Propulsion unit
The propulsion unit's simplified bearing structure with elastic biasing supports allows for easy maintenance and component replacement, addressing the complexity of traditional systems and reducing downtime.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025080426
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-13
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing propulsion units have complex bearing structures for propeller shafts, which complicate maintenance and require dry-docking for component replacement.
A propulsion unit with a simplified bearing arrangement featuring a radial bearing positioned between elastic biasing means and a thrust bearing, allowing for easy access and replacement of components without dry-docking, using elastic biasing means to support the propeller shaft.
Facilitates easy maintenance and reduces downtime by enabling on-board inspection and replacement of bearing components, maintaining efficient operation without the need for dry-docking.
Smart Images
Figure 2025172718000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a propulsion unit as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1. Summary of the Invention
[0002] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a propulsion unit having a simple structure of the bearing device of the propeller shaft.
[0003] [Brief description of the invention] The propulsion unit according to the invention is characterized by what is defined in independent claim 1.
[0004] Preferred embodiments of the propulsion unit are defined in the dependent claims.
[0005] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0006] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of the propulsion unit is shown. [Figure 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first bearing of the first version; [Figure 3] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first bearing of the second version. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first bearing of the third version. [Figure 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first bearing of the fourth version. [Figure 6] 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the first bearing of the fifth version. [Figure 7] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first bearing of the first version illustrated in FIG. 2, taken along the plane AA of FIG. 2; [Figure 8] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first bearing of the first version illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along plane BB in FIG. 2; [Figure 9]3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first bearing of the first version illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along plane CC of FIG. 2; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Next, the propulsion unit and several embodiments and modifications of the propulsion unit will be described in detail.
[0008] The propulsion unit comprises a housing 1 supported by support arms 2 on the hull 3 of a vessel (not marked with a reference number).
[0009] The housing 1 has a first end E1 and an opposite second end E2 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1.
[0010] The propulsion unit includes a propeller shaft 4 extending in the housing 1 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1 .
[0011] The propeller shaft 4 has a rotation axis XX, and is rotatably supported within the housing 1 by a first bearing 5 and a second bearing 6 .
[0012] A propeller 7 is attached to one end of a propeller shaft 4 outside the housing 1.
[0013] The first bearing 5 comprises a thrust bearing 8 positioned and supported within a bearing house 9 .
[0014] The first bearing 5 includes a radial bearing 10 which is a sliding bearing.
[0015] The first bearing 5 rotates with the propeller shaft 4 and includes a collar 11 that projects radially outward from the propeller shaft 4 .
[0016] The collar 11 is rotatably supported on both sides by the elastic biasing means 30 loaded slide pieces 12 of the thrust bearing 8 in the bearing house 9 so that the collar 11 is positioned between the elastic biasing means 30 loaded slide pieces 12 of the thrust bearing 8 in the axial direction XX. The elastic biasing means 30 loaded slide pieces 12 of the thrust bearing 8 are preferably, but not necessarily, configured to elastically flex in the axial direction XX, i.e., in the direction of the propeller shaft 4. The elastic biasing means 30 loaded slide pieces 12 of the thrust bearing 8 are preferably, but not necessarily, configured to at least partially elastically resist tilting, for example to elastically resist excessive tilting of the collar 11 within the bearing house 9 relative to the bearing house 9.
[0017] The resilient biasing means 30 may, for example, comprise at least one of a spring, an elastically deformable part, a part having an elastically deformable structure, and a part at least partially made of an elastically deformable material.
[0018] The radial bearing 10 is positioned and supported within the bearing house 9 .
[0019] The radial bearing 10 is at least partially positioned in the axial direction XX between the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding pieces 12 of the thrust bearing 8 such that the peripheral surface 13 of the collar 11 is rotatably supported within the bearing house 9 on the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10.
[0020] Since the collar 11 has a large diameter and therefore a large peripheral surface, a large support area within the radial bearing 10 is provided by supporting the peripheral surface 13 of the collar on the annular running surface 14 of the radial bearing 10 .
[0021] The collar 11 can have a short length so that the radial bearing 10 is less susceptible to bending of the propeller shaft 4 .
[0022] By arranging the radial bearing 10 in the axial direction XX between the sliding pieces 12 loaded with the elastic biasing means 30 of the thrust bearing 8, so that the peripheral surface 13 of the collar 11 is rotatably supported on the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10 in the bearing house 9, space is saved in the housing 1 of the propulsion unit and a simple structure of the bearing arrangement of the propeller shaft 4 of the propulsion unit is provided.
