The Ultra-Efficient Toroidal Propeller

 

 

 

 

The Ultra-Efficient Toroidal Propeller has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of the Sharrow CX, a contra-rotating propeller system¹. This new design integrates the company’s signature looped propellers into a contra-rotating setup, promising enhanced energy efficiency and reduced noise levels¹.

The Sharrow CX features two propellers rotating in opposite directions around a single shaft¹. This configuration, already known for its efficiency in marine propulsion, is further enhanced by Sharrow’s twisted looped blades¹. The company anticipates notable improvements in efficiency, agility, and maneuverability¹.

Previous testing of Sharrow’s single propellers has demonstrated significant enhancements in range, reverse thrust, and noise reduction¹. The Sharrow CX, despite its premium pricing, underscores Sharrow’s commitment to quality and innovation, solidifying its position as a leader in the field of marine propulsion.

In conclusion, the Sharrow CX represents a significant advancement in marine propulsion technology, combining the efficiency of contra-rotating propellers with the performance benefits of Sharrow’s toroidal blade design¹. It’s a promising development for the future of efficient and sustainable marine transportation¹ 

1) https://newatlas.com/marine/sharrow-contra-rotating-toroidal-propellers/

New Lexus flagship model has 1,000-hp engines

Lexus floats a new boat: the LY 680 luxury yacht with a sticker topping $5 million.

Lexus has announced the new LY680 Luxury Yacht, an evolution of the previous LY650 model benefiting from a series of enhancements.

The flagship Luxury Yacht is the embodiment of the Lexus ‘Crafted’ design philosophy with attention to detail designed to exceed customers’ expectations.

The concept for the yacht’s development was that it should ”feel like a hideout in the middle of the sea, providing a space where discerning customers can feel free and at ease”. The exterior reflects the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy, while the interior has been crafted down to the smallest details to provide a comfortable living space. In terms of performance, Lexus aims for confidence-inspiring cruising performance, with stable maneuverability, ride comfort, and quietness.

The Horizon Group carried out by the production, which has a reputation for advanced technological capabilities, honed through super-yacht construction. By combining the Horizon Group’s building capabilities with yacht production methods based on the Toyota Production System, the strengths of both brands have been leveraged.

A 1/20 scale model of the LY680 will be on display at the Japan International Boat Show 2024, at Pacifico Yokohama from 21 – 24 March 2024.

Expansion of fly-bridge and swimming platform

The fly-bridge has been extended by 1,400mm and features a spacious lounge sofa and a barbecue grill^*3. The swimming platform has been extended by 700mm.

Production by the Horizon Group

The LY680 is built by Horizon Group, a leading luxury yacht brand in Asia that specializes in custom-built yachts featuring advanced technology and production methods. The combination of sleek styling inspired by Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy and Horizon Group’s production capabilities cultivated through super-yacht construction leverages the strengths of both brands to create a spectacular vessel.

LY680 specifications

Overall length (m)	20.66
Overall width (m)	5.76
Engine	Twin Volvo IPS 1350/1050
Fuel tank capacity	4,012
Fresh water tank capacity (l)	852
Accommodation	3 rooms (6 beds)
Number of passengers	15

 

Yamaha Motor Acquires Electric Marine Propulsion Manufacturer Torqeedo

Bolstering competitiveness and accelerating carbon neutrality efforts in the Electric field of the Company's Marine CASE Strategy

IWATA, January 19, 2024 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) announced today that it has recently concluded a stock purchase agreement with Germany's DEUTZ AG, which owns marine electric propulsion manufacturer Torqeedo, to acquire all of Torqeedo's shares. This stock acquisition is premised on the acquisition of the clearances, permits, etc., required by competition laws and other regulations.

Torqeedo, a pioneer in the field of electric marine propulsion, offers a wide-ranging lineup of products, from electric outboard and inboard motors to batteries and various other accessories. With sales in the small electric motor market on the rise, mainly in Europe, Torqeedo continues to grow as a company. It also holds many patents related to electric motors, propellers, and electric systems, as well as the R&D capabilities, mass-production equipment, and development resources for next-generation environmental technologies.

Yamaha Motor's aim in acquiring Torqeedo is to strengthen the Company's development capabilities in the Electric field of its Marine CASE Strategy, which outlines the general direction for the Marine Products business in the current Medium-Term Management Plan. This acquisition is also meant to accelerate the Company's efforts for achieving carbon neutrality in the marine industry as well as aid in fast-tracking the establishment of a small electric propulsion lineup. Furthermore, by combining Torqeedo's assets with Yamaha Motor's decades of technical expertise and know-how in hull design, marine engines, and more will birth synergies for creating mid-range electric outboard motors as the Company aims to become a leader in the growing market for electric boat propulsion.

By implementing its Marine CASE Strategy, Yamaha Motor will deliver attractive products and services with high added value to its customers and strive to achieve its Marine Long-Term Vision of being a business further increasing the value of the ocean by providing customers with a reliable and rich marine life.

 

 

 

 

 

Yamaha Motor Marine introduces a new Hydrogen IC engine Outboard motor at the Miami boat show 14/18 Feb 2024

 Yamaha Motor Marine introduces a new Hydrogen IC Engine Outboard Motor

IWATA, December 7, 2023 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting a prototype hydrogen-powered outboard motor at the Miami International Boat Show, one of the world’s largest boat shows, scheduled to be held from February 14 to 18, 2024 in Miami, Florida, USA.

It must be no surprise that after Toyota and Yamaha announced in February 2022 the co-development of a V8 - 5.0Ltr that this outboard motor has the same specifications. Obviously, the experiences gained during that project flow into this and future Hydrogen IC engine applications. 

Yamaha has set a companywide environmental goal to achieve carbon neutrality in Scope 3* by 2050 - see some slides below.

Below a video of the "Yamaha Motor Marine Technology Briefing" held on December 7, 2023 for the press.in Japanese with English subtitles./

The presentation consisted of an explanation of "Yamaha Motor Long-Term Vision, Environmental Plan, and Marine Carbon Neutral Response" by Heiji Maruyama, Director, Managing Executive Officer, and "Marine Long-Term Vision and Marine Version CASE Strategy" by Toshiaki Ibata, Senior Executive Officer, Chief General Manager of Marine Business Operations.

https://youtu.be/oIGPOB29SfA?feature=shared 

Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki to co-develop hydrogen small mobility engines

 

 

Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki to co-develop hydrogen small mobility engines

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has granted approval to Yamaha Motor Co., Honda Motor Co, Kawasaki Motors and Suzuki Motor Corporation to form the technological research association HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility and Engine technology), which will develop hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility – suitable for fitment to motorcycles, small marine vessels, construction equipment and mini-vehicles from Japan.

 

 

With the mobility sector looking for ways to decarbonize, research and development programs aiming to commercialize hydrogen engine mobility are increasing in number.

The use of hydrogen for mobility does, however, come with its own set of challenges. These include fast flame speed and a large region of ignition, which can result in unstable combustion. Other technical issues include the limited fuel tank capacity of smaller vehicles.

To overcome such technical challenges, the HySE consortium will draw on each company’s respective expertise in petrol-powered engines to establish a design standard for small hydrogen-powered engines and advance research in this area.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the planned formation of the association,” said Kenji Komatsu, chairman nominee of HySE and executive officer of the Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha.

“There are many challenges in the development of hydrogen-powered engines, but we hope to see the association’s activities advance the fundamental research in order to meet those challenges. We are committed to this endeavor with a sense of mission to preserve the use of internal combustion engines, which epitomize the long-time efforts that our predecessors have invested.”

Honda will be responsible for researching the model-based development of hydrogen-powered engines, with Suzuki conducting element studies on the functionality, performance and reliability of the power-trains. Both Yamaha and Kawasaki will carry out physical research using real hydrogen-powered engines.

Yamaha will also study the requirements for a hydrogen refueling system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility, with Kawasaki studying the auxiliary equipment required for a fuel supply system and tanks, and the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector. PT31052023