Enclosed shaft system for marine propulsion
First Claim
1. An enclosed shaft system to be incorporated into a marine propulsion apparatus of a vessel comprising:
- a shaft;
said shaft having a first end that is adapted to receive a propeller and a second end that is adapted to be connected to a coupling for connection to an engine;
an outer casing having a first and second end, said shaft extending through said outer casing;
the first end of said outer casing being connected to a bearing housing, said bearing housing containing a bearing assembly for supporting said shaft, said shaft extending through said bearing housing, and a first seal assembly located between the shaft and the bearing housing;
an isolator mount connected to the second end of the outer casing, said isolator mount adapted to pass through the hull of a vessel, said isolator mount including a sealing assembly between the isolator mount and the hull of the vessel, said shaft extending through the isolator mount;
a thrust assembly containing forward and reverse thrust bearings supporting said shaft, said thrust assembly connected to the isolator mount, said shaft extending through said thrust assembly and a second seal assembly located between said thrust assembly and said shaft;
whereby the thrust generated by the shaft is transmitted from the thrust assembly to the isolator mount, and, a source of pressurized lubricant that is circulated through said thrust assembly, said isolator mount, said outer casing and said bearing housing to thereby lubricate said enclosed shaft system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system is an enclosed, oil filled, shaft and thrust bearing assembly which includes an oil pump to circulate the oil throughout the system. The thrust bearing assembly allows the thrust to be directed to the shafts mounting system rather than through the vessels main propulsion engines and isolators thereby reducing vibration and noise emissions. In addition the elimination of thrust loading transmitted directly to the propulsion engines reduces wear and tear on the engine mounts, isolators and engine support structures. The non rotating casing of the shaft assembly allows clean water to flow to the propeller which allows more delivered horsepower to be used by the propeller.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An enclosed shaft system to be incorporated into a marine propulsion apparatus of a vessel comprising:
- a shaft;
said shaft having a first end that is adapted to receive a propeller and a second end that is adapted to be connected to a coupling for connection to an engine;
an outer casing having a first and second end, said shaft extending through said outer casing;
the first end of said outer casing being connected to a bearing housing, said bearing housing containing a bearing assembly for supporting said shaft, said shaft extending through said bearing housing, and a first seal assembly located between the shaft and the bearing housing;
an isolator mount connected to the second end of the outer casing, said isolator mount adapted to pass through the hull of a vessel, said isolator mount including a sealing assembly between the isolator mount and the hull of the vessel, said shaft extending through the isolator mount;
a thrust assembly containing forward and reverse thrust bearings supporting said shaft, said thrust assembly connected to the isolator mount, said shaft extending through said thrust assembly and a second seal assembly located between said thrust assembly and said shaft;
whereby the thrust generated by the shaft is transmitted from the thrust assembly to the isolator mount, and, a source of pressurized lubricant that is circulated through said thrust assembly, said isolator mount, said outer casing and said bearing housing to thereby lubricate said enclosed shaft system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- a shaft;
Specification