Remotely controlled and electronically operated variable-pitch sailboat propeller

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a propeller system for propelling a vessel. The propeller system may comprise a propeller body operable to connect to a drive shaft of the vessel; a propeller shaft extending out of the propeller body, the propeller shaft operable to be driven by the drive shaft and further operable to rotate about its longitudinal axis, wherein if the propeller shaft is in a first position within the propeller body, the propeller shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis only when torque transmitted from the drive shaft causes the propeller shaft to rotate; a propeller blade disposed outside of the propeller body and connected to the propeller shaft, the propeller blade operable to rotate according to the propeller shaft; and a radio receiver situated within the propeller body operable to receive a signal, that, upon receiving the signal, is further operable to allow the propeller shaft to move from the first position to a second position within the propeller body, thereby allowing the propeller blade to freely rotate according to water currents that cause the propeller blade to rotate to a position that minimizes drag of the propeller blade against the water currents.

1 . A propeller system for a vessel, comprising:
 a propeller body operable to connect to a drive shaft of the vessel;   a propeller shaft extending out of the propeller body, the propeller shaft operable to be driven by the drive shaft and further operable to rotate about its longitudinal axis,   wherein if the propeller shaft is in a first position within the propeller body, the propeller shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis only when torque transmitted from the drive shaft causes the propeller shaft to rotate;   a propeller blade disposed outside of the propeller body and connected to the propeller shaft, the propeller blade operable to rotate according to the propeller shaft; and   a radio receiver situated within the propeller body operable to receive a signal, that, upon receiving the signal, is further operable to allow the propeller shaft to move from the first position to a second position within the propeller body, thereby allowing the propeller blade to freely rotate according to water currents that cause the propeller blade to rotate to a position that minimizes drag of the propeller blade against the water currents.   
   
   
       2 . The propeller system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking pin operable to lock the propeller shaft in the first position;   
   
   
       3 . The propeller system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a blade locking cam connected to the propeller shaft, the blade locking cam including a slot operable to receive the locking pin,   wherein the propeller shaft is in the first position if the locking pin rests within the slot, and   wherein the propeller shaft is in the second position if the locking pin does not rest within the slot.   
   
   
       4 . The propeller system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a magnetic solenoid situated within the propeller body and connected to the locking pin,   wherein upon the radio receiver receiving the signal, the radio receiver is operable to send a charge to the magnetic solenoid, thereby contracting the magnetic solenoid and causing the locking pin to no longer rest within the slot, and further causing the propeller shaft to move from the first position to the second position.   
   
   
       5 . The propeller system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 wherein upon receiving torque from the drive shaft while the propeller shaft is at the second position, the blade locking cam is operable to move until the locking pin is inserted into and resting within the slot, thereby moving the propeller shaft from the second position to the first position.   
   
   
       6 . The propeller system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to provide power to the radio receiver. 
   
   
       7 . The propeller system of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control operable to wirelessly send the signal to the radio receiver. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling a propeller system, comprising:
 transmitting a first signal, the first signal causing torque to be transmitted through a drive shaft to a propeller shaft in a first position, thereby causing the propeller shaft and a propeller blade attached to the propeller shaft to rotate according to the torque transmitted through the drive shaft; and   wirelessly transmitting a second signal, the second signal causing the propeller shaft from a first position to a second position, thereby allowing the propeller blade to freely rotate according to water currents that cause the propeller blade to rotate to a position that minimizes drag of the propeller blade against the water currents.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 retransmitting the first signal if the propeller shaft is at the second position, thereby causing the propeller shaft to return from the second position to the first position.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wirelessly receiving the second signal at a radio receiver at the propeller system.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 transmitting an electrical charge from the radio receiver to a magnetic solenoid, thereby causing the magnetic solenoid to contract and moving the propeller shaft from the first position to the second position; and   in response to the transmitting of the electrical charge, contracting the magnetic solenoid, thereby causing locking pins attached to the magnetic solenoid to move out of a slot on a blade locking cam.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 moving a blade locking cam so that slots on the blade locking cam move over locking pins attached to a magnetic solenoid in response to the propeller shaft rotating according to the torque.   
   
   
       13 . A method for operating a propeller system comprising:
 receiving a signal by a radio receiver;   in response to receiving the signal, moving a propeller shaft from a first position to a second position; and   allowing a propeller blade connected to the propeller shaft at the second position to freely rotate according to currents encountered by the propeller blade, thereby minimizing drag of the propeller blade against the currents.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving a torque from a drive shaft; and   in response to receiving the torque, moving the propeller shaft from the second position to the first position, thereby allowing the propeller shaft to rotate according to the torque.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 transmitting an electrical charge from the radio receiver to a magnetic solenoid, thereby causing the magnetic solenoid to shrink and moving the propeller shaft from the first position to the second position.