Multi-propeller drive system
First Claim
1. A drive system comprising:
- a differential means, having an input drive shaft and a plurality of output drive shafts, for dividing rotational motion from said input drive shaft between said plurality of output drive shafts wherein one output drive shaft may rotate at a different rate than the other output drive shafts;
a plurality of shaft coupling means, each shaft coupling means keyed to a corresponding one of said output drive shafts of said differential means, for transferring rotational motion from said output drive shafts;
a plurality of propulsion drive shafts, each propulsion drive shaft drivenly coupled to a corresponding one of said shaft coupling means, for rotating therewith; and
at least one brake mechanism disposed between said output drive shafts of said differential means and said propulsion drive shafts, said brake mechanism being selectively engageable for changing the rotational speed of one propulsion drive shaft with respect to the other propulsion drive shafts.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-propeller drive system having a single input shaft for connection an engine system, a differential gear assembly for dividing the driving force from the input drive shaft between a pair of output shafts and a pair of laterally spaced propellers driven by the output shafts of the differential gear assembly. The differential gear assembly operates in a manner wherein one output shaft, if required, is permitted to revolve at a different rate than the other output shaft. A pair of brake mechanisms acting on the output shafts of the differential gear assembly enable an operator to control the rotational speed of the respective propellers without modifying the engine speed or transmission settings.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A drive system comprising:
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a differential means, having an input drive shaft and a plurality of output drive shafts, for dividing rotational motion from said input drive shaft between said plurality of output drive shafts wherein one output drive shaft may rotate at a different rate than the other output drive shafts; a plurality of shaft coupling means, each shaft coupling means keyed to a corresponding one of said output drive shafts of said differential means, for transferring rotational motion from said output drive shafts; a plurality of propulsion drive shafts, each propulsion drive shaft drivenly coupled to a corresponding one of said shaft coupling means, for rotating therewith; and at least one brake mechanism disposed between said output drive shafts of said differential means and said propulsion drive shafts, said brake mechanism being selectively engageable for changing the rotational speed of one propulsion drive shaft with respect to the other propulsion drive shafts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A multi-propeller drive system comprising:
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a differential means, having an input drive shaft and a pair of output drive shafts, for dividing rotational motion from said input drive shaft to said pair of output drive shafts wherein one output drive shaft may rotate at a different rate than the other output drive shaft; a pair of propeller drive shafts, each of said propeller drive shafts having coupling means drivingly connecting each said propeller drive shaft to a respective rotating output drive shaft; and a pair of brake mechanisms disposed between said output shafts and said respective propeller drive shafts, said brake mechanisms being selectively engageable for changing the angular speed of one propeller drive shaft with respect to the angular speed of the other propeller drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification