Propulsive elements directly acting on water, e.g.:

Effecting propulsion by jets, e.g. using reaction principle.

Propulsive devices directly acted on by wind, e.g.:

Effecting propulsion by use of vessel-mounted driving mechanisms co‑operating with anchored chains or the like.

Effecting propulsion by muscle power

Effecting propulsion of vessels, not otherwise provided for, e.g.

Outboard propulsion units and Z-drives.

Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels:

Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements, e.g.

Steering and dynamic anchoring

Slowing down of vessels other than by propulsive elements

B63H is the general home of means for propelling, steering and dynamic positioning, as well as for slowing down of ships and other floating structures, and covers in particular propulsive elements like propellers, jets, sails, oars and their respective arrangement on vessels, as well as arrangements and adaptations of propulsion power plants, and of the power transmission to the propulsive elements. The means for steering and dynamic anchoring cover in particular steering gear, rudders and propulsive elements.

Whilst marine propulsive devices directly acted on by wind and the arrangement thereof on vessels are found in B63H, B63B provides for masts of sailing boats and for sail arrangements, sails and masts for wind-driven boards, land-borne wind-propelled vehicles are classified in B62B, shaping of substances in plastic state and after-treatment of shaped products in general is found in B29C, and B32B provides for layered products in general.

While the propulsion and steering of ships and other waterborne vessels is classified in B63H, B63C 11/42 provides for diving chambers with independent propulsion or direction control, as well as for unmanned underwater vessels remotely operated by using an umbilical, marine propulsion and steering peculiar to submarines, other than nuclear propulsion is provided for in B63G, arrangements for propulsion and steering of amphibious vehicles are classified in B60F, B60V provides for propulsion and control of air-cushion vehicles, aircraft propellers and aircraft flight control are covered by B64C, B64D provides for aircraft power plants and power transmission, and propulsion and steering peculiar to torpedoes is found in F42B 19/00.

Whilst the mounting of propulsion power plants or units is classified in B63H, B63B 7/087 provides for motor mountings in inflatable boats, e.g. transom panels for outboard motors, and motor-driven surf-boards are classified in B63B 32/10

Whilst B63H covers jets and thrusters for propulsion and steering, as well as for wind-driven propellers, F03B provides for machines or engines for liquids, like water turbines or water wheels, wind motors are found in F03D, and F04D provides for non-positive displacement pumps in general.

While B63H covers marine propulsion by muscle power, swimming frameworks with swimmer operated driving mechanism are provided for in A63B 35/00, and land-based training equipment for rowing or sculling is found in A63B 69/06.

While B63H covers outboard propulsion units, the cooling of outboard marine engines is found in F01P 3/202, engines of outboard propulsion units are classified in F02B 61/045 and air intakes for outboard marine engines are provided for in F02M 35/167 .

While the use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels is covered by B63H, B63J provides for driving of vessel auxiliaries, and propulsion power plants or units per se are classified in the respective relevant sub-classes, e.g. internal-combustion piston engines and combustion engines in general in F02B, their control in F02D, gas-turbine power plants in F02C, nuclear power plant in G21D, and dynamo-electric machines in H02K.

In this subclass, two different Indexing Schemes are used:

The first Indexing Scheme represents a further sub-division of the CPC scheme (breakdown codes). The symbols of this first Indexing Scheme are hierarchically arranged under CPC groups. They are in their scope limited by the scope of the respective symbols CPC scheme under which they are indented. This first Indexing Scheme is used for invention information and additional information.

The second Indexing Scheme is arranged under the subclass B63B, and covers the range B63B 2201/00 - B63B 2241/00. This second Indexing Scheme is used in all subclasses under the class B63 "Ships or other waterborne vessels; Related equipment". This second Indexing Scheme is used for indexing non-trivial information related to the invention information as far as for this information no place is provided for in a particular group in the class B63.

The use of both Indexing Schemes is obligatory for documents published after July 2011. The contents of these groups is not complete before this date.

Propulsive elements of rotary type

Propulsive elements of non-rotary type, e.g.

