US3116598A

US3116598A - Rotorthrust outboard motor

Info

Publication number: US3116598A
Application number: US121486A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eddie L Blake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-07-03
Filing date: 1961-07-03
Publication date: 1964-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-07

Description

Jan. 7, 1964 E. L. BLAKE 3,116,598

ROTORTHRUST OUTBOARD MOTOR Filed July 5. 1961 2 Shets-Sheet 1 FIG.| 06

O/Wazer Pump] fawn 4rd P0512100 INVENTOR. EDDIE L. BLAKE Jan. 7, 1964 E. L, BLAKE 3,116,598 ROTORTHRUST OUTBOARD MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1961 INVENTOR. EDDIE L. BLAKE United States Patent 3,116,598 ROTGRTPRUST OUTBUARD MOTOR Eddie L, Blake, Route 1, Box 166, Glenwood, Ark. Filed July 3, 1961, Ser. No. 121,486 4 Claims. (Cl. 60-35.6)

This is a continuation-in-part of my copendinig application filed August 29, 1960, Serial Number 52,731, now abandoned.

The present invention generally relates to propulsion for boats or the like and is intended as an outboard motor for boats incorporating a novel structure for producing a thrust for propelling the boat.

Conventionally, outboard motors have been provided with a piston type internal combustion engine driving a propeller through suitable gearing mechanism for rotating the propeller.

In distinction to this, the present invention has for its primary object the provision of an outboard motor of the type discharging an ignited and expanding volume of combustion products and in a predetermined direction in relation to the boat whereby the discharge of the combustion products will expand against the water thus producing a thrust to force the boat in the direction opposite to the direction of discharge of the combustion products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide outboard motor having an air compressor driven from the expanding combustion products by virtue of an axial flow turbine which will provide power to drive the compressor and also drive other items such as a fuel pump, water pump and the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an outboard motor having only rotary components in which simple controls are provided for controlling the fuel and air ratio, the ignition of the combustible charge and the direction of discharge of the expanding combustion products.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in Which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially through the center of the outboard motor illustrating the relationship of components of the motor with the nozzle mechanism oriented for forward movement of the boat.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse, plan, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the construction of the rotor blades;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the construction of the turbine blades;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view illustrating the discharge nozzle having the control mechanism therefor disposed in neutral position; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 with the nozzle mechanism oriented for rearward movement of the boat.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 19 generally designates the outboard motor or" the present invention which includes a tubular housing or cylindrical member 12 stationarily attached to the transom of a boat by a suitable clamp 14 pivotally attached to the 3,11%,593 Patented Jan. 7, 1954 housing 12 for movement about a horizontal axis 16 and a vertical axis 13 thus enabling tilting and swinging of the outboard motor in a conventional manner.

Disposed at the top of the tubular member 12 is a bottom plate 2d of a housing including a wall 22 and a top 2 for forming a stator for a compressor assembly.

The compressor assembly includes an elongated shaft 26 extending vertically through the housing 'with the shaft 2d having an elongated passageway 28 extending therethrough. Disposed to one side of the housing 22 is a fuel tank 3% having an opening or neck 32 thereon together with a cap 34. Disposed below the tank 36 is a fuel pump 3% having an inlet 33 communicating with the bottom area of the tank 3t. Tie pump 36 connects with a tubular member 49 extending upwardly and connected with the shaft or axle 26. A needle valve 4-2 is provided in the tubular member ill and is movable towards and away from the seat 44 in the upper end of the shaft or axle 26 whereby the quantity of fuel discharged into the tubular passageway 23 may be varied by varying the setting of the needle valve 42.

Disposed internally of the tubular housing 12 is a member which is in the form of a cylinder 46. The annular space 4-3 between the tubular member 12 and the cylinder to forms a water chamber in comrnunica tion with a water pump 5% through an enlarged opening 52 at the bottom of the sleeve 12. The water pump 'l'll is driven from an elongated shaft 54 and has an intake 55 extending through a bottom plate 58 which also forms a bottom for the pump 59, a bottom for the annular space 48 and partially closes the interior of the cylinder 46. The shaft 26 extends completely down to a point adjacent the bottom end of the cylinder 46 and rigidly mounted thereon is a rotating cylinder head oil which rotates in relation to the cylinder 46 and is sealingly connected thereto by seal member s2. The lower surface of the cylinder head tl is provided with a semicircular concave surface forming a combustion chamber 64 and the periphery of the rotating cylinder head is provided with teeth 66 for engagement with a gear 68 on the upper end of the shaft 54 thus driving the water pump 58. Also provided on the shaft 54 is a V-belt pulley 7i engaging a V-belt 72 that also engages a V-belt pulley 74 for driving the fuel pump 36. The shaft 76 for the fuel pump 36 is supported by a bearing assembly 73.

