Retractable vertical-axis propeller device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for optional activation of a vertical-axis propeller to be configured on the lower surface of a marine vessel, said device comprises a vertical-axis propeller; a sliding means associated with the lower surface of the marine vessel and sliding the vertical-axis propeller; at least one slider that is associated with the vertical-axis propeller and is in sliding relation with the sliding means; and at least one driving means for driving the vertical-axis propeller in upwards and downwards in the sliding direction.

1 . A device for optionally activating a vertical-axis propeller to be configured on a lower surface of a marine vessel, the device comprising:
 a vertical-axis propeller;   a sliding means communicating with the lower surface of the marine vessel and sliding the vertical-axis propeller;   at least one slider communicating with the vertical-axis propeller and being in sliding relation with the sliding means; and   at least one driving means for driving the vertical-axis propeller upwards and downwards in the sliding direction.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , said sliding means comprising at least one sliding rail having a sliding groove. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one slider is moved in the sliding groove of the at least one sliding rail. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , said driving means comprising a motor, a driving gear associated with the motor, a plurality of transmission gears that are associated with the driving gear, at least one screw shaft extending from the center of the transmission gears, and driving rods which are threaded along their axis to cooperate with at least one screw of the at least one screw shaft, and which are associated with the vertical-axis propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , the vertical-axis propeller comprising a plurality of coupling supports extending upwards from a hub and a slider rail extending vertically on an external side of each coupling support. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a roller ( 18 ) arranged on a lower side of each coupling support ( 16 ) and facing to the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , said vertical-axis propeller comprising a vertical-axis propeller hub, and at least one propeller gasket hole formed around the vertical-axis propeller hub for accommodating a circular-shaped propeller gasket. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , said sliding means comprising a lower side, wherein a lower cover is arranged on the lower side of the sliding means and the lower cover is constructed and arranged to be opened/closed in communication with the vertical-axis propeller. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least one cover gasket ( 86 ) provided around the lower cover ( 36 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , said marine vessel further comprising a horizontal propeller.