WO2025071561A1

WO2025071561A1 - Boat platform and methods of using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2025071561A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/034004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohammed Alobaidi; Jochen Schumann; Mohammed ALMUFTI
Original assignee: Tanann LLC
Current assignee: Tanann LLC
Priority date: 2023-09-28
Filing date: 2023-09-28
Publication date: 2025-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-28

Abstract

An electric boat platform (hull base) is disclosed as a product which consists of a metal structure having all the boat functional systems like an electric motor, battery packs, a control system, and other electrical propulsion systems. Boat manufacturers can use this platform as a base in their boats while using their design for the boat. By that, they can save time and cost in developing their electric boat. Also, a proposed method for hull manufacturing has two main parts. The upper part varies by design and the lower part or the standard part that is used as a base for many designs. The standard hull (lower part) consists of a structure, a power system like battery packs, inverters, a motor, and motor control. The lower part is manufactured first and used as a platform having all the electronic parts, motor, batteries, and the like.

Description

BOAT PLATFORM AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the manufacturing of boat hulls, and more particularly to the manufacturing process of power boats and electric boat platforms.

BACKGROUND

With the introduction of electric boats, many boat manufacturers suffer to integrate an electric drivetrain into their boat design as it has a different set of components with different load distribution. In addition, there are several safety considerations and mitigations of risk the boat manufacturers must consider for electric boats. For example, battery packs having a short circuit will have a thermal runaway that cannot be extinguished by a normal fire extinguisher. Thus, suitable safety systems need to be integrated therein.

Small boats or power boats have different models, and each model may have a different hull design. Since boat efficiency is directly related to motor efficiency and hull design, each model needs to go through a series of expensive tests to check the efficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In order to have all of the electric drivetrain parts working together in a safe, cost effective, and efficient way, the present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat platform that can be used as a base for any boat, with the platform having all of the necessary functional items such as battery packs, electric motor(s), control system(s), and other functional items whereby the boat manufacturers can use the platform and add their boat design to it. The platform components are distributed for a better load allocation and tested with the shape of the hull to achieve the best outcome. Moreover, the platform includes a safety system to mitigate the challenges of having battery packs and associated thermal runaway risks. Platforms of the present disclosure are high voltage isolated and fire isolated from the boat and it can be cooled down from the water if a thermal runaway event occurs. Also, the battery packs can be disconnected from the boat to be swapped or used to power other loads such as an electric car or a house.

In addition, another embodiment of the present disclosure is a manufacturing process including separating the hull manufacturing into two parts, the lower part is using a standard part that can be used in many designs, and an upper part that can vary by model. The lower part will have all the electronic systems such as battery packs, motor(s), motor controller(s), and control system(s). By having a standard part for a hull, the quality will be consistent, and the parts costs will decrease.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform configured to provide a complete electric propulsion system to the boat and can be used with different boat designs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, comprising a metal structure configured to fit within boats of various boat designs, an electric motor coupled to the metal structure, the electric motor configured to provide rotational power to drive a boat, a motor controller to control the electric motor; and one or more battery packs and/or one or more hydrogen fuel cells configured to provide power to the electric motor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a control and power distribution system configured to control operation of the platform and distribute the power to components thereon.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a drive unit configured to transfer and control the rotational power from the electric motor to the water in order to drive the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit comprises one or more shafts to transfer the rotational power from the electric motor to the propeller, one or more gears for shaft direction changes and revolutions per minute (RPM) reduction, one or more propellers to provide thrust to drive the boat, and a steering mechanism to steer the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the steering mechanism comprises a rudder configured to steer the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the steering mechanism comprises electronic actuators or hydraulic cylinders configured to steer the drive unit to steer the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising an on-board charger to charge the one or more battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the on-board charger is a bidirectional AC-DC converter that can charge the one or more battery packs as well as provide power from the one or more battery packs to a load in a harbor, a home or to another boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform is configured for use in a large boat with a high battery capacity, and wherein the platform can charge one or more smaller boats through an inboard charger or a direct high voltage DC link.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform is configured to be connected to a DC charger to charge the one or more battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a wireless charging module to charge the one or more battery packs from a wireless charger.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a gyro stabilizer to increase stability of the boat facing waves.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a thruster system to help maneuver the boat in a tight position or while docking.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising an interceptor system to help the boat plane faster as well as to stabilize roll and pitch angles of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a liquid cooling system to cool components of the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the liquid cooling system includes a heat exchanger that can be placed directly on the metal structure to cool the components of the platform using passive cooling between a heat exchanger and structure material of the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein a highly thermal conductive material is used to operate as a passive cooler for the one or more battery packs, the electric motor, and other electronic materials.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit used is an inboard drive (shaft drive).

