Torque transmitting device and system for marine propulsion

1. A torque transmitting device for a marine propulsion system, the torque transmitting device comprising:

an adapter extending along an axis of rotation, the adapter comprising

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor shaft of the marine propulsion system so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor hub of the marine propulsion system so that rotation of the second portion about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the propulsor hub about the axis of rotation,

the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation while remaining connected together by the elongated torsional members,

wherein the first portion is rotatable relative to the propulsor hub.

2. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torsional members comprise a plurality of tines extending from one of the first and second portions.

3. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torsional members are integrally attached to both of the first and second portions.

4. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torsional members comprise a plurality of tines extending from the second portion into a plurality of openings in the first portion.

5. A torque transmitting device according to claim 4 , wherein each tine in the plurality of tines comprises a free end and an end that is integral with the second portion, wherein each tine tapers down from the end that is integral with the second portion to the free end.

6. A torque transmitting device according to claim 5 , wherein each opening in the plurality of openings is tapered inwardly and wherein each tine is sized longer than a length of the respective opening in which said tine extends.

7. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises an inner surface defining a plurality of axially extending recesses that engage with a plurality of axially extending splines on the propulsor shaft so that the first portion rotates in synchrony with the propulsor shaft.

8. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises an outer surface that is received by the propulsor hub and to attach the second portion to the propulsor hub for rotation in synchrony with the propulsor hub about the axis of rotation.

9. A torque transmitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the second portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially aligned faces that engage with an inner circumferential surface of the propulsor hub so that no relative rotational motion occurs between the propulsor hub and the second portion during rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation.

10. A torque transmitting device according to claim 9 , wherein the first and second portions are separable components and wherein the first and second portions are removably attached by the elongated torsional members.

11. A torque transmitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the first portion comprises an outer surface that is received by the propulsor hub for rotation about the axis of rotation in a manner wherein relative rotational motion occurs between the first portion and the propeller hub during rotation of the propulsor shaft.

12. A torque transmitting device according to claim 11 , wherein the outer surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially aligned faces, wherein a gap exists between at least some of the plurality of faces and an inner circumferential surface of the propulsor hub when the second portion is received by the propulsor hub.

13. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Delrin 150 NC010, Delrin 311 DP NC010, and Delrin 150E NC010.

14. A torque transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions comprise different materials.

15. A torque transmitting device according to claim 14 , wherein the second portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Delrin 525 GR NC000, Noryl GTX Resin GTX830 and Noryl GTX Resin GTX8720.

16. A torque transmitting device for a marine propulsion system, the torque transmitting device comprising:

an adapter extending along an axis of rotation, the adapter comprising

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor shaft of the marine propulsion system so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with a propulsor hub of the marine propulsion system, the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation;

wherein the second portion comprises an outer surface that is received by the propulsor hub and to attach the second portion to the propulsor hub for rotation in synchrony with the propulsor hub about the axis of rotation;

wherein the first portion comprises an outer surface that is received by the propulsor hub for rotation about the axis of rotation in a manner wherein relative rotational motion occurs between the first portion and the propeller hub during rotation of the propulsor shaft;

wherein the first portion is rotatable relative to the propulsor hub by less than 9 degrees in one direction about the axis of rotation and by less than 9 degrees in the other direction about the axis of rotation.

17. A marine propulsion system comprising:

a propulsor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a propulsor hub rotatable about the axis of rotation;

an adapter extending along the axis of rotation, the adapter comprising:

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor shaft so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor hub so that rotation of the second portion about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the propulsor hub about the axis of rotation,

the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation while remaining connected together by the elongated torsional members,

wherein the first portion is rotatable relative to the propulsor hub.

18. A system according to claim 17 , comprising a first thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a first direction past a predetermined location on the propulsor shaft.

19. A system according to claim 18 , comprising a second thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a second, opposite direction past a second predetermined location on the propulsor shaft.

20. A system according to claim 19 , comprising a locking device for preventing axial translation of the second thrust washer in the second, opposite direction.

21. A system according to claim 19 , wherein the first and second thrust washers engage with the propulsor shaft and allow free rotation of the propulsor hub about the propulsor shaft.

22. A marine propulsion system comprising:

a propulsor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a propulsor hub rotatable about the axis of rotation;

an adapter extending along the axis of rotation, the adapter comprising:

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor shaft so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor hub, the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members that allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation;

a first thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a first direction past a predetermined location on the propulsor shaft; and

wherein the first thrust washer comprises an inner surface defining a plurality of axially extending recesses that engage with a plurality of axially extending splines on the propulsor shaft so that the first thrust washer rotates in synchrony with the propulsor shaft.

23. A marine propulsion system comprising:

a propulsor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a propulsor hub rotatable about the axis of rotation;

an adapter extending along the axis of rotation, the adapter comprising:

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor shaft so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor hub the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation;

a first thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a first direction past a predetermined location on the propulsor shaft;

a second thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a second, opposite direction past a second predetermined location on the propulsor shaft; and

wherein the second thrust washer comprises an inner surface defining a plurality of axially extending recesses that engage with the plurality of axially extending splines on the propulsor shaft so that the second thrust washer rotates in synchrony with the propulsor shaft.

24. A marine propulsion system comprising:

a propulsor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a propulsor hub rotatable about the axis of rotation;

an adapter extending along the axis of rotation, the adapter comprising:

a first portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor shaft so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque-transmitting relation with the propulsor hub, the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation;

a first thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a first direction past a predetermined location on the propulsor shaft;

a second thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a second, opposite direction past a second predetermined location on the propulsor shaft; and

wherein the second thrust washer comprises an annular ridge sized smaller than an annular recess on the second portion, wherein the annular ridge of the second thrust washer nests within the annular recess on the second portion when the second thrust washer and propulsor hub are mounted on the propulsor shaft.

25. A marine propulsion system comprising:

a propulsor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a propulsor hub rotatable about the axis of rotation;

an adapter extending along the axis of rotation, the adapter comprising:

a first portion that engages in torque transmitting relation with the propulsor shaft so that rotation of the propulsor shaft about the axis of rotation causes synchronous rotation of the first portion about the axis of rotation and

a second portion that engages in torque transmitting relation with the propulsor hub, the second portion connected to the first portion by a plurality of elongated torsional members that are integrally attached to at least one of the first and second portions,

wherein the elongated torsional members allow the first portion and second portion to rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation;

a first thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a first direction past a first predetermined location on the propulsor shaft;

a second thrust washer mounted on the propulsor shaft to prevent the propulsor hub from translating axially in a second, opposite direction past a second predetermined location on the propulsor shaft;

a locking device for preventing axial translation of the second thrust washer in the second, opposite direction;

wherein the first and second thrust washers engage with the propulsor shaft and allow free rotation of the propulsor hub about the propulsor shaft; and

wherein the first portion and the second portion are made of different materials.