Drive apparatus

Patent 7160159 Issued on January 9, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 21, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Webster, John R

Assignee

Rolls-Royce plc

Application

No. 11282711 filed on 11/21/2005

US Classes:

440/1, MEANS TO CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF ENERGY RESPONSIVE TO A SENSED CONDITION192/3.31, Having speed-responsive operator415/18, Control of clutch or brake surface482/63Utilizing specific resistance generating structure

Examiners

Primary: Avila, Stephen

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

4 333 351 DE 04/01/1995
2 164 410 GB 03/01/1986
60012393 JP 01/01/1985
7 309 295 JP 11/01/1995
2004011459 JP 01/01/2004

International Class

B63H 21/22

Abstract

A drive apparatus (10) for propelling a vehicle across a body of water is described. The apparatus (10) comprises a prime mover, for example a gas turbine engine (12), and a propelling arrangement (26) driven by the prime mover for propelling the vehicle across the body of water and thereby provide a reaction force on the prime mover. The apparatus (10) also includes a braking arrangement (42) to apply a braking force to the propelling arrangement (26).