thrust can be in any direction and rotational.
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1. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust;a first member to couple with the watercraft and the control surface to maintain a distance between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;...
1. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust;a first member to couple with the watercraft and the control surface to maintain a distance between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller; andan adjustable member to couple with the first member to rotate the first member to move the control surface between different positions within the area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to generate a net thrust to steer the watercraft,wherein the first member comprises a rigid member and the apparatus further comprises a non-rigid joint to couple the rigid member with the control surface to restrict movement of the control surface in at least one direction,further comprising a spring coupled between the rigid member and the control surface, wherein the spring is adapted to apply the force to the control surface to maintain the control surface at least partially within the prop wash at least until a magnitude of the thrust reaches a threshold magnitude based upon a loading curve of the spring, which allows the control surface to disengage. 2. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust;a first member to couple with the watercraft to apply force to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller, wherein the first member comprises a rigid member;a non-rigid joint to couple the rigid member with the control surface to restrict movement of the control surface in at least one direction, wherein the non-rigid joint is adapted to rotate the control surface between a first position in which the control surface is substantially perpendicular to the thrust and a second position in which the control surface is substantially parallel to the thrust, wherein positions between the first position and the second position and the shape and size of the control surface are adapted to sufficiently redirect the thrust generated by the propeller to provide a variable, net reverse thrust responsive to the thrust generated by the propeller;a spring coupled between the rigid member and the control surface, wherein the spring is adapted to apply the force to the control surface to maintain the control surface at least partially within the prop wash at least until a magnitude of the thrust reaches a threshold magnitude based upon a loading curve of the spring, which allows the control surface to disengage, wherein the position, shape, and size of the control surface and a loading characteristic of the spring are adapted to sufficiently redirect the thrust generated by the propeller to provide a variable, net reverse thrust responsive to the thrust generated by the propeller; andan adjustable member to couple with the control surface adapted to provide force via a driver in addition to the force applied via the spring to adjust rotation of the control surface between the first position and the second position, the adjustable member to hold the control surface at the first position, the second position, and the positions between the first position and the second position. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second adjustable member and a second control surface to couple with the second adjustable member to operate in conjunction with the control surface to generate the net thrust. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control surface comprises two distinct control plates to couple with the adjustable member to operate in conjunction to generate the net thrust. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control surface comprises two distinct control plates to couple with the adjustable member to operate in conjunction to generate the net thrust. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control surface comprises two distinct rudders. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control surface comprises two distinct control plates to couple with the first member to operate in conjunction to generate the component of non-forward thrust. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second member and a second control surface to couple with the second member to operate in conjunction with the control surface to generate the component of non-forward thrust. 9. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; anda first member to couple with the watercraft to apply force to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller, wherein the first member couples with the control surface and a release mechanism to prevent damage when stresses on the apparatus related to redirecting thrust approach design limits, wherein the first member couples with an overload release valve to reduce hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic system when the hydraulic pressure approaches design limits of the hydraulic system. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member is adjustable and adapted to apply force to the control surface to adjust a distance between the control surface and the propeller, wherein the first member is capable of adjusting the distance between the control surface and the propeller to adjust a magnitude of the net thrust independently from adjustment of an angle of the control surface with respect to the propeller. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable member to couple with the control surface to operate in conjunction with the first member, the adjustable member to substantially adjust the position of the control surface to generate a net thrust that changes the orientation or steers the watercraft, wherein the adjustable member is adapted to apply an angular force to the control surface to adjust an angle of the control surface, which adjusts the angle of impact of the thrust on the control surface. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control surface comprises a plate with a bent edge. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bent edge of the control surface comprises a rounded shape. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bent edge of the control surface comprises an angular shape. 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control surface and the first member comprise at least part of a retrofit kit. 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member comprises a rigid member and the apparatus further comprises a non-rigid joint to couple the rigid member with the control surface to restrict movement of the control surface in at least one direction. 17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a joint to couple the first member with the watercraft via an outboard motor. 18. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a joint to couple the first member with a stern drive of the watercraft. 19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member comprises an arm adapted to limit movement of the control surface in at least one direction. 20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member couples with the control surface via a overload spring to prevent damage when stresses on the apparatus related to redirecting thrust approach design limits. 21. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; anda first member to couple with the watercraft to apply force to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller, wherein the first member is adapted to couple with a rudder of the watercraft to maintain alignment of an axis of rotation for the control surface with an axis of rotation for the propeller. 22. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; andadjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, further comprising disabling control by an operator of the watercraft to move the control surface into the prop wash while the watercraft exceeds a specified speed or the propeller exceeds a revolutions per minute threshold. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein adjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises adjusting a velocity of the watercraft to navigate the watercraft. 24. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller, wherein applying the force comprises holding the control surface in the position via a spring coupled with the control surface;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; andadjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller by adjusting a length of an adjustable member to rotate the first member to move the control surface between different positions within the area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to positions not directly within the area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to generate a net thrust to steer the watercraft. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein adjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises adjusting the position of the control surface to maintain a substantially constant speed. 