US2538376A - Propulsion device - Google Patents

Description

Filed Jan. 10, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1951 I J. P. OPPENHEIMER 2,533,376

PROPULSION DEVICE JuZz'zzs Z? Oppenheimer;

ATTEI R N EY Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES TENT" OFFHCE This invention relates broadly to propulsion devices for water craft. andflhas for its. object the provision fisuch devices'designed for pro pelli g Wa r. a-it. in. a; more eQQnQmical, and

efilcient. manner with the end ,in view oi.greaterv speed and maneuverability r A further and very important object of themvention resides in meansjassociatedi with the propulsion device, adjustable during; operation for; providinga sourceof steering, power. for. the craft;

Another objectofthe. invention i the provie sion of a'propulsion device constructed in such manner as to enableits, use in craft of veryv light. draft, eliminating certain propulsive hazards, thus greatly expanding the use of power driven cr ft...

A further object. is the provision of a. power driven pro ulsion wheel adaptable for use either as a'stern mountingor in multiple as side wheel: as or in one or morewells. under the cockpit A: further object is the. provision of power wheels as above noted so constructed.astofunction as a reverse drive without alteration of parts or methodof operation.

Further andjvery important objects-ofthe. in vention reside in, they extreme, simplicity of construction and" novel. operating means that. require relatively few parts and is controllable either asa unit or as units in multiple in a highly efficient manner.

Other and important objects of the'invention will present. themselves, duringthe course of the following descrip ion, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which like characters of reference refer tolike partsthroughout the several figures,

"Referringto the; drawings,

Figure I is. a side. elevation of a propulsion wheel constructed in, accordance with the inven ion,

Figure 2. is, a front elevation thereof,

Eigure 3, is. a vertical longitudinal section thereof, taken.online 33of Figure 2,

Eigure 4; is a plan view of:.the-whee1,..

Figure 5 isa. horizontal section taken online 5 -5; of Figure .1,

Figure 6 isa detailed enlarged plan of a propelling paddle with itsassociated power wheel and its action wheel and illustrating themanner of steering,

Figure 7 is a detail sectionof one form of water lubricated bearing employed,

shown.

Figure. 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of propulsion wheel,

Figure 9 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 10 is a plan view thereof,

Figure 11 is a. vertical longitudinal section. of the wheel shown in Figure 8 and taken on line I ll l of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a detail section taken on line l2l'2 of Figure 8, illustratin the dual power wheels and. opposed action wheels.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, the numeral 5 designates a power shaft, driven'through the medium of any conventional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, not The. shaft 5 is supported in suitable fixed bearings, not shown, mounted in the cockpit of the craft. 'Ihe shaft 5 has fixed thereon for rotation, a power wheel, indicated as a whole by the numeral 5 and comprises a disc 7, concentric with the shaft. The disc '3 is provided with radial, equidistantly spaced integral arms 8; provided at. their outer ends with bearing elements: 9, one preferred'form of which is illustrated in Figure 7. 'Rotatively mounted in the bearings 9, are short'shaft members it, carryin'g attheir inner ends' discs ll, fixed with respect'to the shafts. Ill and providedwith hinge knuckles 2, for a purpose to be described.

The numeral l3"desi'gnatesj an action wheel as a whole, comprising a" central disc section l4, havin radially extending arms l5 integral with the disc and offset inwardly toward the power wheel. The arms [5 are equal in number to the arms 8 and co-extensive therewith. The arms I5 are provided at their outer ends with bearings it, similar to the bearings 9 and support stub shafts IT having integral hinge knuckles l8 at. their" inner ends. The knuckles [8. have connection with a hinge element l9, formed upon discs 20'; As clearly shown, the hinge I9 is offset from the center of the disc in a horizontal plane, for, a purpose to be described. The action wheel 43' is. fixed upon an 3 23 is fixed upon the inner projecting end of the shaft 2| and concentric therewith. Each of the discs 22 and 23 are provided with equidistantly spaced, water lubricated bearings 24 and 25, receiving both rotatable and slidable stub shafts 26 and 27, rigidly connected with and extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of links 28. The stub shafts are spaced a distance equal to the spacin of the shafts 5 and 2|. Stop collars 29 and 30 are carried upon the free ends of the shafts 26 and 2! for positive limitation of sliding movement.

The discs 20, upon their inner surface are provided with concentric hinge knuckles 3| and, as clearly shown, the discs are substantially larger in diameter than the discs II and the mounting of the hinge elements I8 and I9 place these discs in concentric relation. It should be here noted that the offset relation of the hinge knuckles I9 and 3| is equal to the offset of the shafts 5 and 2|. Hingedly connected to the knuckles l2 and 3|, are propulsion blades 32, fixed in a vertical plane with respect to the discs H and 20 and traveling therewith.

