Marine propulsion system with a contained trim cylinder

Abstract

A propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a drive unit, a transom bracket for attaching the drive unit to a transom of the marine vessel, and an actuator for moving the drive unit. The transom bracket comprises a wall structure that is arranged to shield the actuator from the water.

1 . A propulsion system for a marine vessel, the propulsion system comprising
 a drive unit,   a transom bracket for attaching the drive unit to a transom of the marine vessel, and an actuator for moving the drive unit,   wherein the transom bracket comprises a wall structure that is arranged to shield the actuator from the water.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , configured such that the actuator may pivot the drive unit about an axis, optionally an essentially horizontal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure defines a bracket volume adapted to contain at least a section of the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator comprises a drive end adapted to be connected to the drive unit and a vessel end adapted to be connected to the marine vessel, and wherein the bracket volume is adapted to contain the drive end of the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises a wall structure opening that faces the transom, and the wall structure opening is adapted to be positioned over a transom opening in the transom. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises a bottom portion, a stern portion, a starboard portion and a port portion, and optionally a top portion. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion system of  claim 7 , wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or an electric rod actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion system of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises a drive end adapted to be connected to the drive unit and a vessel end adapted to be connected to the marine vessel, the propulsion system further comprising a lever adapted to connect the drive end of the actuator to the drive unit. 
     
     
         10 . The propulsion system of  claim 9 , wherein the lever is connected to a shaft that may be rotated to pivot the drive unit. 
     
     
         11 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is adapted to be connected to the hull of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The propulsion system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is adapted to be connected to a reinforcement structure of the hull. 
     
     
         13 . The propulsion system of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is adapted to be connected to a stringer structure. 
     
     
         14 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , comprising an electric power line that extends through the transom bracket to the drive unit. 
     
     
         15 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises an electric propulsion motor. 
     
     
         16 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator extends through the transom. 
     
     
         17 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , configured such that the actuator may raise the drive unit above the water line of the vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the transom bracket is configured to be arranged on the aft side of the transom of the marine vessel and to not extend to the bow side of the transom. 
     
     
         19 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , where the drive unit comprises a support part and a thrust part, wherein the thrust part is rotatable with respect to the support part about a steering axis to direct the thrust of the drive unit. 
     
     
         20 . A marine vessel comprising the propulsion system of  claim 1 .