Improvements in or relating to variable pitch propeller systems for marine vessels

摘要

551,102. Controlling variable pitch propellers. STEVENS, A. H. (Hammond, jun., J. H.). May 2, 1940, No. 1553/42. Divided out of 551,302. [Class 135] [Also in Group XXXVIII] A variable pitch propeller for a marine vessel is controlled bv the draft of the vessel so that the pitch is decreased as the draft increases. In the arrangement shown in the Figure the blades 13 of the propeller are adjusted by a power piston 27 supplied, under the control of a valve 25, with fluid pressure from a belt or motor-driven pump 26. The valve 25 is actuated by a floating lever 23 connected at one end to a collar 29 slidable on the propeller shaft and connected by a strut 28 with the power piston. The other end of the lever is pivoted to a nut traversed between stops 32 by a screw 22 rotated by a reversible electric motor 21. This motor is energised by a battery put in circuit by a manually actuated switch 56 or a hunting-switch. This switch comprises a brush 55 secured to the end of the floating lever movable over two contacts 50, 51 separated by an insulating bar. The contacts 50, 51 are mounted on a segmental bar movable between insulating rollers 48 by a spring- loaded diaphragm 41 subject to the hydrostatic pressure acting on the hull of the vessel and connected to the segmental bar by a spring-loaded bell-crank lever 46, link 53 and arm 52. The floating lever is connected to an indicator by a link 30.