Spaced from the periphery of the cylinder head 60, there is provided an upwardly extending annular groove or recess 8-3 which receives a roller thrust bearing assembly 82 thus forming a support for the cylinder head 6% and the shaft 26 which is keyed to the cylinder head 60 at point 84.

The cylinder head is provided with passageways 86 receiving compressed air from the compressor assembly and also the ttuel passageway 28 communicates with the interior of the cylinder 46 adjacent the cylinder head 6% whereby the air and fuel are mixed together in the proper ratio and a spark plug or an equivalent igniting device is employed for igniting the-combustible mixture where upon the combustible mixture will then expand downwardly in an axial manner through the cylinder 4% for discharge through a discharge fitting 9d in the bottom plate 58. 'Rigi'dly aifixed to the shaft 26 are a plurality of turbine blades 92 which are provided with radially extending fins or blade members 94 which are inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 46 so that upon passage of expanding combustion products over the surfaces of the fins the blades 92 and the shaft will be rotated due to the keying engagement of the blades 2 with the shaft 26 as indicated at 96.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the compressor assembly is provided with enlarged central inlet 3 in the top wall 24- and this inlet is communicated with an air intake manifold of any suitable construction and any suitable air cleaners or the like may be provided thereon. The compressor itself is provided with a plurality of rotors 1G2 having a pair of spiral blades 1% on the upper surface thereof. The blades fill the area between adjacent plates and outer air deflectors res and inner air deflectors 1% serve to move the air in a radial direction. Each rotor 13?. is provided with a purality of apertures 110, alternating in location adjacent the outer edge of the rotor, in the uppermost rotor and each alternate 1 wer rotor, and the center of the rotor, in the rotor beneath the uppermost rotor and each alternate lower rotor. apertures decrease in size progressively from the uppermost to the lowermost rotor in which the apertures are small pinholes in communication with the passageways 36 in the cylinder d8, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing. Thus, as the rotors spin with the shaft the two blades of the uppermost rotor force air from the central inlet 93 outwardly through the large apertures lit) adjacent to the outer edge thereof and into proximity with the blades 184 of the next lower rotor which force the air radially outwardly and downwardly through the slightly smaller holes 118 in such next lower rotor. This process is repeated in each lower rotor, whereby the. air is continuously compressed and forced through increasingly smaller apertures until it is finally discharged into the combustion chamber 64 through the inner pinholes 110 formed in the lowermost rotor and through the communicating passageways Se in the cylinder head.

At the lower end of th tubular member 12 and below the plate 58, the discharge member 3 is attached to an elongated nozzle 112 having an outwardly flared end 114 and a cylindrical end 116. Annular grooves 113 are formed on the interior surface of the discharge nozzle and the passage formed thereby is in communication wtih the tube 95). A shiftable baffle control 120 is provided which has a configuration similar to the configuration of the grooves HS and controls the direction of discharge of the combustion products as they enter the nozzle 112. As illustrated, the grooves 118 are triangular in configuration and the annular bafile control 120 is also provided with triangular surfaces for close fitting engagement therewith.

In the position illustrated in FIGURE l, the products of comb stion will be directed through the groove 118 and adjacent baffie control 1 0, and discharged rearwardly through the nozzle 112 as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 1 thus causing a thrust to be produced for urging the boat in a forward manner. FIGURE 4 illustrates the central position of the baille control ring or valve 112% where the thrust produced will be neutralized since a portion thereof will extend in each direction. FIGURE 5 illustrates the bafile control ring in the forward position thus discharging the products of combustion forwardly thus causing the boat to move rearwardly.

Adjacent the upper end f the tubular member 12 and at what may be considered the bottom of the combu tion aea, the cylinder 46 is provided with aperture for purposes of communicating the combustion chamcr with the annular space thus introducing water into the combustion products for discharge of the combustion products together with steam which is forms when a small amount of water was introduced into the com- These bustion chamber by virtue of the small apertures 122 thus producing an additional thrust to the engine.

