TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates generally to marine propulsion. In particular aspects, the
disclosure relates to a propulsion system for a marine vessel. The disclosure can
be applied to marine vessels, such as water crafts, motorboats, work boats, sport
vessels, sailboats, boats, ships, among other vessel types. Although the disclosure
may be described with respect to a particular vessel, the disclosure is not restricted
to any particular vessel.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Marine vessels may be provided with one or more drive units to propel the marine
vessel in water. There exist various solutions to suspend a drive unit, some of which
solutions are configured to move the drive unit. For example, the prior art solutions
may allow the drive unit to be partly or completely raised above the water line of
the vessel. Some prior art solutions may allow the drive unit to be rotated with respect
to the vessel, e.g. to control the thrust angle of the drive unit.
[0003] Prior art solutions are marred with various drawbacks such as bulky, complex and
high-cost designs and/or a relatively high demand for repair and service.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided 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.
[0005] The first aspect of the disclosure may seek to protect the actuator. For example,
the actuator may be protected from mechanical damage and/or from water and other substances.
Since the actuator is shielded from the water, marine growth thereon may be avoided
or at least minimised. In addition, corrosion may be avoided or minimised. Utilising
the transom bracket per se for shielding the actuator may be particularly cost-effective.
Further, the actuator may be readily accessible for service and other purposes through
the transom bracket from an in-board side of the vessel.
[0006] Optionally, the propulsion system is configured such that the actuator may pivot
the drive unit about an axis. Said axis may be essentially horizontal and may be referred
to as a trim axis.
[0007] Optionally, the wall structure defines a bracket volume adapted to contain at least
a section of the actuator. If the wall structure contains at least a section of the
actuator, a particularly good protection may be offered by the wall structure. The
wall structure may be adapted to support the drive unit.
[0008] Optionally, 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 the bracket
volume is adapted to contain the drive end of the actuator.
[0009] Optionally, the wall structure comprises one open side, or a wall structure opening,
that faces the transom. The open side, or wall structure opening, may be positioned
on a bow end of the wall structure. The open side, or wall structure opening, may
connect to an in-board volume of the vessel. Access to the interior of the wall structure
may thus be provided from inside the in-board volume.
[0010] Optionally, the open side, or wall structure opening, is adapted to be positioned
over a transom opening in the transom. Thereby, the wall structure may seal the transom
opening.
[0011] Optionally, the wall structure comprises a bottom portion, a stern portion, a starboard
portion and a port portion. The wall structure may further comprise a top portion.
Thus, the wall structure may shield the actuator from a plurality of directions.
[0012] Optionally, the actuator is a linear actuator such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder
or an electric actuator.
[0013] Optionally, 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. The lever may be arranged inside the wall structure.
[0014] Optionally, the lever is connected to a shaft that may be rotated to pivot the drive
unit. Said shaft may be essentially horizontal.
[0015] Optionally, the actuator is adapted to be connected to the hull of the marine vessel.
Thereby, the actuator may be rigidly connected to the vessel.
[0016] Optionally, the actuator is adapted to be connected to a reinforcement structure
of the hull. Such a structure may provide a particularly stable attachment point.
[0017] Optionally, the actuator extends through the transom. For example, the transom may
comprise a transom opening through which the actuator extends. The wall structure
of the transom bracket may comprise a wall structure opening that is adapted to be
positioned over the transom opening. The actuator may extend through the transom opening
and through the wall structure opening. The wall structure may be adapted to contain
at least the section of the actuator that extends through the wall structure opening.
In this way, the transom opening may be sealed by the wall structure of the transom
bracket, and the actuator may be completely shielded by the wall structure per se.
[0018] Optionally, 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. A technical benefit may include that the design
of the above described transom bracket and other components may be simplified, as
the thrust may be directed by rotating the thrust part with respect to the support
part. In other words, the drive unit need not be movably attached to the vessel to
allow for directing the thrust for steering purposes. The steering axis may be essentially
vertical when the propulsion unit is operated to propel the vessel.
