Propulsion system for submarine

In a propulsion system operable to effect a rapid reversal maneuver of a ship:

• an adjustable speed prime mover rotatable in at least one direction;
• a reversible drive mechanism driven by said prime mover and including a fluid-cooled torque converter and speed reduction means;
• an energy-dissipating load selectively connectible to said drive mechanism;
• and
• a propeller driven by said drive mechanism;
• said load being operable when connected during a reversing maneuver after said prime mover speed is slowed, to dissipate kinetic energy from said drive mechanism and said propeller;
• said fluid-cooled torque converter being operable during a reversing maneuver after said load is disconnected and said drive mechanism is placed in reverse, and while said prime mover speed is being increased in said one direction of rotation, to be driven in reverse by said propeller while said ship moves in the original direction of travel, and to dissipate kinetic energy from said propeller until propeller rotation and ship movement cease, whereupon said torque converter drives said ship in reverse.

In a propulsion system operable to effect a rapid reversal maneuver of a ship powered by a steam generating plant:

• an adjustable speed steam turbine supplied with steam from said plant and rotatable in at least one direction;
• a fluid-cooled torque converter driven by said steam turbine;
• an electric alternator driven by said torque converter;
• a reversible electric motor connectable to be supplied with electric power from said alternator;
• a fluid-cooled electrical resistance load selectively connectable to said alternator and said motor;
• and
• a propeller driven by said electric motor;
• said resistance load being operable when connected during a reversing maneuver after said steam turbine speed is slowed, to dissipate kinetic energy from said alternator and said motor;
• said fluid-cooled torque converter being operable during a reversing maneuver after said resistance load is disconnected and said motor is connected in reverse, and while the steam turbine speed is being increased in said one direction of rotation, to be driven in reverse by said propeller while said ship moves in the original direction of travel, and to dissipate kinetic energy from said propeller until propeller rotation and ship movement cease, whereupon said torque converter drives said ship in reverse.

In a propulsion system operable to effect a rapid reversal maneuver of a ship powered by a steam generating plant:

• an adjustable speed steam turbine supplied with steam from said plant and rotatable in at least one direction;
• a fluid-cooled torque converter driven by said steam turbine;
• reversible speed reduction means including gears driven by said torque converter;
• an energy-dissipating load selectively connectable to said reversible speed reduction means;
• and
• a propeller driven by said reversible speed reduction means;
• said load being operable when connected during a reversing maneuver after the steam turbine speed is slowed, to dissipate kinetic energy from said reversible speed reduction means and said propeller;
• said fluid-cooled torque converter being operable during a reversing maneuver after said load is disconnected and said reversible speed reduction means is placed in reverse, and while the steam turbine speed is being increased in said one direction of rotation, to be driven in reverse by said propeller while said ship moves in the original direction of travel, and to dissipate kinetic energy from said propeller until propeller rotation and ship movement cease, whereupon said torque converter drives said ship in reverse.

In a propulsion system operable to effect a rapid reversal maneuver of a ship powered by a steam generating plant;

• an adjustable speed steam turbine supplied with steam from said plant and rotatable in at least one direction;
• a reversible fluid-cooled torque converter driven by said steam turbine;
• speed reduction means including gears driven by said torque converter;
• an energy-dissipating load selectively connectable to said speed reduction means;
• and
• a propeller driven by said speed reduction means;
• said load being operable when connected during a reversing maneuver after the steam turbine speed is slowed, to dissipate kinetic energy from said speed reduction means and said propeller;
• said fluid-cooled torque converter being operable during a reversing maneuver after said load is disconnected and said torque converter is placed in reverse, and while steam turbine speed is being increased in said one direction of rotation, to be driven in reverse by said propeller while said ship moves in the original direction of travel, and to dissipate kinetic energy from said propeller until propeller rotation and ship movement cease, whereupon said torque converter drives said ship in reverse.