EP1213221A1 - Sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems - Google Patents
Sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1213221A1 EP1213221A1 EP01126239A EP01126239A EP1213221A1 EP 1213221 A1 EP1213221 A1 EP 1213221A1 EP 01126239 A EP01126239 A EP 01126239A EP 01126239 A EP01126239 A EP 01126239A EP 1213221 A1 EP1213221 A1 EP 1213221A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- pressure
- pod
- compressed air
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H23/00—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements
- B63H23/32—Other parts
- B63H23/321—Bearings or seals specially adapted for propeller shafts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
- B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
- B63H2005/075—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers using non-azimuthing podded propulsor units, i.e. podded units without means for rotation about a vertical axis, e.g. rigidly connected to the hull
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
- B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
- B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
- B63H2005/1254—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
- B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
- B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
- B63H2005/1254—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis
- B63H2005/1258—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis with electric power transmission to propellers, i.e. with integrated electric propeller motors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H23/00—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements
- B63H23/32—Other parts
- B63H23/321—Bearings or seals specially adapted for propeller shafts
- B63H2023/327—Sealings specially adapted for propeller shafts or stern tubes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
- B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
- B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems.
- a pod propeller propulsion system in which an electrical power generated by a diesel engine in the hull is transformed into an electric signal by an electric system, and the signal is transmitted to an electric motor in the pod rotatably mounted on the stern of the hull by means of a wire, so that the propeller is rotated by a propeller shaft connected to the motor (for example, "AZIPOD", a product of ABB Azipod) has been a focus of attention.
- AZIPOD a product of ABB Azipod
- this system Since the pod is freely rotatable outside the hull, this system has various advantages such that a steering apparatus is not necessary and the steerage is improved; that inboard noise and vibration can be reduced because it is electrically propelled; that the variation of design such as to dispose the engine on the bow-side of the hull expands; and the like.
- the sealing device employed in this case comprises a pod provided at the stern of the hull in such a manner that it is able to rotate freely about the vertical axis, a cylindrical casing connected to the pod on the stern-side of the hull, a propeller shaft coaxially inserted into the casing and connected to the electric motor disposed in the pod, and a plurality of seal ring to be brought into sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft to seal off outside water.
- an air-seal stern tube sealing device in which sliding load on the lip of the seal ring is lowered to improve durability of the seal ring by supplying compressed air to an air chamber defined between an adjacent pair of seal rings out of a plurality of seal rings to constantly blow off air from the chamber toward outboard water (See Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 35249/1993, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 304005/1999), or by supplying compressed air having air pressure which varies corresponding to variation in draft pressure and is lower than the draft pressure by a predetermined pressure difference into the air chamber (See Japanese Patent Publication No.2778899) is known.
- the seal ring may be damaged at an early stage and accordingly lubricant leaks outboard, which may result in environmental pollution. Therefore, it is believed that the durability of the seal ring is improved by adopting the above-described air-seal stern tube sealing device employed in the normal marine vessel propulsion system to the rear portion of the pod that constitutes the pod propeller propulsion system.
- the pod propeller propulsion system may be fatally damaged with mere adoption of the conventional air-seal stern tube sealing device to the rear portion of the pod.
- an object of the present invention to provide an air-seal type sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems, wherein compressed air can be supplied to an air chamber provided on the rear-side of a pod while effectively preventing leakage of outside water into the pod, so that durability of the seal ring is increased without breakdown or corrosion of internal equipment in the pod.
- the present invention provides a sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system comprising first air supplying means for supplying compressed air into an air chamber defined between an adjacent pair of seal rings out of a plurality of seal rings, and second air supplying means for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure into a pod.
- the first air supplying means supplies compressed air into the air chamber in a casing connected to the rear-side of the pod, the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings for defining the air chamber is reduced, thereby improving durability of the seal ring.
- the second air supplying means supplies compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure into the pod, even when outside water enters into the air chamber because of the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings is reduced as described above, outside water is effectively prevented from being leaked into the pod.
