Marine drive with integrated trim tab

• US 7,188,581 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Davis, Richard A., Gruenwald, David J., Groeschel, John A., Gruenstern, Todd P.
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US11/255,510
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 114/285
• US Class Current: 114/285
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/061 by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2005/1256 with mechanical power transmission to propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/42 Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements by jets B63H25/46; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/10 of coaxial type, e.g. of counter-rotative type
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/125 movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction , e.g. podded azimuthing thrustersoutboard units or Z-drives B63H20/00; movably mounted for steering purposes only, rudders carrying propellers B63H25/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/16 characterised by being mounted in recesses; with stationary water-guiding elements; Means to prevent fouling of the propeller, e.g. guards, cages or screens

Abstract

A marine drive and a marine vessel and drive combination have a trim tab with a forward end pivotally mounted to a marine propulsion device.

Claims

1. A marine drive for propelling a marine vessel, comprising a marine propulsion device extending from said vessel and having a water-engaging propulsor for propelling, said vessel through a body of water, and a trim tab movably mounted to said marine propulsion device for contact by said water for affecting hydrodynamic operation of said vessel, wherein said trim tab is pivotally mounted to said marine propulsion device, wherein said trim tab has a forward end pivotally mounted to said marine propulsion device, and an aft end movable in a vertical arc, and wherein said marine propulsion device is steerable about a steering axis, and said forward end of said trim tab is pivotally mounted at a pivot axis aft of said steering axis.

2. A marine vessel and drive combination comprising

a marine vessel comprising a hull having a longitudinally extending keel having a lower reach, and port and starboard lower hull surfaces extending upwardly and laterally distally oppositely from said keel in V-shaped relation;

a port tunnel formed in said port lower hull surface, said port tunnel having a top spaced above an open bottom;

a starboard tunnel formed in said starboard lower hull surface, said starboard tunnel having a top spaced above an open bottom;

a port marine propulsion device comprising a port driveshaft housing extending downwardly in said port tunnel to a port lower gear case supporting at least one port propeller shaft driving at least one port propeller;

a starboard marine propulsion device comprising a starboard driveshaft housing extending downwardly in said starboard tunnel to a starboard lower gear case supporting at least one starboard propeller shaft driving at least one starboard propeller;

a port trim tab movably mounted to said port marine propulsion device;

a starboard trim tab movably mounted to said starboard marine propulsion device,

wherein;

said port driveshaft housing is steerable about a port steering axis which extends through said top of said port tunnel;

said port trim tab is pivotally mounted to said port marine propulsion device at a pivot axis aft of said port steering axis;

said starboard driveshaft housing is steerable about a starboard steering axis which extends through said top of said starboard tunnel;

said starboard trim tab is pivotally mounted to said starboard marine propulsion device at a pivot axis aft of said starboard steering axis;

said port trim tab has an upwardly pivoted retracted position, and a downwardly pivoted extended position;

said top of said port tunnel has a notch receiving said port trim tab in said retracted position to enhance hydrodynamic profile;

said starboard trim tab has an upwardly pivoted retracted position, and a downwardly pivoted extended position;

said top of said starboard tunnel has a notch receiving said starboard trim tab in said retracted position to enhance hydrodynamic profile.