Abstract: The present invention provides for a propulsion apparatus for fluid medium comprising an open-ended sleeve having an inlet and outlet for flow through of fluid and a series of cooperating blades positioned along the sleeve. Each of the blades has a leading and trailing edge and the blades are fixed to rotate with the sleeve and cause a progressive acceleration of fluid from the inlet to the outlet with rotation of the sleeve thereby providing thrust for propulsion. The blades cooperate to define a fluid path to accelerate a fluid from the inlet to the outlet to thereby provide thrust for propulsion as the sleeve is rotated. The apparatus of the present invention provides forward and reverse speed of propulsion independent of the speed and rotation of the driving mechanism whereby adjustment of the blades at a fixed speed accelerates or decelerates the propulsion effort.

Abstract: A variable pitch marine propeller comprising two removable symmetrical propeller blades with cylindrical bases each having a drive lug attached proximate the driving edge of the point of attachment of each blade. A coupling are associated with the drive lugs of the bases and structured to hold the blades by the bases to align and simultaneously rotate the pitch of the blades in equal and opposite directions in response to movement of the coupling. A hub sub-assembly encases the coupling and bases of the blades to allow the blades to pivot and assume a forward or rearward pitch. The hub sub-assembly has a front end, and a rear end capable of mounting onto a drive shaft. A spring is associated with the coupling to initially position said coupling in a position which holds the blades in a rear pitch configuration.

Abstract: An oil distribution box for a marine controllable pitch propeller of the type having a main hydraulic servo within a hub for controlling the pitch of propeller blades rotatably carried by the hub and including a directional valve actuated by a tubular valve rod extending through the propeller shaft from the oil distribution box comprises an outer stationary housing, a shaft received within the housing and coupled to the propeller shaft and an auxiliary servo chamber cylinder coupled to the shaft. A piston received in the servo chamber is coupled to the valve rod. Oil is supplied to the valve rod through an elongated annular supply chamber defined between the shaft and the valve rod by spaced-apart seals, a port in the valve rod opening to the supply chamber, a port in the shaft opening to the supply chamber and a journal clearance seal between the housing and shaft in register with the port in the shaft.

Abstract: The pitch of a marine controllable pitch propeller is detected by a motion/DC current transducer in the propeller hub. Circuitry rotating with the propeller shaft converts an AC power signal to DC for energization of the transducer and converts a DC output signal from the transducer to AC. The AC power and output signals are transferred from the rotating circuit to a stationary circuit in the vessel hull by rotary transformers. There are no contacts between relatively moving parts of the transducer or rotary transformers, thus ensuring long life for the pitch detection system.

Abstract: The pitch setting of a machine controllable pitch propeller is indicated with a high accuracy by comparing the positions of the portions within the vessel hull of a translating member fastened to the pitch change mechanism within the propeller hub and a non-translating member fastened adjacent one end to the hub and extending essentially free of axial load through the propeller shaft into the vessel hull.

Abstract: A variable pitch propeller is fixed to a guide body pivotable about an axis and can be raised above the water surface by its pivoting about the axis. An adjusting device jointly rotating with the hub of variable pitch propeller and positioned on that hub can be set or adjusted without difficulty by a rotatable handle to adjust the pitch of the propeller blades in accordance with the intended travel mode, whereby a detectable fuel saving can be achieved.

Abstract: A watercraft has a rotatable propeller drive shaft connected to a driving engine. A coupling is slidably disposed along the shaft. The coupling has a rotatable first section secured to the shaft and a non-rotatable second section spaced from the shaft with a bearing arrangement in which the first section is rotatably disposed. A variable pitch propeller has a hub secured to the shaft. A plurality of propeller blades are rotatably disposed in bearing housings to the hub. Connecting rods are slidably disposed in the bearing housings. Each connecting rod has a position of protection at which it is disposed completely in the corresponding bearing housing wherein it cannot be attacked by foreign bodies. Devices for coupling one end of each rod to the base of the corresponding blade are provided.

