Wear-Resistant Propulsor Snubber for Marine Drive Pressure Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In marine drives mounted high on a vessel, water flow into the cooling cavity can be reduced, leading to decreased water pressure which affects performance.

Innovation Solution

A gearcase assembly with a reconfigurable nose cap and retainer device that allows for easy replacement and adjustment of through-bores to control water flow and pressure, combined with a shift actuator and torpedo plug to secure the torpedo plug in place, optimizing water and lubricant cavities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the marine drive is mounted high on a vessel, then installation flexibility is improved, but water flow into the cooling cavity is reduced leading to decreased water pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidwater pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The nose cap is made reconfigurable with interchangeable through-bores of different sizes and configurations, allowing the water flow system to be dynamically adjusted based on installation position and operating conditions. This enables the system to maintain optimal water pressure whether mounted high or low on the vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the parameters of the through-bores (size, number, orientation) in the nose cap, the water flow characteristics are modified to compensate for reduced water pressure. Different bore configurations can be selected based on the specific installation height and water flow requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the nose cap is made reconfigurable with interchangeable through-bores, then water flow control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow controlVSAvoidnose cap configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nose cap system is segmented into a base nose cap and interchangeable bore inserts or replaceable nose cap units. This modular segmentation allows the complex functionality of multiple through-bore configurations to be achieved through simple assembly and replacement of standardized components, rather than requiring a completely reconfigurable complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the torpedo plug is retained by the shift actuator, then sealing between lubricant and water cavities is improved, but shift actuator functionality is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecavity sealingVSAvoidshift actuator operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention of the torpedo plug by the shift actuator merges two functions: the shift actuator both actuates the shift clutch and simultaneously retains the torpedo plug in place. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate retention mechanism, maintaining reliability while avoiding additional complexity that would further restrict operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12522337B1Propulsor assemblies having wear resistant snubber

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

A propulsor assembly for a marine drive has a propulsor, an adapter having a stem which supports the propulsor, a wear resistant snubber on the stem, and an elastomeric member which is sandwiched between the wear resistant snubber and the stem, the elastomeric member being configured to bias the wear resistant snubber radially outwardly into engagement with the propulsor.