US3820338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive system for ships with main and auxiliary engines for additionally driving an electric generator
Assignee: Mannesmann Meer AG
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Filing: 1973-02-20
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A power plant for ships with main and auxiliary engines, a main gear box, a superimposing gear and a generator. The auxiliary engine can drive the ship and/or the generator in case of main engine failure or stopping for other reasons. The superimposing gear keeps the generator speed constant when driven from the main engine. The superimposing gear has its two input shafts governed by clutches, and additional couplings determine the path of torque transmission from the auxiliary engine.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hiersig
- 👤 G Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:58
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D25/00; B; B63; B63H; B63H23/00; B63H23/02; B63H23/10; B63H23/18; B63J; B63J3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Drive and power plant for ships, comprising: a main engine; a transmission gear box with input shaft and auxiliary shaft, the gear box being drivingly connected to the propeller of the ship; a first clutch connecting the main engine to the input shaft; an auxiliary engine; a superimposing gear having first, second and third externally accessible shaft; a generator connected to the first shaft; a second clutch connecting the auxiliary shaft to said second shaft; a third clutch connecting the auxiliary engine to the third shaft; auxiliary motion means providing compensating rotation and being coupled to the superimposing gear, the superimposing gear combining the rotary motion of the auxiliary motion means with the rotation of the second shaft when driven by the main engine via said auxiliary shaft, to drive the first shaft and the generator at constant speed; and first clutch and transmission means for drivingly connecting the third shaft to the second shaft, so that the auxiliary engine drives said auxiliary shaft via said second clutch, for driving the propeller when the main engine is at rest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Drive and power plant for ships, comprising: a main engine; a transmission gear box with input shaft and auxiliary shaft, the gear box being drivingly connected to the propeller of the ship; a first clutch connecting the main engine to the input shaft; an auxiliary engine; a superimposing gear having first, second and third externally accessible shaft; a generator connected to the first shaft; a second clutch connecting the auxiliary shaft to said second shaft; a third clutch connecting the auxiliary engine to the third shaft; auxiliary motion means providing compensating rotation and being coupled to the superimposing gear, the superimposing gear combining the rotary motion of the auxiliary motion means with the rotation of the second shaft when driven by the main engine via said auxiliary shaft, to drive the first shaft and the generator at constant speed; and first clutch and transmission means for drivingly connecting the third shaft to the second shaft, so that the auxiliary engine drives said auxiliary shaft via said second clutch, for driving the propeller when the main engine is at rest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 1, including second clutch and transmission means connecting said third shaft to said first shaft so that the auxiliary engine drives the generator when motive power is not applied to the second shaft by the gear box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 2, the second clutch and transmission means including a first gear, a clutch connecting the gear to the third shaft, a second gear meshing the first gear and being drivingly connected to the first shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 1, wherein the superimposing gear includes a planetary gear with sun wheel, planetary gears, carrier and ring gears, the ring gear being drivingly connected to said first shaft, the sun wheel connected to the first shaft via a driving train, the said auxiliary motion means driving said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 4, the said auxiliary motion means including a hydrostatic pump driven through said driving train; a hydro-engine fed by said pump; and a speed governor controlling the hydro-engine to obtain said compensating rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 1, said first clutch and transmission means including a pinion on the third shaft; a gear meshing the pinion; and a clutch for coupling the latter gear to the second shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Drive and power plant as in claim 1, wherein the said auxiliary motion means including a hydromotor; a hydrostatic pump feeding the hydro-engine; and a speed governor controlling the pump in accordance with compensating rotation needed to obtain constant generator speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
Drive and power plant for ships having a main engine, a gear box connecting the main engine to the propeller and having an auxiliary shaft, the plant further having an auxiliary engine and an electric generator, the improvement of a motion superimposing gear means comprising: a first driving train connecting the auxiliary shaft to the generator for driving the generator; means for superimposing additional motion upon the driving train to obtain constant speed of the generator; a bypass drive train connecting the auxiliary engine to the auxiliary shaft to drive the auxiliary shaft, the gear box and the propeller when the main engine is not operating, the first driving train including means to disconnect the auxiliary shaft from the generator; and additional transmission means including part of the first driving train for connecting the auxiliary engine to the generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
Drive and power plant for ships having a main engine, a gear box connecting the main engine to the propeller and having an auxiliary shaft, the plant further having an auxiliary engine and an electric generator, the improvement of a motion superimposing gear means comprising: a first driving train connecting the auxiliary shaft to the generator for driving the generator; means for superimposing additional motion upon the driving train to obtain constant speed of the generator; a bypass drive train connecting the auxiliary engine to the auxiliary shaft to drive the auxiliary shaft, the gear box and the propeller when the main engine is not operating, the first driving train including means to disconnect the auxiliary shaft from the generator; and additional transmission means including part of the first driving train for connecting the auxiliary engine to the generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a power plant for ships having a main engine, a geAr box coupled to the main engine, a propeller shaft coupled to the gear box for being driven by the main engine, an auxiliary engine and a generator, the gear box having an auxiliary shaft for transmission of torque in either direction, the improvement comprising: a planetary gear having a ring gear with input shaft, a sun wheel and a planetary gear carrier with planetary gears meshing the sun wheel and the ring gear; first clutch means connecting the ring gear to the auxiliary shaft; auxiliary motion means connected to the carrier to provide motion thereto so that the sun wheel rotates at constant speed; a gear train coupling the sun wheel to the generator; a shaft connected to the auxiliary engine; first clutch and gear means coupling the shaft to the gear train; and second clutch and gear means coupling the shaft to the input shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a power plant for ships having a main engine, a geAr box coupled to the main engine, a propeller shaft coupled to the gear box for being driven by the main engine, an auxiliary engine and a generator, the gear box having an auxiliary shaft for transmission of torque in either direction, the improvement comprising: a planetary gear having a ring gear with input shaft, a sun wheel and a planetary gear carrier with planetary gears meshing the sun wheel and the ring gear; first clutch means connecting the ring gear to the auxiliary shaft; auxiliary motion means connected to the carrier to provide motion thereto so that the sun wheel rotates at constant speed; a gear train coupling the sun wheel to the generator; a shaft connected to the auxiliary engine; first clutch and gear means coupling the shaft to the gear train; and second clutch and gear means coupling the shaft to the input shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |