Gregory P Platzer

US Patent:

6908350, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776566

Inventors:

Edmund B. Roessler - Providence RI, US
Gregory P. Platzer - Hollywood FL, US
Richard K. Sparks - Margate FL, US

Assignee:

ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Friedrichshafen

International Classification:

B63H005/125

US Classification:

440 61R

Abstract:

A marine outdrive () steering and trim system comprising a support linkage () which is either of fixed length (non-trimmable) or of an adjustable telescoping length (trimmable) and having a first end () pivotally mounted to the transom () and a second opposed end () attached to a propeller end () of the marine outdrive (). A pair of steering actuators () are connected between a steering yoke (), secured to the support linkage (), and a stationary pivot point on the transom () for providing a pure force couple to facilitating steering of the marine outdrive ().

US Patent:

62382578, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/519261

Inventors:

Gregory P. Platzer - Wrentham MA
Francesco Lanni - Walpole MA

Assignee:

Bird-Johnson Company - Walpole MA

International Classification:

B63H 11113

US Classification:

440 42

Abstract:

A waterjet propulsion pump (14) is mounted in an opening in a fully submerged intermediate transom (12) located forward of the stern transom (11) and at the aft end of a dependent structural pod (15) on the hull bottom with the pump discharge nozzle (30) lying aft of the intermediate transom. A steering nozzle (50) is mounted on the discharge nozzle (30) for pivotal movement about an axis that lies in a vertical plane. At least one reversing deflector (100 or 300 and 400) is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis that is perpendicular to the vertical plane. A rotatable steering shaft (70, 270) operated by a steering actuator located with the hull (140 or 340) is coupled to the steering nozzle (50 or 250). A hollow reversing shaft (90, 290) is received telescopically over a portion of the steering shaft and is translatable axially relative to the steering shaft by a reversing actuator (150, 350) located within the vessel hull. A mechanical linkage (110, 310 and 118, 318) coupled between the reversing shaft and the reversing deflector pivots the reversing deflector between an inactive position and an operative position.

US Patent:

61527920, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Mar 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/265066

Inventors:

Francesco Lanni - Walpole MA
Gregory P. Platzer - Wrentham MA

Assignee:

Bird-Johnson Company - Walpole MA

International Classification:

B63H 11107

US Classification:

440 40

Abstract:

A waterjet steering and reversing apparatus has a steering nozzle mounted aft of the exit nozzle for pivotal movement about a steering pivot axis that lies in a vertical plane and a reversing deflector that is mounted for pivotal movement about a reversing pivot axis for movement between an inactive position clear of a water jet discharged from the steering nozzle and an operative position in which the water jet impinges on a surface that deflects the water jet to a direction having a forward vector. The reversing pivot axis is perpendicular to the vertical plane and spaced apart from the steering pivot axis. A rotatable steering shaft is coupled at its lower end to the steering nozzle, is coaxial with the steering pivot axis, extends upwardly through an opening in the hull, and has an upper end portion located within the hull. A hollow reversing shaft received telescopically over a portion of the steering shaft is translatable axially relative to the steering shaft. A steering actuator received within the vessel hull and coupled to the steering shaft imparts rotation to the steering shaft.

US Patent:

60711566, Jun 6, 2000

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183455

Inventors:

Gregory P. Platzer - Wrentham MA
Francesco Lanni - Walpole MA

Assignee:

Bird-Johnson Company - Walpole MA

International Classification:

B63H 11113

US Classification:

440 42

Abstract:

A surface vessel has a hull that is configured to provide a mounting location for a waterjet pump propulsion system that is fully submerged under substantially all operating conditions of the vessel. A waterjet propulsion pump is mounted in an opening in the mounting location of the hull. At least the aft portion of the pump exit nozzle extends aft of the mounting location. A rotatable steering nozzle is coupled to the lower end of a rotatable steering shaft. A rotatable reversing deflector is coupled to the lower end of a rotatable reversing shaft that is either concentric with or parallel to the steering shaft. The steering shaft and reversing shaft extend upwardly through a shared opening or a pair of openings in the hull. Steering and reversing actuators associated with the steering and reversing shafts are located within the hull. A pair of steering deflectors in a "clamshell" relationship is an alternative.