Patent Title: Hydrojet propulsion system
Patent Number: 12691977
Company: FNM S.p.A.
Inventors: Corrado Piccinelli
The maritime industry is continually seeking propulsion methods that balance high performance with maneuverability and environmental sensitivity. Pushing the boundaries of aquatic mobility, FNM S.p.A. has engineered a sophisticated solution for watercraft propulsion. Their newly patented hydrojet propulsion system completely rethinks traditional jet drive mechanics. By integrating a variable section nozzle and a highly specialized steering and reversing deflector mechanism, this technology offers unprecedented control and efficiency, allowing vessels to navigate shallow waters and execute complex maneuvers with remarkable precision.
Why This Invention is Innovative
This patent introduces a highly refined approach to hydrojet design, solving common limitations found in traditional waterjet systems. Standard jet drives often suffer from inefficiency at varying speeds and limited low-speed maneuverability. FNM S.p.A. addresses this by incorporating a nozzle with a variable cross-section, allowing the system to dynamically optimize the water jet’s velocity and pressure depending on the required thrust. Furthermore, the invention features a uniquely designed steering and reversing deflector assembly that is mechanically independent yet seamlessly integrated. This allows the watercraft to direct thrust laterally or forward with minimal energy loss, providing superior steering authority and true “bucket” reversing capabilities without the mechanical drag that typically plagues older hydrojet designs.
August 2026 Patent of the Month for the Maritime-Boating Industry
Granted in July 2026, this system has been rightfully awarded the Patent of the Month for the maritime-boating industry for August 2026. As the demand for versatile, high-speed vessels increases across both recreational and commercial sectors, propulsion systems must adapt to require less draft while providing safer, more responsive handling. FNM S.p.A.’s variable nozzle and advanced deflector design represent a significant leap forward in marine fluid dynamics. Recognizing this patent highlights the maritime industry’s commitment to developing smarter, more efficient propulsion technologies that minimize wake impact in sensitive environments while delivering the raw performance necessary for modern watercraft.
Practical Applications and R&D Tax Credit Eligibility in the USA
The practical applications of this patent involve intensive mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, and prototyping, making the underlying development activities highly eligible for the Research and Development Tax Credit in the United States. To qualify for this federal incentive, a project must satisfy a four-part test: the work must be technological in nature, have a permitted purpose, aim to eliminate technical uncertainty, and involve a process of experimentation. Designing a variable section nozzle for a hydrojet requires engineers to conduct extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, build and test physical prototypes in water tanks to measure thrust and cavitation, and resolve complex mechanical uncertainties regarding the linkage and actuation of the steering deflectors under immense hydraulic pressure. By carefully documenting these iterative physical tests, flow analyses, and design modifications, marine engineering companies engaging in similar advanced propulsion research can successfully claim the R&D tax credit to offset their substantial innovation costs.
