US2234120A - Propeller - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1941.

E. HAWKINS PROPELLER Filed May 31, 1939 3 SheetsSheet 1 Inventor LBERT HAWKINS,

A iiorneys March 4, 1941. E, NS 2,234,120

PROPELLER Filed May 31, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .A iiorneys UNITED STATES PATENT PROPELLER Elbert Hawkins Joliet, Ill. Application May 31, 1939, Serial No. 276,722

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in propellers particularly for aeroplanes, although it will be understood, of course, that the invention may be used for any other purpose for which it may be found adapted I and desirable, such as on boats.

The primary object of the invention -is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a propeller of the character described comprising a novel construction, combination and arrangement of oppositely rotating blades whereby the efficiency and life of the engine will be materially increased.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a propeller of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at lowcost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a propeller constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a viewin front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the invention.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of one of the blades andits hub.

. Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the hubs.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through one of the hubs, taken substantially on theline II of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will' be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a casing of suitable metal which is designated generally by the reference numeral I. -The casing I is F stationary and includes a pair of complemental sections 2 and 3 which are bolted together, as at 4. The casing I further includes an extension 5 on its rear end which is bolted, as at 6, to the forward end of an engine I. The forward end of the casing I is closed by .a housing 8 of the construction shown to advantage in Fig. 3 of the vided therefor in the forward portion of the casing I is a tubular shaft III which projects forwardly through the housing 8. An opening II isprovided in the housing 8 which accommodates the tubular shaft In. Journaled in the tubular shaft I0 is an inner shaft I2 which extends forwardly and rearwardly from said tubular shaft. A bearing I3 is provided in the rear portion of the casing I for the rear end portion ofthe inner shaft I2. It may be well to here state that the inner shaft I2 is adapted to be connected, at its rear end, to the crank shaft of the engine 'I.

A beveled gear I4 is fixed on the tubular outer shaft IIJ between the bearings 9 and a similar gear I5 is fixed on the inner shaft I2 rearwardly of the bearing I3. The gear I4 is connected to the gear I5 for actuation thereby through a pinion gear I6 which is journaled horizontally on a suitable hearing I! which is provided therefor in the lower section 3 of the casing I. Thus, the shafts I0 and I2 are operatively connected together for rotation in opposite directions.

Fixed on the forward end portions of the shafts I (l and- I 2 are hubs I8. The hubs I8 include bushings 23 which are splined on the shafts III and I2, said bushings having flanges 24 on their ends. Mounted on the hubs I8 and projecting in opposite directions therefrom are single blades I9. The hubs I8. are provided, in diametrically opposite sides from the blades I9, with recesses 25 which accommodate substantially segmental counterweights 20, said counterweights being secured between the flanges 24. These counterweights are shown to advantage in Figs. 5 and '7 of the drawings. The reference numeral 2i desend portion of the shaft I2.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration ofthe foregoing. The shaft I2, which is driven directly from the engine, rotates in one direction with its blade I9 and the tubular shaft III, which is driven from the shaft I2 through gears I5,

'ignates a nose which is mounted on the forward I6 and I4, rotates in the opposite direction with its respective blade I9. Thus, the single blades I9, being located in different vertical planes, travel in their own paths and do not follow preceding blades, as isrthe case with propellers of the multi blade type in widespread use at present. The counterweights 2a in the hub structures I8 reduce vibration to a minimum. Further, by reason of the fact that the blades I9 rotate in. opposite directions torque is reduced. The reference numeral 22 designates an oil conduit connected to the casing I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a propeller constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a. preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described. it is to be'underq stood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed'is: A propeller of the character described com- '10 prising a hub having a substantially segmentalrecess in its periphery, a bushing extending centrally through the hub, integral flanges on the ends of said bushing, a single blade projecting from the hub on the diametrically opposite side thereof from therecess, and a substantially seg- 'mental counterweight mounted in the recess on the bushing and secured between the flanges,

the periphery of said counterweight beingflush with that Of the hub.

ELBERT HAWKINS.

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