PROPULSION ARRANGEMENT

• US 20100105259A1
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Generator Technologies Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Generator Technologies Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mills, Cleveland, Al-Khayat, Nazar, Cartwright, Douglas Hay, Wejrzanowski, Krzysztof
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/3
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/202 of hybrid electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/02 from propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

A propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel is disclosed. The propulsion arrangement comprises an engine (12, 14) for propelling the vessel and an electrical machine (26, 28) coupled to the engine. The electrical machine is arranged to supply onboard electrical power for the vessel. A control unit (44) controls the electrical machine such that the electrical machine is selectively operable as a generator or a motor. The control unit and the electrical machine are arranged such that the electrical machine when operating as a motor can supplement the power of the engine while the engine is in operation. In one embodiment, the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged to provide active damping of the engine torque.

Claims

1-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel, the propulsion arrangement comprising:

an engine operable to propel the vessel;

an electrical machine coupled to the engine, the electrical machine being arranged to supply onboard electrical power for the vessel; and

a control unit which controls the electrical machine such that the electrical machine is selectively operable as a generator or a motor;

wherein the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged to provide active damping of the engine torque.

34. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the electrical machine is arranged to produce a torque which acts so as to reduce variations in the torque produced by the engine.

35. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the amount of torque produced by the electrical machine is variable within one cycle of the engine at least one operating speed.

36. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the torque produced by the electrical machine is varied during an engine cycle so as to reduce variations in the torque produced by the engine during the engine cycle.

37. An arrangement according to claim 33, further comprising means for measuring at least one engine parameter, and means for varying the torque of the electrical machine in dependence on the measured parameter.

38. An arrangement according to claim 37, wherein the parameter is engine speed or engine torque.

39. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the torque produced by the electrical machine has a frequency which varies with the speed of the engine.

40. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the waveform of the torque produced by the electrical machine varies with the speed of the engine.

41. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the electrical machine comprises a coupling integrated within the machine housing.

42. An arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the coupling is a flexible coupling for reducing vibration between the engine and propulsion mechanism.

43. An arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the coupling comprises a coupling plate at least partially constructed from a semi-rigid material.

44. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the electrical machine is a permanent magnet machine.

45. An arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged such that the electrical machine when operating as a motor can supplement the power of the engine while the engine is in operation.

46. A marine vessel comprising a propulsion arrangement, the propulsion arrangement comprising:

an engine operable to propel the vessel;

an electrical machine coupled to the engine, the electrical machine being arranged to supply onboard electrical power for the vessel; and

a control unit which controls the electrical machine such that the electrical machine is selectively operable as a generator or a motor;

wherein the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged to provide active damping of the engine torque.

47. A method of operating a propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel, the propulsion arrangement comprising an engine for propelling the vessel and an electrical machine coupled to the engine, the method comprising:

operating the electrical machine selectively as a generator or a motor;

supplying onboard electrical power from the electrical machine while the electrical machine is operating as a generator; and

operating the electrical machine to provide active damping of the engine torque.