Ship's propulsion arrangement as well as a method and means related thereto

Abstract

The present invention relates to an installation arrangement for a ship's propulsion unit comprising a modular motor unit ( 1 ) located outside the ship's body. Said motor unit comprises a motor ( 25 ) and a propeller ( 5 ) and it is intended to be connected to a structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship. At the end ( 7 ) opposite to said propeller ( 5 ) said motor unit ( 1 ) comprises fitting means arranged for fitting said motor unit ( 1 ) longitudinally to corresponding fitting means ( 6, 12 ) arranged at said structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship. The present invention also relates to a method in this context, according to which method said motor unit ( 1 ) is fitted, by the use of a longitudinal displacement in the direction of the motor's shaft ( 26 ), to a fitting piece comprising a connector plug means ( 12 ) which co-operates with corresponding means at said motor unit for supplying electrical power to the motor. The present invention also relates to a connector plug means comprising flexible connector means embedded in an insulating material.

1 . An installation arrangement for a ship's propulsion assembly comprising a modular housing structure i.e. a motor unit ( 1 ) located outside the ship's body, said housing structure comprising a motor ( 25 ) and a propeller ( 5 ), the housing structure being intended for fitting to a structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship, characterized in that said housing structure ( 1 ) comprises, at the end ( 7 ) opposite to said propeller ( 5 ), first fitting means arranged for fitting said housing structure ( 1 ) longitudinally to corresponding second fitting means ( 6 ,  6   a ,  8 ,  11 ,  12 ,  20 ,  20   a ) arranged at said structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship.  
     
     
         2 . An arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , characterized in that said housing structure ( 1 ) is fitted as an essentially closed motor unit structure, from the fitting means ( 6 ,  6   a ,  11 ,  20 ,  20   a ) of which at least some ( 12 ) also constitute thoroughpass channels ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ) for wiring/piping for supplying, control and monitoring functions for the motor ( 25 ) and related devices located in said housing structure ( 1 ).  
     
     
         3 . An arrangement as defined in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the fitting means ( 12 ) of the housing structure ( 1 ) are arranged at an end wall ( 7 ) of the housing structure ( 1 ) opposite to the propeller ( 5 ).  
     
     
         4 . An arrangement as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that said fitting means ( 6 ,  6   a .  8 ,  11 ,  12 ,  20 ,  20   a ) arranged at said structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship include essentially plug-like means ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  18 ), which function together with corresponding means arranged at said housing structure ( 1 ) to constitute said thoroughpass channels ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ).  
     
     
         5 . An arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , characterized in that said plug-like devices ( 18 ) include flexible fitting and transformation means ( 22 ) embedded in an insulating material ( 17 ), where said insulating material ( 17 ) at the same time forms resilient means for said fitting and adaptation means ( 22 ), and favorably so that the insulating material ( 17 ) also functions as a primary insulator against the space outside ( 21 ) for electricity or a flowing medium passing through the plug arrangement ( 18 ).  
     
     
         6 . An arrangement as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the fitting means ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ,  20 ,  20   a ) arranged at said structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship include a fitting piece ( 6 ,  6   a ), which on one side, or in an opposite disposition on both sides, comprise installation fittings ( 8 ,  11 ,  20 ,  20   a ), for the housing structure's fastening means, favorably flange means ( 20 ,  20   a ) for installation bolts to be installed from the direction of the fitting piece ( 6 ,  6   a ) to the housing structure ( 1 ), or for similar fastening means.  
     
     
         7 . An arrangement as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that a bearing ( 24 ) for a shaft ( 26 ) of said motor ( 25 ) in the housing structure ( 1 ) is arranged so that the cooling of said bearing ( 24 ) can at least partially be realized by means of the water outside the propulsion device, favorably so that the bearing is arranged to the proximity of said end wall ( 7 ), when said fitting piece ( 6 ,  6   a ) of said structure connected to the ship, especially of an arm structure ( 3 ) extending outwards from the ship is, respectively, arranged to include water flow openings ( 10 ) for guiding cooling water to the inside ( 21 ) of said fitting piece and/or to said bearing ( 24 ).  
     
     
         8 . A method for a installing a motor unit ( 1 ) of a propulsion device to a structure connected to a ship, especially to an arm structure ( 3 ) extending outwards from the ship, and, respectively, for removing said unit therefrom, characterized in that said motor unit ( 1 ) is fitted to a fitting piece ( 6 ,  6   a ) included in said structure or separately arranged at said structure, which structure is connected to the ship, or respectively removed therefrom, wherein said fitting or removal is effected by means of a generally longitudinal displacement in the direction of the motor's shaft ( 26 ) so that cooperating connector plug means ( 18 ) at said fitting piece ( 6 ,  6   a ) and, respectively, at one end wall ( 7 ) of the motor unit ( 1 ) are essentially simultaneously brought to constitute a connection ( 13 ) between said structure ( 3 ) connected to the ship and said motor unit ( 1 ), for supplying electric power to the motor or, respectively, brought to open such connection.  
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 8 , characterized in forming or, respectively, in opening any connections ( 14 ,  15 ) required for controlling of other functions of the motor unit or the like or for supplying any medium thereto, in parallel with forming the electric power supply ( 13 ), favorably by using parallel, essentially corresponding connector plug means ( 18 ).  
     
     
         10 . A connector plug arrangement ( 18 ) for transmitting at difficult conditions especially electricity and/or a flowing medium between two devices that can be interconnected and, respectively, detached from each other, characterized in that the arrangement comprises flexible fitting and transition means ( 22 ) embedded in an insulating material ( 17 ), where the insulating material ( 17 ) also forms resilient means for said fitting and adaptation means.  
     
     
         11 . An arrangement as defined in  claim 10 , characterized in that said insulating material ( 17 ) also functions as a insulator against the space outside ( 21 ) for the electricity or flowing medium passing through the plug arrangement ( 18 ).