Propulsion system for a marine vessel

Abstract

A propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a transom bracket configured to be connected to a transom of the marine vessel, a drive unit being rotatably connected with the transom bracket so as to be pivotable by a tilt arrangement from a lowered position into a raised position, or vice versa, about a pivot joint, and a trim arrangement being arranged between the transom bracket and the drive unit to adjust a trim angle of the drive unit when in the lowered position. A trim arrangement lock is arranged to be connected with the trim arrangement for a range of trim angles of the drive unit in the lowered position so as to prevent pivoting of the drive unit by the tilt arrangement inside the range of trim angles, and the trim arrangement lock is configured to be disconnected from the trim arrangement outside the range of trim angles so as to allow pivoting of the drive unit by the tilt arrangement.

1 . A propulsion system for a marine vessel, comprising
 a transom bracket configured to be connected to a transom of the marine vessel, a drive unit being rotatably connected with the transom bracket so as to be pivotable by a tilt arrangement from a lowered position into a raised position, or vice versa, about a pivot joint, and   a trim arrangement being arranged between the transom bracket and the drive unit to adjust a trim angle of the drive unit when in the lowered position,   further comprising a trim arrangement lock being arranged to be connected with the trim arrangement for a range of trim angles of the drive unit in the lowered position so as to prevent pivoting of the drive unit by the tilt arrangement inside the range of trim angles, and   the trim arrangement lock is configured to be disconnected from the trim arrangement outside the range of trim angles so as to allow pivoting of the drive unit by the tilt arrangement.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the trim arrangement comprises at least one linear trim actuator, the trim actuator has a connection part arranged at an end of the trim actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion system of  claim 2 , wherein the connection part is arranged at the end opposite the drive unit, or the connection part is arranged in the end opposite the transom bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion system of  claim 2 , wherein an opposite end of the trim actuator compared to the connection part is connected to the transom bracket or the drive unit. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion system of  claim 4 , wherein the opposite end of the trim actuator is securely fastened to either the transom bracket or the drive unit. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein trim arrangement lock is arranged on the drive unit or at the transom bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion system of  claim 2 , wherein the trim arrangement lock is configured to receive the connection part or the connection part is configured to receive the trim arrangement lock inside the range of trim angles and otherwise being disengaged. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion system of  claim 7 , wherein the trim arrangement lock and the connection part are geometrically engaged inside the range of trim angles and are disengaged outside the range of trim angles. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the trim arrangement lock or the trim arrangement is configured to be moved along a trajectory of a rotation radius having the pivot joint as a center. 
     
     
         10 . The propulsion system of  claim 2 , wherein the trim arrangement lock is configured to receive the connection part of the trim actuator or is configured to engage the connection part. 
     
     
         11 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the trim arrangement lock and the connection part are geometrically connected and/or engaged inside the range of trim angles. 
     
     
         12 . The propulsion system of  claim 10 , wherein the trim arrangement lock comprises a receptacle, a slot, a recess, a bended member, a U-formed member, an inverted U-formed member, a helically or spirally formed member, or similar, when being configured to receive the connection part. 
     
     
         13 . The propulsion system of  claim 12 , wherein the connecting part comprises a geometrical shape configured to engage the trim arrangement lock, such as a projection, a spherical member, a knob, or similar. 
     
     
         14 . The propulsion system of  claim 12 , wherein the trim arrangement lock has an inlet through which the connecting part can enter or leave outside the range of trim angles and a face being configured to maintain the connection part in the trim arrangement lock inside the range of trim angles. 
     
     
         15 . The propulsion system of  claim 14 , wherein the inlet tapers so as assisting the connecting part in enter and leaving the trim arrangement lock. 
     
     
         16 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the tilt arrangement comprises a linear tilt actuator and/or a rotatory actuator or motor. 
     
     
         17 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to control the trim arrangement and/or the tilt arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . A marine vessel comprising a transom and a propulsion system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for trimming and tilting a drive unit of a propulsion system, comprising
 arranging a propulsion system of  claim 1  on a marine vessel,   arranging the drive unit in the lowered position, trimming the drive unit by the trim arrangement inside a range of trim angles while the trim arrangement is connected with the trim arrangement lock,   pivoting the drive unit outside the range of trim angles so that the trim arrangement is disconnected from the trim arrangement lock,   tilting the drive unit to the raised position by the tilt arrangement.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising
 pivoting the drive unit from the raised position by the tilt arrangement towards the lowered position,   connecting the trim arrangement with the trim arrangement lock when the drive unit is pivoted to reach inside the range of trim angles,   trimming the drive unit by the trim arrangement inside a range of trim angles while the trim arrangement is connected with the trim arrangement lock.