[0023] An electric motor 27 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided within the housing 1 for rotating the propeller shaft 4. Alternatively, a mechanical device (not shown) may be provided between the electric motor or an internal combustion engine provided on the vessel for rotating the propeller shaft 4.
[0024] The propulsion unit is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a swivel 28 for pivoting the propulsion unit relative to the vessel's hull 3 about a pivot axis YY so as to steer the vessel by the propulsion unit. The propulsion unit may be attached to the vessel's hull by the swivel.
[0025] The radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, positioned entirely between the sliding pieces 12 loaded by the resilient biasing means 30 of the thrust bearing 8 in the axial direction XX.
[0026] The radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, positioned radially outward of the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8 .
[0027] The radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided in a flexible support structure 20 within the bearing house 9, such as the second version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the fifth version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0028] The flexible support structure 20 may be formed, for example, by a structure supported by the bearing house 9 and having a reduced material thickness or corresponding weakening that allows the flexible support structure 20 to flex in response to the radial bearing 10 being loaded by the collar 11.
[0029] In the version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, the flexible support structure 20 comprises a ring 25 attached to the inner circumferential surface of the bearing house 9 and an annular flange 26 attached to the ring 25.
[0030] In the version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, the radial bearing 10 is supported by an annular flange 26. In the version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, the ring 25 together with the annular flange 26 form a flexible support structure 20 that allows the radial bearing 10 to flex in response to loading by the collar 11. This means, for example, that the angle between the ring 25 and the annular flange 26 can change in response to tilting of the collar 11 inside the bearing house 9.
[0031] The radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, made at least in part from an elastically compressible material, so that the material of the radial bearing 10 can be elastically compressed in response to the radial bearing 10 being loaded by the collar 11, for example in response to tilting of the collar 11 inside the bearing house 9.
[0032] The radial bearing 10 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a plurality of radial sliding pads 15 that form the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10 .
[0033] When the radial bearing 10 has a plurality of radial sliding pads 15 forming the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10, at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, releasably positioned within the bearing house 9.
[0034] When the radial bearing 10 includes a plurality of radial sliding pads 15 forming the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10, the radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, adjustable relative to the axis of rotation XX. Adjusting the radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 may be necessary, for example, as a result of wear of the at least one radial sliding pad 15. The radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 may be adjustable relative to the axis of rotation XX by a screw device 21, as in the third version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in FIG. 4. The radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 may be adjustable relative to the axis of rotation XX by a wedge device 22, as in the third version of the first bearing 5 illustrated in FIG. 5. Adjusting the radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10 may be necessary, for example, as a result of wear of the at least one radial sliding pad 15. The propulsion unit may be provided with a wear sensor (not shown) configured to monitor the condition of the at least one of the radial sliding pads 15.
[0035] If the radial bearing 10 comprises a plurality of radial sliding pads 15 forming the annular sliding surface 14 of the radial bearing 10, the radial sliding parts 15 of the radial bearing 10 are preferably, but not necessarily, releasably supported on first seats 29 of a first support 16 which can be rotated about a rotation axis XX, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 8, and the bearing house 9 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with an openable hatch 19, in which the first support 16 is rotatable about the rotation axis XX relative to the openable hatch 19 to a position that makes it possible to remove the radial sliding pads 15 from the first seats 29 of the first support 16 and then remove them from the bearing house 9, and to insert the sliding pads 15 into the bearing house 9 and then insert them into the first seats 29 of the first support 16. The first support 16 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises releasable locking means (not shown) for releasably locking the rotational position of the first support 16 relative to the bearing housing 9 and relative to the axis of rotation XX during normal operation of the propulsion unit.
[0036] The openable hatch 19 provides access to parts of the radial bearing 10, such as the sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10, from inside the housing 1. This means that parts of the radial bearing 10, such as the sliding pads 15 of the radial bearing 10, can be inspected and / or replaced without the vessel having to be dry-docked.
[0037] The resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8 is preferably, but not necessarily, releasably positioned within the bearing house 9 .
