Propulsion system with a raisable linear actuator

Abstract

A propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a drive unit, a transom bracket for attaching the drive unit to the marine vessel, a linear actuator for moving the drive unit. The linear actuator includes a drive end that is connected to the drive unit and a transom end. The propulsion system further includes a movable attachment for movably connecting the transom end of the linear actuator to the transom bracket.

1 . A propulsion system for a marine vessel, the propulsion system comprising a drive unit,
 a transom bracket for attaching the drive unit to the marine vessel,   a linear actuator for moving the drive unit, the linear actuator comprising a drive end that is connected to the drive unit and a transom end,   the propulsion system further comprising a movable attachment for movably connecting the transom end of the linear actuator to the transom bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment is adapted to selectively raise and lower the transom end of the linear actuator, such that the transom end of the linear actuator may be brought to various desired positions when the drive unit is operated to propel the vessel and may be brought to other desired positions, including a position above the water line of the vessel, when the drive unit is not operated to propel the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment is pivotally connected to the transom bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment is adapted to raise the transom end of the linear actuator to a position above the water line of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment is adapted to raise the transom end of the linear actuator to a position vertically above the transom of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment is adapted to raise the transom end of the linear actuator in a tilted up position of the drive unit. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable attachment comprises an attachment actuator end that is connected to the transom end of the linear actuator and an attachment transom end that is connected to the transom bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion system of  claim 7 , configured such that the transom end of the linear actuator is movable to a position vertically above the attachment actuator end of the movable attachment. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion system of  claim 7 , configured such that the transom end of the linear actuator may be raised by a movement of the movable attachment. 
     
     
         10 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , comprising an attachment actuator for causing the movable attachment to move or rotate. 
     
     
         11 . The propulsion system of  claim 9 , configured such that the transom end of the linear actuator may be raised by the attachment actuator causing the movable attachment to move or rotate. 
     
     
         12 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is pivotally attached to the marine vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , comprising a connecting arm that comprises a first pivot joint connected to the drive unit and a second pivot joint connected to the transom bracket, the connecting arm optionally being rotationally secured to the movable attachment such that the transom end of the linear actuator is moved when the connecting arm is pivoted about its second pivot joint. 
     
     
         14 . The propulsion system of  claim 13 , configured such that the drive unit may be raised and lowered by pivoting the connecting arm about the second pivot joint that is connected to the transom bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The propulsion system of  claim 14 , configured such that at least as part of the drive unit may be raised, by pivoting of the connecting arm about the second pivot joint, to a position vertically above the second pivot joint and optionally vertically above the water line of the marine vessel, optionally vertically above the transom of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The propulsion system of  claim 1 , configured such that a thrust angle of the drive unit may be controlled by the linear actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The propulsion system according to  claim 13 , configured such that a thrust angle of the drive unit may be controlled by pivoting the drive unit about the first pivot joint of the connecting arm. 
     
     
         18 . The propulsion system of  claim 17 , wherein the linear actuator is arranged to pivot the drive unit about the first pivot joint. 
     
     
         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 .