Ship Propulsion Motor Housing Support Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ship propulsion units face challenges in effectively cooling electrical motors and providing rigid support for the motor housing section within a shell structure while ensuring exposure to water for cooling.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one supporting metal sheet between the support section and the cylindrical outer surface of the motor housing section, which is fastened to both the support section and the cylindrical outer surface, allowing water to contact both sides of the sheet and providing additional support and cooling for the motor housing section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the motor housing section is rigidly supported to the support section, then structural integrity is improved, but water flow and cooling efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thin metal sheet is introduced as an intermediary element between the support section and motor housing section. This thin film structure provides mechanical connection and structural support while maintaining water flow pathways, allowing cooling water to access both sides of the metal sheet and efficiently remove heat from the motor housing section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Temperature

If the cylindrical outer surface is fully exposed to water, then cooling efficiency is improved, but structural support deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructural support
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented by introducing a separate metal sheet element rather than using a solid continuous connection. This segmentation allows water to flow around and contact both sides of the metal sheet, maintaining cooling efficiency while the metal sheet itself provides the necessary structural support connection between the support section and motor housing section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures effective cooling of the electrical motor by exposing most of the cylindrical outer surface to water while maintaining secure attachment of the motor housing section to the support section, facilitating efficient heat dissipation and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

water surrounding the shell structure is in contact with both the first side surface and the second side surface of said at least one supporting metal sheet... provides therefore for effective cooling of the electrical motor in the motor housing section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2824028B2Ship's propulsion unit
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 ABB OY
  • EP2824028B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2824028B2 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2824028B2 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a ship's propulsion unit such as a ship's azimuthing propulsion unit. The propulsion unit comprises at least one supporting metal sheet (12) arranged between an support section (11) of a shell structure (1) of the propulsion unit and an cylindrical outer surface (10) of a cylindrical section (9) of a motor housing section (8) of the shell structure (1) for providing additional support for the motor housing section (8) of the shell structure (1) at the shell structure (1) of the support section (11).