- the sliding load acting upon the lips of the seal rings can be reduced by supplying compressed air to the air chamber provided on the rear-side of the pod by means of the first air supplying means while effectively preventing outside water from leaking into the pod by means of the second air supplying means, and thus the durability of the seal ring can be increased without breakdown or corrosion of the internal equipment of the pod.
- a lubricant chamber between the seal ring on the front-side out of a pair of seal rings for defining the air chamber and a next seal ring located further on the front-side and provide liquid supplying means for supplying a liquid lubricant into the lubricant chamber.
- a lubricant chamber defined between the seal ring and a seal ring located further on the rear-side is filled with lubricant highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing even by compressed air injected from the air chamber.
- lubricant in the lubricant chamber positioned on the rear-side of the air chamber has a high viscosity to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing, even when the pressure of compressed air is increased to the extent that air is blown out from the air chamber, the lubricant is prevented from being scattered out of the casing and thus environmental pollution can be prevented in advance.
- lubricant filled in the lubricant chamber is highly viscous as described above, it is not necessary to add another seal ring on the rear-side for preventing oil leakage, whereby the axial dimension of the sealing device may be reduced.
- the first air supplying means comprising a first compressed air source, an air control unit for setting the pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source to the extent that air is blown off outside of the casing from the seal ring on the rear-side out of a pair of seal rings that define the air chamber, and an air piping for conducting the compressed air passed through the air control unit to the air chamber may be employed.
- a second air supplying means comprising a second compressed air source, an air relay for setting the air pressure of the compressed air from the second compressed air source to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the air piping as a pilot pressure, and a pressurizing piping for applying the output pressure set at the air relay to the interior of the pod, and by setting the output pressure of the air relay slightly higher than the air pressure in the air chamber, compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure can be supplied into the pod.
- the first air supplying means comprising a first compressed air source, an air control unit for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source to a predetermined pressure and flow rate, a detecting piping for blowing off the compressed air passed through the air control unit directly to outside water without passing through the seal ring to detect the draft pressure, a first air relay for setting pressure of compressed air from the first compressed air source to predetermined output pressure corresponding to the air pressure in the detecting piping as a pilot pressure, and an air piping for applying the output pressure predetermined at the first air relay into the air chamber may be employed.
- the air pressure of the air chamber can be set to the extent that air is blown off therefrom.
- the output pressure of the first air relay is set to almost the same value as the air pressure in the detecting piping or slightly lower than that value, compressed air is not blown off from the air chamber and, hence, outboard leakage of the liquid lubricant out of the casing in association with its blowoff may be prevented in advance, and advantageously, the amount of air consumption may be reduced as low as possible.
- compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure can be supplied into the pod by employing the second air supplying means comprising a second compressed air source, a second air relay for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source to a predetermined output pressure corresponding to the air pressure in the detecting piping as a pilot pressure, and a pressurized piping for applying the output pressure set at the second air relay into the pod, and by setting the output pressure of the second air relay slightly higher than the air pressure in the air chamber.
- Figs. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a sealing device 1 according to the present invention.
- the sealing device 1 of this embodiment is designed for a pod propeller propulsion system 2.
- the propulsion system 2 comprises a pod 4 provided at a stern of a hull 3 as an example of a structure floating on the water so as to rotate freely about a vertical axis, a cylindrical casing 5 connected to the rear-side of the pod 4, and a propeller shaft 7 inserted coaxially into the casing 5 and connected to an electric motor 6 disposed in the pod 4.
- the end of the shaft 7 on the front-side (right end in Fig. 1) is supported by a thrust bearing 8 disposed at the front portion of the pod 4 so as to rotate freely but not to move in the axial direction, and the end of the shaft 7 on the rear-side (left end in Fig. 1) is supported by a radial bearing 9 disposed at the rear end of the pod 4 so as to rotate freely.
