Retractable thruster

摘要

A propulsion assembly of a ship or floating platform includes a housing within a hull or platform. The housing is watertight except for an opening external to the hull. A stationary motor is arranged in the hull external to the housing. A thruster is external to the hull to generate thrust on the ship or floating platform. A telescopic driving shaft passes sealingly through a housing wall to connect the motor and the thruster and to transmit movement from the motor to the thruster. The thruster retracts within the housing through the opening. A separate submersible movable hatch is disconnectable from the thruster and the housing and passes externally to the hull, and seals the opening to form a watertight closed chamber. A fluid evacuation device evacuates fluid within the closed chamber so the thruster, when retracted in the housing and closed by the hatch, forms the closed chamber.

主权项

1. A ship or floating platform propulsion assembly, comprising
a hull insert, or trunk, forming a housing, or propeller case, located within a hull of a ship or platform; said housing being watertight with respect to the hull in all walls thereof, except for an opening externally to the hull of the ship or platform; a motor; said motor being arranged in said hull, but externally to said housing, and being arranged stationary with respect to said hull; a thruster arranged externally to said hull to generate a propulsion thrust on said ship or floating platform; a telescopic driving shaft passing through and forming a seal with one of the walls of said housing to operatively connect said motor and said thruster and to transmit movement from the motor to the thruster for the movement of said thruster; said thruster being retractable within said housing passing through said opening; a submersible movable hatch in a separate piece and completely disconnectable from said thruster and said housing; said movable hatch passing externally to said hull, and sealing and closing said opening of said housing, closing said housing and forming a watertight closed chamber; a fluid evacuation device for evacuating fluid, which is present within said closed chamber, so as to arrange said thruster, when retracted in said housing closed by said hatch to form said closed chamber, at least partially in air.