Another one on the market or at least being marketed...............................update 12/20/2006
Fleetwater Marine
http://www.fleetwatermarine.com/carbon_fibre_thrusters.htm
Quote:
Carbon fibre 'Ring' Thrusters
As with our carbon fibre propellers, conventional marine thruster units have changed little over the years. Most are essentially small shaft mounted propellers, but now we have designed a unique lightweight, low noise Ring thruster unit with individually replaceable carbon fibre blades.
Carbon fibre Ring thruster - Design
The Ring thruster comprises a circular housing containing an electric motor with carbon fibre propellers mounted on the interior of the ring. The design has many advantages over conventional propulsion units.
* The ring thruster in compact - saving space
* No additional gear box required - saving cost and weight
* No cavitation - reducing noise and improving efficiency
* No propeller fouling - Ropes and obstruction pass straight through the middle of the thruster
* Improved acceleration - particularly under high load
* Blades are mounted in a water cooled, ceramic seal - Avoiding blade degradation.
* No overheating - Entire housing and engine cooled by surrounding water
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