Watercraft

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,827, filed Apr. 30, 2024 entitled “Pontoon Assembly With Lift Members, and Watercraft Having Same”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/733,317, filed Dec. 12, 2024 entitled “Watercraft”, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present technology relates to watercraft, specifically watercraft with heat exchangers.

Watercraft with electric propulsion systems are becoming increasingly popular. These electric propulsion systems have motors, batteries, and propulsion units.

Conventionally, components such as batteries and motors can be kept cool by being in continuous contact with a relatively cool body of water. However, often times, batteries for these electric watercraft are charged while the watercraft is removed from the body of water. In such situations, it can be difficult to cool some components of the watercraft.

Thus, there is a desire for a technology that can cool components of the watercraft while the watercraft is not immersed in a body of water.

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a watercraft including a deck, a pontoon assembly and an electric propulsion system. The pontoon assembly supports the deck, and includes first and second pontoons, and an intermediate member. The first pontoon is connected to the deck, and has a first metallic portion. The second pontoon is connected to the deck, and is laterally spaced from the first pontoon. The intermediate member is connected to and extends laterally between the first pontoon and the second pontoon. The electric propulsion system includes a battery, an electric motor and a propulsion unit. The battery is supported by at least one of the pontoon assembly or the deck. The electric motor is electrically connected to and powered by the battery. The propulsion unit is operatively connected to the electric motor. The intermediate member has a cooling system, which includes a heat exchanger and a cooling path. The heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the first metallic portion. The cooling path is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger, and at least one of the battery or the electric motor.

In some embodiments, the second pontoon has a second metallic portion, and the heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the second metallic portion.

In some embodiments, the intermediate member is a first intermediate member. The watercraft further includes a third pontoon connected to the deck, the third pontoon being laterally spaced from the first pontoon, and a second intermediate member connected to and extending laterally between the first pontoon and the third pontoon.

In some embodiments, the first pontoon is a center pontoon, the second pontoon is a port pontoon disposed to a left of the center pontoon, the third pontoon is a starboard pontoon disposed to a right of the center pontoon, the first intermediate member is a port intermediate member, and the second intermediate member is a starboard intermediate member.

In some embodiments, the cooling system is a first cooling system, the heat exchanger is a first heat exchanger, the cooling path is a first cooling path, the port pontoon has a second metallic portion, and the starboard pontoon has a third metallic portion. The starboard intermediate member has a second cooling system. The second cooling system includes a second heat exchanger in thermal contact with at least one of the first metallic portion or the third metallic portion, and a second cooling path in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger, and at least one of the battery or the electric motor.

In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the first metallic portion and the second metallic portion, and the second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the first metallic portion and the third metallic portion.

In some embodiments, a vertically highest point of the port intermediate member and a vertically highest point of the starboard intermediate member are disposed vertically lower than a vertical midpoint of the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, a vertically lowest point of the port intermediate member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the port pontoon, and a vertically lowest point of the starboard intermediate member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the starboard pontoon.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first metallic portion, the second metallic portion or the third metallic portion is made of aluminium.

In some embodiments, the first metallic portion is made of aluminium.

In some embodiments, the intermediate member has a metallic portion.

In some embodiments, the metallic portion of the intermediate member is made of aluminum.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a watercraft comprising a deck, a pontoon assembly and an electric propulsion system. The pontoon assembly supports the deck, and includes center, port and starboard pontoons, and port and starboard intermediate members. The center pontoon is connected to the deck. The port pontoon is connected to the deck, and is disposed to a left of the center pontoon. The starboard pontoon is connected to the deck, and is disposed to a right of the center pontoon. The port intermediate member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the port pontoon. The starboard intermediate member is connected to and extends laterally between the center pontoon and the starboard pontoon. The at least one of the center pontoon, the port pontoon or the starboard pontoon has a first metallic pontoon portion. The electric propulsion system includes a battery, an electric motor and a propulsion unit. The battery is supported by at least one of the pontoon assembly and the deck. The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery. The propulsion unit is operatively connected to the electric motor. The at least one of the port intermediate member or the starboard intermediate member has a cooling system comprising a heat exchanger and a cooling path. The heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the first metallic portion. The cooling path is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger; and at least one of the battery or the electric motor.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the port intermediate member or the starboard intermediate member is the port intermediate member, the cooling system is a first cooling system, the heat exchanger is a first heat exchanger, the cooling path is a first cooling path, the at least one of the center pontoon, the port pontoon or the starboard pontoon is at least one of the center pontoon or the port pontoon, at least one of the center pontoon and the starboard pontoon has a second metallic portion. The starboard intermediate member includes a second heat exchanger and a second cooling path. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the second metallic portion. The second cooling path is in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger; and at least one of the battery or the electric motor.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the center pontoon or the port pontoon having the first metallic portion is the center pontoon, and the at least one of the center pontoon or the starboard pontoon having the second metallic portion is the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, the port pontoon has the first metallic portion, the starboard pontoon has the second metallic portion, the center pontoon has a third metallic portion, the first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the first metallic portion and the third metallic portion, and the second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the second metallic portion and the third metallic portion.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first metallic portion, the second metallic portion or the third metallic portion is made of aluminium.

