US 8,465,257 B1Granted

Variable pitch propeller

AssigneeBRP US Inc.

InventorsMark C. Noble, Richard McChesney, Laverne Tatge, Dave Calamia, Gerald Ewens, Rudolf Wendler, Simon Pfiffner

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Abstract

A propeller assembly is disclosed, comprising propeller blades pivotably mounted on a propeller hub. A cam follower is disposed on each propeller blade. A cam is movable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Recesses formed in the cam have a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, oriented at first, second and third angles. The first segment is oriented at a first angle relative to the central axis. The cam followers engage the first segment of the recesses when the cam moves between first and second positions to vary the pitch of the propeller blades between a first pitch and a second pitch. The cam followers engage the second segment of the recesses when the cam moves between second and third positions to vary the pitch of the propeller blades between the second pitch and a third pitch.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A marine outboard engine, comprising:

a cowling;
an engine disposed in the cowling;
a driveshaft disposed generally vertically, the driveshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the driveshaft being operatively connected to the engine;
a gear case disposed generally below the engine;
a propeller shaft disposed at least in part in the gear case, the propeller shaft having a propeller shaft axis oriented generally perpendicularly to the driveshaft, the propeller shaft being operatively connected to the second end of the driveshaft;
an actuator disposed within the gear case, the actuator having a cam, the actuator being movable relative to the gear case between a first position, a second position and a third position, the second position being between the first position and the third position;
at least one recess formed in the cam, each of the at least one recess lying generally in a corresponding plane parallel to the propeller shaft axis, each of the at least one recess having a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, the second segment being between the first segment and the third segment,
the first segment being oriented at a first angle relative to the propeller shaft axis;
the second segment being oriented at a second angle relative to the propeller shaft axis, the second angle being greater than the first angle;
and
the third segment being oriented at a third angle relative to the propeller shaft axis, the third angle being smaller than the second angle;
a propeller hub mounted to the propeller shaft;
and
at least one propeller blade pivotably mounted on the propeller hub, the at least one propeller blade being pivotable with respect to the propeller hub about a corresponding pivot axis, each pivot axis being oriented generally perpendicularly to the propeller shaft axis;
at least one cam follower disposed on a corresponding one of the at least one propeller blade and being adapted to engage a corresponding one of the at least one recess,
the at least one cam follower engaging the first segment of its corresponding one of the at least one recess when the actuator moves between the first and second positions to vary a pitch of the at least one propeller blade between a first pitch and a second pitch, and
the at least one cam follower engaging the second segment of its corresponding one of the at least one recess when the actuator moves between the second and third positions to vary the pitch of the at least one propeller blade between the second pitch and a third pitch.

14 more elements

A propeller assembly, comprising:

a propeller hub,
at least one propeller blade pivotably mounted on the propeller hub, the at least one propeller blade being pivotable with respect to the propeller hub about a corresponding pivot axis, each pivot axis being oriented generally perpendicularly to a central axis of the propeller hub;
at least one cam follower disposed on a corresponding one of the at least one propeller blade;
a cam disposed at least in part inside the propeller hub, the cam being movable relative to the propeller hub along the central axis between a first position, a second position and a third position, the second position being between the first position and the third position;
at least one recess formed in the cam, the at least one recess being adapted to receive a corresponding one of the at least one cam follower, each of the at least one recess lying generally in a corresponding plane parallel to the central axis, each of the at least one recess having a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, the second segment being between the first segment and the third segment,
the first segment being oriented at a first angle relative to the central axis;
the second segment being oriented at a second angle relative to the central axis, the second angle being greater than the first angle;
and
the third segment being oriented at a third angle relative to the central axis, the third angle being smaller than the second angle;
the at least one can follower engaging the first segment of its corresponding one of the at least one recess when the cam moves between the first and second positions to vary a pitch of the at least one propeller blade between a first pitch and a second pitch, and
the at least one cam follower engaging the second segment of its corresponding one of the at least one recess when the cam moves between the second and third positions to vary the pitch of the at last one propeller blade between the second pitch and a third pitch.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.