WO1986001173A1

WO1986001173A1 - Variable pitch propeller

Info

Publication number: WO1986001173A1
Application number: PCT/FR1985/000218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier De La Roche Kerandraon; Daniel Paroldi; Spale Yves Vesnitch
Original assignee: Roche Kerandraon Oliver; Daniel Paroldi; Spale Yves Vesnitch
Priority date: 1984-08-13
Filing date: 1985-08-12
Publication date: 1986-02-27
Also published as: AU4680085A; EP0192664A1; FR2568850A1

Abstract

Devices enabling to obtain variable pitch propellers of any size of which the common characteristic is to replace without transformation an existing fixed pitch propeller. For example, a propeller according to the invention, in figure 1, is comprised of a casing (2) which is fixed to the existing shaft (1) carrying the rotary axes of the blades (8), which axes are actuated by racks (7), by means of the pushed-pulled cable (6) and the swivel (10) passing through a tube (5) passing into the ogive (6) disengaged by means of bearings of the casing (2). The device according to the invention is particularly intended to sea- and air-propulsion.

Description

Helice is not variable.

The present invention relates to means for making variable pitch propellers adaptable to all existing fixing shafts and originally carrying a fixed pitch propeller.

Variable pitch propellers are well known and appreciated for the performance improvements they provide. We can say for simplicity that they provide marine or air propulsion with a gearbox. The control in incidence of the blades of these propellers is traditionally done by the propeller support shaft, either mechanically by sliding of two concentric shafts driving the blades by racks, or by hydraulic cylinder acting on these same racks. These devices work very well and despite their high cost, are used especially in fishing (maximum cruising speed then maximum thrust at low speed for the trawl). Their high cost significantly limits their use, especially in low powers (less than 400 CV).

The devices according to the invention make it possible to remedy this drawback.

They make it possible to produce propellers which directly replace conventional propellers without transformation of the fixing hub on the shaft, possibly also without the need for additional power to operate the blade and possibly also without fitting out the hull or the assembly. propellant to install the control.

The invention therefore aims to improve the performance of existing boats or aircraft in a simple, immediate and inexpensive manner. The devices conform to the invention and its objectives belong to two categories: controllable variable pitch propellers or automatic variable pitch propellers.

Figure 1 shows by way of example, a variable pitch propeller for boats, piloted by cable at the rear of its hub. The device consists of the existing propeller shaft (1), a plug housing on the propeller shaft (2), a sealing housing and alignment of the control attachment (3 ), the control or the actuator (7) of the blade shafts (8). This casing carries the insulating bearings and seals in rotation of the main tube (5) covered by the profiling bowl (4). A junction tube (5) allows the passage of the control or the actuator (6) filling under pressure of the column of the sealed assembly (2/3) possibly the tail rotor control torque (see mechanical example described ). The device also includes a set of paddles for rotating the blades (7) and a vane fin for profiling the flexible or rigid (6). The push-pull cable (6) acts on the actuator (7) which rotates the blade axes (8). The whole thing can be completely sealed, the tube (5) for passing the control (6) serving for filling with liquid (oil or neutral product) and maintaining it in top load of the tube (6) and of the flexible control leading to a any point on the back of the boat.

Figures 2 and 3 show a variable pitch propeller for a boat, characterized in that it can be waterproof and that it is actuated by an autonomous mechanical amplifier. Its characteristics are described but not limited to below:

The casing (2) being fixed on the shaft (1), the bearing carrier (C1 (C1, C2) adapted to the slides (11) which center them), the drive carriage assembly (12) and screws (13), always guided by the slides (11) taking care to mesh the toothed sector (CD) of the blade pivot (P) (stop notch provided on the sector to avoid all finicky). We slide on (11) the bearing holder (C2). By turning the axis of the screw, the blade is positioned at pitch 0, identifiable by an external mark. The operation is repeated for the following blade (s). The hens (14) of the differential are introduced on the square axis of entry of the screw (13), then the rear flange (15) is screwed. This operation makes it possible to block the assembly (C1, 13, 12, C2) and to position the blocking blocking pushers (16). The tube (s) (5) (5) fitted with its propeller hub profiling (4) and a profiled fin which envelops it in its vertical part are then flexibly fixed. If necessary, fill the interior of the system through the pipe (s) (5) with oil or clean water (Volvic water for example). It will then be ensured that there remains a column of the liquid in the vertical part of the tube (5) in order to maintain the whole under slight internal pressure.

Operation: the blade control system can only operate if the propeller turns, since it is from this that the aforementioned mechanism takes the necessary power. Therefore, the propeller being in rotation, one acts by the adequate flexible control on the cojne of pushers concerned (16) which act on the flange of the lower crown of a differential (important: this twist is done through the intermediary of '' a torsion spring located on the control handle). This flange, like that of the outer crown, is provided with at least two ramps. There is therefore flexible braking (control spring) then blocking if necessary, depending on the tension of the control spring. The lower crown gradually locks, allowing the upper crown to drive the pulleys (14) so the screw (13) which actuates the carriage (12) on its slides (11). The rack of the carriage (12) drives the toothed sector (CD) therefore the rotation of the blade. If you reach the stop (limit switch) the control spring acts as a torque limiter and the vibrations transmitted to the operator's hand indicate this state to him. An action on the pilot pushers of the outer crown will have the same effect, but in reverse. It will be noted that by constructions, the speeds and the couples

SH, SIH, are not the same. Also, the speed of rotation of the blade axis is a function of the speed of rotation of the propeller.

As a variant, it will be added that: a) the flanges (14 ′) in FIG. 4 of the interior and exterior crowns described on page 2 line 28, may not have ramps and may only be plucked with electro-brakes for example. b) instead of driving from the rear, the mechanical amplifier can, by bringing these flanges (14 and 14 ') to the horizontal, figure 2 and the braking or blocking devices (16), put a non-rotating sleeve control passage the hull (0), the propeller shaft (1) the variable pitch propeller (HP) a sleeve, tight or not immobilized in rotation (14) and the control support pipe (5) possibly used during filling.

FIG. 5 represents another embodiment in accordance with the invention and its aims: propeller hub (1), axis of the toothed blade at its lower part (8) round rack (7) stress spring (17), bellows in a crown filled with liquid (18), liquid inlet pipe, closed at the other end for example by another metal or plastic bellows, actuated by the control or any other device varying the volume of liquid (19), stacking of steel washers, sliding materials (Isogliss type for example) or any bearing allowing rotation and pushing of the rack (17) relative to the bellows (18). The assembly (18-19) and external bellows or external device mentioned above is hermetic, the connecting duct being non-deformable or not. The rotation of the bellows (18) is prevented by a blocking, thanks to the base (4) fixed by needle screw for example on the propeller shaft outlet (20). Note that the elastic thrust bellows can be replaced by any hydraulic or mechanical system fulfilling the same function. The propeller blades shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 5 are balanced as best as possible around their axis of rotation, to limit the forces of the control. In the case of propellers with a mechanical amplifier, for example Figures 2 and 4, this is not necessary.

FIG. 6 represents an interesting embodiment in the case where it is desired to drive blades with high rotating loads (so-called anti-weed calls for example) by mechanical means of FIG. 1 type or hydraulic type of FIG. 5 of low power (for outboards for example). This device comprises: the bearing hub (21) Figures 6 and 7, a pave (22) Figure 7 limited stroke carrying a blade control pin (23) Figure 7, the base of the propeller shaft (4 ) Figure 6, the sheath carries the blade axis (26 Figure 6 and 7) sliding on the hub (21) but locked in rotation relative to the latter, a warhead (4) Figure 6, linked (26) to a tube or rotating pin (24), collecting in thrust or in traction the propeller rotation forces, a fixing nut (25) figure 6 of the assembly on the propeller shaft.

The pitch of the blades is controlled by sliding (26) relative to (21) by pushing or pulling on the warhead (4) with a push-pull cable or any other mechanical device which is easily fixed on the propulsion or by pushing on the sheath (26) with, for example, a jack device comprising the same active and inert parts as the case described in FIG. 5. The compensation spring is located between the free rotation pin (24) in FIG. 6 and the fixing nut (25) Figure 6 carrying for example, a fixing eyelet for said spring. When the sleeve (26) Figures 6 and 7 slides on the hub (21), the pin (23) pushed within a radius of the axis of the blade allows movement by rotating the axis of the blade, with accordingly for compensation a sliding of the pave (22) figure 7. The thrust of the propeller, without retaining the sleeve (26) relative to the hub (21) brings the first forward, making feather the propeller blade (blade plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation). If the hydro-dynamic range of the blade is more or less unbalanced with respect to its axis of rotation, the blade will tend to resist the forward movement of the sheath (26) and therefore relieve the control device.

Of course, the propellers described above are not limiting.

It is obvious that whatever the control device, it can be mini-motorized in order to allow the control of the blades according to the engine speed, the speed of the vehicle or a combination of the two by an electronic controlled comparator, it i.e. causing the blades to oscillate slightly until all the parameters displayed are reached.

Figures 6 and 7 show a decay of the propeller with mechanical amplifier controlled step by step by a rock 114 replacing the pinion 14, actuated by the meeting of its teeth on two retractable stops (not shown) replacing the push blocks 16 which the rotate in a circle, one way or the other.

As an extreme example of the philosophy of the invention, which is the simplicity of replacing a conventional propeller with a variable pitch propeller, FIG. 8 shows a propeller driven by ultrasound, for example and without a torque diverter control. It is fully autonomous and consists of

of: the propeller shaft (1) Figure 2, the propeller / mechanical amplifier assembly of Figure 2, a warhead (4) similar to Figure 2, bearing n fins (27) Figure 8 low incidence and rotation in the same direction as that of the forward propeller. The warhead (4) contains: a control device (28) conforming for example to that of the propeller in FIG. 2 (16) and a set of coils rotating in front of magnets carried by the assembly (2), not shown thus than a group of mini cylindrical dry batteries distributed in a circle and the ultrasonic sensor (s).

Operation: when the propeller turns and ejects water, it strikes the blades -27) at low incidence of the warhead (4); this results in a correction of the propeller jet (known effect), rotated in the same direction but at low speed of the warhead. This significant difference in speed allows the coils (5) to be energized by the magnets carried by (HP) and to maintain the charge of the dry batteries. If a coded ultrasonic signal is sent, it will initiate one or other of the commands (no AV, no AR), acting by the mechanical amplifier on the blade axes; the weak torque reaction is slowed down by the inertia of the warhead (4) and above all by the blades (27) acting thanks to their low propulsive or brake-wheel incidence; the buffer mini-batteries remove any ambiguity of operation.

In a variant of the invention, FIG. 9 shows an automatic variable pitch propeller. It consists of: the existing propeller shaft (1), a propeller hub (2), the movable propeller blades (8) and a washer or elastic device connecting the two blades. When stopped, the two blades are calibrated at a strong angle (high speed of water ejection). They exhibit a hydro-dynamic imbalance in relation to their axes of rotation. If the propeller is turned at the start (boat at the start), the pressure on the blades will cause them to twist their elastic return device, allowing the angle of the blades to decrease for a better specific thrust.

As the boat advances, the hydrodynamic pressure decreases the blades gradually return to their pace of speed. According to one of the characteristics that the invention, the elastic device is common to the two blades and spaced from the propeller axis, which allows the blades-return assembly to oscillate freely around their axes. Thus, we are sure to have on each blade, at all times, the angle adapted to the instantaneous hydro-dynamic pressure (variation of the pressure between the high blade and the low blade). According to the device described, the blades can only go in pairs to fully benefit from this effect. It is however possible to have just behind these blades, the same assembly, offset by 90 ° or 120 ° for example. If one is satisfied with a partial pressure difference compensation effect (non-free rotation of the blades) it is possible, as shown in FIG. 10, to have three blades for example on the same return device.

Obviously, these propellers with blades without control, are as easy to install as conventional propellers with fixed pitch.

Among the devices in accordance with the invention and for its purposes, the production of variable pitch propellers interchangeable with conventional propellers, there are two embodiments of the anchoring of the blades in the hubs or sleeves, not leaving because of the shaft. existing, that can be thick to achieve a solid pivoting anchor.

Figure 11 gives an embodiment according to the invention: propeller hub (2) movable blade with its axis (8) lower shoulder taken in the mass of the hub (29), circular shoulder washer (29 ') , stainless steel or bronze ball (30), threaded sleeve used to lock the balls (31). The lower part of the figure represents an anchoring to a row of balls, according to the invention.

The upper part of the figure represents an anchoring for example, two rows of balls, according to the invention. This gives shallow but very solid anchors. The use of balls made of non-oxidizable materials is justified by the low speed of rotation of the blades and by the low operating frequency.

FIG. 12 shows another anchoring device with very high capacity, while taking only a small thickness in the hub. It comprises: the existing propeller shaft (1), the blades with large rotation base (8), washers (32) free to rotate relative to the shaft (1) a half-hub device (2 ) comprising a half ball race or anti-friction half-bearing compressing elastically or not these balls or these bearings, an internal half-sleeve

(33) for holding the assembly, an outer half-sheath

(34) ensuring the rigidity of the assembly; (34) slides on (33). It can be seen without difficulty that the base plates of the blades (2) are supported on the washers (32) and its jammed by the balls or bearings by the half-hubs (2). When the blades are rotated, their bases drive the washers (32) in differential which limits friction and, thanks to the balls or bearings of the half-hubs, have little resistance to rotation. On the other hand, the possible width of the base of the blades gives very high mechanical strength of the anchoring thereof, despite the smallness of the implantation thickness.

If we claim the devices represented by FIGS. 11 and 12 in this patent, it is that the aim of the invention which is to produce variable pitch propellers adapting to existing propellants and hulls without transformation, requires to undergo easements due in particular to the existing propeller shaft, the height of the speedboats or Z-drives, etc. ..

By way of example, the production, according to the invention, of an outboard propeller with the escapement through the hub means that the mechanism has to be housed in a ring of very small thickness. Therefore, these anchoring devices are indeed part of the compulsory means to be used to achieve the aim pursued. Figure 13 shows a device according to the invention particularly suitable for thrusters having their engine exhaust through the hub. It includes a fixing hub on the shaft (2), the outer casing (2 '), the fixing arm (35) between (1) and (2), the axes of blades with cylindrical sections (8) at passage of (2) and (2 ') and possibly profiled between (2) and (2'), the toothed sector (12) of (8) with lower flange (6) and a toothed rack section (7) for drive (8) and smooth on the other side. The cylinder sections (36) engaging between the flanges of 8 and of the casing (2 ') fix the axes of the blades (8) and allow them to be driven.

They are connected from the front or from behind to the control devices according to the invention. Naturally, the toothed sector of 8 and the rack of 36 can be executed in global screws replacing for the axial holding the flange of 8. This is also valid for the device according to the invention and claim 6.

Claims

1) Devices for producing and controlling propellers with variable pitch flexibly adapted to the constraints of motorization and existing hulls and of low cost, characterized in that they allow the pivoting of the blades and their control in the space represented by a very thin crown around the axis of existing propellers (Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 13).

2) Device according to claim 1 (Figure 1) and characterized in that it allows the control of the axes of blades (8) for example by a set of racks (7) using a flexible push-pull cable or a mini hydraulic cylinder (6) housed in a flexible pipe (5) which can be trapped on its dragging part in the water, by a fin (0).

3) Device according to claim 1 and according to 'Figures 2 and 4 characterized in that it comprises a mechanical amplifier and allows with little control power, to use for controlling the blades the driving power put on the shaft propeller.

4) Device according to claim 1 and according to Figures 1,2,3 and 4 characterized in that they are sealed, optionally filled with protective liquid through the tube or control or AV control rear flap and held by gravity.

5) Device according to claims 1 and 2 and according to Figures 6 and 7 and characterized in that it comprises a carrier sleeve (blades (26), Figure 6 sliding on a hub carrying the blades orientation members, allowing d '' use hydro-dynamically unbalanced blades, without much control effort. 6) Device according to claim 1 and according to Figure 5, characterized in that it comprises a very simplified compact control comprising by blade, a rack of round and continuous section (7) Figure 5, a stress spring (17) , the whole stacked in brogne drilling on which a thrust washer is applied then a stack of steel washers or lubricating material or any other device rotating at low torque, and a mini hydraulic or pneumatic jack preferably of toroidal style in blowing (18 ) Figure 5 allowing a perfectly hermetic realization.

7) Device according to claims 1, 3 and 6 characterized in that the mounting of the elements of the control system ends with a single and general clamping device.

8) Device according to claims 1,2,5 and 6 characterized in that the orientation controls include a mini-motorization and possibly a servo-control to the engine speed and / or possibly a servo-control to the speedometer of the boat or of the aircraft and possibly a combination of the two.

9) Device according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that it is acoustically (or magnetically or optically) controlled remotely thanks to its energy autonomy provided by the difference in rotation speed between the propeller-mechanical amplifier assembly (HP ) figure 8 and the jet corrector aileron warhead (4) figure 8.

10) Device according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that according for example, the arrangement in Figure 4 the electromagnetic control of the amplifier is done by means of a transformer whose primary is inside of the hull and the secondary on the outside, so no drilling. 11) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a pair of blades (8) Figure 9 whose axes are connected by an elastic device (50) Figure 0, sufficiently spaced from the propeller shaft (1) Figure 9 to allow free rotation of the assembly around the blade axes.

12) Device according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that more than two blades have been mounted on the same return device according to FIG. 10.

13) Device according to claims 1 to 12 taken as a whole allowing the rotary anchoring of the blades in a small thickness. Figure 11 gives the general characteristics.

14) Device according to claims from 1 to 12 taken as a whole allowing a rotary anchoring in even less thickness than the device of claim 13 The anchoring bases of the blades, supported on their upper anchoring balls held by the half-hubs (2) in Figure 12 and on the propeller shaft washers (32) have the minimum friction and overall height.

15) Device according to claims 1 to 12, taken as a whole incorporating the characteristics of the devices claimed in 11 and 12, that is to say that it produces a propeller with elastic blade, but also controlled.

16) Device according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterized in that it is controlled by mechanical device, when one can be adapted, without transformation of the propellant device.

17) Device according to claim 1 according to Figure 13 and characterized in that it comprises an arrangement of the axes of blades similar to that of Figure 3 and devices for driving in rotation of these axes (8) Figure 13 for example , used for axial locking of said axes. 18) Device using the devices forming the subject of any one of claims 1 to 15 and of claim 17.