US3580214A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine propeller shafts bearing arrangements
Assignee: MESSAGERIES MARITIMES
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Filing: 1969-04-03
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-04-03
Abstract
Abstract Marine propeller shaft bearing assemblies feature a doublewalled stern tube which is extremely rigid in construction so as to be capable of resisting primary bending stresses before they can affect the shafting proper. The rigid stern tube permits extension for a considerable distance aft of the stern post of the vessel, thus enabling the positioning of propellers a more favorable distance from the hull to reduce vibration. The annular passage between the walls of the stern tube is utilized for the flow of cooling and lubricating fluids. The structure is applicable to single propeller shafts and counterrotating propeller shafts.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H5/00; B63H5/07; B63H5/08; B63H5/10; B63H23/00; B63H23/32; B63H23/36; B63H23/321; B63H2023/323; B63H2023/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A marine propulsion shaft structure comprising a stern tube adapted to be dIrectly mounted on the stern post of a vessel so as to form the primary support for propulsion shafting, said stern tube comprising a pair of spaced substantially concentric tubes and intervening spaced longitudinal and transverse stiffeners anchored to said tubes and imparting to the stern tube great resistance to bending, bearing means within the bore of the stern tube, propeller shaft means journaled within the bearing means for rotation and extending aft of the vessel stern post for a considerable distance, and said stern tube having internal passage means through which lubricating and cooling fluid may flow in separate circuits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A marine propulsion shaft structure comprising a stern tube adapted to be dIrectly mounted on the stern post of a vessel so as to form the primary support for propulsion shafting, said stern tube comprising a pair of spaced substantially concentric tubes and intervening spaced longitudinal and transverse stiffeners anchored to said tubes and imparting to the stern tube great resistance to bending, bearing means within the bore of the stern tube, propeller shaft means journaled within the bearing means for rotation and extending aft of the vessel stern post for a considerable distance, and said stern tube having internal passage means through which lubricating and cooling fluid may flow in separate circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 1, and said stern tube formed in longitudinal sections, and coupling means serving to interconnect said sections whereby a relatively long stern tube and bearing tube assembly can be produced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said stern tube and propeller shaft means are formed in sections, a first coupling means for the propeller shaft sections, and a second coupling means for the stern tube sections surrounding and enclosing the first-named coupling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure of claim 1, and said longitudinal and transverse stiffeners defining longitudinal and transverse chambers between the tubes of said stern tube, said longitudinal and transverse stiffeners having openings and said openings arranged to provide separated lubricating and cooling fluid circuits through the stern tube, and said circuits having inlet and outlet means near the opposite ends of the stern tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure of claim 4, and wherein said lubricating fluid circuit consists of longitudinal channels for lubricating fluid between the tubes along the top and bottom of the stern tube and said cooling fluid circuit consists of additional longitudinal channels extending along the opposite sides of the stern tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said propeller shaft means comprises a single propeller shaft journaled within the bearing means and a propeller carried by the aft end of the propeller shaft aft of the stern tube and stern post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein the propeller shaft means comprises a tubular propeller shaft journaled within the bearing means, a propeller coupled to the tubular shaft and rotating therewith, a second propeller shaft extending axially through and journaled within the tubular shaft, and a second propeller coupled to the second propeller shaft and turning therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 7, and said propeller coupled to the tubular shaft having a hub concentric with the tubular shaft and stern tube and surrounding the exterior wall of the stern tube, and an additional bearing intervened between said hub and said exterior wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 8, and a coupling head interconnecting said hub and tubular shaft and lying between said propellers at the aft end of the stern tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 1, and closure plates for the fore and aft ends of the stern tube, and fluid seals on the propeller shaft means having sealing engagement with the closure plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A marine propulsion shaft structure comprising a stern tube adapted to be directly mounted on the stern post of a vessel so as to form the primary support for propulsion shafting, said stern tube comprising a pair of spaced substantially concentric tubes of equal length longitudinally aligned with each other and intervening spaced longitudinal and transverse annular stiffeners anchored to said tubes and imparting to the stern tube great resistance to bending, bearing means within the bore of the stern tube, propeller shaft means journaled within the bearing means for rotation and extending aft of the vessel stern post for a considerable distance, and said stern tube having internal passage means through which lubricating and cooling fluid may flow in separate circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
A marine propulsion shaft structure comprising a stern tube adapted to be directly mounted on the stern post of a vessel so as to form the primary support for propulsion shafting, said stern tube comprising a pair of spaced substantially concentric tubes of equal length longitudinally aligned with each other and intervening spaced longitudinal and transverse annular stiffeners anchored to said tubes and imparting to the stern tube great resistance to bending, bearing means within the bore of the stern tube, propeller shaft means journaled within the bearing means for rotation and extending aft of the vessel stern post for a considerable distance, and said stern tube having internal passage means through which lubricating and cooling fluid may flow in separate circuits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 11, and said stern tube formed in longitudinal sections, and overlapping concentric couplings intercOnnecting said sections whereby a relatively long stern tube and bearing tube assembly can be produced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 12, wherein said stern tube and propeller shaft means are formed in longitudinal sections, and including coupling means for the propeller shaft sections said couplings coaxial with, having the same longitudinal midpoint as, and enclosing said coupling means.
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) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |