Patents Assigned to Propulsion Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7509936
    Abstract: An engine with a hybrid crankcase includes the crankcase being a composite construction having an exoskeleton formed of a non-ferrite material having no defined endurance limit as a material, the non-ferrite exoskeleton encapsulating a load bearing skeleton formed of a ferrite material, the ferrite material having a well defined endurance limit, whereby the skeleton acts to carry the highest engine loadings. A method of forming such an engine is further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Weinzierl, Michael J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5713338
    Abstract: A redundant ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided. When the internal combustion system is a waste spark system, opposite ends of first and second secondary windings of first and second coils, are coupled, respectively, to first and second sparkplugs, for igniting first and second cylinders. In one embodiment, a diode or similar structure prevents feedback from one coil to another coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: N.S.I. Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Lance Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4869212
    Abstract: An engine for rotating a main drive shaft (14) from a plurality of power modules (18) arranged in a concentric circumferentially spaced relation about a main drive gear (12) secured to the main drive shaft (14). Each power module (18) has a pair of parallel cylinders (50) with associated pistons (52) therein connected to rocker arms (62) and Z-crank convertors (68) for rotating a power input gear (20) engaging the main gear (12) for rotating the main drive shaft (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Automated Marine Propulsions Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anatoly Sverdlin
  • Patent number: 4832642
    Abstract: Two centrifugal pump and paddle type boat propulsion devices are mounted in astern outboard positions on two swingable vanes, respectively, projecting aft of a boat hull, spaced athwartships of the hull and swingable from positions inclined rearwardly and downwardly from the hull transom into upwardly and rearwardly inclined positions in which the rotors of the propulsion devices and rudders behind them are retracted above the level of the boat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Thompson Marine Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Merall L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4215624
    Abstract: The conventional slotted valve plate of an axial piston pump-motor is replaced by an integral or separate barrel extension having a charge-discharge passageway leading to each cylinder. The passageways lead axially from the cylinders and then turn generally radially inward to open at ports in a circular-cylindrical bore in the extension which is coaxial with the barrel and main shaft axis. The end of a fixed pintle shaft extends into the bore. The pintle shaft has fluid supply and return passages that open to charge and discharge areas within the bore which, in turn, communicate through ports in the shaft with the ports in the barrel. The charge and discharge areas are divided by a diametrical wall, and bridges at the edges of the wall and between the pintle shaft ports serve as valves which sequentially close each barrel port and thereby separate the charge and discharge stages of operation of each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: American Hydraulic Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaromir Tobias
  • Patent number: 4165677
    Abstract: The pintle shaft of a radial piston hydraulic pump-motor is cantilevered from one end frame member by guideways which permit it to be moved laterally for adjustment of the speed, torque output and direction of rotation. A reaction assembly is journaled in a second frame member by means of the input-output shaft. The reaction assembly includes two reaction rings, one on either side of the cylinder block, which rotate on bearing blocks on the pintle shaft, the bearing blocks and shaft having interengaging parallel, flat slide surfaces which permit the shaft to be translated while still being in mutually supported and stabilized relation with the reaction rings. The side loads on the pintle shaft are counteracted by friction forces developed between the slide surfaces on the bearing blocks and pintle shaft so that the pintle shaft remains stable relative to the reaction assembly without direct mechanical support of its blind end against side loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: American Hydraulic Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaromir Tobias
  • Patent number: 4161906
    Abstract: The efficiency of a radial piston hydraulic pump or motor is improved by making the ports in the block through which the hydraulic fluid flows from and back to the charge and discharge areas, respectively, of the pintle shaft asymmetrical about their centerlines in the axial direction, the area of the part of each port which lies on the side of the axial centerline remote from the supply and return passages in the pintle shaft being substantially greater than the area of the remaining part of the port. Similarly, the ports in the pintle shaft which communicate the charge and discharge areas to the ports in the block have greater areas in the portions thereof on the side of the axial centerline remote from the supply and return passages than in the portions on the side of the axial centerline nearer the supply and return passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: American Hydraulic Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaromir Tobias
  • Patent number: 4150921
    Abstract: Marine propellers are constructed with a split-hub design, permitting adjustment of the pitch of the blades, and axial removability of the blade. By virtue of the axial removability of the blades, blades can be removed easily for repair or replacement without increasing the diametral clearance between the blade tips and a tunnel or nozzle of the type in which propellers are frequently disposed. Also, individual blades can be removed without the necessity of dropping the rudder, which is necessary in many vessels utilizing solid propellers. The blades have their spindles or roots clamped in the hub, such that axial adjustment of pitch can be achieved by reducing the clamping force. The hub preferably is formed in two sections, one section being mounted to or forming part of the propeller shaft, and including recesses which partially house the blade spindles or roots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peder K. Wennberg, Mark E. Eastman