Vessel with retractable motor/generator assembly

Abstract

Vessel comprising a motor/generator assembly ( 10 ), the motor/generator assembly ( 10 ) comprising a drive unit ( 11 ) and a propeller ( 12 ) attached to the drive unit ( 11 ) for providing propulsion to the vessel ( 1 ) or for generating electric power. The assembly ( 10 ) further comprises an attachment arm ( 13 ), the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) being attached to one end of the attachment arm ( 13 ), and an other end of the attachment arm ( 13 ) being attached to the vessel ( 1 ) by means of an actuator ( 15 ). The actuator ( 15 ) is arranged to extend the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) into the water and to retract the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) from the water.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A vessel comprising a motor/generator assembly ( 10 ), the motor/generator assembly ( 10 ) comprising a drive unit ( 11 ) and a propeller ( 12 ) attached to the drive unit ( 11 ) for providing propulsion to the vessel ( 1 ) or for generating electric power,
 in which the assembly ( 10 ) further comprises an attachment arm ( 13 ), the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) being attached to one end of the attachment arm ( 13 ), and an other end of the attachment arm ( 13 ) being attached to the vessel ( 1 ) by means of an actuator ( 15 ), the actuator ( 15 ) being arranged to extend the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) into the water and to retract the drive unit ( 11 ) and propeller ( 12 ) from the water.   
     
     
         11 . The vessel of  claim 10 , in which the actuator ( 15 ) comprises a swiveling actuator ( 15 ) mounted above a water level of the vessel ( 1 ). 
     
     
         12 . The vessel of  claim 10 , in which the actuator ( 15 ) comprises a linear actuator mounted in a hull of the vessel ( 1 ). 
     
     
         13 . The vessel of  claim 10 , in which the attachment arm ( 13 ) has a streamlined shape. 
     
     
         14 . The vessel of  claim 10 , in which the drive unit ( 11 ) has a streamlined profile. 
     
     
         15 . The vessel of  claim 10 , in which the vessel ( 1 ) comprises two hulls ( 3 ,  4 ), both provided with a motor/generator assembly ( 10 ). 
     
     
         16 . The vessel of  claim 15 , in which the propellers ( 12 ) of the two motor/generator assemblies ( 10 ) are counter rotating. 
     
     
         17 . The vessel of  claim 10 , further comprising a motor/generator electronics unit ( 20 ) for controlling operation of the drive unit ( 11 ) and for converting electric energy,
 in which the motor/generator electronics unit ( 20 ) further comprises a heat exchanger ( 21 ,  22 ) for transporting heat energy from the motor/generator electronics unit ( 20 ) to further onboard systems ( 25 ).   
     
     
         18 . The vessel of  claim 17 , in which the motor/generator electronic unit ( 20 ) is further arranged to switch to a power generating mode when the electric motor ( 27 ) exceeds a preset rotation speed. 
     
     
         19 . The vessel of  claim 18 , in which the motor/generator electronics unit ( 20 ) is further arranged to be in a propelling mode up to a maximum speed of the electric motor ( 27 ).