Charles Alfred Powers

US Patent:

6773232, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206644

Inventors:

Charles S. Powers - Shreveport LA 71106

International Classification:

B63H 2334

US Classification:

416134R, 416244 B

Abstract:

A progressive shear assembly which is suitably adapted for connecting a marine propeller to a propeller drive shaft in such a manner that a selected resilience and torsional resistance of the propeller with respect to the drive shaft is achieved. An adaptor shaft provided on the propeller drive shaft drivingly engages the propeller through multiple sets of shear rods each having a selected composition and resilience. In the event that the rotating propeller inadvertently strikes an underwater object, the shear rods absorb the torque shock. Accordingly, the shear rods tend to deform and shear to prevent damage to the propeller and propeller drive train components, and can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

US Patent:

7056091, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Apr 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/818968

Inventors:

Charles S. Powers - Shreveport LA, US

International Classification:

B63H 1/28

US Classification:

416 93A, 416245 A, 440 89 R

Abstract:

A propeller hub assembly having a through-hub exhaust propeller hub characterized by an interior overlap zone defined by the composite interior dimensions of a selected number of conventional propeller hubs and optionally fitted with a removable exhaust ring and/or sized ventilation plugs. The hub assembly of this invention includes specially designed driver adaptors for insertion in the overlap zone of a universal propeller hub and accommodating corresponding conventional OEM factory thrust washers normally used in the conventional propeller hubs. The overlap zone design facilitates installation of the propeller hub assembly on any conventional lower unit outdrive utilizing the OEM factory thrust washers and corresponding driver adaptors. The exhaust ring and sized ventilation plugs facilitate optimum engine exhaust porting through the hub assembly for various applications, such as racing and other high performance operation.

US Patent:

8636469, Jan 28, 2014

Filed:

Oct 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/925118

Inventors:

Charles S. Powers - Shreveport LA, US

International Classification:

B63H 1/26

US Classification:

416 93A, 416228, 416236 R, 416235, 416243

Abstract:

A marine propeller with reverse thrust cup includes a propeller hub, propeller blades each having a leading blade face and a trailing blade face provided on the propeller hub and a reverse thrust cup provided in the trailing blade face of each of the propeller blades.

US Patent:

20050186861, Aug 25, 2005

Filed:

Feb 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/059425

Inventors:

Charles Powers - Shreveport LA, US

International Classification:

B63H001/14
B63H023/34
F16D003/14
F16D047/02
F16D069/00

US Classification:

440049000, 440083000

Abstract:

An exterior progressive shear shoulder assembly which is adapted for connecting a marine propeller to a propeller drive shaft in such a manner that a selected torsional resistance of the propeller with respect to the drive shaft is achieved. In one embodiment a driver engaging the propeller drive shaft also receives a driver adaptor that fits inside the propeller hub and drivingly engages the propeller through interfacing torsion members such as torsion ribs and/or selected sets of shear rods, each having a selected length, composition and resilience. In another embodiment the drive shaft directly engages the driver adaptor. In the event that the rotating propeller inadvertently strikes or is entangled in an underwater object, the fixed or replaceable torsion ribs and/or shear rods deform and may shear between the propeller hub and driver adaptor to allow rotation of the driver adaptor in the propeller hub and absorb the torque shock. The torque load deformation and shearing actions are optimized in a preferred embodiment by the provision of air gaps defined on each side of the torsion members between the driver adaptor and a driver adaptor hub fixed inside the propeller hub and by resilient sheaths provided on the torsion members.

US Patent:

62801449, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

Nov 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/436695

Inventors:

Charles S. Powers - Shreveport LA

International Classification:

F01D 514

US Classification:

416236A

Abstract:

Propellers and impellers having multiple recesses or striations which are cast in the low-pressure face of each blade of the propeller and impeller and extend from the junction of the blade with the hub, toward the extending or distal end of the blade. The parallel or fan-like striations define a waffle-like pattern and act as stress relief pockets as they effect optimum uniform cooling of the blade and hub portions during setting of the poured propeller and impeller in the casting mold, to eliminate or reduce the formation of voids in each blade, as well as shrinkage and warpage along that segment of the blades which join the hub.

US Patent:

62066366, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Feb 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/250979

Inventors:

Charles S. Powers - Shreveport LA

International Classification:

F01D1/00

US Classification:

415220

Abstract:

A ribbed impeller for use in a water pump and in marine water pumps in particular, which ribbed impeller is characterized by a hub rotatably mounted on a shaft positioned inside the pump barrel or housing and multiple blades provided on the hub and fitted with ribs of varying location, length, size and character for enhancing the pumping of water through the barrel. In a preferred embodiment the hub is characterized by an open end which tapers inwardly to define a shaft mount end, to which the shaft is attached for rotation of the ribbed impeller. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the pitch of the impeller blades vary proportionally with the diameter of the pump barrel or housing for optimum pumping of the water through the barrel.