Transmission system for pod system of marine vessel

Abstract

A transmission system includes a housing, an input shaft, a first bearing, a second bearing, and a hydraulic pump. The housing defines a hydraulic circuit therein. The input shaft rotatably disposed within the housing. The first bearing and the second bearing are mounted on the input shaft, and are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the input shaft. The hydraulic pump is disposed between the first bearing and the second bearing. The hydraulic pump is further disposed in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A transmission system comprising:
 a housing defining a hydraulic circuit therein;   an input shaft rotatably disposed within the housing;   a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the input shaft, the first and second bearings being spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the input shaft; and   a hydraulic pump disposed between the first bearing and the second bearing, the hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The transmission system of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic pump comprises:
 a first rotor rigidly mounted on the input shaft; and   a second rotor disposed within the housing, wherein the second rotor is configured to co-act with the first rotor to pump a hydraulic fluid.   
     
     
         3 . The transmission system of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic pump is a gerotor pump. 
     
     
         4 . The transmission system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are tapered roller bearings. 
     
     
         5 . The transmission system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are located at a first distance and a second distance from the hydraulic pump respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The transmission system of  claim 5 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are pre-determined based on an operational load of the input shaft and the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         7 . The transmission system of  claim 1 , wherein the input shaft further comprises a first gear component mounted at an end thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The transmission system of  claim 7  further comprising a first power transmission shaft having a second gear component and a third gear component mounted thereon, the second gear component and the third gear component selectively engaged with the first gear component by a first clutch and a second clutch respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The transmission system of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to actuate the first clutch and the second clutch by hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         10 . A pod system for a marine vessel, the pod system comprising:
 an engine having an output shaft; and   a transmission system comprising:
 a housing defining a hydraulic circuit therein; 
 an input shaft coupled to the output shaft of the engine, the input shaft rotatably disposed within the housing; 
 a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the input shaft, the first and second bearings being spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the input shaft; and 
 a hydraulic pump disposed between the first bearing and the second bearing, the hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit. 
   
     
     
         11 . The pod system of  claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic pump comprises:
 a first rotor rigidly mounted on the input shaft; and   a second rotor disposed within the housing, wherein the second rotor is configured to co-act with the first rotor to pump a hydraulic fluid.   
     
     
         12 . The pod system of  claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic pump is a gerotor pump. 
     
     
         13 . The pod system of  claim 10 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are tapered roller bearings. 
     
     
         14 . The pod system of  claim 10 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are located at a first distance, and a second distance from the hydraulic pump respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The pod system of  claim 14 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are pre-determined based on an operational load of the input shaft and the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         16 . The pod system of  claim 10 , wherein the input shaft further comprises a first gear component mounted at an end thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The pod system of  claim 16  further comprising a first power transmission shaft having a second gear component and a third gear component mounted thereon, the second gear component and the third gear component selectively engaged with the first gear component by a first clutch and a second clutch respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The pod system of  claim 17 , wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to actuate the first clutch and the second clutch by hydraulic pressure.