Arrangement and method for parallel alignment of propeller shafts and means for parallel alignment

Patent 7220157 Issued on May 22, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 26, 2026. 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

Pettersson, Patrik

Assignee

AB Volvo Penta

Application

No. 11553343 filed on 10/26/2006

US Classes:

440/78, Propeller shaft housing318/588Marine vehicles

Examiners

Primary: Olson, Lars A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Novak Druce & Quigg, LLP

Foreign Patent References

508314 SE 09/01/1998

International Class

B63H 20/32

Abstract

An arrangement and method for parallel alignment of propeller shafts in a first and a second underwater housing arranged on the hull of a vessel, which underwater housings are arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation which is angled in relation to the propeller shafts arranged in each underwater housing, which arrangement includes a servo motor arranged for each underwater housing, which servo motor is arranged to rotate said underwater housing. A position sensor arranged for each servo motor, which position sensor is arranged to detect an angular position of the underwater housing. A control unit in which a reference angular position of the underwater housing is arranged to be stored during a calibration of the position of the underwater housing; and a calibrator of the position of the underwater housings by storing output signals from the position sensors in the control unit during a parallel alignment of propeller shafts in two underwater housings arranged on the hull of a vessel.