Underwater propulsion apparatus performance enhancement device and associated methods
OwnerJohn A. Tesvichinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device that when fitted to a motor vessel's existing propulsion gear improves the performance and reduces potential damage and wear of underwater propeller shaft bearings, commonly referred to as “cutlass bearings” that are used on boats, ships, etc. Designed with radially mounted impeller blades around the periphery of the propeller shaft, the device creates a forced flow of water by centrifugal pumping action, which creates suction along the shaft abaft the cutlass bearing, thereby increasing the flow of water through the cutlass bearing. The device also greatly diminishes the probability that fouling around a propeller shaft will severely restrict water flow through the cutlass bearing.
Claims21
A device for improving a performance of a propeller-driven propulsion apparatus comprising:
- an annular collar affixable for rotation with and dimensioned for positioning about a shaft of a propeller in a longitudinal space between a propeller hub and a cutlass bearing;
- a plurality of impeller blades affixed to and extending radially out from the collar in spaced-apart relation, each impeller blade having a length sufficient to nearly span the longitudinal space between the propeller hub and the cutlass bearing, leaving a gap between forward ends of the blades and the cutlass bearing;
- an annular ring affixed in spanning relation to the forward ends of the impeller blades;
- and
- a bridging element extending from one of the annular ring and the cutlass bearing positioned to longitudinally bridge the gap between the blades forward ends and the cutlass bearing, thereby substantially enclosing the gap.
A method for improving a performance of a propeller-driven propulsion apparatus comprising:
- affixing an annular collar for rotation with a shaft of a propeller in a longitudinal space between a propeller hub and a cutlass bearing, the collar having affixed thereto a plurality of impeller blades extending radially out from the collar in spaced-apart relation, each impeller blade having a length sufficient to nearly span the longitudinal space between the propeller hub and the cutlass bearing, leaving a gap between forward ends of the blades and the cutlass bearing, forward ends of the impeller blades having affixed thereto in spanning relation an annular ring;
- and
- substantially enclosing the gap between the blades forward ends and the cutlass bearing, by positioning a bridging element to longitudinally extend from one of the annular ring and the cutlass bearing.
A device for improving a performance of a bearing through which liquid is intended to flow comprising:
- an annular collar affixable for rotation with and dimensioned for positioning about a shaft behind a bearing;
- a plurality of impeller blades affixed to and extending radially out from the collar in spaced-apart relation, each impeller blade extending forward toward a rear end of the bearing, leaving a gap between forward ends of the blades and the bearing;
- an annular ring affixed in spanning relation to the forward ends of the impeller blades;
- and
- a bridging element extending from one of the annular ring and the bearing positioned to longitudinally bridge the gap between the blades forward ends and the bearing, thereby substantially enclosing the gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.