TWO-STAGE SUBMERSIBLE PROPULSOR UNIT FOR WATER VEHICLES

Abstract

A two-stage submersible propulsor unit comprises a shroud having a water inlet and a water outlet, a shaft assembly centrally mounted within the shroud, an upstream and a downstream propeller, each of which includes a separate hub rotatably mounted on the shaft assembly, first and second electric motors separately rotating the upstream and the downstream propellers. Each motor includes a rotor mounted around the outer periphery of one of the propellers and a stator mounted around the shroud, and first and second thrust bearing assemblies for absorbing the thrust load generated between the hubs of the first and second propellers and the shaft assembly. Both thrust bearing assemblies are contained within a housing located on the downstream end of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a stationary outer shaft where the first and the second propellers are rotatably mounted, and a rotatable inner shaft which is connected to the hub of the upstream propeller for transferring thrust from the upstream propeller to the first thrust bearing assembly located in the downstream end of the shaft assembly. The foregoing arrangement advantageously avoids positioning a thrust bearing assembly in front of the upstream propeller which in turn would interfere with the smooth flow of water into the unit, and create noise.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1LUCIANO VERONESI

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