While B63H 1/00 is the general home of propulsive elements directly acting on water, methods and apparatus for propeller pitch changing is provided for in B63H 3/00, B63H 5/00 provides for the arrangement of such propulsive elements on vessels, and for stationary water-guiding elements, water-jets and magneto-hydrodynamic propulsors are classified in B63H 11/00, B63H 16/00 provides for oars, sculls, paddles and the like elements for converting muscular power into propulsive action, and the attachment of propellers on shafts is found in B63H 23/34.

Apparatus and methods for changing the pitch of propeller-blades, e.g.

Whilst B63H 3/00 is the home of apparatus und methods for propeller-blade pitch changing of marine propellers, B64C 11/30 provides for blade pitch-changing mechanisms of aircraft propellers, machines or engines for liquids, like water turbines or water wheels are covered by F03B, wind motors are found in F03D, and F04D provides for non-positive displacement pumps in general.

Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water, e.g.

B63H 5/00 is the home of arrangements of propellers, water wheels and other propulsive elements directly acting on water, in particular of propellers movably mounted with respect to the hull, e.g. of podded azimuthing propellers and the like, however, arrangements of jet propulsors are found in B63H 11/00, arrangements of water engaging propulsive elements driven by wind motors are classified in B63H 13/00, arrangements of water engaging propulsive elements driven by muscular power are provided for in B63H 16/00, outboard propulsion units and Z-drives are found in B63H 20/00, and B63H 25/42 provides for arrangements of movable propellers used for steering purposes only as well as for rudders carrying propellers.

Arrangements on vessels of propulsive devices directly acting on air such as of propellers of air-screw type for aircraft.

B63H 7/00 covers the arrangements of propulsive device directly acting on air, e.g. of air propellers, however, effecting marine propulsion by means of jets, i.e. using the reaction principle, e.g. by means of gas jets, is provided for in B63H 11/00, and air-screws of aircraft type as such are classified in B64C 11/00

Sail or rigging arrangements which are held by the user such that the user is located between the sail or rigging arrangement and the device on which the user is standing. The user is therefore holding the propulsion arrangement.

Details of mast foot.

Tensioning systems fixed to the mast foot.

Mast foot extensions.

Repair kits.

Kite pumps.

Kite launching aid devices.

Inflatable riggings.

Demountable masts.

Detachable riggings or sail sections.

Propulsive devices directly acted on by wind, and arrangements thereof on vessels.

Magnus rotors.

Sails and the like wind-catching surfaces, e.g.

B63H 9/00 is the general home of devices which directly convert wind energy into marine propulsive force, and of the arrangements of such devices on vessels, however, sailing sledges or ice boats are found in B62B 15/00, B63B 15/00 provides for masts for sailing boats, and the staying thereof, while wind-driven boards and respective sail construction and arrangements are provided for in B63B 32/00 and B63H 8/00, while wind driven motors driving water-engaging propulsion elements are found in B63H 13/00.

Propulsion arrangements in a kiteboard or in a sailboat that are held by the vessel only, without assistance by a user.

Sails manufactured by shaping deformable material on moulds, e.g. thermoplastic film on heatable moulds.

Flying sails, which are sails not attached to the forestay: examples of this type of sail are spinnakers or gennakers.

Laminated sails, i.e. fibres or filaments arranged along predefined lines substantially parallel to the principal stress trajectories.

Effecting marine propulsion by means of jet, i.e. using the reaction principle

Jet propulsion using ambient water as propulsive medium, e.g.

While B63H 11/00 is the general home of marine propulsion by means of jets, steering or dynamic anchoring by means of jets, the jets being used for this purpose only, as well as rudders carrying jets are classified in B63H 25/46, combustion gas jet-propulsion plants in general are provided for in F02K, further, F04 provides for positive and non-positive displacement pumps in general, and steam generation in general is provided for in F22.

Outboard propulsion units comprising jets as propulsive elements are also classified in B63H 20/00 and sub-groups.

Methods, apparatus and installations for converting wind energy into driving power for water-engaging propulsive elements.

While B63H 13/00 is the home of installations and methods using wind turbines and other wind-driven motors for generating power, e.g. mechanical or electric, which power is used, via respective drive trains, for driving water-engaging propulsive elements, like propellers, B63H 9/00 provides for propulsive devices directly acted on by wind, e.g. sails, and arrangements thereof on vessels in general, and wind motors as such are found in F03D.

