US3799291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lubricating device for a z-drive for ships
Assignee: Schottel GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1971-03-02
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1991-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Lubricating system especially applicable to an outboard-inboard marine drive system. The entire power train housing is filled with lubricant to a point above the upper gears therein and the rotation of the drive shaft is utilized to pump lubricant through suitable separate channels from the relatively cool underwater housing to the relatively hot above water gear box and return, thereby providing a constant flow through the underwater housing for cooling same, a constant supply of cool oil to the upper gear box and a constant circulation thereof to prevent localized overheating. In the specific embodiment here disclosed the vertical drive shaft is hollow and utilized for the upflowing oil while the channel outside thereof and including the bearings therefor are utilized for the downflowing oil. A suitable impeller is placed on the drive shaft to cause the circulation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Becker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:42
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/14; B63H20/16; F; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; B63H20/32; B63H20/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A lubricating device for a drive mechanism for driving a propeller of a watercraft, comprising: means defining a pair of vertically spaced housings; rotatable propeller means mounted on one of said housing means; drive means mounted in both of said housing means for effecting a driving of said rotatable propeller means, said drive means including means defining a hollow, rotatable drive shaft extending between said vertically spaced pair of housing means and opening inwardly of each of said pair of housing means to define a first path of fluid communication therebetween and driven gear means for rotating said drive shaft means; hollow support means extending between said pair of vertically spaced housings and includes hollow shaft means encompassing said hollow drive shaft means, said support means being radially spaced from said hollow drive shaft means and opening inwardly to said vertically spaced pair of housings to define a second path of fluid communication therebetween; securement means for fixedly securing said one of said housing means to said hollow shaft means and bearing means mounted between the other of said housing means and said hollow shaft means for rotatably supporting said hollow shaft means and said one of said housing means relative to said other of said housing means to thereby effect a steering of said watercraft by moving the axis of rotation of said propeller relative to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft; liquid lubricating means filling a chamber defined by said vertically spaced pair of housings means and said hollow drive shaft means and said hollow support means and contacting the entirety of said drive means; and pump means for circulating said liquid lubricating means in said chamBer and between said pair of said vertically spaced housing means through said first and second paths of fluid communication to thereby prevent the formation of localized excessively heated lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A lubricating device for a drive mechanism for driving a propeller of a watercraft, comprising: means defining a pair of vertically spaced housings; rotatable propeller means mounted on one of said housing means; drive means mounted in both of said housing means for effecting a driving of said rotatable propeller means, said drive means including means defining a hollow, rotatable drive shaft extending between said vertically spaced pair of housing means and opening inwardly of each of said pair of housing means to define a first path of fluid communication therebetween and driven gear means for rotating said drive shaft means; hollow support means extending between said pair of vertically spaced housings and includes hollow shaft means encompassing said hollow drive shaft means, said support means being radially spaced from said hollow drive shaft means and opening inwardly to said vertically spaced pair of housings to define a second path of fluid communication therebetween; securement means for fixedly securing said one of said housing means to said hollow shaft means and bearing means mounted between the other of said housing means and said hollow shaft means for rotatably supporting said hollow shaft means and said one of said housing means relative to said other of said housing means to thereby effect a steering of said watercraft by moving the axis of rotation of said propeller relative to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft; liquid lubricating means filling a chamber defined by said vertically spaced pair of housings means and said hollow drive shaft means and said hollow support means and contacting the entirety of said drive means; and pump means for circulating said liquid lubricating means in said chamBer and between said pair of said vertically spaced housing means through said first and second paths of fluid communication to thereby prevent the formation of localized excessively heated lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
240 words
A lubricating device for a drive mechanism for driving a propeller of a watercraft, comprising: means defining a pair of vertically spaced housings; rotatable propeller means mounted on one of said housing means; drive means mounted in both of said housing means for effecting a driving of said rotatable propeller means, said drive means including means defining a hollow, rotatable drive shaft extending between said vertically spaced pair of housing means and opening inwardly of each of said pair of housing means to define a first path of fluid communication therebetween and driven gear means for rotating said drive shaft means; hollow support means extending between said pair of vertically spaced housings and includes hollow shaft means encompassing said hollow drive shaft means, said support means being radially spaced from said hollow drive shaft means and opening inwardly to said vertically spaced pair of housings to define a second path of fluid communication therebetween; liquid lubricating means filling a chamber defined by said vertically spaced pair of housings means and said hollow drive shaft means and said hollow support means and contacting the entirety of said drive means; and pump means mounted in said other of said housing means for circulating said liquid lubricating means in said chamber and between said pair of said vertically spaced housing means through said first and second paths of fluid communication to thereby prevent the formation of localized excessively heated lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
240 words
A lubricating device for a drive mechanism for driving a propeller of a watercraft, comprising: means defining a pair of vertically spaced housings; rotatable propeller means mounted on one of said housing means; drive means mounted in both of said housing means for effecting a driving of said rotatable propeller means, said drive means including means defining a hollow, rotatable drive shaft extending between said vertically spaced pair of housing means and opening inwardly of each of said pair of housing means to define a first path of fluid communication therebetween and driven gear means for rotating said drive shaft means; hollow support means extending between said pair of vertically spaced housings and includes hollow shaft means encompassing said hollow drive shaft means, said support means being radially spaced from said hollow drive shaft means and opening inwardly to said vertically spaced pair of housings to define a second path of fluid communication therebetween; liquid lubricating means filling a chamber defined by said vertically spaced pair of housings means and said hollow drive shaft means and said hollow support means and contacting the entirety of said drive means; and pump means mounted in said other of said housing means for circulating said liquid lubricating means in said chamber and between said pair of said vertically spaced housing means through said first and second paths of fluid communication to thereby prevent the formation of localized excessively heated lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lubricating device according to claim 2, wherein the outlet of said pump means is directed onto said gear means in said other of said housing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A lubricating device according to claim 2, wherein said pump means is a centrifugal pump secured to said hollow drive shaft means, said outlet of said pump consisting of means defining radially directed openings in said hollow drive shaft means for providing fluid communication from the interior of said hollow drive shaft means to the interior of said other of said housing means whereby liquid lubricating means is pumped from said one of said housing means through said hollow drive shaft means to said other of said housing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lubricating device according to claim 2, wherein the upper one of said housing means includes additional means defining at least one of an oil level sight port and an overflow opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lubricating device according to claim 5, wherein a relief valve is provided on said upper one of said housing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A lubricating device according to claim 5, wherein said liquid lubricating means is an oil; and wherein said additional means defines said oil level sight port; and wherein the presence of a quantity of said oil extends from the lower one of said housing means to said upper one of said housing means to a level visible through said sight port.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |