Lower unit for a marine propulsion device
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsBrad J. VanRuiswyk, Jay P. Dehling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lower unit for a marine propulsion device comprises a housing having a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the central bore at least partially defines an exhaust passageway for travel of exhaust gas from upstream to downstream through the lower unit. A bearing carrier is seated within the central bore and the bearing carrier further defines a portion of the exhaust passageway. A propeller shaft extends along the longitudinal axis and is coaxially supported within the bearing carrier. The lower unit includes an adapter having a convexly curved surface configured to cover an upstream-facing surface of the bearing carrier so as to smooth flow of the exhaust gas into the portion of the exhaust passageway defined by the bearing carrier.
Claims19
A lower unit for a marine propulsion device, the lower unit comprising:
- a housing having a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the central bore at least partially defines an exhaust passageway for travel of exhaust gas from upstream to downstream through the lower unit;
- a bearing carrier seated within the central bore, the bearing carrier comprising a main body and a support ring spaced circumferentially outwardly from the main body and seated against an interior surface of the central bore, wherein the exhaust passageway is further defined by a gap between the main body and the support ring, wherein the bearing carrier further defines a portion of the exhaust passageway;
- a propeller shaft extending along the longitudinal axis and coaxially supported within the bearing carrier;
- and
- an adapter having a convexly curved surface attached to an upstream end of the support ring, the adapter being configured to smooth flow of the exhaust gas passing over the adapter and into the portion of the exhaust passageway defined by the bearing carrier.
A lower unit for a marine propulsion device, the lower unit comprising:
- a housing having a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the central bore at least partially defines an exhaust passageway for travel of exhaust gas from upstream to downstream through the lower unit;
- a bearing carrier seated within the central bore, wherein the bearing carrier further defines a portion of the exhaust passageway;
- a propeller shaft extending along the longitudinal axis and coaxially supported within the bearing carrier;
- and
- an adapter having a convexly curved surface configured to cover an upstream-facing surface of the bearing carrier so as to smooth flow of the exhaust gas into the portion of the exhaust passageway defined by the bearing carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.