As before pointed out, the action wheel rotates in unison with the power wheel, while in addition, the action wheel is adapted to move toward and from the power wheel, for purposes of combined propulsion and steering, and as shown in Figure 6, shifting of the action wheel outwardly from the power wheel, causes the discs 20 to assume an angular position, shown in dotted lines, with the resultant shifting of the blades 32 upon their hinge connections I2 and 3|. A reverse movement of the action wheel in the opposite direction causes a reverse angular positioning of the blades, as shown in dotted lines. The action is simultaneous and the degree of angularity is identical throughout the several propulsion blades and their cooperating discs.

The bearings 9, I6, and 25 have been illustrated as one example of water lubricated type and comprise closure plates 9', I6, 24' and 25' for retaining a suitable packing. The shafts l0 and I! are preferably provided with collars to limit any end play of the shafts, and as shown, the packing in the bearings 9 and H5 is compressed upon opposite sides of the collars by the plates 9' and It. The shafts 26 and 2'! have the collars omitted to permit the sliding movement thereof. It is to be understood that various forms of water lubricated bearings and other types may be employed as shall be found advantageous.

The operation of this form of the inventidn is as follows.

It being assumed that the propulsion device is mounted in the cockpit of a boat, suitably enclosed in a well and with the propulsion device submerged to about the point illustrated as a water line in Figure 3. Power is applied to the shaft 5, impartin rotation to the power wheel 6. Rotation is simultaneously applied to the action wheel 13 through the discs 22 and 23 and connecting links 28. Since the power wheel carries with it the discs II and the action wheel carries the discs 2!], it is obvious that the blades 32 must travel therewith. It is essential, from the standpoint of economy of power and efliciency of operation that the blades 32 remain in a vertical position at all times to enable them to enter and leave the water with a minimum of effort. This is accomplished by positioning the action wheel in an eccentric relation to the power wheel and, since all parts rotate at the same speed, the horizontal center lines of the bearings 9, l6 and hinges l2 and 3| will remain fixed at all degrees of rotation. The drive connection between the shafts 5 and 2| is a positive eccentric drive, while at the same time permitting of a shifting of the action wheel l3 and its associated parts toward and from the power wheel. As the device rotates, the blades enter the water in a chopping movement and, as they move through their are of rotation, water is trapped between the discs II and 20, preventing the spilling of water sidewise. Thus a maximum propulsion action is afforded, increasing considerably over the propulsive force obtainable from conventional paddles. It is well within the province of this invention to mount these propulsion devices in multiples, upon opposite sides of a boat or as a single unit mounted in the stern, depending upon the amount of speed required. When it is desired to steer the boat to the left, the shaft 2| is shifted in a direction away from the power wheel, carrying with it the action wheel l3 and through the various hinge connections, the blades 32 are caused to assume the position A in Figure 6, Assuming that the blade is moving in the direction of the arrow, water impinges against the outer or leading face of the disc 2!], forcing the stern of the boat to move to the right. During this steering action, the propulsive force of the wheel is still present, since the blade 32 and disc continue their force against the water. Steering to the right is accomplished by shifting the action wheel toward the power wheel, causing the blade 32 to assume the position B in Figure 6. Thus the leading face of the disc 20 will be reversed and the impact of the water thereon will force the stern of the boat to the left.

This type is used preferably as two units in wells towards the sides of the hulls in the cockpit. This steering action is then quite different as the power wheels will be facing inboard and the action wheel outboard. The result is that one action wheel is pushed in while the other is pulled outward. For steering in the opposite direction, this is reversed. I

It is highly desirable that means be provided to check the momentum of the boat and to accomplish this, suitable braking mechanism is provided upon the drive shaft to control the revolving of the unit under the dragging action of the water when the power has been disconnected. This braking is controlled in such manner and to any degree, depending upon the headway of the boat and the distance to be traversed. Full braking action means that the unit is held stationary and creates a full drag through the water. The brakes can be applied individually and collectively, particularly if a differential is used in the drive axle.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 12, a power shaft 33 is mounted in fixed bearings 34.. The shaft 33 is driven in any suitable manner by a prime mover, not shown. Each bearing 34 has rigidly attached thereto eccentrics 35 and 36, oppositvely disposed from the drive shaft 33 and eccentric thereto, for a purpose to be described. The numeral 31 designates a power wheel, fixed upon the shaft 33 for rotation therewith. This power wheel comprises a pair of spaced concentric discs 38, having pivotally mounted therebetween a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly spaced propulsion blades 39, provided with integral stub shafts extending through bearing opening in the discs 38. The numerals 5| and 52 indicate action wheels, slightly spaced from and outwardly of the power wheel upon opposite sides. Each action wheel comprises a, ,disghaying a concentric centrally positioned opening 53 of a size slightly larger than the eccentrics 35 and=353 7 Each actionwheel 40. Each link carries at its outer end a stub shaft 56, having a rotative bearing in openings 51 and 58 of the discs and 52. As shown, all of the blades 39 are held in vertical alignment throughout their rotative movement, while the various links 54 and 55 are maintained in horizontal alignment.

