Charles M Alexander

US Patent:

60629266, May 16, 2000

Filed:

Jul 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/904072

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
Daniel F. McCormick - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63H 2020

US Classification:

440 75

Abstract:

An improved hydraulic system for a twin propeller marine propulsion unit. A vertical drive shaft is operably connected to the engine of the propulsion unit and carries a pinion that drives a pair of coaxial bevel gears. An inner propeller shaft and an outer propeller shaft are mounted concentrically in the lower torpedo section of the gear case and each propeller shaft carries a propeller. To provide forward movement for the watercraft, a sliding clutch is moved in one direction to operably connect the first of the bevel gears with the inner propeller shaft to drive the rear propeller. A hydraulically operated multi-disc clutch is actuated when engine speed reaches a pre-selected elevated value to operably connect the second of the bevel gears to the outer propeller shaft, to thereby drive the second propeller in the opposite direction. The hydraulic system for actuating the multi-disc clutch includes a pump connected to the inner propeller shaft, and the pump has an inlet communicating with a fluid reservoir in the gear case and has an outlet which is connected through a hydraulic line to the multi-disc clutch. A strainer, a pressure regulator and a valve mechanism are disposed in the lower gear case and are located in series in the hydraulic line.

US Patent:

48326305, May 23, 1989

Filed:

Nov 30, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/126780

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
David A. Gussert - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Skokie IL

International Classification:

B63H 513

US Classification:

440 6

Abstract:

A marine trolling propulsion system (2) has a lower submerged housing (4) including an electric motor (5) driving a propeller (6) through a reducing traction drive provided by rolling contact of threee balls (57-59) between split inner races (36 and 38) and an outer race (60) to drive a transfer member (68) which rotates the propeller (6). The inner race halves (36 and 38) are axially loaded by Belleville washers (72) providing constant axial force with axial deflection, and a limited maximum loading force capability to intentionally provide overload slip protection. The inner race halves (36 and 38) are keyed to the intermediate floating shaft (14) on raised hexagonal shoulders (32 and 34) permitting rocking of the inner race halves (36 and 38) and self-seating and alignment of the inner race halves to the balls (57-59). Couplers (16 and 124) are provided between the electric motor shaft (12) and an intermediate floating axial shaft (14) and between the transfer member (68) and the propeller shaft (70) which enable different axes of rotation to accommodate manufacturing variations. The transfer member (68) is also coupled to the propeller shaft (70) by structure (118, 126, 128) enabling the transfer member (68) to rock about the center of the propeller shaft (70) such that propeller thrust is transmitted equally to the balls (57-59).

US Patent:

56852533, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Jun 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/492494

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63B 132

US Classification:

114291

Abstract:

In a Vee bottom planing boat running chines dry at top speed, running trim angle is increased by reducing wetted planing surface area by removing wetted planing surface at areas of least dynamic pressure and by shifting a portion of the trailing edge of the wetted planing surface forwardly, in combination, until running trim angle is slightly less than porpoising trim angle and such that the boat can be made to porpoise by trimming the drive when the boat is running at 70% to 100% of top speed.

US Patent:

61428418, Nov 7, 2000

Filed:

May 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/078976

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
David A. Schmitz - Reeseville WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63H 1100

US Classification:

440 38

Abstract:

A maneuvering control system is provided which utilizes pressurized liquid at three or more positions of a marine vessel in order to selectively create thrust that moves the marine vessel into desired locations and according to chosen movements. A source of pressurized liquid, such as a pump or a jet pump propulsion system, is connected to a plurality of distribution conduits which, in turn, are connected to a plurality of outlet conduits. The outlet conduits are mounted to the hull of the vessel and direct streams of liquid away from the vessel for purposes of creating thrusts which move the vessel as desired. A liquid distribution controller is provided which enables a vessel operator to use a joystick to selectively compress and dilate the distribution conduits to orchestrate the streams of water in a manner which will maneuver the marine vessel as desired. Electrical embodiments of the present invention can utilize one or more pairs of impellers to cause fluid to flow through outlet conduits in order to provide thrust on the marine vessel. In one embodiment of the present invention, a cross thrust conduit is associated with a marine vessel to direct fluid flow in a direction perpendicular to a centerline of the marine vessel and a pair of outlet conduits are associated with the marine vessel to direct flows of fluid in directions which are neither parallel nor perpendicular to a centerline of the marine vessel.

US Patent:

57660476, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Sep 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/719633

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
Daniel F. McCormick - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63H 510

US Classification:

440 81

Abstract:

A twin propeller marine propulsion unit for a watercraft. A vertical drive shaft operably connected to the engine is journaled for rotation in a lower gear case and carries a beveled pinion that drives a pair of coaxial bevel gears. An inner propeller shaft and an outer propeller shaft are mounted concentrically in the lower torpedo-shaped section of the gear case and each propeller shaft carries a propeller. To provide forward movement for the watercraft, a sliding clutch, is moved in one direction to operably connect a first of the bevel gears with the inner propeller shaft to thereby drive the rear propeller. When the engine speed reaches a pre-selected elevated value, a hydraulically operated multi-disc clutch is actuated to operably connect the second of the bevel gears to the outer propeller shaft, to thereby drive the second propeller in the opposite direction. With this construction only a single propeller is driven at low engine speeds and the second propeller is driven when the engine speed reaches the pre-selected value.

US Patent:

61767506, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Aug 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379758

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
Daniel F. McCormick - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63H 2020

US Classification:

440 75

Abstract:

An improved hydraulic system for a twin propeller marine propulsion unit. A vertical drive shaft is operably connected to the engine of the propulsion unit and carries a pinion that drives a pair of coaxial bevel gears. An inner propeller shaft and an outer propeller shaft are mounted concentrically in the lower torpedo section of the gear case and each propeller shaft carries a propeller. To provide forward movement for the watercraft, a sliding clutch is moved in one direction to operably connect the first of the bevel gears with the inner propeller shaft to drive the rear propeller. A hydraulically operated multi-disc clutch is actuated when engine speed reaches a pre-selected elevated value to operably connect the second of the bevel gears to the outer propeller shaft, to thereby drive the second propeller in the opposite direction. The hydraulic system for actuating the multi-disc clutch includes a pump connected to the inner propeller shaft, and the pump has an inlet communicating with a fluid reservoir in the gear case and has an outlet which is connected through a hydraulic line to the multi-disc clutch. A strainer, a pressure regulator and a valve mechanism are disposed in the lower gear case and are located in series in the hydraulic line.

US Patent:

57724814, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Sep 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/718917

Inventors:

Charles F. Alexander - Austin TX
Daniel F. McCormick - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B63H 118

US Classification:

440 66

Abstract:

A skeg assembly for a marine propulsion unit includes a generally U-shaped saddle that is removably attached to the lower torpedo section of the gearcase of the propulsion unit, and a thin wedge-shaped skeg extends downwardly from the saddle. During planing conditions of the boat, the water line is slightly below the lower torpedo section so that the saddle is out of the water. The side surfaces of the skeg having opposed water intake openings each of which is bordered rearwardly by a laterally projecting shoulder that terminates in a sharp vertical edge and the intake openings are bordered forwardly by a curved surface that connects the side surfaces of the skeg. The water intake openings communicate with a water passage in the skeg which, in turn, communicates with a water passage in the torpedo section so that water can be delivered to the cooling system of the propulsion unit.