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US 7,008,277 B2Granted
Cutting apparatus
AssigneeEnvironmental Separation Technologies PTY LTD
InventorRichard Hammerton Caulfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller including a spool fixed to a propeller shaft so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and a cutter oriented to cut the debris from the spool. In use, debris snagged by the propeller is wound onto the spool, whereupon it is cut away by the cutter.
Claims12
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means comprises a plurality of pieces that together form an annulus shaped spool, and the spool means further includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means, wherein the cutter is arranged to be continuously closely positioned to the spool means so that debris is not readily able to enter a space between the cutter and the outer surface of the spool means.
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means;
- wherein the spool means comprises a relatively soft material that wears in preference to the cutter.
1 more element
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means;
- wherein a cutting edge of the cutter is positioned radially in relation to the spool means such that the cutter overlaps a liquid outlet of the spool means.
1 more element
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means comprising a circular liner ring circumferentially mounted on a circumferential surface of a boss of the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the circular liner ring includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the circular liner ring toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, and wherein the outer surface of the circular liner ring is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the circular liner ring and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the circular liner ring.
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means;
- wherein the spool means comprises a sacrificially wearable element positioned between the cutter and the propeller.
1 more element
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means;
- wherein the spool means comprises a circular flange for fitting within a circumferential recess or groove around a boss of the propeller.
1 more element
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising:
- a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means;
- and
- a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means;
- wherein the spool means consists of a disc located between a boss of the propeller and a bearing holding the propeller shaft.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.