| CPC B63H 3/081 (2013.01) [B63H 3/06 (2013.01); B64C 11/44 (2013.01); F16H 3/666 (2013.01); B63H 2003/004 (2013.01); B63H 2003/006 (2013.01); B63H 23/08 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. An electrically actuated propeller pitch control system for use with watercraft, the propeller pitch control system comprising:
a propeller hub assembly that includes a hub cone extending circumferentially about a central axis having a forward end, an aft end opposite the forward end, and an outer wall extending between the forward end and the aft end about the central axis to define a cavity, a hub body coupled with the forward end of the hub cone and arranged circumferentially about the central axis to define an interior space therein, and a spigot coupled to the hub body, the hub body configured to transfer rotational energy from a propulsion shaft to the propeller hub assembly to cause the propeller hub assembly to rotate about the central axis during operation of the watercraft, the hub body formed to include a plurality of blade-receiving holes extending therethrough circumferentially spaced apart from one another and opening into the interior space,
a propeller assembly configured to selectively rotate a propeller blade to vary a pitch angle of the propeller blade during operation of the watercraft, the propeller assembly includes a crosshead located in the interior space of the hub body axially aft of the spigot and a variable pitch blade assembly coupled with the hub body, the variable pitch blade assembly extends through a respective one of the plurality of blade-receiving holes of the hub body and into engagement with the crosshead, the crosshead is formed to include a threaded hole extending axially therethrough, and the crosshead is arranged to move selectively axially along the central axis to cause the propeller blade to rotate, and
a crosshead drive system that includes an electric motor located in the cavity of the hub cone, a transmission including a reduction gearset coupled with the electric motor and located in the cavity of the hub cone, and a lead screw that extends through and is mated with the threaded hole formed in the crosshead, the lead screw being coupled with the reduction gearset, and the electric motor is configured to drive rotation of the reduction gearset and the lead screw about the central axis to cause the crosshead to move axially within the interior space of the hub body and drive rotation of the propeller blade about a blade axis extending through the propeller blade to vary the pitch angle of the propeller blade,
wherein the reduction gearset includes a first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset, the first planetary gearset includes a first ring gear having a first diameter, a first sun gear, and a plurality of first planet gears, the second planetary gearset includes a second ring gear having a second diameter, a second sun gear, and a plurality of second planet gears, and wherein the second diameter of the second ring gear is greater than the first diameter of the first ring gear,
wherein the spigot is formed to include a first axial passage extending therethrough along the central axis, the reduction gearset is formed to include a second axial passage extending therethrough along the central axis, and the lead screw is formed to include a third axial passage extending therethrough along the central axis, wherein the first axial passage of the spigot, the second axial passage of the reduction gearset, and the third axial passage of the lead screw are aligned with one another to define a continuous passageway that extends axially through the propeller pitch control system,
wherein the crosshead drive system includes a lubrication conduit extending through the continuous passageway to direct lubrication therethrough toward the reduction gearset and the lead screw and an electrical conduit extending through the continuous passageway and connected with the electric motor to supply power to the electric motor.
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