| 摘要 |
In ships' propulsion means, if an auxiliary mechanism is connected to the propeller shaft between the propeller and the gearbox, longitudinal space is wasted. If, however, said shaft is extended through the gearbox to enable said mechanism to be connected to its forward end to avoid said waste, it has been impracticable to mount the gearbox flexibly on the hull to reduce vibration and noise. This problem is solved by providing the gearbox with a tubular output shaft 24 surrounding with clearance a forward zone of the propeller shaft extension 13 and connecting said output shaft to the propeller shaft by means of a tubular flexible coupling assembly 29, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37 surrounding with clearance an aft zone of said extension, said assembly being surrounded with clearance by a sleeve 17 connected to the propeller shaft and carrying a thrust bearing 21. The propeller shaft, extension and sleeve are journalled in bearings rigidly mounted on the hull, but the arrangement enables the gearbox including its output shaft to be unrestrictedly flexibly mounted thereon. <IMAGE> |