[0019] Optionally, the drive unit comprises an electric propulsion motor. Thus, the propulsion
system may be an electric propulsion system. The propulsion system may be a forward
or a rearward drive propulsion system. For example, the propulsion system may be a
forward drive electric propulsion system. If the drive unit comprises a support part
and a thrust part that is rotatable with respect to the support part about a steering
axis to direct the thrust of the drive unit, the propulsion system may be a forward
and rearward drive propulsion system. Thus, the propulsion system may be a forward
and rearward drive electric propulsion system. The drive unit may comprise one propeller
or two contra-rotating propellers.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a marine vessel
comprising the propulsion system described herein. Advantages of the second aspect
of the disclosure correspond to those of the first aspect.
[0021] The disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and/or accompanying
claims may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of
ordinary skill in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the
following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent
therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as
described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary side view of a marine propulsion system comprising a drive unit.
FIG. 2 corresponds to figure 1, but illustrates the drive unit in another pivot position.
FIG. 3 is a second exemplary view of a marine propulsion system.
FIG. 4 is a third exemplary view of a marine propulsion system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the
disclosed technology with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to
practice the disclosure.
[0024] The inventive concept of the present disclosure involves utilising a transom bracket
to shield, optionally contain, a drive unit actuator. The disclosure may solve the
problem of providing a cost-effective, compact, sturdy and long life marine propulsion
system that requires less repair and service as compared to prior art solutions.
[0025] FIG. 1 and
2 show a first exemplary propulsion system 1 for a marine vessel 40. The propulsion
system 1 comprises a drive unit 10 and a transom bracket 20 for attaching the drive
unit 10 to the marine vessel 40.
FIG. 1 illustrates the drive unit 10 in a neutral trim position (pivot position) whereas
FIG. 2 illustrates the drive unit 10 in a trimmed-up position. A stern of a vessel 40, comprising
a transom 42 to which the transom bracket 20 is secured, is also schematically illustrated.
[0026] The propulsion system 1 comprises an actuator 30 for moving the drive unit 10. In
the present examples, the actuator 30 is arranged to tilt or trim the drive unit 10
about a trim or tilt axis A (denoted in figure 1). A trimming motion (pivoting about
an essentially horizontal axis) of the drive unit is denoted by an arc-shaped double-headed
arrow in
FIG. 2.
[0027] According to the present disclosure, the transom bracket 20 comprises a wall structure
22 that is arranged to shield the actuator 30 from the water in which the marine vessel
40 operates. As is to be apprehended, the wall structure 22 may also shield the actuator
30 from water and other substances when the marine vessel 40 is not in water.
[0028] Referring in particular to
FIG. 2 the propulsion system 1 may be configured such that the actuator 30 may pivot (double-headed
arrow) the drive unit 10 about the axis A. The axis A may be at least essentially
horizontal, and may in the present examples be referred to as a trim axis A.
[0029] As is illustrated, the wall structure 22 of the transom bracket 20 may define a bracket
volume 20v that is adapted to contain at least a section of the actuator 30.
FIG. 1 and
2 show examples where the volume 20v is adapted to contain a section of the actuator
30, whereas
FIG. 3 and
4 show examples where the volume 20v is adapted to contain the entire actuator 30.
Thus, the transom bracket 20 may contain at least a section of the actuator 30 or
may contain the entire actuator 30. As is disclosed in
FIG. 3 and
4, the shape of the wall structure 22 may be adapted to contain the lever 36 and to
allow the lever 36 to pivot inside the wall structure 22. The below description applies
to all examples disclosed in
FIG. 1 to
4, unless otherwise stated.
[0030] The actuator 30 may comprises a drive end 32 adapted to be connected to the drive
unit 10 and a vessel end 34 adapted to be connected to the marine vessel 40. The present
bracket volume 20v is adapted to contain at least the drive end 32 of the actuator
30.