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit is an outboard drive (L-drive), and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and one or more shafts are located inside the outboard drive.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit is a sterndrive (Z-drive), and wherein the electric motor and the motor controller are inside the platform while the drive unit and the one or more propellers are located outside the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit is a foiling drive, wherein the foil drive is a fixed or retractable foiling drive with a front fixed or retractable wing to achieve various foiling states such as partially foiled or fully foiled.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit is a pod drive, and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and the one or more shafts are located inside the pod drive.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the drive unit used is a waterjet drive, and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and the one or more shafts are located inside the water jet drive.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the control and power distribution system further comprises one or more of Wi-Fi, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), GPS and/or a GPS locator therein, which help in navigating the boat locations as well as monitoring and controlling boat parameters and to provide cloud connections for (Internet of Things) IOT services.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the control and power distribution system further comprises an autonomous driving control system with a set of sensors to control the boat autonomously or semi-autonomously.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein one or more additional battery packs are used to extend a boat range.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising retractable wheels that can be used on land to transfer the boat into water and to then be retracted inside the platform when the boat is in the water.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a railing system to slide the platform into the boat and out of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising a plurality of mounting points added to a surface of the platform and configured to securely attach the platform to other parts of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform is fire insulated and high voltage insulated from the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the metal structure comprises a fireproof structural material configured as a firewall in areas of contact with the boat to protect the boat from fire or thermal runaway that may occur inside the platform, and wherein the metal structure further comprises a soft structural material at areas facing water when the boat is in the water. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the soft structural material can melt and allow the water to enter the platform to extinguish the fire and to cool down the thermal runaway.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the soft structural material comprises a highly thermal conductive material configured to provide passive cooling or a heat exchanger configured to provide active cooling to platform components placed directly on the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the metal structure uses a fireproof structural material on all surfaces of the platform, wherein the fireproof structural material is configured to contain a fire inside the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising heat detection sensors and/or smoke detection sensors configured to detect when the platform is having a fire or thermal runaway event.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform can be detached from the boat using the railing system when a fire or a thermal runaway event is detected using a heat detection sensor and/or a smoke detection sensor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising electronic valves configured to allow water to enter the platform to cool down the platform in case of a thermal runaway event or a fire.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the electronic valves can be switched to allow the water to enter the platform when the thermal runaway event or the fire is detected using a heat detection sensor and/or smoke detection sensor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the railing system is powered from a power source other than the one or more battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the sensors and electronic valves are powered from a power source other than the one or more battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein when the one or more battery packs are depleted, the depleted one or more battery packs can be swapped with a one or more charged battery packs to avoid charging time.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for manufacturing a boat, comprising providing an upper hull part that varies by design, and incorporating a lower standard platform into the upper hull part, the lower standard platform being mass manufactured to have one or more batteries and an electric motor thereon, wherein performance of the method can reduce production time, material cost, and increase or maintain quality standards of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for manufacturing a boat, wherein the lower standard platform comprises aluminum to function as a passive cooler for the one or more batteries and the electric motor, and wherein the upper hull part comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, and another composite material.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for manufacturing a boat, comprising providing a boat deck that varies by design, and incorporating a boat hull as a platform into the boat deck, the boat hull being mass manufactured as an electric propulsion platform having one or more batteries, an electric motor, and one or more inverters thereon; wherein performance of the method can reduce production time, material cost, and increase or maintain quality standards of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform configured to provide a complete electric propulsion system to a boat, the platform configured to be detached from the boat using a railing system when a fire or a thermal runaway event is detected by a heat detection sensor and/or a smoke detection sensor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform uses a fireproof structural material configured as a firewall in areas in contact with the boat to protect the boat from a fire or a thermal runaway event that may occur inside the platform, and wherein the platform further comprises a soft structural material at areas facing water when the boat is in the water.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, further comprising electronic valves configured to open when the fire or the thermal runaway event is detected by one of the sensors to allow water to enter the platform to cool down the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform can have a two or more drive unit configuration where the platform uses two or more drive units to increase power, speed, and handling of the boat.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform is configured use any drive type in a dual drive configuration such as an inboard drive, an outboard drive, a stern drive, a foil drive, a pod drive or a jet drive.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the electric propulsion system comprises more than one electric motor connected to one shaft to increase power, speed, and handling of the boat. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the electric propulsion system of the platform comprises an electric motor but does not comprise a battery pack.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a boat electric propulsion platform, wherein the platform is configured to interact with a second platform having at least one battery.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, comprising a watercraft having one or more propulsion battery packs, a watercraft drive unit comprising an electric motor to drive the watercraft, and a watercraft trailer that carries the watercraft, wherein the one or more propulsion battery packs can be swapped and carried by the watercraft trailer to be used to supply power to an electric vehicle or a house.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, further comprising a mechanical connection and a sliding door at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened to remove the one or more propulsion battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, further comprising a mechanical connection and a sliding door at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened and to move the watercraft drive unit so to provide access to the one or more propulsion battery packs and to remove the same.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the electric motor comprises an electric outboard motor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the one or more propulsion battery packs are contained in a platform to protect the one or more propulsion battery packs, said platform comprising part of a body of the watercraft.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, further comprising a mechanical connection at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened to disengage the one or more propulsion battery packs or the platform from the body of the watercraft.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the watercraft trailer is configured to be towed by a vehicle.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the watercraft trailer comprises a first trailer part and a second trailer part, the first trailer part configured to carry the watercraft and the second trailer part configured to carry the one or more propulsion battery packs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the first trailer part and the second trailer part are connected by a mechanical connection which can be disconnected to allow a vehicle to tow the second trailer part with the one or more propulsion battery packs while the first trailer part carries the watercraft.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the second trailer part can be disconnected from an inner surface of the first trailer part while a stand or a jack is extended to carry the first trailer part to maintain stability of the trailer.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of an electric powered watercraft and trailer system, wherein the second trailer part can be disconnected from an outer surface of the first trailer part while a stand or a jack is extended to carry the first trailer part to maintain stability of the trailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a top view and a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with inboard drive (shaft drive), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with an AC charger, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a DC charger, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a wireless charger, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform connected to a house load, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6a illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform charging another boat, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6b illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a large boat with an electric propulsion platform charging four boats, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform having a thruster and a gyro stabilizer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with an outboard drive (L-Drive), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a sterndrive (Z-Drive), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a foil drive, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a pod drive, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with a jet drive, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform with retractable wheels, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14b illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14c illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat with an electric propulsion platform, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14d illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform as a boat hull with a boat deck over it, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform configured as a natural step and having a firewall with a boat, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform detached from the boat, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform having a firewall, sensors, and electronic valves, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform having two drive units, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 19 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform having more than one electric motor connected on the same shaft, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electric propulsion platform and a battery platform, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 21 illustrates a rear view of an embodiment of an electric boat with a sliding door to swap the battery pack platform from the boat, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 22 illustrates a side and a top view of an embodiment of a battery platform, electric boat, and trailer to remove the battery platform from the boat with a trailer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 23 illustrates a side view and a top view of an embodiment of a battery platform, electric boat, and trailer to remove the battery platform from the boat with a trailer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

