Torque splitting drive train mechanism for a dual counterrotating propeller marine drive system
US5009621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19023
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dual counterrotating propeller drive mechanism for a marine propulsion system incorporates a torque splitting device which consists of a differential gear means and a ratio gear means. The torque splitting device assigns a selectable fixed fraction of the engine torque to each propeller regardless of power, thrust, and speed conditions. The rear one of the two propellers adjusts its rotational speed relative to the front propeller in response to changes in the front propeller's wake and in this way maintains optimum propulsive efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions. Furthermore, precise matching of front and rear propeller parameters for a given application is no longer required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.