Apparatus, installations and methods for effecting marine propulsion by means of vessel-mounted diving mechanism which co-operate with anchored chains or the like.

While B63H 15/00 is the home of installations and methods in which marine propulsion is effected by cooperation between a ship-borne driving mechanism and an anchored chain or the like, effecting propulsion of vessels by direct engagement with the water-bed or ground is provided for in B63H 19/08.

Effecting marine propulsion by means of vessel-mounted muscle powered diving mechanism which co-operate with anchored chains or the like are also classified in B63H 16/00.

Devices and methods for effecting propulsion by muscle power

Movable seats for oarsmen

Footrests

Oars, sculls, paddles and setting poles

Rowlocks and mountings therefor

Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort

While B63H 16/00 covers devices and methods for converting muscle power into vessel propulsion, and covers also water engaging propulsive elements like oars, paddles or poles, other marine propulsive elements as such are found in the respective main groups of this subclass B63H, swimming framework, i.e. apparatus fixed to or held by the swimmer or diver, with driving mechanisms operated e.g. by muscular effort from the user is found in A63B 35/00, hand-propelled vehicles as well as sledges are classified in B62B, vehicles drawn by animals are covered by B62C, B62K provides for cycles, and B62M covers propulsion of wheeled vehicles by immediate effort from the rider.

Effecting marine propulsion by means of vessel-mounted muscle powered driving mechanisms which co-operate with anchored chains or the like is also classified in B63H 15/00.

Groups B63H 16/12, and its sub-group B63H 16/14 are no longer used for classification. Documents in the backlog are in the process of being reclassified to B63H 16/16 - B63H 16/20.

This group and its sub-group B63H 16/14 are no longer used for classification. Documents are in the process of being reclassified to B63H 16/16 - B63H 16/20.

Effecting marine propulsion by using energy derived from movement of ambient water, e.g.

Effecting marine propulsion by discharging gas into ambient water, other than by jet action

Effecting marine propulsion by direct engagement with water-bed or ground

Other devices and methods for effecting marine propulsion

B63H 19/00 is the residual place for devices, arrangements and methods for effecting marine propulsion, and covers propulsion effected by using energy form movement of ambient water, by gas discharge into the ambient water, other than by jets, and by direct engagement with the water-bed or ground, however pushing a boat by muscular power using poles interacting with the ground is provided for in B63H 16/04.

Outboard propulsion units, i.e. propulsion units having a substantially vertical power leg mounted outboard of a hull and terminating in a propulsion element, e.g.

Arrangements of outboard propulsion units on vessels

Mounting of outboard propulsion units, e.g.

Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt, or steering

Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element, e.g.

Arrangements, apparatus and method for handling fluids in outboard propulsion units, e.g.

For handling cooling-water

Housings of outboard propulsion units, e.g. with stabilizing fins or rudders

Transporting or testing stands for outboard propulsion units

Use for outboard propulsion units as pumps

Protection of power legs, e.g. when not in use

While B63H 20/00 is the home of propulsion units which comprise a substantially vertical power leg arranged outboard of the vessel, which power terminates in a propulsion element, which typically engages the ambient water, wherein the power leg may carry a power generator, such as in IC-engine, or wherein an inboard motor co-operates with the propulsion element by a transmission line in Z-configuration, as well as of the arrangement thereof on vessels, hand carts for transporting outboard units are classified in B62B; B63B 7/087 provides for transom panels on inflatable boats for mounting outboard motors, B63B 35/665 provides for floating tug-type propeller units, inboard arrangements of propellers movably mounted with respect to the hull, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters are classified in B63H 5/125, rudders carrying propellers are provided for in B63H 25/42, rudders carrying jets have their home in B63H 25/46, and F02B 61/045 provides for outboard marine engines per se.

Outboard propulsion units comprising jets as propulsive elements are also classified in B63H 11/00 and sub-groups.

The surface formed by the output flange of the engine of the outboard propulsion unit and the virtual nutshell around the engine form the interface between engine related classes F01 - F04 and the outboard drive related aspects in B63H 20/00

Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels, i.e. arrangements of propulsion power plant or units on vessels and to some extent it includes adaptations of such plant or units to facilitate such arrangements, e.g. for

Propulsion power units controlled from exterior of the engine room, e.g. from the navigation bridge

Mounting of propulsion power plant or unit, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes

Arrangements of propulsion-unit exhaust uptakes.

