Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion system is disclosed which comprises a propeller hub having a casing formed from three segments (16a, 16b, 16c), each of which has a part of an opening (28) for mounting a propeller blade (34). A locking and unlocking mechanism (51, 54, 95, 100) is provided for disengaging the propeller blades to enable pitch adjustment of the blades. A push rod (50) is connected to the mechanism (100) to cause disengagement and adjustment of the pitch of the blades. The mechanism (100) includes a claw (101) having pivotally connected fingers (95). The hub also has a slide ring (51) having a load surface (61) is provided for receiving load when the propeller blades are unlocked to enable pitch adjustment to take place.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprising a push rod activated pins (170) which engage eccentric shaft (174) for unlocking a propeller base (190) so the base (190) can rotate around a transverse axis. The base (190) has an inclined surface (192) which engages with an inclined surface (159) defining an opening in the propeller's hub therefore locking the propeller blade (34) in position. The inclined surfaces (159, 192) are disengaged by rotation of the eccentric shaft (174) thus the propeller blades (34) can be rotated to adjust the pitch and then the inclined surfaces (159, 192) re-engage to locking the propeller blade (34) in the pitch adjusted position.

Abstract: A control method and system for a controllable pitch marine propeller including operating modes comprised of a maneuvering mode and a cruise mode and check modes comprised of an engine check mode and propeller check mode. The cruise mode provides for wide open throttle acceleration and power stop. Smooth transition sub-modes are provided for providing smooth transition between cruise mode and maneuvering mode and vice versa. The system operates by a lever (28) which controls a pitch control unit (10) which in turn controls engine speed and also the pitch of propeller blades (12) of propeller (14). Thus, dependent on the position of the control lever (28) in either maneuvering mode or cruise mode, an appropriate engine speed and propeller pitch is selected automatically for driving a watercraft.

Abstract: A potentiometer is disclosed which comprises an opaque screen element (10) and light emitters and collectors (92) for transmitting light through the screen and detecting the light transmitted through the screen. The screen has three sections (A, V and B). The sections (A, V and B) have bars which are parallel to one another and extend transverse to the direction of movement of the screen (10). The section (A) has bars which are arranged in groups comprising the same number of bars, but each of a different thickness. The section (V) has two parts (35, 36), the first part has bars which are formed in the same manner as the section (A) except they are a mirror image to the bars in section (A) and each group comprises less bars than are in the groups in section (A). The second part of section (V) has individual bars which increase in thickness. Section (B) is a mirror image of section (A).

Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion system is disclosed which comprises a propeller hub having a casing formed from three segments (16a, 16b, 16c), each of which has a part of an opening (28) for mounting a propeller blade (34). A locking and unlocking mechanism (51, 54, 95, 100) is provided for disengaging the propeller blades to enable pitch adjustment of the blades. A push rod (50) is connected to the mechanism (100) to cause disengagement and adjustment of the pitch of the blades. The mechanism (100) includes a claw (101) having pivotally connected fingers (95). The hub also has a slide ring (51) having a load surface (61) is provided for receiving load when the propeller blades are unlocked to enable pitch adjustment to take place.

Abstract: A control lever assembly having a potentiometer is disclosed which has a light emitter (14) and a light collector (15) with a screen (12) located between the emitter (14) and the collector (15). The screen is moveable with a control lever so that by providing varying translucency along the screen, the intensity of light received by the collector (15) changes to thereby provide a changing output signal. The screen (12) is connected to a lever mounted for rotation to move the screen relative to the collector and emitter. The assembly is provided with a housing (22) which has slots (24, 27) joined by an opening (29). The lever is moveable in the respective slots, or from one slot to another through the opening (29) to control different parameters of a marine propulsion system. The lever may have a handle (25) which is rotatable relative to the lever to adjust a further parameter.

Abstract: A control method and system for a controllable pitch marine propeller including operating modes comprised of a manoeuvering mode and a cruise mode and check modes comprised of an engine check mode and propeller check mode. The cruise mode provides for wide open throttle acceleration and power stop. Smooth transition sub-modes are provided for providing smooth transition between cruise mode and manoeuvering mode and vice versa. The system operates by a lever (28) which controls a pitch control unit (10) which in turn controls engine speed and also the pitch of propeller blades (12) of propeller (14). Thus, dependent on the position of the control lever (28) in either manoeuvering mode or cruise mode, an appropriate engine speed and propeller pitch is selected automatically for driving a watercraft.

Abstract: Transmission systems are disclosed which include a dual sunwheel system having an output sunwheel (70) and a control sunwheel (80). A planet cage is arranged around the dual sunwheel system and includes a planet gear (62) in mesh with the sunwheel (70) and a planet gear (64) in mesh with the sunwheel (80). The planet gears (62) and (64) are coupled to one another. The drive ratio of the transmission is controlled by controlling the cage (18) or the control sunwheel (70). The speed of rotation of the input, output and control sunwheel (70) are sensed by sensors (90) and control signals are generated to control a control device to thereby control the rotation of the input cage or the control sunwheel to thereby set the drive ratio of the transmission. The control devices include a motor (323), one or more magnetic powder clutches (110, 120, 640), a variable centroid system (662), and a mechanical pitch transfer gear system (950).

