Thrusters
The main engine has no reverse, so to maneuver, I designed two 3 hp electric maneuvering thrusters. Each one can rotate the motor 360 degrees and keep rotating due to the slip ring used for all the electrical connections.
The thrusters are designed for relatively low-speed maneuvering, so when the main engine is turned on, they are designed to retract into the hull. The right images shows the maneuvering thruster fully retracted, and the left show the maneuvering thruster fully extended.
The two left images show the maneuvering thruster fully extended. The two right images show the maneuvering thruster fully retracted when the main engine is running.
Below are some renderings of part of a maneuvering thruster. A servo motor drives a worm gear, which rotates the thruster so it can point in any direction. The large curved cyan tube with a window allows the wire coming out of the vertical shaft from the thrusters to be connected to the black slip ring at the top. Without the large curved cyan tube, it would be impossible to assemble the thruster.
Rendering of part of the maneuvering thruster, showing the worm gear and the large curved cyan tube that makes it possible to assemble.
Rendering of the maneuvering thruster when fully extended, with all the parts shown.
The maneuvering thrusters controller has been fully built and programmed; see the PLC page. I have finished machining most of the parts of the maneuverings thrusters with the exception of a couple of parts. Additionally, I think I’m going to switch the thruster motor to one that is already waterproof, as designing a housing for a regular motor that could be machined easily is proving to be difficult. Below are some pictures of all the parts that I have already machined or manufactured.
Mostly complete maneuvering thruster.
I’m holding the thruster mount that will be bolted on to the boat. The maneuvering thrusters will pivot using this assembly.
I’m holding the mount for the end of the pneumatic cylinder the retracts and extends the maneuvering thruster.
Both maneuvering thrusters, one for either side of the boat. Most parts are identical, but some are mirrored.
Below are some images of the CAD model, as you can see I like adding a lot of bolts :)
