Propeller unit with controlled cyclic and collective blade pitch
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsFrank B. Peterson, William E. Schneider, Christopher N. Sears, Darrel J. Brydebell, Mark W. Smith
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Abstract
An improved integral marine propulsion unit is disclosed that can generate a thrust vector in any of three degrees of motion. The unit utilizes both collective and cyclic propeller blade pitch angle variation to generate these thrust. This unit obviates the need for control surfaces and rudders for motion control of a marine vessel. Additionally, this unit provides flexibility in external propulsor arrangements on a marine hull. The unit integrates the swash plate mechanism and actuators within the central bore of a ring type prime mover.
Claims9
In a marine propulsion unit for securement exteriorly of a marine hull, wherein the unit has a ring shaped prime mover defining a central bore section with a central axis;
- a plurality of propulsion blades radially extending from a hub on said axis;
- said blades being capable of pivotal movement whereby the pitch angle thereof is adjusted selectively to provide heave, sway and surge motion to said hull;
- a swash plate mechanism within the central bore section of said ring shaped prime mover for controlling said blade pitch collectively and cyclically during the rotation of said hub;
- and multiple actuators attached to said swash plate mechanism for controlling said blade pitch;
- the improvement comprising:
- said swash plate mechanism is securely supported by an axial movable spherical support bearing within said central bore and proximal to the centerline of said ring shaped prime mover and said actuators being disposed within said central bore and said prime mover is a brushless DC motor.
In a marine propulsion unit for securement exteriorly of a marine hull, wherein the unit has a ring shaped prime mover defining a central bore section with a central axis;
- a plurality of propulsion blades radially extending from a hub on said axis;
- said blades being capable of pivotal movement whereby the pitch angle thereof is adjusted selectively to provide heave, sway and surge motion to said hull;
- a swash plate mechanism within the central bore section of said ring shaped prime mover for controlling said blade pitch collectively and cyclically during the rotation of said hub and multiple actuators attached to said swash plate mechanism for controlling said blade pitch;
- the improvement comprising:
- said swash plate mechanism is securely supported by an axial movable spherical support bearing within said central bore and proximal to the centerline of said ring shaped prime mover;
- said actuators being disposed within said central bore and said ring shaped prime mover comprises a tubular rotor that rotates within a tubular stator and is a brushless DC motor that operates in ocean ambient conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.