Contra-rotating propeller drive system
OwnerJohn D. Gillinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A contra-rotating propeller system, particularly adapted for high speed water craft, is characterized by a movable support for at least one of two nominally-aligned and independently driven contra-rotating propellers. In a particular embodiment a forward propeller is driven by a forward engine via a forward drive shaft extending aftward and through the keel. The aft propeller is supported behind the forward propeller by a strut which serves as a rudder and as the housing for the aft propeller gear box. The forward and aft engines are preferably in longitudinal alignment to minimize hull width. The aft propeller strut is pivotable under control of the helm to effect steering.
Claims13
A contra-rotating propulsion system for a water craft having a hull defined along its bottom by a keel, said system comprising:
- a forward propeller having blades disposed about a first axis of rotation;
- an aft propeller having blades disposed about a second axis of rotation;
- said first and second axes of rotation being vertically co-planar;
- means for supporting said forward and aft propellers one behind the other below the depth of said keel in a manner to permit independent movement of at least one of said propellers relative to the other;
- a first engine located in said hull;
- first drive means coupling said first engine to said forward propeller for imparting forward motion to said craft by rotating the blades of said first propeller about said first axis of rotation;
- a second engine located in said hull;
- and
- second drive means entirely independent of said first drive means coupling said second engine to said aft propeller for imparting forward motion to said craft by rotating the blades of said second propeller about said second axis of rotation in contra-rotation to said forward propeller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.