Liheng Heng Chen

US Patent:

6471481, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Jan 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/753366

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B63H 120

US Classification:

416134R, 416170 R, 416244 B, 464 90, 464 91

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The hub structure includes an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced propeller blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface having a longitudinally extending keys projecting therealong. An adaptor has an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having longitudinally extending keys extending therealong. A tubular bushing interconnects the adaptor to the hub structure. The tubular bushing has a first set of keyways for receiving corresponding keys of the adaptor in a mating relationship and a second set of keyways for receiving the keys of the hub structure in a mating relationship.

US Patent:

6524069, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

May 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/853990

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B63H 120

US Classification:

416134R, 416245 A, 464182, 440 83

Abstract:

A propeller housing for a marine vehicle is provided which incorporates an improved locking structure for maintaining the propeller assembly on the drive shaft of the marine vehicle. The locking structure includes a spider washer having first and second ends and an aperture therebetween for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough. The spacer element includes a nose portion adjacent the first end thereof. A locking washer has an opening for receiving the nose portion of the spacer element therethrough and an outer periphery which maintains a propeller assembly on the propeller shaft. A locking element is mountable on the threaded end of the propeller shaft for retaining the spider washer thereon.

US Patent:

6672834, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/037644

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B63H 120

US Classification:

416 2, 416134 R, 416 93 A, 416204 R

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a marine vehicle. The propeller assembly includes a central adaptor mounted on the propeller shaft for rotational movement therewith. A tubular propeller housing is slidable over the central adaptor. A bushing assembly translates rotation of the central adaptor to the propeller housing. A breakaway element is provided for interconnecting in a central adaptor and the bushing assembly. The breakaway allows the central adaptor to rotate independent of the propeller housing in response to the predetermined force thereon.

US Patent:

6685432, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Sep 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/241951

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B63H 120

US Classification:

416134R, 416170 R, 416244 B, 464 90, 464 91

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting in a rotatable propeller shaft of a water craft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure extending along an axis and including an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending keys projecting therefrom. An adaptor translates rotatational movement of the propeller shaft to the hub structure. The adaptor includes an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving a propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending keys extending therefrom. The keys of the hub structure and the keys of the adaptor lie on a generally circular key path such that rotation of the adaptor is directly translated to the hub structure.

US Patent:

7708526, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Dec 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/961513

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Elk Grove Village IL, US

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B63H 1/06

US Classification:

416134R, 440 49

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure.

US Patent:

7717678, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Nov 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/599070

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Elk Grove Village IL, US

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B63H 1/04

US Classification:

416134R, 416 2, 416135, 416170 R, 416244 B

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.

US Patent:

6358008, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Jul 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/612441

Inventors:

Liheng Chen - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Turning Point Propellers, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B63H 120

US Classification:

416134R, 416 93 A, 416245 A, 464182, 440 83

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a marine vehicle. The propeller assembly includes a central hub mounted on the propeller shaft for rotation therewith. A generally tubular propeller housing is slidable on the central hub for rotational movement with the propeller shaft. The propeller housing includes an inner surface having a shoulder formed therein. A locking ring is mounted on the propeller shaft. The locking ring includes an outer rim for engaging the shoulder and preventing removal of the propeller housing from the central hub. A stop member may also be provided to limit movement between the propeller housing and the central hub.

US Patent:

20200039619, Feb 6, 2020

Filed:

Aug 1, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/052196

Inventors:

- Jacksonville FL, US
Liheng Chen - Jacksonville FL, US
Ron Bailey - Jacksonville FL, US

International Classification:

B63H 1/20

Abstract:

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface defining a passage. An adaptor is receivable in the passage of the hub structure. The adaptor a plurality of key pairs extending along the outer surface thereof the adaptor which define slots for receiving inserts therein. An inner portion of the first side of each insert forms mating relationship with first portion of the first sidewall of a first key of a corresponding key pair and an inner portion of the second side of the insert forms a mating relationship with the first portion of the second sidewall of a second key of the corresponding key pair with the insert received in the corresponding slot.