[0038] When the sliding piece 12 loaded with the elastic biasing means 30 of the thrust bearing 8 is releasably positioned in the bearing house 9, the sliding piece 12 loaded with the elastic biasing means 30 on one side of the collar 11 is preferably, but not necessarily, supported in a releasably manner on a second base 23 of a second support 17 which can be rotated about a rotation axis XX, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, and the bearing house 9 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with an openable hatch 19, wherein the second support 17 is rotatable about the rotation axis XX relative to the openable hatch 19 to a position which allows the sliding piece 12 to be removed from the second base 23 of the second support 17 and then removed from the bearing house 9, and which allows the sliding piece 12 to be inserted into the bearing house 9 and then inserted into the second base 23 of the second support 17. The second support 17 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises releasable locking means (not shown) for releasably locking the rotational position of the second support 17 relative to the bearing housing 9 and relative to the axis of rotation XX during normal operation of the propulsion unit.
[0039] The openable hatch 19 provides access to parts of the thrust bearing 8, such as the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8, from inside the housing 1. This means that parts of the thrust bearing 8, such as the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8, can be inspected and / or replaced without the vessel having to be dry-docked.
[0040] When the sliding piece 12 loaded with the elastic biasing means 30 of the thrust bearing 8 is releasably positioned in the bearing house 9, the sliding piece 12 loaded with the elastic biasing means 30 on the opposite side of the collar 11 is preferably, but not necessarily, supported in a third base 24 of a third support 18 that can be rotated about a rotation axis XX, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 9, and the bearing house 9 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with an openable hatch 19, wherein the third support 18 is rotatable about the rotation axis XX relative to the openable hatch 19 to a position that allows the sliding piece 12 to be removed from the third base 24 of the third support 18 and then removed from the bearing house 9, and the sliding piece 12 to be inserted into the bearing house 9 and then inserted into the third base 24 of the third support 18. The third support 18 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises releasable locking means (not shown) for releasably locking the rotational position of the third support 18 relative to the bearing housing 9 and relative to the axis of rotation XX during normal operation of the propulsion unit.
[0041] The openable hatch 19 provides access to parts of the thrust bearing 8, such as the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8, from inside the housing 1. This means that parts of the thrust bearing 8, such as the resilient biasing means 30 loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8, can be inspected and / or replaced without the vessel having to be dry-docked.
[0042] Where the propulsion unit comprises a first support 16, a second support 17 and a third support 18 as presented, at least two of the first support 16, the second support 17 and the third support 18 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected together for rotation about an axis of rotation XX. Releasable locking means (not shown) are preferably, but not necessarily, provided for releasably locking the rotational position of said at least two of the first support 16, the second support 17 and the third support 18 relative to the bearing housing 9 and relative to the axis of rotation XX during normal operation of the propulsion unit.
[0043] Where the propulsion unit comprises the first support 16, the second support 17 and the third support 18 as presented, the first support 16, the second support 17 and the third support 18 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected together for rotation about the axis of rotation XX, such as in the fifth embodiment of the first bearing 5 illustrated in Figure 6. Releasable locking means (not shown) are preferably, but not necessarily, provided for releasably locking the rotational positions of the first support 16, the second support 17 and the third support 18 relative to the bearing housing 9 and relative to the axis of rotation XX during normal operation of the propulsion unit.
[0044] The loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8 is supported within the bearing house 9 so that the collar 11 rotates relative to the loaded sliding piece 12 of the thrust bearing 8 when the collar 11 rotates with the propeller shaft 4.
[0045] The annular running surface 14 of the radial bearing 10 is supported within the bearing house 9 so that the collar 11 rotates relative to the annular running surface 14 of the radial bearing 10 when the collar 11 rotates with the propeller shaft 4 .
[0046] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic concept of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but may vary within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. a housing (1) supported by a support arm (2) on a hull (3) of a vessel, the housing (1) having a first end (E1) and a second end (E2) opposite to the first end (E1) in a longitudinal direction of the housing (1); a propeller shaft (4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing (1) within the housing (1), wherein the propeller shaft (4) has a rotation axis (X-X) and is rotatably supported within the housing (1) by a first bearing (5) and a second bearing (6); a propeller 7 attached to one end of the propeller shaft (4) outside the housing (1); Equipped with The first bearing (5) comprises a thrust bearing (8) positioned and supported in a bearing house (9); The first bearing (5) comprises a radial bearing (10) which is a sliding bearing; the first bearing (5) rotates with the propeller shaft (4) and includes a collar (11) protruding radially outward from the propeller shaft (4); The collar (11) is rotatably supported in the bearing house by the sliding pieces (12) of the thrust bearing (8) loaded with the elastic biasing means (30) so that the collar (11) is positioned between the sliding pieces (12) of the thrust bearing (8) loaded with the elastic biasing means (30) in the axial direction (X-X). In the propulsion unit, The radial bearing (10) is positioned and supported in the bearing house (9); the radial bearing (10) is at least partially positioned in the axial direction (X-X) between the elastically biasing means (30)-loaded sliding pieces (12) of the thrust bearing (8) such that the peripheral surface (13) of the collar (11) is rotatably supported in the bearing house (9) on the annular sliding surface (14) of the radial bearing (10); A propulsion unit characterized by:
2. The radial bearing (10) is completely positioned between the sliding pieces (12) of the thrust bearing (8) loaded with the elastic biasing means (30) in the axial direction (X-X). The propulsion unit of claim 1 .
