Device with controllable pitch propeller for outboard motors

Abstract

A device with a variable pitch propeller for an outboard motor that allows for controllable pitch and can be mounted to a standard outboard motor without significant modifications. The device includes a variable pitch propeller having a front side and a rear side. The variable pitch propeller can be mounted to a shaft of the outboard motor at the front side thereof. A pitch control assembly is coupled to the rear side of the variable pitch propeller for controlling the pitch of the variable pitch propeller. The pitch control assembly includes a servo linear actuator. The pitch control assembly is further mounted to the outboard motor through a mounting member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for an outboard motor, the device comprises:
 a variable pitch propeller having a front side and a rear side, the variable pitch propeller configured to mount to a shaft of the outboard motor at the front side;   a pitch control assembly operably coupled to the rear side of the variable pitch propeller, the pitch control assembly configured to change a pitch of the variable pitch propeller; and   a mounting member configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a body of the outboard motor.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting member is configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a top fin hard point of the outboard motor. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pitch control assembly comprises:
 an actuator frame;   a servo motor encased within the actuator frame; and   a link member operably coupled to the servo motor and configured to translate rotary motion of the servo motor into linear motion of a push pull rod.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the variable pitch propeller comprises:
 a propeller hub, the propeller hub has a plurality of first holes;   a plurality of propeller bases mounted to the plurality of first holes, the plurality of propeller bases encased within the propeller hub; and   and a plurality of propeller blades mounted to the plurality of propeller bases, wherein each of the plurality of propeller bases is configured to translate the linear motion of the push pull rod to rotary motion of the respective propeller blade of the plurality of propeller blades.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the link member is an Acme screw. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the propeller hub is of a hollow cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the pitch control assembly further comprises:
 a plunger operably coupled to the push pull road and encased within the propeller hub, the plunger is configured to linearly move within the propeller hub, wherein the plurality of propeller bases are coupled to the plunger through a cam crank mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . An outboard motor comprising:
 a device, the device comprises:
 a variable pitch propeller having a front side and a rear side, the variable pitch propeller configured to mount to a shaft of the outboard motor at the front side; 
 a pitch control assembly operably coupled to the rear side of the variable pitch propeller, the pitch control assembly configured to change a pitch of the variable pitch propeller; and 
 a mounting member configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a body of the outboard motor. 
   
     
     
         9 . The outboard motor according to  claim 8 , wherein the mounting member is configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a top fin hard point of the outboard motor. 
     
     
         10 . The outboard motor according to  claim 8 , wherein the pitch control assembly comprises:
 an actuator frame;   a servo motor encased within the actuator frame; and   a link member operably coupled to the servo motor and configured to translate rotary motion of the servo motor into linear motion of a push pull rod.   
     
     
         11 . The outboard motor according to  claim 10 , wherein the variable pitch propeller comprises:
 a propeller hub, the propeller hub has a plurality of first holes;   a plurality of propeller bases mounted to the plurality of first holes, the plurality of propeller bases encased within the propeller hub; and   and a plurality of propeller blades mounted to the plurality of propeller bases, wherein each of the plurality of propeller bases is configured to translate the linear motion of the push pull rod to rotary motion of the respective propeller blade of the plurality of propeller blades.   
     
     
         12 . The outboard motor according to  claim 11 , wherein the link member is an Acme screw, and the propeller hub is of a hollow cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         13 . The outboard motor according to  claim 11 , wherein the pitch control assembly further comprises:
 a plunger operably coupled to the push pull road and encased within the propeller hub, the plunger is configured to linearly move within the propeller hub, wherein the plurality of propeller bases are coupled to the plunger through a cam crank mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling a pitch in an outboard motor, the method comprising:
 providing a device for the outboard motor, the device comprises:
 a variable pitch propeller having a front side and a rear side, the variable pitch propeller configured to mount to a shaft of the outboard motor at the front side, 
 a pitch control assembly operably coupled to the rear side of the variable pitch propeller, the pitch control assembly configured to change a pitch of the variable pitch propeller, and 
 a mounting member configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a body of the outboard motor. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the mounting member is configured to mount the pitch control assembly to a top fin hard point of the outboard motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the pitch control assembly comprises:
 an actuator frame;   a servo motor encased within the actuator frame; and   a link member operably coupled to the servo motor and configured to translate rotary motion of the servo motor into linear motion of a push pull rod.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the variable pitch propeller comprises:
 a propeller hub, the propeller hub has a plurality of first holes;   a plurality of propeller bases mounted to the plurality of first holes, the plurality of propeller bases encased within the propeller hub; and   and a plurality of propeller blades mounted to the plurality of propeller bases, wherein each of the plurality of propeller bases is configured to translate the linear motion of the push pull rod to rotary motion of the respective propeller blade of the plurality of propeller blades.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the link member is an Acme screw. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the propeller hub is of a hollow cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the pitch control assembly further comprises:
 a plunger operably coupled to the push pull road and encased within the propeller hub, the plunger is configured to linearly move within the propeller hub, wherein the plurality of propeller bases are coupled to the plunger through a cam crank mechanism.