DUAL PROPELLER SHOCK RESISTANT SUBMERSIBLE PROPULSOR UNIT

Abstract

A high-thrust, shock-resistant submersible propulsor unit comprises of a shroud having a water inlet and a water outlet, a shaft assembly centrally mounted within the shroud, and an upstream and a downstream propeller, each of which includes a separate hub rotatably mounted on the shaft assembly, first and second electric motors for independently rotating the upstream and the downstream propellers, wherein each motor includes a rotor mounted around the outer periphery of one of the propellers, and a stator mounted on the shroud around the rotor, and first and second bearing assemblies, each of which includes a thrust bearing disposed within the hubs of the upstream and downstream propellers in the shaft assembly, wherein the thrust bearings associated with the first and second bearing assemblies are located on opposite ends of the shaft assembly. Each of the bearing assemblies includes a removable cover which affords easy and separate access to the bearing contained in each. The pitch of the upstream and downstream propellers is different so that they may be counter-rotated to produce torque free thrust. In the preferred mode of operation, the propellers are rotated at different speeds such that the upstream propeller supercharges the downstream propeller.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1LUCIANO VERONESI

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