As such, an overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described and some of these non-discussed features (as well as discussed features) are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. Furthermore, wherever feasible and convenient, like reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in a simplified form and not to precise scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

The present disclosure includes an electric boat platform (hull base) as a product which comprises a metal structure having all of the boat functional systems like an electric motor, battery packs, a motor controller, a control system and other boat maneuvering systems. The boat manufacturers can use this platform as a base in their boats while using their design for the boat. By that, they can save time and cost in developing their electric boat.

By having a platform used for multiple boat designs, the platform is carefully designed and optimized in terms of performance, efficiency, and size. For example, hull shape, motor type, propeller shape, and other components are precisely designed to work with each other in maximum efficiency allowing for more time on the water with the same battery capacity. On the other hand, classic boat components are usually chosen from different suppliers which might cause them to operate in a lower efficiency. In contrast, the platform components are designed to work at their maximum efficiency with optimum size. Load allocation and hull construction is also another factor in decreasing efficiency. A compact platform design allows more usable space that can be utilized for storage or passengers.

The boat platform can be well tested to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency while the classic boat construction cannot be fully tested as it will be costly to do testing for each design.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as one using an inboard drive 300 (described in further detail herein), the boat platform 100 comprises a metal structure 109 having an electric motor 102 controlled by a motor controller 103 and supplied by one or more battery packs 101, one or more shafts 106 to transfer the force from the electric motor 102 to one or more propellers 107, one or more gears 105 for revolutions per minute (RPM) reduction, one or more rudders 108 to steer the boat 200, and a boat control and power distribution system 104 that controls the operation of the electric drive system and distributes the power between the drive system components, such as shown in Fig. 1. The platform’s 100 components are designed to work together to achieve maximum efficiency in a compact size platform where the power can be supplied from the battery packs 101 through the power distribution and control unit 104 to the motor controller 103, then to the electric motor 102. The electric motor 102 provides the rotational force to the propellers 107 through one or more shafts 106 and reduction gears 105. At the end, rudder 108 is used to steer the boat 200 in different directions. The platform shape is optimized to work with the drive system to minimize the power loss. Moreover, platform 100 serves as a base for boats 200 where a various boat 200 designs can be built over it. By that, the manufacturers do not need to go through the development process for each boat 200, as they can directly use platform 100 and build various boat 200 designs over it. The metal structure 109 can be made using a highly thermal conductive material (for example aluminum) that can serve as a passive cooler (heatsink) to the drive system components to reduce the temperature of critical components. A heat exchanger can be mounted on the metal structure directly to get heat of the temperature of critical components reduced (example: motor battery, inverter, charger, PDU, DC-DC converter). The boat control and power distribution system 104 communicates and controls the operation of the rest of platform 100 components.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 further comprises an onboard charger 110 to charge the battery packs 101, and a DC-DC converter 111 to supply power to the rest of the boat 200 systems, such as shown in Fig. 2. The AC charger 901 can be connected to platform 100 to charge the battery packs 101 using the on-board charger 110. The battery packs 101 can also be charged by a super charger 902 (DC charger) directly, such as shown in Fig. 3, where the battery 101 can be directly charged with DC voltage to reduce the charging time. Moreover, platform 100 can also be charged via wireless charger 903, such as shown in Fig. 4. The wireless charging module 904 inside platform 100 accepts power from a wireless charger 903. The wireless charger 903 can be aligned (using an alignment mechanism) to the boat’s 200 charging module 904 to charge the battery packs 101 inside platform 100.

In at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, platform 100 can be used as a power source to deliver power to the load (V2L). The boat 200 can be connected to a load in the harbor, home or to another boat while the boat 200 is in the water as shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b. This can go through the on-board charger 110 or directly form the battery packs 101 through the control and power distribution unit 104 In addition, for platform 100 used in a sailing boat 200, the electric motor 101 can be used to generate power to charge the platform’s battery 101. Fig, 6b shows a large boat 208 using a platform 100 that can be connected to one or multiple smaller boats to charge them.

Boat manufacturers can save the design and development cost of the functional parts and focus on their boat 200 design and shape. In addition, platforms 100 could be mounted easily on existing hull mold tooling or existing boat 200 hulls or used boat 200 hulls by modifying them to integrate platform 100.

In addition, the present disclosure serves as a good opportunity for fossil fuel boat manufacturers to extend their range of products and use more environmentally friendly technology without worrying about the development time and cost. Platforms 100 could be highly pre-tested inside a production factory before it is mounted to the boat 200 as the wires, connectors, and the other parts are in the same position. The risk of failures will be significantly reduced.

The platform 100 might provide a design advantage to the boat manufacturers as it is designed with a metal structure 109 that accommodates the force from the electric drive system as the electric drive provides a higher starting force compared to equivalent internal combustion engines. Moreover, in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 can serve as a natural step for the boat 200 to increase the efficiency and reduce the time needed for the boat 200 to go on plane, such as shown in Fig. 15.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gyro stabilizer 122 is added inside the platform 100. Gyro stabilizer 122 produces an angular momentum to create stabilizing torque, which directly opposes the wave-induced rolling motion of the boat 200 to increase the stability of the boat 200 facing the waves, such as shown in Fig. 7. Also, having a thruster 121 inside the platform 100 can reduce the struggle in maneuvering the boat 200 in tight positions. Also having interceptors 127 on platform 100 increases the efficiency and stability as it can help the boat 200 to go on plane faster as well as stabilizing the boat’s 200 roll and pitch angles.

In addition, another embodiment of the present disclosure is by having the boat platform

100 described earlier but by combining the electric motor 102 with the motor controller 103 into a single product to save space.

In at least embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 can utilize different marine drives. Fig. 1 shows platform 100 using an inboard drive 300 (shaft drive) where the electric motor

101 is connected to the propeller 107 through one or more shafts 106 and one or more reduction gears 105 while the rudder 108 is used for steering.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure where platform 100 uses an outboard drive 400. The outboard drive 400 saves space inside the platform 100 as the electric motor 102, the motor controller 103, the one or more gears 105, and the one or more shafts 106 are located inside the outboard 400. Rudder 108 is not necessary as the outboard 400 uses electronic or hydraulic cylinders 124 to steer the drive.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the platform 100 can also use a sterndrive 500 (Z-drive) where the electric motor 102 and the motor controller 103 are inside the platform 100, and the shaft 106 transfers the rotational power to the propeller 107 to drive the boat 200, such as shown in Fig. 9. Rudder 108 is not necessary as the sterndrive 500 uses electronic or hydraulic cylinders 124 to steer the drive.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure where the platform 100 uses a foiling drive 600 to have the boat 200 partially foiled or fully foiled. The drive unit 600 might have a fixed or retractable foiling drive 600 with a front fixed or retractable wing 601 to achieve various foiling states such as partially foiled or fully foiled as shown in Fig. 10.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure where the platform 100 uses a pod drive 700 instead of the previous mentioned drives. The pod drive 700 have a similar operation of the outboard drive 400 where the electric motor 102, the one or more gears 105, and the one or more shafts 106 are located inside the drive 700 but this type of drives require a rudder 108 as shown in Fig. 11.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure platform 100 uses a jet drive 800 is used instead of the previous mentioned drives as shown in Fig. 12. The water jet 800 can be used for platform 100 when a high speed is needed. The jet drive 800 uses a similar concept to an airplane jet and by pushing the water backwards, the boat 200 can move forward. Additionally, the control system 104 of any embodiment mentioned above may include WiFi and/or Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and/or GPS and/or a GPS locator therein. These components help in navigating the boat 200 locations as well as monitoring and/or controlling the boat 200 parameters and provide cloud connections for Internet of Things (IOT) services. Additionally, the control system 104 may include autonomous driving control systems with a set of sensors to control the boat 200 autonomously or semi autonomously.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is by having platform 100 with different battery pack 101 locations, as it can be positioned in different locations to have a good load arrangement for platform 100. In addition, the number of battery packs 101 can be increased to extend the boat 200 range.

Platform embodiments referenced herein can include a plurality of mechanical connection points 113 or mounting points disposed on top of the platform 100 in association with one or more structural support elements. These points 113 are used to securely attach the upper part of the boat 200 (from different design models) to platform 100 as shown in Fig. 14a, Fig. 14b, and Fig. 14c. Moreover, platform 100 might include a railing system 118 to slide in platform 100 to the boat 200 and slide out the platform 100 from the boat 200 as shown in Fig. 16.

The present disclosure also includes a method for hull manufacturing having two main parts. The upper part that varies by design (for example elements 201, 202 and 203) and the lower part (platform 100) or the standard part that is used as a base for many designs as shown in Fig. 14a, Fig. 14b, and Fig. 14c. The standard hull (lower part) 100 consists of a metal structure 109, a power system like an on-board charger 110, battery pack(s) 101, control and power distribution system(s) 104, electric motor(s) 102, and motor controller(s) 103. The lower part of platform 100 is manufactured first and used as a platform having all the electronic parts, motor 102, batteries 101, etc. The lower part might include any of the previous platform 100 embodiment components.

Some of platform 100 components such as electric motor 102, electric motor controller 103, on-board charger 110, DC-DC converter 111, and battery packs 101 might produce heat and require a cooling system. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure platform 100 components may include a liquid cooling system 114 to cool the platform components as shown in Fig. 1. The cooling system 114 can be a closed loop system, an open loop system, or a closed loop with an open loop system.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the boat platform 100 may also include a retractable wheel 115. These wheels 115 can be used on land to transfer the boat 200 to the water as shown in Fig. 13. After that the wheels 115 can be retracted inside the platform 100 when the boat 200 is inside the water. Moreover, the boat 200 can be trailed by a vehicle using the wheels 115 or it can use the electric motor 102 to drive the retractable wheels 115 where the boat 200 can be driven inland or in water.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure is the hull manufacturing process having an upper part from fiberglass or other composite material while the lower part consists of a highly conductive metal such as aluminum. The aluminum works as a passive cooler to the electronic parts, such as the motor 102 and the battery 101. By having the lower part as a standard platform for multiple boat 200 models, the manufacturer will reduce the material cost as well as the production cost. Moreover, the production time will be significantly reduced because the operators do not need to switch the production line from one model to another. This method will also reduce the confusion by manufacturing different models with different bill of materials (BOM) which maintain the quality of the boat 200. The lower hull of platform 100 will have the power system, control system 104, motor 102, and other functional systems ready in a standard platform 100 which can be used later for different upper hull models having a consistent quality with faster production time.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 can serve as a boat hull 125 where it can be used as a hull and a different boat’s 200 deck 204 can be built above it, such as shown in Fig. 14d.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery packs 101 can be swapped from the platform 100 to avoid the charging time as the empty/depleted battery packs 101 can be swapped with a fully charged battery pack 101.

One of the major concerns in using an electric powertrain in marine crafts is the safety of the battery packs 101 as many boat 200 users are afraid of the thermal runaway that might happen in the battery packs 101 leaving them in a threatening situation. Electric drive systems in marine applications may need an advanced safety system in case of the battery thermal runaway event as batteries 101 cannot be easily extinguished using the traditional methods such as a fire extinguisher. The lithium battery pack 101 might provide enormous heat if its short circuited. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 is fire insulated and high voltage insulated from the boat 200 as all the high voltage components such as battery pack 101, electric motor 102, and on-board charger 110 are within the platform 100 and insulated from the boat 200. Structure 109 might use a fireproof structural material 116 to act as a firewall in the areas in contact with the boat 200 while platform 100 can use a softer material 117 at the areas facing the water (for example the bottom of platform 100). By that, during the battery pack 101 thermal runaway event, the fireproof structure 116 prevents the fire or thermal runaway to go to the boat 200. In the meantime, the softer material 117 melts and allows the water to enter platform 100 to cool down the thermal runaway or extinguish the fire, such as shown in Fig. 15. Moreover, softer material 117 can be highly thermal conductive material such as aluminum to act as a passive cooling to the platform 100 components.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fireproof material 116 can be used in all the surfaces of platform structure 109 to prevent the fire from exiting platform 100 as the fire will be contained inside the platform 100, such as shown in Fig. 17.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when platform 100 is on fire or experiencing a thermal runaway event, platform 100 can be detached from the boat 200 using the railing system 118. Platform 100 might include various fire detection methods such as smoke or fire detection sensors 119 or heat detection sensors 120 that send a signal to detach platform 100, such as shown in Fig. 16.

Also, in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 can use a combination of fire detection sensors 119 or heat detection sensors 120 and one or more electronic valves 123. The sensors 119 and 120 are used to detect fire or thermal runaway events within platform 100 while the electronic valves 123 can allow the water to enter platform 100 to cool down the thermal runaway or extinguish the fire, such as shown in Fig. 17. During the normal operation, the electronic valves 123 are in the closed position but when one of the sensors 119 or 120 detects a thermal runaway or fire, the electronic valves 123 will directly open to allow the water to enter while shutting off the platform 100.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fire detection sensors 119, heat detection sensors 120, railing system 118, and electronic valves 123 can use a small battery pack or a power source different than battery packs 101 to protect the platform 100 despite the conditions of the battery pack 101 as the safety protection system is mostly needed when the battery packs 101 malfunction.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platform 100 can have a dual drive unit configuration where platform 100 uses two or more drive units to increase the power, speed, and handling, such as shown in Fig. 18. Platform 100 can use any drive type for the dual drive configuration such as inboard drive 300, outboard drive 400, stern drive 500, foil drive 600, pod drive 700, and jet drive 800. In addition, platform 100 can have more than one electric motor 102 connected on the same shaft 106, where the boat manufacturer can have a higher power platform by having more electric motors 102 connected on the same shaft 106, such as shown in Fig. 19.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, platforms 100, 205 may include all the electronic parts from platform 100 but without the battery packs 101, such as shown in Fig 20. The boat manufacturers can install platforms 100, 205 to any boat 200 as a module and connect it to any battery pack 101 with compatible voltage and power levels.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 101 can be contained in a separate battery platform 206 where the boat 200, 201 can have platform 100, 205 only with a battery pack 101 from a different manufacturer or both platforms 100, 205 and battery platform 206, such as shown in Fig. 20, where battery platform 206 containing the battery pack 101 can be swapped from the boat 200, 201 with another battery platform 206. By that, the boat 201 user can use the boat 201 without the need to wait for the battery pack 101 to charge as they can swap it with another battery pack 101. In addition, platform 100, 205 or battery platform 206 can be taken out for replacement or maintenance.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit (for example the outboard drive unit 400) can be opened and swung in one direction using a swung door 126 or other mechanisms for maintenance or to reach the battery pack 101 or battery platform 206, such as shown in Fig. 21. Also, the battery pack 101 can be taken out and swapped after platform 100, 205 is removed. Battery platform 206 can be taken out from the boat 201 to provide power to other loads such as charging an electric car or providing back up power to a house, such as shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. Boat 201 can be lifted from the water to a trailer (1001, 1002 or 1003, 1004) where the drive unit (for example outboard 400) is removed from the way and the battery platform 206 connections are disconnected. After that, the boat trailer 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 can be used to transfer the boat 201 from one place to another to swap the battery pack 101 or battery platform 206 or use it as a power supply to provide power to a load.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, boat 201 comprises an outboard drive 400 where the outboard drive 400 can be tilted up to clear the space to disconnect the battery platform 206 and take it out to swap it with another battery platform 206 or use the battery platform

206 to charge other electric powered vehicle or provide backup power to other loads such as a house load, such as shown in Fig. 23. A trailer can be used to transfer the battery pack 101 or platform 206 as may be desired.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a watercraft trailer 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 has two parts, wherein the first part 1001 can carry the boat 201 while the second part 1002 can carry the watercraft battery 101 or platform 206, wherein the first part 1001 and the second part 1002 are connected by a mechanical connection 1005 which can be disconnected to allow a vehicle

207 to tow the watercraft battery 101 or platform 206 only using the second part 1002 in order to swap the watercraft’s battery 101 or use it to provide power to charge another electric powered vehicle or provide backup power to other loads, such as shown in Fig. 22. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the trailer second part 1002 can be disconnected from thane inner surface of the first part 1001, such as shown in Fig. 22, while a stand or a jack 1006 is extended to carry the first trailer part 1001 to maintain the stability of the trailer 1001. On the other hand, the second trailer part 1002 carrying the battery pack 101 or the platform 206 is towed by a vehicle 207.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the trailer second parts 1004 can be disconnected from an outer surface of the first part 1003, such as shown in Fig. 23, while a stand or a jack 1006 is extended to carry the first trailer part 1003 to maintain the stability of the trailer 1001. On the other hand, the second trailer part 1002 carrying the battery pack 101 or the platform 206 is towed by a vehicle 207.

While various embodiments of devices and systems and methods for using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein specially for the motor type used in platform. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A boat electric propulsion platform, comprising: a metal structure configured to fit within boats of various boat designs; an electric motor coupled to the metal structure, the electric motor configured to provide rotational power to drive a boat; a motor controller to control the electric motor; and one or more battery packs and/or one or more hydrogen fuel cells configured to provide power to the electric motor.

2. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a control and power distribution system configured to control operation of the platform and distribute the power to components thereon.

3. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a drive unit configured to transfer and control the rotational power from the electric motor to the water in order to drive the boat.

4. The platform of claim 3, wherein the drive unit comprises: one or more shafts to transfer the rotational power from the electric motor to the propeller; one or more gears for shaft direction changes and revolutions per minute (RPM) reduction; one or more propellers to provide thrust to drive the boat; and a steering mechanism to steer the boat.

5. The platform of claim 4, wherein the steering mechanism comprises a rudder configured to steer the boat.

6. The platform of claim 4, wherein the steering mechanism comprises electronic actuators or hydraulic cylinders configured to steer the drive unit to steer the boat.

7. The platform of claim 1, further comprising an on-board charger to charge the one or more battery packs.

8. The platform of claim 7, wherein the on-board charger is a bidirectional AC-DC converter that can charge the one or more battery packs as well as provide power from the one or more battery packs to a load in a harbor, a home or to another boat.

9. The platform of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured for use in a large boat with a high battery capacity, and wherein the platform can charge one or more smaller boats through an inboard charger or a direct high voltage DC link.

10. The platform of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured to be connected to a DC charger to charge the one or more battery packs.

11. The platform of claim 1 , further comprising: a wireless charging module to charge the one or more battery packs from a wireless charger.

12. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a gyro stabilizer to increase stability of the boat facing waves.

13. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a thruster system to help maneuver the boat in a tight position or while docking.

14. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: an interceptor system to help the boat plane faster as well as to stabilize roll and pitch angles of the boat.

15. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a liquid cooling system to cool components of the platform.

16. The platform of claim 15, wherein the liquid cooling system includes a heat exchanger that can be placed directly on the metal structure to cool the components of the platform using passive cooling between a heat exchanger and structure material of the platform.

17. The platform of claim 1, wherein a highly thermal conductive material is used to operate as a passive cooler for the one or more battery packs, the electric motor, and other electronic materials.

18. The platform of claim 3, wherein the drive unit used is an inboard drive (shaft drive).

19. The platform of claim 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit is an outboard drive (L-drive), and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and one or more shafts are located inside the outboard drive.

20. The platform of claim 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit is a stemdrive (Z-drive), and wherein the electric motor and the motor controller are inside the platform while the drive unit and the one or more propellers are located outside the boat.

21. The platform of claim 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit is a foiling drive, wherein the foil drive is a fixed or retractable foiling drive with a front fixed or retractable wing to achieve various foiling states such as partially foiled or fully foiled.

22. The platform of claim 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit is a pod drive, and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and the one or more shafts are located inside the pod drive.

23. The platform of claim 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit used is a water jet drive, and wherein the electric motor, the motor controller, the one or more gears, and the one or more shafts are located inside the waterjet drive.

24. The platform of claim 1, wherein the control and power distribution system further comprises one or more of Wi-Fi, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), GPS and/or a GPS locator therein, which help in navigating the boat locations as well as monitoring and controlling boat parameters and to provide cloud connections for (Internet of Things) IOT services.

25. The platform of claim 2, wherein the control and power distribution system further comprises an autonomous driving control system with a set of sensors to control the boat autonomously or semi-autonomously.

26. The platform of claim 1, wherein one or more additional battery packs are used to extend a boat range.

27. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: retractable wheels that can be used on land to transfer the boat into water and to then be retracted inside the platform when the boat is in the water.

28. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a railing system to slide the platform into the boat and out of the boat.

29. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of mounting points added to a surface of the platform and configured to securely attach the platform to other parts of the boat.

30. The platform of claim 1, wherein the platform is fire insulated and high voltage insulated from the boat.

31. The platform of claim 1 , wherein the metal structure comprises a fireproof structural material configured as a firewall in areas of contact with the boat to protect the boat from fire or thermal runaway that may occur inside the platform, and wherein the metal structure further comprises a soft structural material at areas facing water when the boat is in the water.

32. The platform of claim 31, wherein the soft structural material can melt and allow the water to enter the platform to extinguish the fire and to cool down the thermal runaway.

33. The platform of claim 31, wherein the soft structural material comprises a highly thermal conductive material configured to provide passive cooling or a heat exchanger configured to provide active cooling to platform components placed directly on the platform.

34. The platform of claim 1, wherein the metal structure uses a fireproof structural material on all surfaces of the platform, wherein the fireproof structural material is configured to contain a fire inside the platform.

35. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: heat detection sensors and/or smoke detection sensors configured to detect when the platform is having a fire or thermal runaway event.

