US3782114A

US3782114A - Hydraulic propulsion system

Info

Publication number: US3782114A
Application number: US00237717A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Broes
Original assignee: STRADCO Inc
Current assignee: STRADCO Inc
Priority date: 1972-03-24
Filing date: 1972-03-24
Publication date: 1974-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-01

Abstract

An hydraulic propulsion system of the type employing a pair of drive rotors intersecting fluid flow in an hydraulic conduit. At least one of the rotors is laterally displaceable with respect to the other, so as to vary the degree of engagement of the rotors with fluid flow.

Description

1451 Jan. 1, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Broes Gold Wiggermann... Frobeen..........................

HHHHH 70729 552500 6 233 46575 54970 2 233 CC M Emu Tom sw g n.m N a omw 1 m C U Pm m m k Pmm r r. WFAM II-Pm M m t Dm Y y flimA 5 3 577 FOREIGN [22] Filed: Mar. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 237,717

346,766 7/1960 Sweden.........,.......................418/19 Primary Examiner-ClarenceR. Gordon 41 9 Aztorney-David H. Semmes Int.

[57] ABSTRACT An hydraulic propulsion system of the type employing 1 [58] Field of Search 60/221,

19, 29; 115/16 :1 pair of drive rotors intersecting fluid flow in an hydraulic conduit. At least one of the rotors is laterally displaceable with respect to the other, so as to vary [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS the degree of engagement of the rotors with fluid flow.

2,369,996 2/1945 115/16 UX 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAH 1 I974 SHEEI 1 BF 3 PATENTEDMH 1 i974 sum as? 3 PATENTEDJAH 1 m4 saw aur s FIG. 5

HYDRAULIC PROPULSION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention Marine propulsion systems, particularly a hydro jet drive system. Recent inventors have devoted attention to hydraulic propulsion systems for seagoing vessels wherein one or more rotors are used to engage fluid flowing through a conduit, so as to jet the fluid outwardly of the vessel and thereby drive the vessel upon a predetermined forward, lateral or astern course. Such systems have used various techniques for varying the jetting of the fluid, so as to propel the vessel in a variety of directions. Also, some attention has been given to varying the rate of drive, so as to control the speed of the vessel. However, scant attention has been given to varying the pitch of the rotors or the degree of rotor engagement with fluid flow as a drive control.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Forlano U.S. Pat. No. 2,467,022 is typical of marine propulsion systems wherein two longitudinally extending tubes with lateral and rear branches are used, together with driving propellors to push the vessel from side to side, forward or astern. Forlano attempts to provide precise controls through the use of iris type valves which constrict fluid flow through the tubes. There is no suggestion of varying propellor pitch or the degree of engagement of the propellors 25 with fluid flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a marine or hydraulic propulsion system is provided with controlled, variable pitch drive by displacement of the drive rotors laterally with respect to each other, so that their engagement with fluid flow is varied. The rotors are mounted upon a pair ofdrive shafts which may be laterally displaced by means of a worm drive gear or the like. Alternatively, one of the rotors may be displaced laterally by mounting in a yoke which is reciprocated by means of an hydraulically actuated piston. The propulsion drive housing may be closed by means of a gate for shutdown and repair. Also, deflecting blades may be employed to intersectthe fluid flow conduit at either side of the drive housing, so as to direct fluid'flow in a variety ofpropelling attitudes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded, fragmentary view of the propulsion unit housing intersecting the fluid flow conduit and showing in superposition the drive and lateral displacement elements;

FIG. 2 is a top plan, partially in section, of the fluid flow conduit and drive housing;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the drive housing, taken along section line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the drive housingfshowing the worm drive mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section, taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing a gate blocking mechanism for the fluid flow conduit; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan of a modification, wherein a ratchet mechanism is used for displacing the rotor drive shafts laterally with respect to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. I fluid flow conduits and 22 are shown in axial alignment, so as to communicate with drive housing chamber 10 defined in housing lower block 18. A pair of propulsion rotors l2 and 14 are mounted respectively upon shafts l3 and 16 and include radially extending vanes.

Drive shafts

13 and 16 extend respectively through elongated apertures 34 and 36 in top plate 32, for rotatable seating in

drive blocks

42 and 44.

Drive blocks

42 and 44 may have

lower flanges

43 and 45 which slottedly engage the underside of

tracks

38 and 40.

Drive block 42 is supported upon

cylindrical bearings

50 and 52 extending through

apertures

48 and 46, respectively, and drive block 44 is mounted upon

cylindrical bearings

54 and 56 extending through

apertures

60 and 58, respectively.

Individual support rods

62 and 64 may extend through the aligned bearings so that blocks are laterally displaceable upon

rods

62 and 64, as the

block bottom flanges

43 and 45 engage

tracks

38 and 40. The

individual shafts

14 and 16 may be driven by

electric motors

66, 68 or the like having their drive shaft extending through

bearing blocks

70 and 72, which in turn may be secured by the means of bolts or the like to the

individual drive blocks

42 and 44. The speed of rotation of the shafts, thus, may be readily varied.

According to one modification of the invention and as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, shafts l4 and 16 are laterally displaceable with respect to each other by means of a worm drive shaft having threaded

ends

82 and 84 engaging ball bearing 86 and hub 88 seated in apertures 90 in the

drive blocks

42 and 44. Upon rotation of worm gear 78 by means of drive motor 74 with its shaft extending through bearing block 76, the shaft 80 is turned so as to laterally displace the blocks with respect to each other. Alternatively to the worm gear arrangement, an hydraulic cylinder 92 with its shaft engaging plate 95 afflxed to block 44 may be used to displace block 44 laterally with respect to block 42 or shaft 13 may be fitted into yoke 94 which is displaceable laterally by means of piston 93 and hydraulic cylinder 91.

In the modification of invention illustrated in FIG. 6, blocks 66' and 68' may be laterally displaced by means of piston 108 having shaft 110 engaging block 68', so that spur gear 108 engages the respective ratchets I04 and 106 to laterally displace the shafts with respect to each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the

conduits

20 and 22 may be gated or valved shut by means of

gate valves

24 and 26, driven respectively by

hydraulic pistons

28 and 30.

Also, the

individual conduits

20 and 22 may be gated by means of obliquely intersecting

vanes

98 and 102, driven respectively by

hydraulic cylinders

96 and 100. These vanes are used principally, to divert jet flow in order to vary the direction of propulsion.

As will be apparent, the

gates

24 and 26 may be closed and plate 32 removedfor shutdown, disassembly and repair or the like of the individual rotors l0 and 12.

Manifestly, the rotors, as well as the means of their lateral displacement may be varied without the depart- C. a pair of drive rotors rotatedly mounted within housing such that both said rotors intersect the flow of fluid through said conduit and said housing; at least one of said rotors being laterally displaceable with respect to said other rotor, so as to vary the degree of rotor engagement with respect to fluid flow; said rotors being mounted upon separate drive shafts extending perpendicularly with respect to said conduit and each said shaft having an independent rotor drive;

D. a rotor drive connected to said rotors.

E. a pair of gate valves positionable on either side of said drive housing so as to limit fluid flow;

F. at least one directional flow vane intersecting said conduit adjacent said drive housing, so as to jet said fluid in a variety of directions with respect to said conduit; and

G. a worm gear mechanism interconnecting both said drive shafts, so as to laterally displace said shafts with respect to each other. 2. An hydraulic propulsion unit as in claim 1, including a ratchet mechanism interconnecting said drive 5 shafts, so as to laterally adjust said shafts and said rotors with respect to each other.

3. An hydraulic propulsion unit as in claim 1, said drive housing further including:

worm gear mechanism being interposed intermediate said blocks and engaging each said block.

Claims

1. An hydraulic propulsion unit comprising: A. an hydraulic conduit through which fluid flows; B. a drive housing defining an enlarged chamber medially of said conduit; C. a pair of drive rotors rotatedly mounted within housing such that both said rotors intersect the flow of fluid through said conduit and said housing; at least one of said rotors being laterally displaceable with respect to said other rotor, so as to vary the degree of rotor engagement with respect to fluid flow; said rotors being mounted upon separate drive shafts extending perpendicularly with respect to said conduit and each said shaft having an independent rotor drive; D. a rotor drive connected to said rotors. E. a pair of gate valves positionable on either side of said drive housing so as to Limit fluid flow; F. at least one directional flow vane intersecting said conduit adjacent said drive housing, so as to jet said fluid in a variety of directions with respect to said conduit; and G. a worm gear mechanism interconnecting both said drive shafts, so as to laterally displace said shafts with respect to each other.

2. An hydraulic propulsion unit as in claim 1, including a ratchet mechanism interconnecting said drive shafts, so as to laterally adjust said shafts and said rotors with respect to each other.

3. An hydraulic propulsion unit as in claim 1, said drive housing further including: i. a top plate with elongated apertures through which each of said shafts extends; ii. a drive shaft block track mounted upon said top plate, and iii. drive shaft blocks for each of said shafts slottedly engaging said track.

4. An hydraulic propulsion unit as in claim 1, said worm gear mechanism being interposed intermediate said blocks and engaging each said block.