Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Torque transmitted via flexible element – Nonmetallic element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-05-22
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Torque transmitted via flexible element
Nonmetallic element
C464S092000, C464S088000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234906
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vibration dampening mechanisms and, more particularly, to vibration dampeners for airboat propulsion systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Airboats are designed to be driven at high speeds over water and land and to have a high degree of mobility. Either an aircraft or automobile engine may be used to drive either a single propeller or a pair of counter-rotating propellers at rotational velocities in the range of 1000-5000 rpm. The transmissions employed may be either belt-driven or gear-based.
A typical structure for an airboat propulsion system comprises an engine, to which is affixed a flywheel that is rotated by the crankshaft when the engine is running. The flywheel in airboats previously known in the art is then affixed to the fore end of the drive shaft, which extends in an aft direction from the flywheel and imparts rotational motion to the transmission. Normal engine vibration, which is in part caused by the nature of the reciprocal engine, is also transmitted along the drive shaft, and causes wear on the transmission elements and other downstream components, decreasing their useful life. It would thus be desirable to damp such vibration downstream of the engine. Such vibration also increases the noise produced by airboats, which is a significant detriment to their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an airboat vibration dampening system for reducing vibration downstream of the engine and noise produced by the airboat.
It is a further object to provide such a vibration dampening system for reducing wear on the airboat transmission.
It is another object to provide a method of reducing the vibration experienced and noise caused by airboat components.
It is an additional object to provide a method of making a vibration dampening element.
A further object is to provide a vibration dampening system for coupling a pair of rotating engine components.
These and other objects are achieved by the vibration dampening element, system, and methods of the present invention.
The vibration dampener comprises a dampening plate made of an elastomeric material that has vibration-dampening characteristics. In a particular embodiment, an outer pair of connecting plates is affixed about a perimeter of the dampening plate, with the dampening plate sandwiched therebetween. These outer connecting plates have means for connecting to an element rotationally drivable by an engine, such as the engine flywheel. Each of the outer connecting plates has a central hole therein.
Also in the particular embodiment, an inner pair of connecting plates is affixed with the dampening plate sandwiched therebetween. Each inner connecting plate is dimensioned to reside within a corresponding outer connecting plate hole in spaced relation from the outer connecting plate, ensuring that no vibration is transmitted directly between the inner and the outer connecting plates. This vibration dissipation is believed to significantly increase the lifetime of airboat components, reduce noise, and improve efficiency. For example, it is estimated that transmission lifetime is enhanced by a factor of 3-4. The inner connecting plates also have means for connecting to an element adapted for transmitting a rotational motion to a transmission, such as the drive shaft.
The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2778663 (1957-01-01), Prevost
patent: 4155266 (1979-05-01), Bradley
patent: 2084292 (1982-04-01), None
patent: 2235034 (1991-02-01), None
patent: 580443 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 62-118120 (1987-05-01), None
Bell Louis A.
Jordan W. Bishop
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Browne Lynne H.
Dunwoody Aaron
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