Oy Wartsila Ab

Abb Azipod Oy

Kari Laukia

Heikki Sipila

Markus Hjerppe

Torbjorn Henriksson

Martti Palokangas

Rurik Nyman

Esa Rane

A ship propulsion unit includes a propeller pod (14) provided with a propulsion propeller (15) and a turnable shaft (2) attached to the propulsion pod. The turnable shaft is journalled in the hull (1) of the ship by a rotation bearing (4) mounted in the hull and a rotation mechanism (3) mounted in the hull is coupled to the turnable shaft for turning the shaft. A seal (5) is provided in an annular space (9) between the turnable shaft and the hull for protecting the rotation bearing and the rotation mechanism. The propulsion unit is releasably attached to the hull by an attachment mechanism (6) which holds the propulsion unit in an operative position relative to the hull. A support arrangement (7, 8; 11, 12, 13) supports the propulsion unit at a position below its operative position when the attachment mechanism is released.

Propulsion unit

The invention relates to a method for preventing leaks in a propeller shaft bearing arrangement including a plain bearing (2), which is lubricated with oil or water and which supports the propeller shaft (1) extending through an opening in the body (4) of a hull, and packing members (6,7) for keeping the lubricant in the lubrication space and for preventing water from entering the bearing arrangement. According to the invention, the pressure vibrations occuring in the lubricant are equalized arranging, in the lubrication space, a medium possessing a high compressibility, which medium by means of changes in volume receives and equalizes said pressure vibrations.

Propeller shaft bearing arrangement

The invention relates to a method for preventing leaks in a propeller shaft bearing arrangement including a plain bearing (2), which is lubricated with oil or water and which supports the propeller shaft (1) extending through an opening in the body (4) of a hull, and packing members (6,7) for keeping the lubricant in the lubrication space and for preventing water from entering the bearing arrangement. The pressure vibrations occuring in the lubricant are equalized by arranging, in the lubrication space, a medium prossesing a high compressiblility, which medium through changes in volume receives and equalizes said pressure vibrations.

Growing community of inventors

Espoo, Finland

Kari Laukia