26. The method of claim 24, wherein adjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises adjusting a distance between the propeller and the control surface. 27. The method of claim 24, wherein adjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises generating a net, non-forward thrust to move the watercraft in a non-forward direction. 28. The method of claim 24, wherein adjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises adjusting an angle of the control surface with respect to the thrust to adjust the magnitude and direction of net thrust. 29. The method of claim 24, wherein applying the force comprises applying pressure to an adjustable arm via a driver system to substantially maintain the control surface in the position. 30. The method of claim 24, wherein redirecting the thrust further comprises releasing the control surface to prevent damage when stresses approach design limits. 31. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust wherein redirecting the thrust comprises generating a net, zero thrust while the control surface is positioned at an angle substantially perpendicular to the prop wash, wherein the net, zero thrust is based upon the position, distance and angle between the control surface and the propeller; andadjusting the position of the control surface with respect to the propeller by adjusting a length of an adjustable member to rotate the first member to move the control surface between different positions within the area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to positions not directly within the area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to generate a net thrust to steer the watercraft. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein adjusting the position comprises sensing a change in the tilt or the trim of the watercraft and responsively adjusting the position of the control surface. 33. The method of claim 31, wherein adjusting the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises detecting a speed of the watercraft and adjusting the position of the control surface based upon the speed. 34. The method of claim 31, wherein adjusting the control surface with respect to the propeller comprises determining the position of the control surface to direct the watercraft toward a set of coordinates. 35. The method of claim 31, wherein redirecting the thrust comprises redirecting at least a portion of the thrust in a non-forward direction to steer the watercraft. 36. The method of claim 31, wherein applying force via the first member comprises applying force to adjust the spatial relationship between two distinct control plates of the control surface and the propeller. 37. The method of claim 31, further comprising applying force via a second member to adjust the spatial relationship between a second control surface and the propeller. 38. The method of claim 31, wherein applying force via the first member comprises applying force to adjust the spatial relationship between two distinct control plates of the control surface and the propeller. 39. The method of claim 31, further comprising applying force via a second member to adjust the spatial relationship between a second control surface and the propeller. 40. A watercraft capable of redirecting a thrust generated by a propeller, the watercraft comprising: a hull having a motor coupled with the propeller to rotate the propeller to expel prop wash to generate the thrust;a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller, based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust, wherein the control surface comprises a first flat surface substantially perpendicular to the thrust and one or more other surfaces operating in conjunction with the first flat surface to redirect the thrust; anda first member to couple with the hull to apply force to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within the prop wash, wherein the first member couples with the control surface via a spring. 41. A control system for a watercraft to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust;an attachment member coupled with the watercraft to apply force to modify the spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;a driver to transmit the force from the watercraft to the attachment member; anda controller to determine an adjustment for the spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller and the communication with the driver to implement the adjustment;wherein the control surface resides in a cavity formed into a hull of the watercraft and is adapted to reflect the thrust while a shaft of an inboard motor is raised to direct the prop wash at least partially into the cavity. 42. A database to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, comprising: thrust data to relate a current spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller with a components of a current redirected thrust;propulsion data to relate the components of the current redirected thrust with a current rotational and spatial velocity and acceleration of the watercraft; anda formula to determine an adjustment to a positional and angular relationship of the current spatial relationship based upon a difference between the current redirected thrust and a new propulsion, the adjustment to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller to effect the new propulsion; wherein the adjustment is indicative of an application of force to implement the adjustment. 43. The database of claim 42, further comprising correction factor data to be utilized via the formula to account for environmental conditions that affect a velocity of the watercraft. 44. The database of claim 42, wherein the formula is adapted to determine adjustments for the current position of the control surface based upon input from a boat operator. 45. The database of claim 42, wherein the formula is adapted to determine adjustments for the current position of the propeller based upon input from a boat operator. 46. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; andadjusting the position of the propeller to direct at least part of the prop wash to the control surface, wherein applying the force comprises holding the control surface in the position via a spring coupled with the control surface. 47. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; andadjusting the position of the propeller to direct at least part of the prop wash to the control surface, wherein redirecting the thrust comprises generating a net, zero thrust while the control surface is positioned at an angle substantially perpendicular to the prop wash, wherein the net, zero thrust is based upon the position, distance and angle between the control surface and the propeller. 48. A method to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller via a control surface for a watercraft, the method comprising: applying force via a first member to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at a position at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller;redirecting the thrust from the propeller via the control surface based upon the spatial relationship of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust; andadjusting the position of the propeller to direct at least part of the prop wash to the control surface, wherein redirecting the thrust further comprises releasing the control surface to prevent damage when stresses approach design limits. 49. An apparatus to redirect a thrust generated by a propeller for a watercraft, comprising: a control surface to redirect the thrust from the propeller based upon a position of the control surface with respect to the propeller, wherein the redirected thrust comprises a component of non-forward thrust;a first member to couple with the watercraft to apply force to adjust a spatial relationship between the control surface and the propeller to position the control surface at least partially within an area in which prop wash is to be expelled by the propeller, wherein the first member comprises a rigid member and the apparatus further comprises a non-rigid joint to couple the rigid member with the control surface to restrict movement of the control surface in at least one direction;a spring coupled between the rigid member and the control surface, wherein the spring is adapted to apply the force to the control surface to maintain the control surface at least partially within the prop wash at least until a magnitude of the thrust reaches a threshold magnitude based upon a loading curve of the spring, which allows the control surface to disengage, wherein the position and size of the control surface sufficiently redirect the thrust generated by the propeller to provide a variable, net reverse thrust responsive to the thrust generated by the propeller, wherein the control surface comprises of a bent edge, wherein the bent edge is a distinct member to be coupled with the control surface via a hinge.
