Patents by Inventor Gary M. Rafferty

Gary M. Rafferty 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).

  • Composite and fairwater structures for marine vessels
    Patent number: 5582528
    Abstract: In a marine vessel having a drive shaft that extend rearwardly from its hull, wherein the drive shaft has a coupling and a bearing assembly along its length that are supported by struts, which struts are also secured to the hull of the vessel. A coupling cover encompasses the coupling and is mounted adjacent to a bearing assembly. A fairwater encompasses the coupling cover and is attached to the bearing assembly or the strut associated therewith to define a chamber and a clearance space between the fairwater and the coupling cover for directing fluids therethrough and through the bearing assembly to lubricate such bearing assembly. Vanes are located on the coupling cover or on a separate support located within such chamber to enhance the fluid flow through the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Rafferty, Dean T. Dutton, W. Randall Tucker
  • Composite and fairwater structures for marine vessels
    Patent number: 5540173
    Abstract: In a marine vessel having a drive shaft that extend rearwardly from its hull, wherein the drive shaft has a coupling and a bearing assembly along its length that are supported by struts, which struts are also secured to the hull of the vessel. A coupling cover encompasses the coupling and is mounted adjacent to a bearing assembly. A fairwater encompasses the coupling cover and is attached to the bearing assembly or the strut associated therewith to define a chamber and a clearance space between the fairwater and the coupling cover for directing fluids therethrough and through the bearing assembly to lubricate such bearing assembly. Vanes are located on the coupling cover or on a separate support located within such chamber to enhance the fluid flow through the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The BF Goodrich Company
    Inventors: W. Randall Tucker, Gary M. Rafferty, Dean T. Dutton
  • Composite and fairwater structures for marine vessels
    Patent number: 5292270
    Abstract: In a marine vessel having a drive shaft that extend rearwardly from its hull, wherein the drive shaft has a coupling and a bearing assembly along its length that are supported by struts, which struts are also secured to the hull of the vessel. A coupling cover encompasses the coupling and is mounted adjacent to a bearing assembly. A fairwater encompasses the coupling cover and is attached to the bearing assembly or the strut associated therewith to define a chamber and a clearance space between the fairwater and the coupling cover for directing fluids therethrough and through the bearing assembly to lubricate such bearing assembly. Vanes are located on the coupling cover or on a separate support located within such chamber to enhance the fluid flow through the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: W. Randall Tucker, Gary M. Rafferty, Dean T. Dutton