In operation, the compressor supplies combustion supporting air to the combustion chamber 54 and a suitable control valve such as a butterfly valve or the like may be employed for controlling the quantity of air. This apparatus could be initially started in several ways, none of which are intended to form a part of the present invention. For example, the starting could be done by an electric motor mounted upon the apparatus and geared to the drive shaft to supply the initial rotation for operating the fuel pump, allowing the discharge of air into the combustion chamber, and causing ignition of the mixture. This operation could also be performed by hand, such as with a draw cable and a sheave applied to the top of the rotor shaft, as in the starting of other types of combustion engines. Fuel is admitted through the bored shaft 26, the fuel pump 36 supplying fuel under pressure and the needle valve adjusting the quantity of fuel. As the fuel and air are mixed in the combustion chamber the mixture will be ignited by the spark plug 82 or other suitable igniter timed in a proper manner and the igniter may be connected to any ignition device such as a magneto or the like. Suitable lubrication means may be provided as needed and means may be provided for controlling the position of the annular ring 12% thus determining the direction of thrust produced. Water passing into the combustion chamber will be promptly converted into steam and as this mixture is discharged, it will turn the turbine rotors 92. and then be discharged from the nozzle 12.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily ocur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In an outboard motor for the propulsion of a boat comprising, in combination, a cylindrical member, means on said member for mounting it on the transom of a boat with the lower end of the member disposed below the surface of the water, a nozzle communicating with the lower end of the member and having open ends, a housing mounted on the upper end of the member and communicating therewith, an elongated shaft extending through said housing and member, compressor means mounted on said shaft in said housing, said housing including air inlet means for the compressor means adjacent the top of said housing and air outlet means com municating the compressor means with the member for discharging air into said member, said shaft having a longitudinal bore communicating at opposite ends with the top of said housing and with the interior of said member, fuel supply means connected with one end of the bore for supplying fuel to the interior of said member below the housing for mixture with air from said compressor means, ignition taking place in said member, said shaft including a plurality of turbine blades mounted thereon within said member whereby axial flow of combustion products will cause rotaiton of the shaft thus driving the compressor, and means in said nozzle controlling the direction of expanding combustion products for producing a thrust, said member having a water jacket in spaced enclosing relation thereto defining a water chamber, a Water pump for circulating water in the water chamber, and said member including small openings adjacent the upper end thereof for inlet of water into the combustion chamber for conversion to steam for discharge with the combustion products.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft is provided with a cylinder head rotatable with the shaft, means between the head and member for maintaining a seal for preventing flow of combustion products therethrough, and gear means on the head for driving the water pump, said fuel supply including a pump driven by said gear means.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein a needle control valve is provided in the bore in the shaft to control input of fuel.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said nozzle is in the form of a venturi, said means for controlling discharge including a movable annular ring of 1 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Flanagan Oct. 31, 1950 Fentress June 2, 1953

Claims

1. IN AN OUTBOARD MOTOR FOR THE PROPULSION OF A BOAT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, MEANS ON SAID MEMBER FOR MOUNTING IT ON THE TRANSOM OF A BOAT WITH THE LOWER END OF THE MEMBER DISPOSED BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, A NOZZLE COMMUNICATING WITH THE LOWER END OF THE MEMBER AND HAVING OPEN ENDS, A HOUSING MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END OF THE MEMBER AND COMMUNICATING THEREWITH, AN ELONGATED SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOUSING AND MEMBER, COMPRESSOR MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT IN SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING INCLUDING AIR INLET MEANS FOR THE COMPRESSOR MEANS ADJACENT THE TOP OF SAID HOUSING AND AIR OUTLET MEANS COMMUNICATING THE COMPRESSOR MEANS WITH THE MEMBER FOR DISCHARGING AIR INTO SAID MEMBER, SAID SHAFT HAVING A LONGITUDINAL BORE COMMUNICATING AT OPPOSITE ENDS WITH THE TOP OF SAID HOUSING AND WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, FUEL SUPPLY MEANS CONNECTED WITH ONE END OF THE BORE FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER BELOW THE HOUSING FOR MIXTURE WITH AIR FROM SAID COMPRESSOR MEANS, IGNITION TAKING PLACE IN SAID MEMBER, SAID SHAFT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF TURBINE BLADES MOUNTED THEREON WITHIN SAID MEMBER WHEREBY AXIAL FLOW OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS WILL CAUSE ROTATION OF THE SHAFT THUS DRIVING THE COMPRESSOR, AND MEANS IN SAID NOZZLE CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF EXPANDING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS FOR PRODUCING A THRUST, SAID MEMBER HAVING A WATER JACKET IN SPACED ENCLOSING RELATION THERETO DEFINING A WATER CHAMBER, A WATER PUMP FOR CIRCULATING WATER IN THE WATER CHAMBER, AND A SAID MEMBER INCLUDING SMALL OPENINGS ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF FOR INLET OF WATER INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR CONVERSION TO STEAM FOR DISCHARGE WITH THE COMBUSTION PRODUCTS.