In some embodiments, a vertically highest point of the port intermediate member and a vertically highest point of the starboard intermediate member are disposed vertically lower than a vertical midpoint of the center pontoon.

In some embodiments, a vertically lowest point of the port intermediate member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the port pontoon, and a vertically lowest point of the starboard intermediate member is disposed vertically higher than a vertically lowest point of the starboard pontoon.

In some embodiments, at least one of the intermediate port member or the intermediate starboard member has a metallic portion.

Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Unless indicated otherwise, the Figures are not drawn to scale.

A watercraftin accordance with one embodiment of the present technology is shown in. The following description relates to one example of a watercraft, notably a pontoon boat. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are other known types of watercraft incorporating different designs and that some aspects of the present technology would encompass these other watercraft.

For purposes of the description of the watercraft, terms related to spatial orientation when referring thereto and components in relation to the watercraft, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are, unless indicated otherwise, as they would be understood by a driver of the watercraftsitting thereon in an upright driving position, with the watercraftbeing at rest on a body of water and generally level.

Referring to, the watercraft, henceforth referred to as boat, includes a deck, a pontoon assemblyand a propulsion system. The deckis disposed on, and supported by, the pontoon assembly. The propulsion systemis also supported by the pontoon assembly. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the propulsion systemmay be supported by the deckor by both the deckand the pontoon assembly.

The deckhas an upper surfacefor supporting occupants, as well as accessories and accommodations of the boat, and a lower surfacefor connecting with the pontoon assembly.

The boatincludes left and right front furniture units, left and right intermediate seats, and left and right rear furniture units, all of which are connected to the upper surfaceof the deck. The left and right front furniture unitseach include two seats. The left and right intermediate seatsare swivel seats. The left and right rear furniture unitseach include three seats. It is understood that the layout and/or configuration of the left and right front furniture units, the left and right intermediate seats, and the left and right rear furniture unitsmay vary. The boatfurther includes a command consolethat is disposed between the front right furniture unitand the right intermediate seat. It is contemplated that the deckcould include multiple levels and/or other seating or other accessories integrated therein.

The boatfurther includes a side structuresurrounding at least part of the deckand extending upwardly therefrom. In the present embodiment, the side structureis a barrier structure. It is contemplated that that in some embodiments, the side structurecould be gunnels of the boator another type of structure. The barrier structureis located along a periphery of the boat(as defined by the deck). As best seen in, the barrier structuregenerally covers the front, left and right sides of the deck. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the barrier structurecould surround the deckcompletely.

The boathas, at a rear thereof, beyond the barrier structure, a rear platform. The rear platformprovides additional space at the rear of the boatwhich can facilitate access to the water.

Referring to, the pontoon assembly, which can sometimes be referred to as a hull, includes a center pontoon, a port pontoonthat is disposed on a left side of the center pontoon(i.e., on a port side of the boat) and a starboard pontoonthat is disposed on a right side of the center pontoon(i.e., on a starboard side of the boat). The pontoon assemblyalso includes a port lift memberthat is connected to the center and port pontoons,and a starboard lift memberthat is connected to the center and starboard pontoons,. It is contemplated that the pontoon assemblycan vary from one embodiment to another. For example, in some embodiments, the pontoon assemblycould only include two laterally spaced pontoons and a single lift member. The pontoon assemblywill be described in greater detail below.

Referring to, the propulsion systemincludes a battery, an electric motorand a propulsion unit. The electric motoris electrically connected to, and powered by, the battery. The electric motoris received in a housing, and forms part of an outboard motor. The propulsion unitis operatively connected to the electric motor, and is configured to propel the boatin response to the electric motorbeing actuated. In the illustrated embodiment, the propulsion unitis a propeller system. It is contemplated that other propulsion units, such as stern drives or jet propulsion assemblies may be used to propel the boat. A steering wheel(), which is disposed on the command console, is operatively connected to the outboard motorto steer the outboard motorin order to steer the boat. An acceleration lever(), which is also disposed on the command console, is operatively connected to the electric motorfor controlling operation thereof. The propulsion systemwill be described in greater detail below. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the propulsion systemmay include, instead of the batteryand the electric motor, an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank. It also contemplated that the batterycould be another type of energy storage device (e.g., hydrogen storage tank).

Referring to, the pontoon assembly, which includes the center pontoon, the port pontoon, the starboard pontoon, will now be described in greater detail. The pontoon assemblyis connected to the deck. More specifically, the center pontoonis connected to the deckvia a supporting structure, the port pontoonis connected to the deckvia two connecting members, and the starboard pontoonis connected to the deckvia two connecting members.

The port and starboard pontoons,are similar to one another (symmetrical about a longitudinal center plane of the boat).

The port pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The port pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the port pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the port pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. Rearward from the cone portion, the port pontoonotherwise has a cylindrical body, such that a cross-section of the port pontoontaken rearward from the cone portionalong a lateral plane defines a circle. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the port pontoonmay vary. The port pontoonis connected to the deckvia the two connecting members. The two connecting members, which extend along a length of the port pontoon, are connected to an upper side of the port pontoon, and are connected to the lower surfaceof the deck. It is contemplated that the port pontoonmay be connected to the deckdifferently, for example, by one single connecting member. The port pontoonfurther has port strakedisposed on laterally outer and lower sides thereof. The port strakeextends longitudinally, from a rear end of the port pontoonto a rear end of the cone portion. In some embodiments, the port strakemay be omitted and/or additional strakes may be provided.

The port pontoonis made of aluminum. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the port pontooncould be made of another type of metal. In some embodiments, only a portion of the port pontoonis made of metal. It is also contemplated that the port pontooncould be made of a non-metallic material such as fiberglass.

Likewise, the starboard pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The port and starboard pontoons,have similar lengths. The starboard pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the starboard pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the starboard pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. Rearward from the cone portion, the starboard pontoonotherwise has a cylindrical body, such that a cross-section of the starboard pontoontaken rearward from the cone portionalong a lateral plane defines a circle. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the starboard pontoonmay vary. The starboard pontoonis connected to the deckvia the two connecting members. The two connecting members, which extend along a length of the starboard pontoon, are connected to an upper side of the starboard pontoon, and are connected to the lower surfaceof the deck. It is contemplated that the starboard pontoonmay be connected to the deckdifferently, for example, by one single connecting member. The starboard pontoonfurther has starboard strakedisposed on laterally outer and lower sides thereof. The starboard strakeextends longitudinally, from a rear end of the starboard pontoonto a rear end of the cone portion. In some embodiments, the starboard strakemay be omitted and/or additional strakes may be provided.

The starboard pontoonis made of aluminum. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the starboard pontooncould be made of another type of metal. In some embodiments, only a portion of the starboard pontoonis made of metal. It is also contemplated that the starboard pontoonmay be made of a non-metallic material such as fiberglass.

Still referring to, the center pontoonis laterally centered along a width of the boat. The center pontoon, which is tubular, extends longitudinally so as to span a majority of a length of the deck. The center pontoonis longer than the port and starboard pontoons,. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the center, port and starboard pontoons,,may have similar lengths.

The center pontoonhas, at a front end thereof, a cone portion. It is contemplated that the cone portionmay be integral with a remaining of the center pontoon, or may be selectively connected thereto. The cone portionhas a hydrodynamic shape that can assist in reducing drag induced by the center pontoonduring movement of the boat, particularly in the forward direction. The cone portionis hollow, but may be filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. It is contemplated that a shape of the cone portionmay vary from one embodiment to another.

Rearward from the cone portion, the center pontoonis shaped such that a cross-section thereof taken along a lateral plane has an upper surfacethat is flatter than a lower surface. More specifically, the cross-section defines a gibbous shape. It is contemplated that the cross-section of the center pontoonmay vary. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the center pontoonmay be a semi-circle (i.e., the upper surfacemay be completely flat). It is also contemplated that, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the center pontoonmay be an ellipsoid.

Referring to, the center pontoonis configured such that a height of the center pontoonvaries laterally, and a width of the center pontoon varies vertically. The center pontoonhas, at a lateral center thereof, a maximum height H. The maximum height Hextends from a lowest vertical point Cof the center pontoonto a highest vertical point Cof the center pontoon. The center pontoonfurther has, at the intersection between the upper and lower surfaces,, a maximum width W. The maximum width Wis greater than the maximum height H.

In some instances, the upper surfacebeing flatter than the lower surfacecan increase a rigidity of the center pontoon, which can assist in limiting how much the deckcan flex, as a stiffness of the center pontoonis greater than a stiffness of the deck. Additionally, as will be described below, the upper surfacebeing flatter than the lower surfaceassists in providing sufficient clearance between the upper surfacethereof and the lower surfaceof the deckfor receiving the batterytherebetween.

Referring to, on the upper surfacethereof, the center pontoonhas a plurality of reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribsare longitudinally spaced from one another, and extend laterally. Within the center pontoon, rearward from the cone portion, a plurality of internal wallsdelimit the internal space of the center pontoonin a plurality of distinct chambers. Each one of the internal wallsis longitudinally aligned with a respective one of the reinforcing ribs. In the present embodiment, the chambersare hollow. In other embodiments, the chambersmay be, at least partially, filled with a material such as closed-cell foam. The center pontoonhas, toward the rear end thereof, a lidfor providing access to the rearmost chamber. A bilge pumpis disposed in the rearmost chamber, and is configured to pump fluid out thereof. A mounting plateis connected to the read end of the center pontoonfor mounting the outboard motorto the center pontoon.