Drive Shaft Removal Tool for Marine Outdrives
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for removing propeller shafts from marine outdrives face difficulties due to salt buildup, requiring manual pulling force and often necessitate the use of a heat source, which is dangerous and time-consuming, leading to potential damage and prolonged removal times.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a lower and upper housing with a jack support system, an inner guide conduit, and a hollow body jack, allowing for the secure attachment of a shaft coupler and extension rod to a piston, enabling the use of a power source to actuate the jack and break the salt-induced bond without manual force or heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If manual pulling force or slide hammer is used to remove the propeller shaft, then the device structure remains simple, but the pulling force is insufficient to break the salt-induced bond
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic jack system to generate the necessary pulling force. The jack is positioned within the shaft housing and uses hydraulic pressure to create sufficient force to break the salt-induced bond between the propeller shaft and housing, eliminating the need for manual pulling or simple mechanical devices like slide hammers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a jack support chamber and positioning mechanisms as intermediaries between the hydraulic jack and the propeller shaft. These components ensure proper positioning and force transmission, allowing the hydraulic system to effectively transfer force to break the bond without direct manual intervention.
2Force
If a hand held torch is used to heat the shaft housing to break the salt bond, then the pulling force requirement is reduced, but the shaft housing may be damaged and the process takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating) with a mechanical field (hydraulic pressure). Instead of using a torch to heat the shaft housing and cause thermal expansion to break the bond, the system uses a hydraulic jack to directly apply mechanical pulling force, eliminating the time-consuming heating process and associated risks of housing damage.
3Force
If a hand held torch is used to heat the shaft housing, then the salt bond can be broken, but the shaft housing may be damaged and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the thermal field with a mechanical field, using hydraulic pressure instead of heat to break the salt bond. This eliminates the harmful thermal effects that could damage the shaft housing or create safety hazards, while still achieving the necessary force to separate the propeller shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a jack support chamber and positioning mechanisms as intermediaries to safely transmit the hydraulic force. These components protect the shaft housing from direct contact with high-force elements while still enabling sufficient pulling force to break the bond, reducing the risk of housing damage.
4Force
If repeated heating and cooling of the shaft housing is performed, then the salt bond can be broken, but the housing strength is weakened over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces repeated thermal cycles with a single application of hydraulic pressure. By using mechanical force directly through the hydraulic jack system, there is no need for repeated heating and cooling cycles that would cause thermal fatigue and weaken the housing structure over time.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tool for removing drive shafts from transmissions. In at least one embodiment, the present invention may remove a propeller shaft from an outboard engine. The present invention includes a upper housing, a lower housing and an inner guide conduit system, a portion of each define a jack support chamber and a viewing chamber, wherein the jack support chamber is adapted to house a hollow body jack and the viewing chamber is adapted to provide a view of the shaft while being removed from the shaft housing. One embodiment further includes an extension rod that may be secured at a first end to the drive shaft and secured at a second end to a piston of a hollow body jack so that when actuated the jack will remove the shaft from the shaft housing without damaging the engine or the gear housing.