Propeller hubcap

Abstract

The invention is directed to a propeller hubcap and method for installing a propeller hubcap which includes attaching a propeller hubcap to main propeller where the main propeller has at least two blades and a shaft and where the shaft has a diameter of from 2.5 inches to 6 inches. The propeller hubcap includes a central body and propeller blades, where the propeller blades are timed with the blades of the main propeller. A thick and thin nut are provided on the main propeller shaft where the thick or thin nut which is positioned further from the main propeller is tapped by multiple holes which have received a fastener. The fasteners attach the propeller hubcap to the main propeller shaft via complementary holes in the central body of the propeller hubcap.

Claims

1. A method for installing a propeller hubcap comprising: attaching a propeller hubcap to main propeller, wherein the main propeller has at least two blades and a shaft wherein the shaft has a diameter of from 2.5 inches to 6 inches, wherein the propeller hubcap comprises a central body and propeller blades, wherein the propeller blades are timed with the blades of the main propeller, wherein a thicker and thinner nut, relative to each other are provided on the main propeller shaft wherein the thicker or thinner nut which is positioned further from the main propeller is tapped by multiple holes which have received a fastener wherein said fasteners attach the propeller hubcap to the main propeller shaft via complementary holes in the central body of the propeller hubcap.

2. The method of installing a propeller hubcap of claim 1 wherein the number of blades on the propeller hubcap meets or exceeds the number of blades on the main propeller.

3. The method of installing a propeller hubcap of claim 1 wherein central body of the propeller hubcap extends to the main propeller and covers the thicker and thinner nuts.

4. The method of installing a propeller hubcap of claim 1 wherein holes in the propeller hubcap are positioned out of line with the blades of the propeller hubcap.

5. The method of installing a propeller hubcap of claim 1 wherein the thicker or thinner nut positioned furthest from the main propeller and the central body of the propeller hubcap have 6 holes.

6. A propeller comprising: a main propeller comprising least two blades and a shaft wherein the shaft has a diameter of from 2.5 inches to 6 inches, a propeller hubcap positioned downstream from the main propeller and comprising a central body and propeller blades, wherein the propeller blades are timed with the blades of the main propeller, wherein a thicker and thinner nut, relative to each other, are provided on the main propeller shaft wherein the thicker or thinner nut which is positioned further from the main propeller and closer to the propeller hubcap is tapped by multiple holes which have received a fastener wherein said fasteners attach the propeller hubcap to the main propeller shaft via complementary holes in a central body of the propeller hubcap.

7. The propeller of claim 6 wherein the number of blades on the propeller hubcap meets or exceeds the number of blades on the main propeller.

8. The propeller of claim 6 wherein central body of the propeller hubcap extends to the main propeller and covers the thicker and thinner nuts.

9. The propeller of claim 6 wherein holes in the propeller hubcap are positioned out of line with the blades of the propeller hubcap.

10. The propeller of claim 6 wherein the thicker or thinner nut positioned furthest from the main propeller and the central body of the propeller hubcap have 6 holes.

11. A method for operating a marine vehicle comprising: operating a marine vehicle including the propeller of claim 6 wherein the propeller is operated at an RPM of at least 1700.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the propeller hubcap being fitted to the main propeller over the pilgrim nut.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the assembly under the propeller hubcap.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the propeller hubcap attached to the main propeller in its final position.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a pilgrim nut tapped with six bolts and attached to a shaft with a treaded screw fitting.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a nut assembly and a main propeller.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a pilgrim nut assembly tapped with six bolts and attached to a shaft and main propeller.

(7) FIG. 7 shows the propeller hubcap attached to the main propeller with bolts partially screwed in.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a propeller hubcap or propeller boss cap (1) being fitted to the main propeller (2) over a pilgrim nut (3). In some embodiments, the propeller hubcap (1) will completely cover the pilgrim nut (3) and be positioned directly adjacent and/or abut the main propeller (2).

(9) FIG. 2 illustrates the assembly under the propeller hubcap. This assembly includes at least two propeller nuts, a thick nut (5) and a thin nut (4). In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 the thin nut (4) it positioned as the rear nut (8) and the thick nut (5) is positioned as the pilgrim nut (3). In some embodiments the rear nut is defined as the nut which is positioned closer to the propeller hubcap (1) and the pilgrim nut (3) is defined as the nut which is positioned closer to the main propeller (2).

(10) FIG. 3 illustrates the propeller hubcap (1) attached to the main propeller (2) in its final position. The propeller hubcap (1) attached to the main propeller (2) via six bolts (6). In other embodiments, the number of bolts (6) can vary.

(11) FIG. 4 illustrates a pilgrim nut (3) tapped with six bolts (6) and attached to the main propeller shaft (7) with a treaded screw fitting.

(12) FIG. 5 illustrates a thick nut (5) posited as the pilgrim nut (3) and a thin nut (4) posited as the rear nut (8) and the main propeller (2).

(13) FIG. 6 illustrates a nut assembly tapped with six bolts (6) and attached to the main propeller shaft (7) and main propeller (2).

(14) FIG. 7 illustrates the propeller hubcap (1) attached to the main propeller (2) with bolts (6) partially screwed in. The blades of the propeller hubcap (1) are shown as centered between the blades of the main propeller (2).