Patents by Inventor John O. Scherer
John O. Scherer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11981411Abstract: A method is for making a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in water. The method includes providing a gearcase; installing a propeller shaft assembly that extends forwardly from the gearcase; coupling front and rear propellers to the propeller shaft assembly, forwardly of the gearcase, such that rotation of the propeller shaft assembly causes rotation of the front and rear propellers, respectively, which thereby propels the marine vessel in the water; and reducing deleterious effects of cavitation on the gearcase by the combination of forming the gearcase with a wide trailing end portion, in particular to maintain pressure alongside the gearcase, and configuring the front and rear propellers so that the front propeller absorbs more torque/thrust load than the rear propeller during said rotation.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Roger E. Koepsel, Andrew C. Gunderson
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Patent number: 11975812Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11713102Abstract: A method is for making a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in water. The method includes providing a gearcase; installing a propeller shaft assembly that extends forwardly from the gearcase; coupling front and rear propellers to the propeller shaft assembly, forwardly of the gearcase, such that rotation of the propeller shaft assembly causes rotation of the front and rear propellers, respectively, which thereby propels the marine vessel in the water; and reducing deleterious effects of cavitation on the gearcase by the combination of forming the gearcase with a wide trailing end portion, in particular to maintain pressure alongside the gearcase, and configuring the front and rear propellers so that the front propeller absorbs more torque/thrust load than the rear propeller during said rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Roger E. Koepsel, Andrew C. Gunderson
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Publication number: 20230070725Abstract: A propulsion device for rotating a propulsor to propel a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a drive housing having a cavity that extends along a first central axis. A motor is positioned within the cavity. The motor rotates a shaft extending along a second central axis that is non-coaxial with the first central axis. The shaft is configured to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Kass W. Sawyer, Laura K. Mueller, David J. Waldvogel, John O. Scherer
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Patent number: 11459074Abstract: A method is for making a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in water. The method includes providing a gearcase; installing a propeller shaft assembly that extends forwardly from the gearcase; coupling front and rear propellers to the propeller shaft assembly, forwardly of the gearcase, such that rotation of the propeller shaft assembly causes rotation of the front and rear propellers, respectively, which thereby propels the marine vessel in the water; and reducing deleterious effects of cavitation on the gearcase by the combination of forming the gearcase with a wide trailing end portion, in particular to maintain pressure alongside the gearcase, and configuring the front and rear propellers so that the front propeller absorbs more torque/thrust load than the rear propeller during said rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Roger E. Koepsel, Andrew C. Gunderson
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Patent number: 11372411Abstract: A steering system on a marine vessel includes at least one propulsion device, a steering actuator that rotates the propulsion device to effectuate steering, at least one trim device moveable to adjust a running angle of the vessel, and a trim actuator configured to move the trim device so as to adjust the running angle. The system further includes a control system configured to determine a desired roll angle and at least one of a desired turn rate and a desired turn angle for the marine vessel based on a steering instructions. The control system then controls the steering actuator to the rotate the at least one propulsion device based on the desired turn rate and/or the desired turn angle, and to control the trim actuator to move the at least one trim device based on the desired roll angle so as to effectuate the steering instruction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Matthew E. Derginer, John O. Scherer, III, Roger W. Schreiber
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Publication number: 20220055731Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11214344Abstract: A marine propulsion device includes an engine, a driveshaft powered by the engine, a propulsor shaft coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the driveshaft, and a propulsor coupled to the propulsor shaft and rotatable to produce a thrust. A housing supports the propulsor shaft therein. The housing has fore and aft skegs projecting from a bottom surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 11208190Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Publication number: 20210394882Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore
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Patent number: 11111849Abstract: A lower unit for a marine propulsion device includes a gearcase housing defined along a longitudinal center axis between a fore end and an aft end. A propulsor shaft extends through the gearcase housing along the longitudinal axis. A driveshaft extends non-parallel to the propulsor shaft and rotates in a direction of rotation when powered by an engine. The driveshaft is coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the propulsor shaft. A skeg projects from a bottom surface of the gearcase housing proximate at least the aft end thereof. The skeg or the gearcase housing is cambered such that a moment acting in a direction opposite the driveshaft's direction of rotation is induced on the skeg or the gearcase housing as the lower unit moves through water. A marine propulsion device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 10011341Abstract: A marine drive has an internal combustion engine that rotates a propulsor shaft that is operatively coupled to a propulsor to impart a propulsive thrust in water. The marine drive has a gearcase housing having an upper portion above a lower portion, the lower portion supporting the propulsor shaft. An exhaust passage in the gearcase housing is configured to convey exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. An exhaust outlet on the upper portion of the gearcase housing is configured to discharge the exhaust gas from the exhaust passage to the water. The exhaust outlet faces the propulsor so that the exhaust gas is discharged into the water and towards the propulsor so as to aerate the water encountered by the propulsor.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John A. Tuchscherer, Josh S. Smith, Philip R. Walker, John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 9932099Abstract: A marine drive has an internal combustion engine that rotates a propulsor shaft that is operatively coupled to a propulsor to impart a propulsive thrust in water. The marine drive has a gearcase housing having an upper portion above a lower portion, the lower portion supporting the propulsor shaft. An exhaust passage in the gearcase housing is configured to convey exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. An exhaust outlet on the upper portion of the gearcase housing is configured to discharge the exhaust gas from the exhaust passage to the water. The exhaust outlet faces the propulsor so that the exhaust gas is discharged into the water and towards the propulsor so as to aerate the water encountered by the propulsor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John A. Tuchscherer, Josh S. Smith, Philip R. Walker, John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 9359059Abstract: An outboard marine engine comprises an anti-ventilation plate; a torpedo housing that is disposed below the anti-ventilation plate; and a gearcase strut that extends from the anti-ventilation plate to the torpedo housing. The gearcase strut has a leading end, a trailing end, and opposing outer surfaces that extend from the leading end to the trailing end. A flow separator is on each outer surface. The flow separator is located closer to the trailing end than the leading end and causes flow of water across the gearcase strut to separate from the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Paul M. Radavich, James E. Clevenger
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Patent number: 8545280Abstract: A marine drive has a lower drive unit including a gearcase with a vertical strut having a lower horizontal torpedo with an aft propeller. An anti-ventilation plate on the strut is spaced above the torpedo. A spray shield plate on the strut is spaced above the torpedo and below the anti-ventilation plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Sunil K. R. Patil, John O. Scherer
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Patent number: 7097522Abstract: A cooling system for a marine propulsion device provides a water flow directing device, which is generally annular in shape, which has a water inlet extending from it. The water flow directing device is attachable to a gear case of a marine propulsion device and is configured to conduct a flow of water from a water inlet to a passage formed within the marine propulsion device and connected in fluid communication with a water pump that causes the water to flow to a cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The water flow directing device is removably attachable to a seal carrier which, in turn, is attachable to a bearing carrier disposed within an internal cavity of the gear case. A secondary inlet is provided through a surface of the gear case and in fluid communication with an internal annular passage of the water flow directing device to encourage a flow of water into the cooling system when the marine propulsion device is operating at slow speeds or is stationary in a body of water.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Gary J. Schaub, Jay P. Dehling
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Patent number: 6883471Abstract: A cavity is provided at a bend in a cooling passage near a bore bridge region between cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The cavity can be provided with a downstream protuberance which induces a portion of the stream of coolant within the cooling passage to join a vortical flow of coolant within the cavity. An upstream protuberance can be provided to align a portion of the vortical flow within the cavity with the stream of coolant within the cooling passage in order to facilitate the return of the vortical flow back into the stream of coolant within the cooling passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Belter, John O. Scherer, III
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Patent number: 6729798Abstract: A flow-diverter apparatus includes two hull and foil assemblies pivotally connected by rigid members and attached to control lines. Several flow-diverter apparatus may be joined by lines, cables or rigid links to form a flow-diverter system. The apparatus may also include lines/cables to vertically distribute control line force. Attachment points or lines for booms, scientific equipment, dispersion equipment, fire suppression equipment or other devices may also be provided. Apparatus may use horizontal hydrodynamic lift forces to create a diversion flow transverse to an onset flow, to deploy and hold equipment transverse to an onset flow, and/or to provide mixing on the surface of a body of water. Apparatus may be deployed from shore, from a fixed point in the water, or by a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Computer Sciences CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Coe, John O. Scherer
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Patent number: D791189Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: John O. Scherer, III, Paul M. Radavich, James E. Clevenger
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Patent number: D1026955Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Waldvogel, Randall J. Poirier, John O. Scherer, III, Stephen R. Collins, Wayne M. Jaszewski, Kevin M. Moore