- the end of the shaft 7 on the rear-side projects outside the pod 4, and a propeller 10 is fixed on the projected end.
- the sealing device 1 of this embodiment is an external sealing device disposed outside the pod 4 on the rear-side thereof, while between the radial bearing 9 and the motor 6 in the pod 4 an internal sealing device 11 is provided.
- the sealing device 1 described above comprises the pod 4 provided at the stern of the hull 3 so as to rotate freely about the vertical axis, the cylindrical casing 5 connected to the rear-side of the pod 4, the propeller shaft 7 inserted coaxially into the casing 5 and connected to the electric motor 6 disposed in the pod 4, and a plurality of seal rings 12-15 in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft 7 for sealing outside water W.
- the propeller shaft 7 comprises a shaft body 16 connected directly to the motor 6, and a cylindrical liner 17 mounted on the axial portion of the shaft body 16 corresponding to the casing 5, wherein the lip of each seal ring 12-15 having a proximal end fixed on the inner peripheral surface of the casing 5 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the liner 17.
- the shaft 7 may be constructed only of the shaft body 16, without providing the liner 17.
- seal rings 12-15 in total for defining an air chamber 20 within the casing 5 and lubricant chambers 21, 22 on the rear side and front side thereof.
- the first seal ring 12 disposed at the rearmost position (left side in Fig. 2) and the second seal ring 13 disposed next to the first ring on the front-side are oriented in such a manner that the tip edges of the lips face toward the rear-side.
- the third seal ring 14 that is disposed at the third rearmost position and the fourth seal ring 15 disposed next to the third seal ring 14 on the front-side are oriented in such a manner that the tip edges of the lips thereof face toward the front-side (right side in Fig. 2).
- the lips of the seal rings 12-15 are all wound with ring-shaped garter springs 23 respectively.
- the chamber defined between the second seal ring 13 and the third seal ring 14 is used as an air chamber 20 the inside of which is pressurized by compressed air, and a chamber defined between the second seal ring 13 which is the rear-side one of a pair of seal rings 13, 14 defining the air chamber 20 and the first seal ring 12 that is disposed further on the rear-side thereof is used as the first lubricant chamber 21 which is to be filled with a high viscosity lubricant 24.
- the first lubricant chamber 21 is filled with the lubricant 24 formed of grease or the like that is highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing even by compressed air blown off from the air chamber 20.
- a chamber defined between the third seal ring 14 which is the front-side one of a pair of seal rings 13, 14 defining the air chamber 20 and the fourth seal ring 14 disposed further on the front-side thereof is used as the second lubricant chamber 22 which is filled with a liquid lubricant 25 having sufficient fluidity by liquid supplying means 37 described later.
- the sealing device 1 of this embodiment comprises a first air supplying means 26 for supplying compressed air into the air chamber 20, and a second air supplying means 27 for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in the air chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure P into the pod 4.
- the first air supplying means 26 comprises a first compressed air source 28 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, an air control unit 29 for setting pressure of compressed air from the first compressed air source 28 to the extent that air is blown off outside the casing from the second seal ring 13 on the rear-side out of a pair of seal rings 13, 14 defining the air chamber 20, and an air piping 30 introducing compressed air passed through the air control unit 29 to the air chamber 20.
- the air control unit 29 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 31 and a flow regulating valve 32 connected at a downstream side thereof.
- the first compressed air source 28 supplying compressed air of 7-8 (kg/cm 2 ) is used and then the air pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing valve 31 to about 2-3 (kg/cm 2 ).
- the flow rate of compressed air is set to approximately 10-40 (Nl/min.) by the flow regulating valve 32 to supply compressed air at a constant flow rate to the air chamber 20, so that compressed air is regularly blown off outside the casing from the lip of the second seal ring 13.
- the air pressure P1 in the air chamber 20 is set to P+0.1 (kg/cm 2 ) by the blowoff of compressed air described above, where the draft pressure at the center of the propeller shaft 7 of outside water W is P (kg/cm 2 ), and thus the air pressure P1 is controlled to vary corresponding to variations of the draft pressure P with regularly keeping a level higher than the draft pressure P by a constant pressure difference.
- the second air supplying means 27 comprises a second compressed air source 34 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, an air relay 35 for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source 34 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the air piping 30 as a pilot pressure, and a pressurizing piping 36 for applying the output pressure set at the air relay 35 to the interior of the pod 4.
- the sealing device 1 of this embodiment comprises the liquid supplying means 37 including an oil pump and the like for supplying the liquid lubricant 25 into the second lubricant chamber 22, and a drain circuit 38 connected to the air chamber 20 for collecting the liquid lubricant 25 leaked into the air chamber 20 during the supply thereof or outside water W within the pod 4 or the hull 3.
- the drain circuit 38 is constructed of a discharge pipeline 39 connected to the air chamber 20, and a drain tank 40 disposed in the hull 3 or the pod 4.
- the liquid supplying means 37 may be constructed to pump the liquid lubricant 25 little by little at a constant flow rate, or to pump the liquid lubricant 25 intermittently at constant intervals. Though the drain tank 40 and the liquid supplying means 37 may be disposed in the pod 4 if it has any room for them, it is preferable to dispose them in the hull 3 so that the pod 4 can be miniaturized.
- the first air supplying means 26 supplies compressed air into the air chamber 20 in the casing 5 that is connected to the rear side of the pod 4, the sliding load on the lips of the respective seal rings 13, 14 defining the air chamber 20 is reduced, thereby improving durability of the seal rings 13, 14.
- the lip of the ring 13 is hardly brought into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the propeller shaft 7, thereby significantly increasing the lifetime of the second seal ring 13.
- the second air supplying means 27 is constructed to supply compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in the air chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure P in the pod 4, even when outside water W enters into the air chamber 20 by reducing the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings 13, 14 as described above, further leakage of outside water W into the pod 4 is effectively prevented.
- the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings 13, 14 may be reduced by supplying compressed air into the air chamber 20 disposed on the rear side of the pod 4 by the first air supplying means 26 while effectively preventing leakage of outside water W into the pod 4 by means of the second air supplying means 27. Therefore, durability of the seal rings 13, 14 may be improved without inducing breakdown or corrosion of the internal equipment of the pod 4.
- the liquid supplying means 37 for supplying the liquid lubricant 25 into the second lubricant chamber 22 is provided and the drain circuit 38 is connected to the air chamber 20, even when the liquid lubricant 25 or outside water W leaks into the air chamber 20, they can be collected within the hull. Therefore, the seal ring 14 may be maintained in a lubricated state while preventing environmental pollution in association with the blowoff of the liquid lubricant 25 outside the casing.
- the lubricant 24 in the first lubricant chamber 21 is highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing, the lubricant 24 is prevented from being scattered outside the casing even when the pressure of compressed air is increased to the extent that air is blown off from the air chamber 20, and thus environmental pollution may be prevented in advance.
- the axial dimension of the sealing device 1 may be reduced since it is not necessary to provide an additional seal ring on the rear-side for preventing oil leakage.
- Fig. 3 shows a modification of the second lubricant chamber 22.
- the fourth seal ring 15 constituting the second lubricant chamber 22 is disposed in such a manner that the tip edge of the lip thereof faces toward the rear-side.
- the second lubricant chamber 22 is defined between a pair of seal rings 14 and 15 the tip edges of the lips of which face with each other, leakage of the liquid lubricant 25 into the pod 4 may be prevented more effectively.
- the relief pressure of the safety valve 41 should be set to a level approximately 0.2 (kg/cm 2 ) higher than the air pressure P2 in the pod 4.
- Fig. 4 is a second embodiment of the sealing device 1 according to the present invention.
- first embodiment is constructed to blow off compressed air through the seal ring
- second embodiment is constructed in such a manner that the air pressure in the air chamber can be varied by blowing off compressed air toward outside water without passing through the seal ring.
- Other structures are almost the same.
- the first air supplying means 26 of this embodiment comprises a first compressed air source 43 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, and an air control unit 44 for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source 43 to a predetermined pressure and a flow rate, a detecting piping 45 for blowing off compressed air passed through the air control unit 44 directly toward outside water W without passing through the seal rings 12, 13 to detect the draft pressure P, a first air relay 46 for setting pressure of compressed air from the first compressed air source 43 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detecting piping 45 as a pilot pressure, and an air piping 47 for applying the output pressure predetermined at the first air relay 46 into the air chamber 20.
- a first compressed air source 43 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, and an air control unit 44 for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source 43 to a predetermined pressure and a flow rate, a detecting piping 45 for blowing off compressed air passed through the air control unit 44 directly toward outside water W without passing through the seal rings
- the air control unit 44 of this embodiment comprises a pressure reducing valve 48, a flow regulating valve 49 connected at the downstream side thereof, and the first air relay 46. While the discharge port of the detecting piping 45 is disposed at the proximal portion of the casing 5 in the figure, the discharge port may be disposed on the pod 4 or the hull 3.
- the air pressure of the air chamber 20 can be set to the extent that compressed air is blown off therefrom as in the case of the first embodiment.
- the output pressure of the first air relay 46 may be set to almost the same value as the air pressure in the detecting piping 45 or slightly lower than that value. In this case, since compressed air is not blown off from the air chamber 20, leakage of the liquid lubricant 25 out of the casing in association with its blowoff may be prevented in advance, and advantageously, the amount of air consumption may be reduced as low as possible.
- the second air supplying means 27 comprises a second compressed air source 50 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, a second air relay 51 for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source 50 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detecting piping 45 as a pilot pressure, and a pressurized piping 52 for applying the output pressure set at the second air relay 51 into the pod 4.
- the second air supplying means 27 by setting the output pressure of the second air relay 52 to a value slightly higher than the air pressure P1 in the air chamber 20, compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in the air chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in the draft pressure P may be supplied into the pod 4.
- the present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible.
- the construction in which the first seal ring 12 is omitted and thus the first lubricant chamber 21 is not provided is also applicable.
- pod propeller propulsion system 2 provided on the stern portion of the hull 3 as described above may be provided also on the bow portion or central portion of the full 3, or various structures floating on the water including an excavation plant of offshore oil fields, floating aerodromes, and the like.
- the present invention relates to a sealing device, which can be utilized to seal around the shaft of the pod propeller propulsion system provided at the rear portion of the hull so as to rotate freely about the vertical axis.
- a sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems comprises: a pod (4) provided on a structure (3) floating on the water so as to rotate freely about a vertical axis; a cylindrical casing (5) connected to the rear-side of the pod (4); a propeller shaft (7) inserted coaxially into the casing (5) and connected to an electric motor (6) disposed in the pod (4); a plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15) in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft (7) for sealing outside water (W); first air supplying means (26) for supplying compressed air into an air chamber (20) defined between a pair of adjacent seal rings (13, 14) out of the plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15); and second air supplying means (27) for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than air pressure (P1) in the air chamber (20) and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure (P) into the pod (4).
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Sealing Devices (AREA)
- Sealing Of Bearings (AREA)
- Sealing With Elastic Sealing Lips (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems.
- In recent years, a pod propeller propulsion system in which an electrical power generated by a diesel engine in the hull is transformed into an electric signal by an electric system, and the signal is transmitted to an electric motor in the pod rotatably mounted on the stern of the hull by means of a wire, so that the propeller is rotated by a propeller shaft connected to the motor (for example, "AZIPOD", a product of ABB Azipod) has been a focus of attention. Since the pod is freely rotatable outside the hull, this system has various advantages such that a steering apparatus is not necessary and the steerage is improved; that inboard noise and vibration can be reduced because it is electrically propelled; that the variation of design such as to dispose the engine on the bow-side of the hull expands; and the like.
