Abstract: A system and method of use for a marine vehicle to compensate for the effects of forward velocity of the vehicle and ambient currents of a water medium on lateral thrust from a lateral tunnel in the vehicle. A thruster in the tunnel has a variable pitch propeller rotated by a motor at a maintained constant speed to produce lateral thrust of flowing water through the tunnel. A power supply provides input power to the motor, and voltage and amp meters provide signals representative of the power. A computer generates pitch control signals from the representative signals, and a pitch actuator connected to the propeller and the computer is responsive to the pitch control signals to change the blade pitch of the propeller in order to maintain the lateral thrust at a predetermined level.

Abstract: There is provided an endless tubular body forming an enclosed chamber then, and granules of permanent magnet material disposed in the chamber. The body is deformable by the granules when the granules are subjected to a magnetic force. With respect to the aspect of the invention wherein seal assembly technology is the center of interest, there are provided a first member of magnetically permeable material and a second member spaced from the first member to define a passageway therebetween, and the above described sealing ring is disposed in the passageway between the first and second members and in engagement therewith. With respect to the aspect of the of the invention wherein the technology of making a seal assembly is the center of interest, there is provided a method for making the above-described seal assembly.

Abstract: A squirrel cage type electric motor rotor assembly includes first and sec end plates of circular configuration, rigid tubes extending from the first plate to the second plate, the tubes being closed at either end thereof to define enclosed chambers therein, and granules of magnetic material disposed in the chambers, the granules being packed therein with a density leaving them readily movable to align with magnetic fields.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for underwater vehicles includes motor inner sor assemblies disposed in hull portions of the vehicle, fixed blades extending outwardly from an after one of the hull portions, a shroud fixed to outer ends of the fixed blades and encircling the hull portions, and a motor outer stator assembly disposed in the shroud. A rotor hub is disposed in an annular recess formed by the hull portions, the hub having permanent magnets therein adjacent the motor inner stator assemblies, and has rotor blades mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom and being at least in part of a permanent magnet material, outer ends of the rotor blades being adjacent the motor outer stator assembly. Activation of the stator assemblies by a polyphase A.C. power source induces movement in the permanent magnets and rotor blades to cause the rotor hub and blades to rotate. The rotation of the rotor blades serves to provide propulsive thrust to the vehicle.

Abstract: A combination motor and pump assembly comprising a housing, a shaft rotaty mounted in the housing, and an impeller fixed to the shaft in the housing, said impeller comprising alternately magnetically polarized portions. The assembly further comprises stator means fixed in the housing adjacent the impeller, the stator means comprising an array of pole pieces and windings associated therewith for receiving electrical alternating current. Fluid inlet means and outlet means are provided in the housing in communication with the impeller. The impeller reacts to current received by the stator means as a motor rotor and rotates in response to excitation of the pole pieces by the current. The rotation of the rotor serves to move fluid in the housing from the inlet to the outlet means.

Abstract: An integrated motor/marine propulsor is provided having an electric motor apted for converting electrical energy into hydropropulsive energy. The electric motor comprises at least one stator assembly disposed in magnetomotive relation to a rotor. The rotor of the present invention advantageously includes a plurality of rotor blades wherein a portion of at least one of the rotor blades comprises a permanent magnet.