[0031] As may be apprehended from
FIG. 1 to
4, even though the wall structure 22 is only illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional
side view, the present wall structure 22 may be essentially box-shaped. The present
wall structure 22 comprises one open side (to the left) that faces the transom 42.
In undepicted examples, the wall structure may instead comprise a wall structure opening
that is comprised in a side that faces the transom 42. In other words, such a wall
structure opening may form a part of a side of the wall structure.
[0032] As is illustrated, the open side of the wall structure 22 may be adapted to be positioned
over a transom opening 44 in the transom 42. Thus, the transom opening 44 may be sealed
by the wall structure 22 of the transom bracket 20.
[0033] Again, even though the wall structure 22 is only illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional
side view, it is to be apprehended that the wall structure 22 may comprise a bottom
portion 22a, a stern portion 22b, a starboard portion 22e and a port portion 22d.
These portions (denoted in
FIG. 1) may form an enclosure that shields the actuator 30. In the present examples, the
wall structure 22 comprises a top portion 22c, such that the wall structure 22 surrounds
the actuator section 30 on all sides but the side that faces the transom 42.
[0034] The present actuator 30 is a linear actuator. The linear actuator 30 may be a hydraulic
or pneumatic cylinder or an electric actuator.
[0035] Again, the actuator 30 may comprise a drive end 32 and a vessel end 34. The drive
end 32 may be adapted to be connected to the drive unit 10 and the vessel end 34a
vessel end may be adapted to be connected to the marine vessel 40. There may be provided
a lever 36 (denoted in
FIG. 1) that is adapted to connect the drive end 32 of the actuator 30 to the drive unit
10.
[0036] As is illustrated, the drive unit 10 may be secured to a shaft 24. The shaft 24 may
be rotatable to pivot the drive unit 10. The shaft 24 may be referred to as a trim
shaft or a tilt shaft. The lever 36 may be connected to shaft 24 such that the linear
actuator 30 may pivot the drive unit 10. The shaft 24 may be aligned with a vertically
upper portion of the wall structure 22. The lever 36 may be contained inside the wall
structure 22, and may extend from the shaft 24 generally vertically downwards from
the shaft 24. The linear actuator 30 may be referred to as a trim actuator or a tilt
actuator. The linear actuator 30 may be referred to as a trim cylinder.
[0037] Referring to
FIG. 1 and
2, the actuator 30 may be adapted to be connected to the hull of the marine vessel 40.
More precisely, the vessel end 34 of the actuator 30 may be adapted to be connected
to the hull of the marine vessel 40. As is illustrated, the actuator 30 may be adapted
to be connected to a reinforcement structure, such as a stringer structure, of the
hull.
[0038] Typically, the transom bracket 20 is primarily made of metal to provide a rigid support
for the drive unit 10. At least the load-bearing parts of the transom bracket 20 may
be made of metal. The wall structure 22 may be primarily made of metal, and may be
adapted to support the drive unit 10. In the present examples, the wall structure
22 is adapted to support the shaft 24 that in turn supports the drive unit 10. Thus,
the wall structure 22 may serve the purpose of supporting the drive unit 10 and also
shield the actuator 30. In alternative, the transom bracket 20 may comprise an undepicted
internal support structure that supports the shaft 24.
[0039] The propulsion system 1 may comprising an undepicted electric power line that extends
through the transom bracket 20 to the drive unit 10. The drive unit 10 may comprise
an electric propulsion motor that is powered by the electric power line.
[0040] Referring to the example of
FIG. 1 and
2, the actuator 30 may extend through the transom 42, more precisely thought the above-mentioned
transom opening 44 in the transom 42. In the examples of
FIG. 3 and
4, the actuator 30 does not extend through the transom 42 but is instead entirely positioned
inside the transom bracket 20.
[0041] As is shown in of
FIG. 2 and
4, in the present examples the propulsion system 1 is not configured such that the actuator
30 may raise (pivot) the entire drive unit 10 above the water line of the vessel 40.
