Controllable pitch propeller assembly

Abstract

A controllable and variable pitch propeller assembly. This assembly includes a main drive shaft mounted for rotation, and a propeller hub connected to the drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft. Power cylinders are formed integrally in a unitary cylinder member affixed to a watercraft, or to the drive housing thereof. These power cylinders have actuator rods movable with respect to the watercraft in a direction substantially parallel to the drive shaft. A plurality of propeller blades are mounted to the hub for rotation therewith. Each blade is rotatable about a respective hub radial, and each of the blades has at its inner end a respective thrust collar. A ring assembly is provided, connected between the actuator means and the respective thrust collars at one side of each of the propeller blades, the ring assembly causes the propeller blades to rotate about their respective hub radials, thereby changing the pitch of the propeller blades. The power cylinders are spaced apart evenly about the circumference of the hub. The ring assembly surrounds the drive shaft and is connected to the actuator rod, so as to be axially slidable by the actuator rod along the drive shaft. The ring assembly includes a plurality of links, one for each of the propeller blades, each connected at one end to the ring assembly itself and at the other end to the respective thrust collar at one side of the respective propeller blade.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.