A NEW PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR SHIPS

A new propulsion system is described eliminating the reduction gear aboard ships. The propulsion system consists of a hydraulic transmission located outside the ships hull driving the propeller. The transmission is of the axial flow type having both an axial flow pump and axial flow turbine. It is an open system using seawater as a transmission fluid. The propulsive thrust is divided between the propeller and the fluid discharge from the transmission turbine. By properly selecting pump and turbine configurations, the transmission ratio can be varied within wide limits. Variable vanes inside the transmission permit the change of the transmission ratio. A reversing mechanism can be incorporated in the transmission eliminating the need for the provision of conventional thrust reversing systems. The propulsion system lends itself to a variety of arrangements to meet ship design requirements.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Spring Meeting/STAR Symposium, New London, Connecticut, April 26-29, 1978. Available only in bound proceedings.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers

  601 Pavonia Avenue
  Jersey City, NJ  United States  07306-2907
• Authors:
  • Sheets, H E
• Publication Date: 1978

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Engine efficiency; Hydraulic transmissions; Machinery; Propellers; Propulsion; Pumps; Turbines; Vehicle drive systems; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Propulsion systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Axial flow machinery; Axial flow pumps; Propeller efficiency; Propulsive efficiency; Turbine drives
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00173999
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 18
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 3 1978 12:00AM