Apparatus or methods for handling power plant or unit liquids, specially adapted for use on marine vessels.

B63H 21/00 is the general home of arrangements of propulsion power plant or units on vessels, as well as, to some extent, of adaptations of apparatus and methods for use on marine vessels for facilitating such arrangements, however, propulsion power plant or units per se are classified in the classes F01 - F04, F22, G21 and H02, further, electrically-propelled vehicles in general are classified in B60L, B60W provides for conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, hull reinforcements for carrying propulsion power plant or units are provided for in B63B 3/70, the propulsion of submarines, with the exception of propulsion by nuclear power, is classified in B63G 8/08, B63H 20/00 provides for the use of outboard propulsion units, such as outboard motors and Z-drives, electric power transmission from power plant or unit to propulsive elements is found in B63H 23/24, lubrication of machines or engines in general is found in F01M, F01P 3/207 provides for cooling circuits with liquid-to-liquid heat exchanging relative to marine vessels, controlling of engines peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers is found in F02D 29/02, control levers in general are classified in G05G, and G08B 9/00 provides for order telegraphs per se.

Devices, arrangements and methods for transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements, e.g.

Propeller or paddle wheel shafts, and devices or arrangements for use with the same, e.g.

While B63H 23/00 is the home of devices, arrangements and methods adapted for marine propulsion power transmission between power generator or prime mover and propulsive elements, propeller-shaft tunnels in ship's hulls are classified in B63B 11/06, B63H 3/00 provides for arrangements and methods for propeller-blade pitch changing, adaptations of transmissions to allow adjustment in location or direction of propellers arranged in-board, e.g. in podded azimuthing propulsors, are classified in B63H 5/125, transmissions between wind motors and propulsive elements are found in B63H 13/00, transmissions in apparatus fro converting muscle power into propulsive effort are covered by B63H 16/08, B63H 20/08 provides for adaptations of transmission in outboard propulsion units to allow for adjustment of the location of the propulsive element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering, and B63H 20/14, provides for transmissions in outboard propulsion units between propulsion power unit and propulsive element, e.g. including means for moving propulsion element in a horizontal plane only, such as for steering, or with provision for reverse drive, and B63H 25/42 covers adaptations of transmissions to allow steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers carried on rudders, B63J 3/00 covers driving auxiliaries on vessels, B60K provides for arrangement and mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general, and transmission elements per se are found in F16, in particular, in F16C shafts in general, in F16D 1/06 attachments or members on a shaft in general, in F16H gearing, e.g. toothed gearing, per se, and in F16J shaft-tube seals per se.

Steering

Steering by rudders

Steering or dynamic anchoring using active propulsive elements

Steering or slowing down otherwise than by propulsive elements

Parts for marine steering not otherwise provided for

While B63H 25/00 is the general home for marine steering, dynamic anchoring of vessels by means of propulsive elements, and for slowing down of vessels other than by propulsive elements, stern posts are provided for in B63B 3/40, B63B 21/00 covers anchoring other than dynamic, B63B 39/08 provides for auxiliary jets or propellers used for decreasing pitch, roll or the like unwanted vessel movements, B63G 8/14 provides for control of attitude or depth of underwater vessels, e.g. submarines, steering using adjustably-mounted propeller ducts or rings is classified in B63H 5/14, B63H 11/00 covers main propulsion jet which can be deflected or directed for steering or dynamic anchoring purpose, steering using movably installed outboard propulsion units is provided for in B63H 20/00, and B63H 20/34 covers housings or outboard propulsion units comprising rudders and the like, levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers or joysticks are provided for in B63H 21/213 , F42B 19/01 covers steering control of torpedoes, e.g. of depth, G05D 1/00 provides for control aspects of position, course, altitude, or attitude control of water vehicles, and G08G 3/00 covers traffic control systems for marine craft.

In this main group, subject-matter concerning the control of position or course of vehicles in two dimensions, in particular for waterborne vehicles and for dynamic anchoring, is also classified in the respective subgoups of G05D 1/43 (reference is made to the Special rules of classification within main group G01D 1/00).