Abstract: Transmission systems are disclosed which include a dual sunwheel system having an output sunwheel (70) and a control sunwheel (80). A planet cage (18) is arranged around the dual sunwheel system and includes a planet gear (62) in mesh with the sunwheel (70) and a planet gear (64) in mesh with the sunwheel (80). The planet gears (62, 64) are coupled to one another. The drive ratio of the transmission is controlled by controlling the cage (18) or the control sunwheel (70). The speed of rotation of the input (22), output (20) and control sunwheel (70) are sensed by sensors (90) and control signals are generated to control a control device to thereby control the rotation of planet cage (18) or the control sunwheel (80) to thereby set the drive ratio of the transmission. The control devices can include a motor, one or more magnetic powder clutches, a variable centroid system and a mechanical pitch transfer gear system.

Abstract: A grinder is disclosed which has a housing (12) in which a rotatable disc (60) is mounted. The disc (60) is rotated by a motor (40)and the disc (60) has a periphery which is adjacent an inner stationary wall (102) of the housing (12 ). An air inlet (108) is arranged below the disc and the disc carries vanes (100) so that when the disc rotates, an annular air stream is created at the periphery of the disc in which a grinding zone is established between the periphery of the disc and the stationary wall (102) for grinding material into small particles. The grinding zone includes an annular flow of heavy gas R1. A material inlet (20) is provided for allowing material to enter the housing (12). Large material is grounded by energy intensification after it hits the disc (60) and collides with the inner wall (40) of the housing so as to break down the material into smaller particle size, which can then move to the grinding zone at the periphery of the disc (60) to be further ground into small particles.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprising a push rod (50) for adjusting the pitch of propeller blades (34). The push rod (50) has a screw-threaded bolt (60) engaged with a nut (78). The nut (78) carries a bevel gear (84) by which the nut (78) can be rotated to cause the bolt (60) and therefore the push rod (50) to move longitudinally. The push rod (50) is connected to a claw with arms couple with pins (170). The pins (170) engage eccentric shafts (174) for unlocking a propeller base (190) so the base (190) can rotate around a transverse axis. The base (190) has an inclined surface which engages with an inclined surface defining an opening in the propeller's hub therefore locking the propeller blade (34) in position. The inclined surfaces are disengaged by rotation of the eccentric shaft (174) thus the propeller blades (34) can be rotated to adjust the pitch and than the inclined surfaces re-engage locking the propeller blade (34) in the pitch adjusted position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprising a push rod (50) for adjusting the pitch of propeller blades (34). The push rod (50) has a screw-threaded bolt (60) engaged with a nut (78). The nut (78) carries a bevel gear (84) by which the nut (78) can be rotated to cause the bolt (60) and therefore the push rod (50) to move longitudinally. The push rod (50) is connected to a claw with arms couple with pins (170). The pins (170) engage eccentric shafts (174) for unlocking a propeller base (190) so the base (190) can rotate around a transverse axis. The base (190) has an inclined surface which engages with an inclined surface defining an opening in the propeller's hub therefore locking the propeller blade (34) in position. The inclined surfaces are disengaged by rotation of the eccentric shaft (174) thus the propeller blades (34) can be rotated to adjust the pitch and than the inclined surfaces re-engage locking the propeller blade (34) in the pitch adjusted position.

Abstract: A pitch transfer gear transmission which enables drive to be transmitted from a gear of having one modulus (42) to a gear having another modulus (46) includes at least two gears (12,16) which have a different number of teeth and which are able to rotate relative to one another, so that the teeth of the two gears (12,16) can form a gear modulus of a first value at one part of the periphery of the gear, and a gear modulus of another value at another part of the periphery of the gear. Continuously variable transmissions are formed by providing an input or output gear (42,46) which has a modulus which varies along the length of the gear. Pitch transfer gear assembly (30) engages with the input or output gear (42,46), and is moveable by a mechanism (59) along the length of the gear changing modulus, so as to set the drive ratio of the transmission.

Abstract: A grinder is disclosed which has a housing (12) in which a rotatable disc (60) is mounted. The disc (60) is rotated by a motor (40)and the disc (60) has a periphery which is adjacent an inner stationary wall (102) of the housing (12 ). An air inlet (108) is arranged below the disc and the disc carries vanes (100) so that when the disc rotates, an annular air stream is created at the periphery of the disc in which a grinding zone is established between the periphery of the disc and the stationary wall (102) for grinding material into small particles. The grinding zone includes an annular flow of heavy gas R1. A material inlet (20) is provided for allowing material to enter the housing (12). Large material is grounded by energy intensification after it hits the disc (60) and collides with the inner wall (40) of the housing so as to break down the material into smaller particle size, which can then move to the grinding zone at the periphery of the disc (60) to be further ground into small particles.

Abstract: A motor for driving a propeller is disclosed which has a drive shaft (10) which is coupleable to a propeller shaft (20) by bevel gears (12 and 14) so as to rotate the shaft (20) to in turn rotate propeller blades P of an outboard motor. The drive shaft (20) has an internal concentric shaft (30) which enables the adjustment of the pitch of the propeller blades P by mounting the propeller blades P for rotation about a pitch axis and coupling the mounting (72?) via an integral bevel gear (104) to a bevel gear (102) on the shaft (30). A phase adjustment mechanism (40) is provided for rotating the shaft (30) relative to the shaft (20) to in turn rotate the propeller blades P around the pitch axis to change the pitch of the propeller blades P. The phase adjustment mechanism comprises ring gears (48 and 50), together with planet gears (48) in engagement with a gear on the shaft (30) and planet gears (46) in engagement with a gear (26) on the shaft (20).

Abstract: A motor for driving a propeller is disclosed which has a drive shaft (10) which is coupleable to a propeller shaft (20) by bevel gears (12 and 14) so as to rotate the shaft (20) to in turn rotate propeller blades P of an outboard motor. The drive shaft (20) has an internal concentric shaft (30) which enables the adjustment of the pitch of the propeller blades P by mounting the propeller blades P for rotation about a pitch axis and coupling the mounting (72′) via an integral bevel gear (104) to a bevel gear (102) on the shaft (30). A phase adjustment mechanism (40) is provided for rotating the shaft (30) relative to the shaft (20) to in turn rotate the propeller blades P around the pitch axis to change the pitch of the propeller blades P. The phase adjustment mechanism comprises ring gears (48 and 50), together with planet gears (48) in engagement with a gear on the shaft (30) and planet gears (46) in engagement with a gear (26) on the shaft (20).

Abstract: A motor for driving a propeller is disclosed which has a drive shaft (10) which is coupleable to a propeller shaft (20) by bevel gears (12 and 14) so as to rotate the shaft (20) to in turn rotate propeller blades P of an outboard motor. The drive shaft (20) has an internal concentric shaft (30) which enables the adjustment of the pitch of the propeller blades P by mounting the propeller blades P for rotation about a pitch axis and coupling the mounting (72′) via an integral bevel gear (104) to a bevel gear (102) on the shaft (30). A phase adjustment mechanism (40) is provided for rotating the shaft (30) relative to the shaft (20) to in turn rotate the propeller blades P around the pitch axis to change the pitch of the propeller blades P. The phase adjustment mechanism comprises ring gears (48 and 50), together with planet gears (48) in engagement with a gear on the shaft (30) and planet gears (46) in engagement with a gear (26) on the shaft (20).

Abstract: A transmission has a gear system (34) which may be in the form of an orbit system (32, 35) or a planetary orbital spur system. The gear systems include a control gear (32) which is controlled to determine the drive ratio of the transmission. The control gear is controlled by a momentum control which includes a disc (23) and a slide (25) which carries a magnet (30) for selectivity allowing or preventing rotation of the disc (23) to in turn change the speed of rotation of the control gear (32). Alternatively, the momentum control can be formed from moveable masses which move radially outwardly relative to the control shad to change the speed of rotation of the control gear.

Abstract: A phase control mechanism for adjusting the phase relationship between a cam shaft and a crank shaft and an internal combustion engine is disclosed, to enable variable valve timing within the engine. The mechanism is disposed between crank shaft (203) and cam shaft (202) and comprises a pulley (204) which is integrally connected to a bevel gear (216). Bevel gears (224) are supported in the cage (220) which is integrally coupled to the cam shaft (202). A control gear (210) meshes with the bevel gears (224) and the control gear (210) is connected to a shaft (208) which may be driven by a stepper motor (215) which drives the shaft (208) via a gear (209). Rotation of the gear (210) causes the gears (224) to advance or regress relative to the gear (214) and therefore relative to the pulley (204) and crank shaft (203) so as to change the valve timing of the engine.

Abstract: A phase control mechanism for adjusting the phase relationship between a cam shaft and a crank shaft and an internal combustion engine is disclosed, to enable variable valve timing within the engine. The mechanism is disposed between crank shaft (203) and cam shaft (202) and comprises a pulley (204) which is integrally connected to a bevel gear (216). Bevel gears (224) are supported in the cage (220) which is integrally coupled to the cam shaft (202). A control gear (210) meshes with the bevel gears (224) and the control gear (210) is connected to a shaft (208) which may be driven by a stepper motor (215) which drives the shaft (208) via a gear (209). Rotation of the gear (210) causes the gears (224) to advance or regress relative to the gear (214) and therefore relative to the pulley (204) and crank shaft (203) so as to change the valve timing of the engine.