摘要 |
A propulsion system (163) having various applications one of which is as a marine drive system for watercraft. The propulsion system (163) comprises a flow passage (173) having an intake (175) for communicating with a source of working fluid such as seawater and an outlet (177). A mixing zone (209) is disposed within the flow passage (173) between the intake (175) and the outlet (177). An injection means including annular nozzle (217) is provided for injecting a hot compressible driving fluid (175) such as steam into the mixing zone (209) in a flow direction towards the outlet (177). The arrangement is such that the interaction between the steam and the seawater in the mixing zone (207) develops a pressure reduction in the mixing zone (207) to cause seawater to be drawn from the source into the mixing zone (207) and propelled towards the outlet (177). A marine drive unit incorporating the propulsion system is also described and claimed, as well as other aspects related to the propulsion system.
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