Propeller Assembly

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an inventive dual propeller assembly that can be manually or automatively assembled and includes a leading propeller, a torsion bushing, a thrust washer, a drive sleeve, and a trailing propeller. The propellers were coupled with an alignment system that did not require welding of the two propellers. The leading propeller includes a cylindrical hub and a plurality of blades that extend from an outer surface of the cylindrical hub. The trailing propeller includes a first cylindrical hub having a plurality of grooves, a second cylindrical hub having a cylindrical mount ring, and a conical profile formed between the first cylindrical hub and the second cylindrical hub. The outer surface of the first cylindrical hub is designed to mate with the inner surface of the cylindrical hub of the leading propeller. The trailing propeller is secured and aligned coaxially with the leading propeller. The trailing propeller can be effectively and consistently used with existing propellers.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This is a non-provisional patent application based on co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 354,411 (Attorney Docket No. MK-16-1) previously titled “Propeller Assembly”, filed on Jun. 24, 2016, the priority of which is hereby claimed and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a propulsion system for watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to an auxiliary propeller used in an axial arrangement with a standard propeller in the propulsion system.Description of the Related Art[0003]Propulsion systems are used to generate thrust to move a watercraft (also referred to herein as boat and defined as any vessel capable of moving through a water way with use of an engine and propeller). across or through water. Most of the watercrafts are propelled by mechanical systems that include an electric moto...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an easy and inexpensive method to increase power to a boat motor by combining two propellers. This method allows for a perfect alignment when the two propellers are combined, minimizing or eliminating problems caused by welding or securing propellers with screws. The use of the trailing propeller eliminates the need for adhesive securing or welding, which can be time-consuming and less labor-intensive. The absence of welding also eliminates potential misalignment of the trailing propeller and the leading propeller. The leading propeller may be attached to an engine irrespective of the engine manufacturer, and the trailing propeller and leading propeller do not counter-rotate with each other. Overall, the invention provides a more efficient and effective way to increase power to a boat motor.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, once the boat is in shallow water, it will have difficulties pulling out to the deeper end.

A poor hole shot would often be caused by the motor laboring and taking a long time to get up to speed (often because not properly propped for the load, or the boat is underpowered).

As an example, a high powered boat may have excellent top speed, but a poor hole shot, i.e., as the boat begins to move, the boats' hole continues to move and even perhaps increase in depth due to the changing angle of the boat.

A lower pitched propeller, which may help in removing the boat from a hole shot, has the disadvantage of generally having a lower top speed motor (defined herein as the engine and propeller).

This is because the lower pitched propeller cannot navigate (or screw) itself though the water, as easily as a higher pitched propeller.

Hole shot-related problems often occur during take-off of a boat, and most often in shallow versus deep water.

Existing motors having single propellers typically perform poorly in shallow water since they cannot easily overcome the hole shot caused.

Thus, having a dual propeller system is impractical for small and inexpensive watercrafts.

However, the problem with most of the prior art systems is that the propellers wear out quickly and hole shot diminishes.

The welding of two propellers is time-consuming and labor-intensive and often shrinks the barrel of the propeller.

This does not allow a smooth fit between the two propellers.

This misalignment causes pulling and eventual burning of the propellers.

The problem with welding is that the metals do not attach evenly, since the metal expands and shifts a little, resulting in the components not fitting snugly.

Over time, use and vibration, the weld may sustain itself, but the propeller burns out.

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