The water line is not illustrated in the drawings, but is typically located above
the transom bracket 20, i.e. just above the top portion 22c of the wall structure
22. In the present examples, the drive unit 10 is pivotable a few degrees towards
the vessel 40 (negative trim, here counter-clockwise) and approximately 30 degrees
away from the vessel (positive trim, here clockwise). The present linear actuator
30 may therefore be referred to as a trim actuator, or a trim cylinder.
[0042] In undepicted embodiments, the propulsion system may be configured such that the
drive unit may be almost entirely, or entirely, tilted up above the water line of
the vessel.
[0043] The present transom bracket 20 is configured to be arranged on the aft side of the
transom 42 of the marine vessel 40 and to not extend to the bow side of the transom
42. Even though not disclosed in detail, it is to be appended that the transom bracket
20 may for example comprise a plurality of attachment through-holes that facilitate
bolting to a marine vessel.
[0044] Referring in particular to
FIG. 1, the drive unit 10 may comprise a support part 10a and a thrust part 10b. Typically,
the support part 10a is an upper part and the thrust part 10b is a lower part. An
electric propulsion motor (not visible) may be arranged inside the thrust part 10b.
A steering actuator (not visible) may be arranged inside the support part 10a. The
thrust part 10b may be rotatable (double-headed arrow about axis B in
FIG. 1) with respect to the support part 10a about a steering axis B to direct the thrust
of the drive unit 10. Thus, the drive unit 10 (the support part 10a and the thrust
part 10b) may be pivotable about the trim axis A and the thrust part 10b of the drive
unit 10 may be rotatable about the steering axis B. In the present examples, the support
part 10a is not rotatable about the steering axis B. The examples of
FIG. 3 and
4 may also comprise such support and thrust parts 10a, 10b.
[0045] It is to be apprehended that the present propulsion system 1 may also find use together
with other types of drive units that are pivotally attached to a marine vessel for
steering purposes. For example, propulsion units that do not comprise a support part
10a and a thrust part 10b as described above.
[0046] The drive unit may (as disclosed) comprise two propellers that are arranged to rotate
in opposite directions, or only one propeller, or another type of propulsion solution
such as a waterjet.
[0047] The propulsion system 1 may be an electric propulsion system, i.e. the propulsion
may be driven by an electric motor (not visible) powered by an on-board battery (not
shown). The electric motor may be arranged in the thrust part 10b as described above.
However, the present disclosure does not exclude there being a combustion engine that
powers a generator driving an electric motor, e.g. arranged in a thrust part. Alternatively,
the drive unit 10 may comprise a combustion engine.
[0048] The propulsion system 1 may be a forward or a rearward drive propulsion system, more
precisely a forward or a rearward electric drive propulsion system.
FIG. 1, 2 and
4 disclose a rearward drive electric propulsion system and
FIG. 3 discloses a forward drive propulsion system. If the drive unit comprises a support
part 10a and a thrust part 10b that is rotatable with respect to the support part
about a steering axis to direct the thrust of the drive unit, the propulsion system
may be a forward and rearward drive propulsion system.
[0049] In the Figures, the wall structure 22 of the transom bracket 20 is illustrated as
being located in front of the drive unit 10, i.e. closer to the viewer. In other words,
the present wall structure 22 is located on the port side of the drive unit 10. Alternately,
the wall structure 22 may be located on the starboard side of the drive unit 10. In
a real implementation of the present examples, the transom bracket 20 may comprise
a wall structure, or separate wall structures, located on both the port side and the
starboard side of the drive unit 10. The shaft 24 may extend from the port wall structure
to the starboard wall structure. The actuator 20 may be positioned (partly or entirely)
in one of the port wall structure and the starboard wall structure.
