Propulsion unit and vessel comprising the propulsion unit
AssigneeMaersk A/S
InventorToby Charles Austin-Fraser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a propulsion unit for propelling a vessel. The propulsion unit comprises a main body configured to be arranged at a keel of the vessel and comprising a pivot point, a fin being movably arranged in relation to the main body, and an actuator assembly for generating a heave motion of the fin in relation to the main body. The actuator assembly comprises at least one actuator. The fin is connected to the pivot point, such that the fin is arranged to pivot around the pivot point when the at least one actuator generates the heave motion of the fin, thereby generating a pitch motion of the fin.
Claims13
A propulsion unit for propelling a vessel, the propulsion unit comprising:
- a main body configured to be arranged at a keel of the vessel and comprising a pivot point,
- a fin being movably arranged in relation to the main body, and
- an actuator assembly for generating a heave motion of the fin in relation to the main body, the actuator assembly comprising at least one actuator,
- wherein the fin is connected to the pivot point such that the fin is arranged to pivot around the pivot point when the at least one actuator generates the heave motion of the fin, thereby generating a pitch motion of the fin,
- wherein the actuator assembly comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein the pivot point is connected to the second actuator such that the pivot point is movably arranged in relation to the main body, and
- wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are independently operable in relation to each other, so that a phase difference between the heave motion and the pitch motion of the fin is variable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.