3. the radial bearing is characterized in that the elastic biasing means (30) of the thrust bearing (8) is positioned radially outside of the loaded sliding piece (12); A propulsion unit according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The radial bearing (10) is supported on a flexible support structure (20) in the bearing house (9). A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. the radial bearing is at least partially made of an elastically compressible material; A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The radial bearing (10) is characterized by comprising a plurality of radial sliding pads (15) forming the annular sliding surface (14) of the radial bearing (10). A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. At least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads (15) of the radial bearing (10) is releasably positioned within the bearing house (9). A propulsion unit according to claim 6.
8. The radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads (15) of the radial bearing (10) is adjustable relative to the rotation axis (X-X). A propulsion unit according to claim 6 or 7.
9. the radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads (15) of the radial bearing (10) is adjustable with respect to the rotation axis (X-X) by a screw device (21); A propulsion unit according to claim 8.
10. the radial position of at least one of the plurality of radial sliding pads (15) of the radial bearing (10) is adjustable with respect to the rotation axis (X-X) by a wedge device (22); A propulsion unit according to claim 8 or 9.
11. the radial sliding element (15) of the radial bearing (10) is releasably supported on a first seat (29) of a first support (16) that can be rotated about the rotation axis (X-X); The bearing house (9) is provided with an openable / closable hatch (19); the first support part (16) is rotatable about the rotation axis (X-X) relative to the openable hatch (19) to a position where the radial sliding pad (15) can be removed from the first base (29) of the first support part (16) and then removed from the bearing house (9), and the sliding pad (15) can be inserted into the bearing house (9) and then inserted into the first base (29) of the first support part (16); Propulsion unit according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by:
12. the elastic biasing means (30) of the thrust bearing (8) is characterized in that the loaded sliding piece (12) is releasably positioned in the bearing house (9); A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. a sliding piece (12) loaded with the elastic biasing means (30) on one side of the collar (11) is releasably supported on a second seat (23) of a second support part (17) which can be rotated about the rotation axis (X-X); The bearing house (9) is provided with an openable / closable hatch (19); the second support part (17) is rotatable about the rotation axis (X-X) relative to the openable hatch (19) to a position where the sliding piece (12) can be removed from the second base (23) of the second support part (17) and then removed from the bearing house (9), and the sliding piece (12) can be inserted into the bearing house (9) and then inserted into the second base (23) of the second support part (17); 13. The propulsion unit according to claim 12, characterized by:
14. the sliding piece (12) loaded with the elastic biasing means (30) opposite the collar (11) is releasably supported in a third seat (24) of a third support (18) which can be rotated about the rotation axis (X-X); The bearing house (9) is provided with an openable / closable hatch (19); the third support part (18) is rotatable about the rotation axis (X-X) relative to the openable hatch (19) to a position where the sliding piece (12) can be removed from the third base (24) of the third support part (18) and then removed from the bearing house (9), and the sliding piece (12) can be inserted into the bearing house (9) and then inserted into the third base (24) of the third support part (18); 14. A propulsion unit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by:
15. characterised in that at least two of the first support (16), the second support (17) and the third support (18) are connected together to rotate about the axis of rotation (X-X), A propulsion unit according to claim 14, dependent on claim 11 and dependent on claim 13.
16. the load-type sliding piece (12) of the thrust bearing (8) is supported in the bearing house (9) such that the collar (11) rotates relative to the load-type sliding piece (12) of the thrust bearing (8) when the collar (11) rotates with the propeller shaft (4); A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
17. 17. A propulsion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the annular sliding surface (14) of the radial bearing (10) is supported in the bearing house (9) such that the collar (11) rotates relative to the annular sliding surface (14) of the radial bearing (10) when the collar (11) rotates together with the propeller shaft (4).