US 12,296,934 B2
Dual strut power transmission housing structure of a marine propulsion system
Benjamin Sorkin, Melville, NY (US); and Jonathan Lord, Providence, RI (US)
Assigned to Flux Marine Ltd., East Greenwich, RI (US)
Filed by Flux Marine Ltd., Narragansett, RI (US)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/384,119.
Application 18/384,119 is a continuation of application No. 17/334,095, filed on May 28, 2021, granted, now 11,834,144.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/031,979, filed on May 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0051652 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B63H 20/34 (2006.01); B63H 20/14 (2006.01); B63H 20/28 (2006.01); B63H 20/32 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 20/34 (2013.01) [B63H 20/14 (2013.01); B63H 20/28 (2013.01); B63H 2020/323 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A marine propulsion apparatus comprising:
a first strut and a second strut, each extending from a proximal end to a distal end, each of the first strut and the second strut having a leading portion, an interior belt void, and a trailing portion, wherein the first strut is aligned with the second strut and the first strut is spaced from the second strut, wherein the proximal ends of the first and second struts are coupled to an anti-ventilation plate;
a lower unit housing coupled to the distal ends of the first strut and the second strut, the lower unit housing a sprocket therein;
a shaft rotatably coupled to and concentric with the sprocket, the shaft extending in a first direction;
a propeller coupled to the shaft proximate the tail portion of the lower unit, the propeller configured to rotate with the shaft;
a belt rotatably coupling the drive shaft to the sprocket, wherein the belt is disposed within the interior belt voids of the first and second struts; and
at least one thermal circuit channel extending through at least a portion of the anti-ventilation plate, the at least one thermal circuit configured to channel a coolant to flow bidirectionally therethrough.