In the use of this form of the invention, power applied to the shaft 33 is imparted to the pair of discs comprising the power wheel. Movement of the power wheel is imparted to the action wheel discs through the medium. of the links 54 and 55 and since the discs 54 and 55 are eccentric to the power wheel in opposed. relation, it is obvious that the links will oppose each other throughout the rotation of the unit for maintaining the blades in vertical position throughout their travel. The action of this unit in the water is substantially identical to that first described, since the blades as they enter the water, in a chopping motion, will trap the water between the discs 38. This form of the invention may be usedin combination with the first form, as for instance, a unit of the second form mounted upon opposite sides of the craft, while one or more units of the first described form may be mounted in the stern or cockpit.

It should be understood that the form of the invention just described may be constructed with but one action wheel disc and one set of links for control of the blades and under certain conditions, one centrally placed power wheel disc and; one action wheel disc may be found satisfactory.

The various discs and links are obviously formed of a suitable non-corrosive metal and all bearings subjected-to immersion in water are preferably water lubricated.

It will be understood from the foregoing that an extremely efiicient and powerful form of propulsion device has been provided. The device provides an unusual source of maneuverability to a boat. The structure is such that enablesits use in shallowdraft boats, to increase speed and maneuverability. The several forms of the invention may be employed as single units or in multiple. The use of the second and third form as single units or double, as upon opposite sides of the boat would, of necessity require the use of a rudder. However, where two units are employed, as upon opposite sides of the boat, steering may be accomplished by independent control of each unit. Braking will be identical in each instance. The structure is extremely simple, employing few and simple parts and readily lends itself to simplification by the use of single disc power and action wheels, is strong, durable, cheap to manufacture and highly effective in performance.

It should be here stated that the action wheels may be arranged in horizontal alignment with the power wheels as shown, or they may be arranged in vertical alignment, in which latter case,

cermect fons between. the action. w eel and bladeswill likewise be in vertical alignment.

, It-;is to be; understood that the inventon is not limited to the precise details of construction shown, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either. the terms or the scope of the appended. claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1.,A propulsion devicev comprising a powerwheel having a plurality of equidistantly spaced radial arms, bearings in the ends of the arms, a plurality of blades pivotally supported in the bearings, an action wheel rotatably mounted in parallel; spaced; and eccentric relation to, the power wheel, said action wheel having radial arms co-extensive with the arms of the power wheel, hearings in the ends of the arms, pivotal means in said bearings having connection with the blades, said blades hinged with respect to its pivotal connections with the power wheel and the action wheel and means for shifting the action wheel toward and from the power wheel, said blades so mounted as to maintain their parallel relation during said shifting movement of the action wheel.

2. A power device comprising a rotatable power wheel having a drive shaft and provided with radial arms, bearings in the ends of the arms, stub shafts rotatable in the bearings, discs car ried by the stub shafts, hinge elements carried by the discs, an action wheel having radial arms, equal in number and co-extensive with the arms of the power wheel, bearings in the end of the action wheel arms, stub shafts rotatable in the last named bearings, hinge elements carried by the stub shafts, a disc supported by each of the hinge elements in concentric relation to the first named discs, hinge elements carried by the discs, propulsion blades mounted between the discs and having connection with the several hinge elements of the discs, a shaft for supporting the action wheel in parallel eccentric relation to the power wheel, a drive disc mounted upo the inner end of the power shaft, a driven disc mounted upon the inner end of the action wheel shaft, equidistantly spaced links connecting the two last named discs, said action wheel adapted to be shifted toward and from the power wheel, said link means permitting the movement of the drive and driven discs toward and from each other, said blades adapted to assume angular positions under the influence of movement of the action wheel toward and from the power wheel, said blades being at all times held in parallel relation to each other.

3. A propulsion device as in claim 1, wherein the action wheel is positively driven from the power wheel at an identical speed, the drive connection between the power wheel and the action wheel being continuous and shiftable with the action wheel.

4. A power device as in claim 2, wherein the drive and driven discs are continuously drive in their eccentric relation, the said drive and driven discs provided with an equal number of equidistantly spaced parallel bearings, oppositely directed stub stafts carried by the ends of each link and having rotatable and axially shiftable movement in the bearings of the discs, the driven disc being shiftable toward and from the drive disc under the influence of shifting of the action wheel.

5. A power device asin claim 2, wherein the drive and driven discs are provided with an identical number of equidistantly spaced and radially f disposed bearings parallel with each other and with the drive and driven shafts, one end of each link provided with a stub shaft having rotatable and shiftable movement in the bearings of the drive disc, the opposite end of each link provided with an oppositely extending stub shaft rotatable and shiftabie in the bearings of the driven disc, the bearings of the drive and driven discs being ofiset from each other a distance equal to the eccentric offset of the drive and driven shafts.

JULIUS P. OPPENHEIMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Seivert Oct. 20, 1891 Motheral Sept. 19, 1899 Juli Apr. 17, 1900 Exline July 8, 1902 Monroe Dec. 12, 1911 Hill May 29, 1917 Dennhardt Nov. 3, 1925 Langenbach July 19, 1927 Smith June 23, 1931 McCrosky Aug. 8, 1933

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