[0050] In some more detail, the present Figures illustrate the marine vessel 40 with the
transom 42. The transom bracket 20 is bolted to the transom 42, and comprises a box-like
wall structure 22 that protrudes aft the transom 42. The wall structure 42 pivotally
supports the shaft 24 to which the drive unit 10 is secured. Thus, the shaft 24 may
be pivoted to raise and lower the drive unit 10 with respect to the vessel 40. In
the present examples, the shaft may only be pivoted to such an extent that the trim
of the drive unit 10 is controlled, the drive unit 10 is thus not pivotable (tiltable)
above the water line of the vessel 40. The present shaft 24 extends aft the transom
42 in a lateral direction (port to starboard). The trim cylinder 30 is connected to
the shaft 24 via the lever 36. Thus, as the length of the trim cylinder is modified,
typically by an operator or by an on-board computer, the trim of the drive unit is
controlled. As is to be apprehended, the stroke of the trim cylinder 30 and the dimensions
of the lever 36 may be modified to achieve a desired trim (or tilt) behaviour. It
is the support part 10a of the drive unit 10 that is attached to the shaft 24, the
thrust part 10b is rotatable with respect to the support part 10a to steer the vessel
and, optionally, rotationally to such an extent that the thrust is reversed.
[0051] Also disclosed are examples according to the following clauses:
- 1. A propulsion system (1) for a marine vessel (40), the propulsion system (1) comprising
- a drive unit (10),
- a transom bracket (20) for attaching the drive unit (10) to a transom (42) of the
marine vessel (40), and
- an actuator (30) for moving the drive unit (10),
wherein the transom bracket (20) comprises a wall structure (22) that is arranged
to shield the actuator (30) from the water.
- 2. The propulsion system (1) of clause 1, configured such that the actuator (30) may
pivot the drive unit (10) about an axis (A).
- 3. The propulsion system (1) of clause 1, configured such that the actuator (30) may
pivot the drive unit (10) about an essentially horizontal axis (A).
- 4. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the wall structure (22)
of the transom bracket (20) is configured to support the drive unit (10).
- 5. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the wall structure (22)
defines a bracket volume (20v) adapted to contain at least a section of the actuator
(30).
- 6. The propulsion system (1) of clause 5, wherein the actuator (30) comprises a drive
end (32) adapted to be connected to the drive unit (10) and a vessel end (34) adapted
to be connected to the marine vessel (40), and wherein the bracket volume (20v) is
adapted to contain the drive end (32) of the actuator (30).
- 7. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the wall structure (22)
comprises one open side, or a wall structure opening, that faces the transom (42).
- 8. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the wall structure (22)
is essentially box-shaped.
- 9. The propulsion system (1) of clause 8, wherein the open side, or wall structure
opening, is adapted to be positioned over a transom opening (44) in the transom (42).
- 10. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the wall structure
(22) comprises a bottom portion (22a), a stern portion (22b), a starboard portion
(22e) and a port portion (22d), and optionally a top portion (22c).
- 11. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the actuator (30) is
a linear actuator.
- 12. The propulsion system (1) of clause 11, wherein the actuator (30) comprises a
drive end (32) adapted to be connected to the drive unit (10) and a vessel end (34)
adapted to be connected to the marine vessel (40), the propulsion system (1) further
comprising a lever (36) adapted to connect the drive end (32) of the actuator (30)
to the drive unit (10).
- 13. The propulsion system (1) of clause 12, wherein the lever (36) is connected to
a shaft (24) that may be rotated to pivot the drive unit (10).
- 14. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the actuator (30) is
adapted to be connected to the hull of the marine vessel (40).
- 15. The propulsion system (1) of clause 14, wherein the actuator (30) is adapted to
be connected to a reinforcement structure of the hull.
- 16. The propulsion system (1) of clause 15, wherein the actuator (30) is adapted to
be connected to a stringer structure (44).
- 17. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the transom bracket
(20) is primarily made of metal.
- 18. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, comprising an electric power
line that extends through the transom bracket (20) to the drive unit (10).
- 19. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the drive unit (10)
comprises an electric propulsion motor.
