Modular Thrust Rings for Propeller Pitch and Cavitation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propeller systems lack the ability to efficiently modify performance characteristics without altering the propeller blades, leading to suboptimal thrust generation and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of modular thrust rings that can be attached to the propeller hub, allowing for variations in axial length, maximum outer diameter, and flair radius to adjust effective pitch and slip, thereby enhancing thrust generation and efficiency without modifying the propeller blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If propeller blade geometry is modified to change performance characteristics, then thrust generation and efficiency improve, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust generationVSAvoidpropeller blade modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The propeller system is segmented into two independent components: the propeller blades and the thrust ring. The thrust ring is a separate adjustable component that can be added or removed without modifying the blades themselves. This allows performance tuning by simply changing the thrust ring configuration rather than re制造ing entire blades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thrust ring incorporates adjustable parameters (axial length, maximum outer diameter, flair radius) that can be dynamically changed to optimize performance. Different thrust ring configurations can be selected based on operating conditions, allowing the propeller system to adapt to varying requirements without permanent blade modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If propeller pitch is increased to improve thrust, then propulsion efficiency improves, but RPM range becomes more limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion efficiencyVSAvoidRPM range

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust ring parameters (axial length, maximum outer diameter, flair radius) are systematically varied to create different pitch characteristics. By changing these geometric parameters, the effective pitch can be adjusted without changing the fundamental propeller blade geometry, thus maintaining adaptability across different RPM ranges while optimizing for specific operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If thrust ring axial length is increased to modify pitch, then effective pitch increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective pitchVSAvoidthrust ring configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust ring focuses geometric modifications locally at the propeller hub area rather than requiring changes to the entire blade structure. By concentrating the pitch-modifying geometry in the thrust ring component, the system achieves effective pitch adjustment with minimal additional complexity, as only the thrust ring needs to be manufactured with specific dimensions rather than the entire propeller assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260043332A1Thrust rings, propellers and methods

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SHARROW ENGINEERING LLC

AI summary

Disclosed propeller assemblies can include thrust rings that are individually selectable for tuning of propeller drive performance, each one of the plurality of thrust rings can be configured for connection with the propeller hub of the propeller drive assembly as an aftward extension from the propeller hub for configuring thrust forces generated under operation of the propeller drive assembly.