36. The platform of claim 28, wherein the platform can be detached from the boat using the railing system when a fire or a thermal runaway event is detected using a heat detection sensor and/or a smoke detection sensor.

37. The platform of claim 1, further comprising: electronic valves configured to allow water to enter the platform to cool down the platform in case of a thermal runaway event or a fire.

38. The platform of claim 37, wherein the electronic valves can be switched to allow the water to enter the platform when the thermal runaway event or the fire is detected using a heat detection sensor and/or smoke detection sensor.

39. The platform of claim 28, wherein the railing system is powered from a power source other than the one or more battery packs.

40. The platform of claim 38, wherein the sensors and electronic valves are powered from a power source other than the one or more battery packs.

41. The platform of claim 1, wherein when the one or more battery packs are depleted, the depleted one or more battery packs can be swapped with a one or more charged battery packs to avoid charging time.

42. A method for manufacturing a boat, comprising: providing an upper hull part that varies by design; and incorporating a lower standard platform into the upper hull part, the lower standard platform being mass manufactured to have one or more batteries, n electric motor, and other electric propulsion system components thereon; wherein performance of the method can reduce production time, material cost, and increase or maintain quality standards of the boat.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the lower standard platform comprises aluminum to function as a passive cooler for the one or more batteries and the electric motor, and wherein the upper hull part comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, and another composite material.

44. A method for manufacturing a boat, comprising: providing a boat deck that varies by design; and incorporating a boat hull as a platform into the boat deck, the boat hull being mass manufactured as an electric propulsion platform having one or more batteries, an electric motor, and one or more inverters thereon; wherein performance of the method can reduce production time, material cost, and increase or maintain quality standards of the boat.

45. A boat electric propulsion platform configured to provide a complete electric propulsion system to a boat, the platform configured to be detached from the boat using a railing system when a fire or a thermal runaway event is detected by a heat detection sensor and/or a smoke detection sensor.

46. The platform of claim 45, wherein the platform uses a fireproof structural material configured as a firewall in areas in contact with the boat to protect the boat from a fire or a thermal runaway event that may occur inside the platform, and wherein the platform further comprises a soft structural material at areas facing water when the boat is in the water.

47. The platform of claim 46, further comprising: electronic valves configured to open when the fire or the thermal runaway event is detected by one of the sensors to allow water to enter the platform to cool down the platform.

48. The platform of claim 45, wherein the platform can have a two or more drive unit configuration where the platform uses two or more drive units to increase power, speed, and handling of the boat.

49. The platform of claim 45, wherein the platform is configured use any drive type in a dual drive configuration such as an inboard drive, an outboard drive, a stern drive, a foil drive, a pod drive or a jet drive.

50. The platform of claim 45, wherein the electric propulsion system comprises more than one electric motor connected to one shaft to increase power, speed, and handling of the boat.

51. The platform of claim 45, wherein the electric propulsion system of the platform comprises an electric motor but does not comprise a battery pack.

52. The platform of claim 51, wherein the platform is configured to interact with a second platform having at least one battery.

53. An electric powered watercraft and trailer system, comprising: a watercraft having one or more propulsion battery packs; a watercraft drive unit comprising an electric motor to drive the watercraft; and a watercraft trailer that carries the watercraft; wherein the one or more propulsion battery packs can be swapped and carried by the watercraft trailer to be used to supply power to an electric vehicle or a house.

54. The system of claim 53, further comprising: a mechanical connection and a sliding door at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened to remove the one or more propulsion battery packs.

55. The system of claim 53, further comprising: a mechanical connection and a sliding door at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened and to move the watercraft drive unit so to provide access to the one or more propulsion battery packs and to remove the same.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein the electric motor comprises an electric outboard motor.

57. The system of claim 53, wherein the one or more propulsion battery packs are contained in a platform to protect the one or more propulsion battery packs, said platform comprising part of a body of the watercraft.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising: a mechanical connection at a stern of the watercraft that can be opened to disengage the one or more propulsion battery packs or the platform from the body of the watercraft.

59. The system of claim 53, wherein the watercraft trailer is configured to be towed by a vehicle.

60. The system of claim 53, wherein the watercraft trailer comprises a first trailer part and a second trailer part, the first trailer part configured to carry the watercraft and the second trailer part configured to carry the one or more propulsion battery packs.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the first trailer part and the second trailer part are connected by a mechanical connection which can be disconnected to allow a vehicle to tow the second trailer part with the one or more propulsion battery packs while the first trailer part carries the watercraft.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the second trailer part can be disconnected from an inner surface of the first trailer part while a stand or a jack is extended to carry the first trailer part to maintain stability of the trailer.

63. The system of claim 60, wherein: the second trailer part can be disconnected from an outer surface of the first trailer part while a stand or a jack is extended to carry the first trailer part to maintain stability of the trailer.