Cycloidal marine propulsion unit and a marine vessel equipped therewith

A marine vessel, comprising a cycloidal marine propulsion unit including:

• a hollow rotary casing having a central axis, said rotary casing defining a central inner space with an opening at an axial end thereof;
• a mounting body for supporting the rotary casing on a hull of a marine vessel such that the rotary casing is rotatable about said central axis with respect to the hull, and such that the opening of the rotary casing is positioned within, and opens towards the hull, when in use;
• a rotating arrangement for rotating said hollow rotary casing;
• a plurality of blades extending axially from the rotary casing away from the hull, when in use, for rotation with the rotary casing about the central axis, wherein each blade is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rotary casing, about respective blade axes,
• wherein the rotating arrangement is configured to rotate the rotary casing by a circumference thereof, said rotating arrangement including a power transmission engaging the outer circumference of the hollow rotary casing,
• wherein a blade shaft portion of each blade is at least partly received within the central inner space so as to attach said blade to the rotary casing,
• wherein each blade is equipped with a separate respective blade actuator for actuating said pivotal movement, wherein said blade actuator is arranged within the central inner space of the rotary casing,
• wherein each blade actuator is an electric motor operationally coupled to a separate respective power converter for driving said blade actuator, and
• wherein the opening is dimensioned to allow entrance for maintenance personnel.