APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROTATING A SHAFT

• US 20100095791A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mactaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited
• Original Assignee: Mactaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited
• Inventors: GALLOWAY, ERIC
• Granted Patent: US 9,809,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/380
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2023/348 with turning or inching gear, i.e. with means for slowly rotating, or for angularly positioning of shafts or propulsive elements mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 23/06 for transmitting drive from a single propulsion power unit
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 23/10 for transmitting drive from more than one propulsion power unit
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 23/30 characterised by use of clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 23/32 Other parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19502 Pivotally supported

Abstract

Turning gear apparatus for rotating a shaft comprises a rotary drive arrangement and a transmission system including a pivot arm. The rotary drive arrangement is fixed, for example to a vessel hull, and the pivot arm is pivotable between a first, shaft-disengaged, position and a second, shaft-engaged position where the rotary drive arrangement is operably coupled to the shaft, thereby permitting control over rotation of the shaft by the rotary drive arrangement.

Claims

1. Turning gear apparatus for rotating a shaft, the apparatus comprising:

a rotary drive arrangement adapted to be fixed to a vessel hull; and

a transmission system coupled to the rotary drive arrangement, the transmission system adapted to be pivoted to engage with the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft by the rotary drive arrangement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission system is substantially balanced about a drive shaft axis of the rotary drive arrangement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first driven member coupled to the rotary drive arrangement, the first driven member being adapted for rotation by the rotary drive arrangement.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rotary drive arrangement is operably coupled to the transmission system via the first driven member.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmission system comprises a second driven member adapted to be driven by the first driven member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second driven members are engaged to facilitate alignment between the second driven member and the shaft during pivoting of the transmission system relative to the shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second driven member is adapted to orbit the first driven member on pivoting of the transmission system.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second driven members comprises a gear.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second driven member is adapted to engage a further driven member on the shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the further driven member comprises a gear provided on the shaft, whereby rotation of the second driven member drives rotation of the shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configurable to pivot the transmission system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of:

a screw jack;

a hydraulic ram; and

a pneumatic actuator.

13. A method of rotating a shaft, the method comprising:

pivoting a transmission system between a first disengaged position and a second, shaft engaging position; and

operating a rotary drive arrangement which is coupled to the transmission system and which is fixed to a vessel hull to permit rotation of the shaft via the transmission system.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising moving the transmission system between the first, disengaged, position and the second, engaged, position in a single stage.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising moving the transmission system between the first, disengaged, position and the second, engaged, position in a plurality of stages.