An embodiment of a device for marine surface propulsion of a watercraft is provided that facilitates high speed performance in combination with steering and/or trimming control. The propulsion device may include a support member supportably interconnectable to and pivotable about one or both of a reclined axis and upright axis relative to a watercraft transom. A propeller shaft may be supported by the support member for pivotable movement therewith, and may have a first end interconnectable to a watercraft engine output. A hub body and a plurality of propeller blades may be interconnected to a second end of the propeller shaft for co-rotation therewith, wherein the hub body and propeller blades are pivotable with the support member about the reclined and/or upright axes. A variable pitch actuator may be interconnected to the support member for pivotable co-movement therewith about the reclined and/or upright axis, wherein the variable pitch actuator is provided for adjustably controlling a pitch orientation of the propeller blades.

The invention relates to a control apparatus for a hydraulic variable-pitch propeller (12) of an aircraft, land vehicle or water vehicle, comprising: a hydraulic oil feed line (24); a control line (16) which can be connected to the variable-pitch propeller (12); a pressure generating device (73) which is connected to the hydraulic oil feed line (24) and provides hydraulic oil with a basic pressure; a servo valve (78) which is arranged downstream of the pressure generating device (73), the input pressure to which servo valve is the basic pressure and the output pressure from which servo valve during normal operation defines a control pressure in the control line (16) and which servo valve is connected to a controller (28) which delivers a control signal for changing the control pressure; and pressure reducing means which are arranged downstream of the servo valve (78) and upstream of the control line (16), which are mechanically actuated and which, in the event of a failure of the servo valve (78), change the control pressure in the control line (16).

The present disclosure discusses a method of and an arrangement for the lubrication of a controllable pitch propeller of a marine vessel. The lubrication is based on continuous lubricant circulation from the hydraulic powerpack to the hub and back to the oil tank, when the marine vessel is sailing ahead with propeller blades locked in a desired position. The lubrication is performed by maintaining, at least when the propeller blades are locked in a desired position, a pressure difference between the astern oil chamber and the lubricant chamber for circulating lubricant from the astern oil chamber via the lubricant chamber to the oil tank.

A system for controlling propeller pitch in the event of electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) failure can include an actuator and a selection valve in fluid communication with the actuator. The selection valve can be fluid communication with a first EHSV having a first null state bias configured to bias the actuator to an increased-pitch position, and a second EHSV having a second null state bias configured to bias the actuator to a decreased-pitch position. The selection valve can be configured to selectively allow fluid communication between one of the first EHSV and actuator and/or the second EHSV and the actuator.

The invention relates to a control apparatus for a hydraulic variable-pitch propeller (12) of an aircraft, land vehicle or water vehicle, comprising: a hydraulic oil feed line (24); a control line (16) which can be connected to the variable-pitch propeller (12); a pressure generating device (73) which is connected to the hydraulic oil feed line (24) and provides hydraulic oil with a basic pressure; a servo valve (78) which is arranged downstream of the pressure generating device (73), the input pressure to which servo valve is the basic pressure and the output pressure from which servo valve during normal operation defines a control pressure in the control line (16) and which servo valve is connected to a controller (28) which delivers a control signal for changing the control pressure; and pressure reducing means which are arranged downstream of the servo valve (78) and upstream of the control line (16), which are mechanically actuated and which, in the event of a failure of the servo valve (78), change the control pressure in the control line (16).

A system for controlling propeller pitch in the event of electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) failure can include an actuator and a selection valve in fluid communication with the actuator. The selection valve can be fluid communication with a first EHSV having a first null state bias configured to bias the actuator to an increased-pitch position, and a second EHSV having a second null state bias configured to bias the actuator to a decreased-pitch position. The selection valve can be configured to selectively allow fluid communication between one of the first EHSV and actuator and/or the second EHSV and the actuator.

A propulsion system includes at least one permanent magnet motor, the magnet motor including an outer housing structure. In the housing structure, a stator and a rotor are arranged in such a way that a gap is formed between the stator and rotor, the stator being fixedly connected to the housing structure, while the rotor is connected to a motor shaft extending through the housing structure. A plurality of coils/windings are arranged around an inner circumference of the stator, while a plurality of permanent magnets are arranged around an outer circumference of the rotor. Through a coupling, the motor shaft is connected to a propeller shaft including a propeller. A thrust bearing and a propeller pitch control system are integrated into the permanent magnet motor.

The present disclosure discusses a method of and an arrangement for the lubrication of a controllable pitch propeller of a marine vessel. The lubrication is based on continuous lubricant circulation from the hydraulic powerpack to the hub and back to the oil tank, when the marine vessel is sailing ahead with propeller blades locked in a desired position. The lubrication is performed by maintaining, at least when the propeller blades are locked in a desired position, a pressure difference between the astern oil chamber and the lubricant chamber for circulating lubricant from the astern oil chamber via the lubricant chamber to the oil tank.