Abstract: A double reverse revolution propeller apparatus includes front and rear propeller wherein the rear propeller is rotated at higher speeds than the front propeller. When seizure occurs, an inner shaft is disconnected from an engine at an inner shaft connection unit and is connected to an outer shaft at an inner and outer shaft connection unit to be driven in the same direction as the outer shaft. The ratio of absorption horsepower of the front propeller to the rear propeller can to be substantially equal to the ratio of rotational speed of the front propeller to that of the rear propeller. One or both of the front and rear propeller can include a variable pitch propeller. The front propeller can have more blades than the rear propeller.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage for adjusting propeller blades includes a two-armed lever arranged on the downstream side of the hub of a variable pitch propeller driven by a driving engine by means of a drive shaft. The push rod of a linear motor connected to an energy source moves one arm of said adjusting lever. The other arm of the adjusting lever is articulated to a non-rotatable adjusting sleeve which is coupled via a thrust bearing to a rotary intermediate adjusting member. Adjusting rods are fixed to the intermediate adjusting member and are guided in the hub and accomplish the adjustment of the propeller blades.

Abstract: A plurality of blades extend radially from a hub which is rotated by a motor about a drive axis. Each blade has a root which is rotatably connected to the hub so that it can be independently twisted to vary the pitch thereof relative to the drive axis. A plurality of electromagnets are annularly positioned adjacent the hub so that permanent magnets connected to the roots of corresponding blades can be attracted and/or repelled to induce twisting motion in the blades as the hub rotates about its drive axis. A control circuit receives input commands for a manual control device and causes predetermined electrical signals to be applied to the electromagnets for simultaneously varying the pitch of the blades. The pitch of the blades can be varied cyclically and collectively in accordance with any real continuous function, and not just sinusoidally as in the case of prior mechanical linkages employing swash plates.

Abstract: An improved efficiency propulsion system and method of improving the efficiency of a vessel operated in deep and shallow water depths and at constant or variable loaded and ballast waterlines contemplates the use of a variable diameter propeller means capable of varying between a maximum extended diameter D and a minimum effective diameter D mounted on a propeller shaft having an axis of rotation displaced from the bottom keel of the ship a distance less than one-half the maximum diameter D of the propeller means. In this way, because of the use of the variable diameter ship propeller, the propulsion shaft may be located closer than otherwise permissible to the bottom keel of the ship which has the result of lowering the top blade tip trajectory relative to any particular chosen waterline and also providing space for a generally larger diameter more efficient propeller installation.

Abstract: The marine vessel propeller has vanes or blades containing outer edges which are bounded by circularly domed outer surfaces which coact with a spherical zone of a spherical surface formed at the inner surface of the nozzle. The common central point of the spherical zone and of the circularly domed outer surfaces of the vanes or blades is located at the intersection point of the vane axes and about each of which vane axis the related propeller vane or blade is pivotable. The intersection point of such vane axes is located on the propeller axis.

Abstract: A universal steering and propulsion unit for marine craft utilizes a power train which includes a differential gearing unit with control of the power delivered being accomplished through selective braking of one side of the differential. Steering may be accomplished by a 360.degree. rotating ability of the propeller without interruption of the power delivered to the propulsion unit. The power train also provides a special gearing arrangement whereby the propeller drive shaft may be driven so as to provide forward thrust regardless of the direction of rotation of the output drive shaft of the power unit, thus obviating the necessity for oppositely rotating output shafts when dual drive units are required. The oil pressure about the propeller shaft and gear transfer housing is used for feathering the propeller blades.

Abstract: A marine vessel having a propeller tunnel possessing a flow-favorable cross-sectional configuration following the flow lines of the water. Within the propeller tunnel there is mounted a propeller essentially throughout one-half of its circumference. An adjustable control plate can be extended in order to detach the flow of the water from the surface of the tunnel during rapid travel of the marine vessel. In this case, the propeller functions as a partially immersed propeller at a high rotational speed. There can be provided a control device which adjusts the control plate as a function of the rotational speed range within which the propeller operates. The propeller can be an adjustable propeller conjointly adjustable with the control plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boat propeller having rotatably journalled blades in its hub to enable shifting between forward and reverse without reversing the direction of rotation. The hub is rotatably journalled on the propeller shaft and contains a transmission between the shaft and the blades. The transmission can be coupled between positions for forward, reverse and neutral. The invention uses the torque of the motor and the reaction moment of the water against the blades to achieve a relative rotation between the shaft and the hub, whereby the transmission turns the blades to one of two stops, which define the positions for forward or reverse.