- 20. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the actuator (30) extends
through the transom (42).
- 21. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, configured such that the actuator
(30) may raise the drive unit (10) above the water line of the vessel (40).
- 22. The propulsion system (1) of the preceding clause, wherein the linear actuator
(30) is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or an electric rod actuator.
- 23. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the transom bracket
(20) is configured to be arranged on the aft side of the transom (42) of the marine
vessel (40) and to not extend to the bow side of the transom.
- 24. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the drive unit (10)
is pivotally attached to the marine vessel (60), optionally about an at least essentially
horizontal axis.
- 25. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause configured such that a thrust
angle, e.g. a trim angle, of the drive unit (10) may be controlled by the actuator
(30).
- 26. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause, where the drive unit (10) comprises
a support part (10a) and a thrust part (10b), wherein the thrust part (10b) is rotatable
with respect to the support part (10a) about a steering axis (B) to direct the thrust
of the drive unit (10).
- 27. A marine vessel (40) comprising the propulsion system (1) of any preceding clause.
[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only
and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular
forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes
any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be
further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including"
when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition
of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups thereof.
[0053] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein
to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.
These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a
first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could
be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0054] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or
"vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another
element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and
those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device
in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that
when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element,
it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements
may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected"
or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used
herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in
the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted
in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0056] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects
described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize
that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure
and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the
scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.
1. A propulsion system (1) for a marine vessel (40), the propulsion system (1) comprising
- a drive unit (10),
- a transom bracket (20) for attaching the drive unit (10) to a transom (42) of the
marine vessel (40), and
- an actuator (30) for moving the drive unit (10),
wherein the transom bracket (20) comprises a wall structure (22) that is arranged
to shield the actuator (30) from the water.
2. The propulsion system (1) of claim 1, configured such that the actuator (30) may pivot
the drive unit (10) about an axis (A), optionally an essentially horizontal axis.
3. The propulsion system (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall structure (22) defines
a bracket volume (20v) adapted to contain at least a section of the actuator (30).
4. The propulsion system (1) of claim 3, wherein the actuator (30) comprises a drive
end (32) adapted to be connected to the drive unit (10) and a vessel end (34) adapted
to be connected to the marine vessel (40), and wherein the bracket volume (20v) is
adapted to contain the drive end (32) of the actuator (30).
5. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the wall structure (22)
comprises a wall structure opening that faces the transom (42), and the wall structure
opening is adapted to be positioned over a transom opening (44) in the transom (42).
6. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the wall structure (22)
comprises a bottom portion (22a), a stern portion (22b), a starboard portion (22e)
and a port portion (22d), and optionally a top portion (22c).
7. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator (30) is a linear
actuator.
8. The propulsion system (1) of claim 7, wherein the actuator (30) comprises a drive
end (32) adapted to be connected to the drive unit (10) and a vessel end (34) adapted
to be connected to the marine vessel (40), the propulsion system (1) further comprising
a lever (36) adapted to connect the drive end (32) of the actuator (30) to the drive
unit (10).
9. The propulsion system (1) of claim 8, wherein the lever (36) is connected to a shaft
(24) that may be rotated to pivot the drive unit (10).
10. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator (30) is adapted
to be connected to the hull of the marine vessel (40).
11. The propulsion system (1) of claim 10, wherein the actuator (30) is adapted to be
connected to a reinforcement structure of the hull.
12. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, comprising an electric power line
that extends through the transom bracket (20) to the drive unit (10), and wherein
the drive unit (10) comprises an electric propulsion motor.
13. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator (30) extends
through the transom (42).
14. The propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim, where the drive unit (10) comprises
a support part (10a) and a thrust part (10b), wherein the thrust part (10b) is rotatable
with respect to the support part (10a) about a steering axis (B) to direct the thrust
of the drive unit (10).
15. A marine vessel (40) comprising the propulsion system (1) of any preceding claim.