Patent US38054A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3554155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive mechanism for a steerable propeller
Assignee: Gleason Hurth Tooling GmbH
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Filing: 1968-11-07
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A steerable propeller for watercraft wherein the propeller is driven through a planetary system, the same being loosely mounted but self-centering in operation. A further feature limits the radial play of the planetary parts to minimize tooth contact when same is not operating.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Eichinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:08
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H23/00; B63H23/02; B63H23/04; F; F16; F16H; F16H1/00; F16H1/28; F16H1/2809; B63H2023/0283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A drive mechanism for a propeller positioned below the water line on watercraft and the like, said propeller being driven by an engine inboard of the watercraft, comprising: frame means; a drive shaft supported by said frame means for rotation about a generally vertical axis and having a first gear secured to the lower end thereof and rotatable therewith; enclosure means below said water line of said watercraft secured to said frame means, said lower end of said drive shaft extending into said enclosure means; a generally horizontal drive shaft rotatably supported in said enclosure means and having said propeller secured to one end thereof externally of said enclosure means and rotatable therewith; planetary gear means in said enclosure means coupling said first gear on said drive shaft to said driven shaft for effecting a high-ratio reduction of speed from said drive shaft to said driven shaft, said planetary gear means comprising a pair of concentric, radially spaced gear members and a planetary carrier member carrying planetary gears, said planetary gears being mounted for simultaneous meshing engagement with said pair of radially spaced, concentric gear members; and means floatingly mounting any two of the aforementioned members for a larger radial displacement than would result from normal manufacturing tolerances in said planetary gear means so that said two members are capable of a radial displacement relative to the remaining radially fixed member, the teeth of the radially fixed member guiding the radial displacement of the two floatingly mounted members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A drive mechanism for a propeller positioned below the water line on watercraft and the like, said propeller being driven by an engine inboard of the watercraft, comprising: frame means; a drive shaft supported by said frame means for rotation about a generally vertical axis and having a first gear secured to the lower end thereof and rotatable therewith; enclosure means below said water line of said watercraft secured to said frame means, said lower end of said drive shaft extending into said enclosure means; a generally horizontal drive shaft rotatably supported in said enclosure means and having said propeller secured to one end thereof externally of said enclosure means and rotatable therewith; planetary gear means in said enclosure means coupling said first gear on said drive shaft to said driven shaft for effecting a high-ratio reduction of speed from said drive shaft to said driven shaft, said planetary gear means comprising a pair of concentric, radially spaced gear members and a planetary carrier member carrying planetary gears, said planetary gears being mounted for simultaneous meshing engagement with said pair of radially spaced, concentric gear members; and means floatingly mounting any two of the aforementioned members for a larger radial displacement than would result from normal manufacturing tolerances in said planetary gear means so that said two members are capable of a radial displacement relative to the remaining radially fixed member, the teeth of the radially fixed member guiding the radial displacement of the two floatingly mounted members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism for said propeller includes means for controlling said propeller about a generally vertical axis of a steering shaft, said steering shaft being substantially parallel to said drive shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said planetary carrier member is fixedly secured to said driven shaft; and wherein said driven shaft is supported for rotation by bearings located adjacent opposite ends thereof, the bearings adjacent one end permitting a radial displacement of both said one end of said driven shaft and said planet carrier member fixed thereto for providing said floating mounting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 3, including sleeve means surrounding said driven shaft, the spacing between said driven Shaft and said sleeve means being less than the radial displacement of said driven shaft whereby said driven shaft will be supported by said sleeve means when said drive mechanism is at rest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 3, including means for supporting said bearings located adjacent said one end of said driven shaft for movement radially of said enclosure means, said bearing supporting means further being responsive to the axial thrust of said propeller to reduce the radial displacement of said one end of said driven shaft to zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said planetary carrier member is fixedly secured to said driven shaft, said driven shaft being mounted solely for rotation; and wherein said pair of concentric gear members are mounted for radial displacement relative to said driven shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said driven shaft is mounted solely for rotation; wherein said planetary carrier member and said driven shaft include means for floatingly mounting said planetary carrier to said driven shaft for radial displacement relative to said driven shaft; and wherein one of said concentric gear members includes means for floatingly mounting same for radial displacement relative to said driven shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said planetary gear means includes a second gear in meshing engagement with said first gear, said second gear having first coupling means thereon; one of said concentric gear members having an elongated neck extending axially therefrom, the free end of said neck having second coupling means thereon drivingly engageable with said first coupling means, said driving engagement providing a pivotal mounting for said one of said concentric gear members to permit a radial displacement thereof relative to said driven shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 1, including resilient mounting means for floatingly mounting said one of said concentric gear members to said enclosure means to permit a radial displacement of said one of said concentric gear members relative to said driven shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The drive mechanism defined in claim 5, wherein said bearing support means includes means capable of frictionally resisting radial movement of said bearings; and wherein the magnitude of said frictional resistance is a function of said axial thrust of said propeller to control said radial displacement of said driven shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |