Azimuth thruster system driven by cooperating prime movers and control method
US10384754B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T70/5236
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An azimuth thruster system includes a pod configured to rotate relative the hull of the ship about an azimuthal axis of the pod, a propeller shaft extending from the pod and being configured to rotate relative to the pod about a central axis of the propeller shaft, an outer shaft disposed at least partially in the pod and configured to be driven by a first primary prime mover, an inner shaft disposed at least partially within the outer shaft and configured to be driven by a second primary prime mover, and a pod gear unit disposed within the pod and coupled to the outer shaft, the inner shaft, and the propeller shaft. The outer and inner shafts are configured to rotate at least one of the pod and the propeller shaft based on directions and magnitudes of the torques generated by the first and second primary prime movers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.