- Even in such a pod propeller propulsion system, a sealing device is required as a matter of course. The sealing device employed in this case comprises a pod provided at the stern of the hull in such a manner that it is able to rotate freely about the vertical axis, a cylindrical casing connected to the pod on the stern-side of the hull, a propeller shaft coaxially inserted into the casing and connected to the electric motor disposed in the pod, and a plurality of seal ring to be brought into sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft to seal off outside water.
- Recently, there is a problem in that increase in draft pressure in association with upsizing of marine vessels promotes early damage of the seal ring, which may cause outboard leakage of lubricant and accordingly results in environmental pollution.
- Therefore, as a stern tube sealing device employed in a normal marine vessel propulsion system other than the above-described pod propeller propulsion system, an air-seal stern tube sealing device in which sliding load on the lip of the seal ring is lowered to improve durability of the seal ring by supplying compressed air to an air chamber defined between an adjacent pair of seal rings out of a plurality of seal rings to constantly blow off air from the chamber toward outboard water (See Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 35249/1993, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 304005/1999), or by supplying compressed air having air pressure which varies corresponding to variation in draft pressure and is lower than the draft pressure by a predetermined pressure difference into the air chamber (See Japanese Patent Publication No.2778899) is known.
- In the pod propeller propulsion system of the related art, it is necessary to solve the problem that when the draft pressure increases with upsizing of the marine vessel, the seal ring may be damaged at an early stage and accordingly lubricant leaks outboard, which may result in environmental pollution. Therefore, it is believed that the durability of the seal ring is improved by adopting the above-described air-seal stern tube sealing device employed in the normal marine vessel propulsion system to the rear portion of the pod that constitutes the pod propeller propulsion system.
- However, since an electric motor that has a weakness for water, a radial bearing that is apt to corrode due to sea water, and the like are stored in the pod of the pod propeller propulsion system, the pod propeller propulsion system may be fatally damaged with mere adoption of the conventional air-seal stern tube sealing device to the rear portion of the pod.
- In other words, when the air chamber defined at the rear portion of the pod is applied with pressure to the extent that allows a jet of air to blow off therefrom, or that is slightly lower than the draft pressure, compressed air can easily be blown off from the seal ring on the front-side (closer side to the pod) that constitutes the chamber into the pod. Therefore, there may arise another problem that outside water entered into the air chamber leaks together with compressed air into the pod, which may increase the possibility of breakdown of the electric motor or corrosion of the radial bearing.
- In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air-seal type sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems, wherein compressed air can be supplied to an air chamber provided on the rear-side of a pod while effectively preventing leakage of outside water into the pod, so that durability of the seal ring is increased without breakdown or corrosion of internal equipment in the pod.
- In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention devises following technical means.
- The present invention provides a sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system comprising first air supplying means for supplying compressed air into an air chamber defined between an adjacent pair of seal rings out of a plurality of seal rings, and second air supplying means for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure into a pod.
- According to the present invention, since the first air supplying means supplies compressed air into the air chamber in a casing connected to the rear-side of the pod, the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings for defining the air chamber is reduced, thereby improving durability of the seal ring.
- On the other hand, since the second air supplying means supplies compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure into the pod, even when outside water enters into the air chamber because of the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings is reduced as described above, outside water is effectively prevented from being leaked into the pod.
- Therefore, according to the present invention, the sliding load acting upon the lips of the seal rings can be reduced by supplying compressed air to the air chamber provided on the rear-side of the pod by means of the first air supplying means while effectively preventing outside water from leaking into the pod by means of the second air supplying means, and thus the durability of the seal ring can be increased without breakdown or corrosion of the internal equipment of the pod.
- The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described according to the contents of the dependent claims.
- In the present invention, in order to ensure improvement of the lifetime of the seal ring, it is necessary to lubricate the lip of the seal ring by lubricating material such as grease, lubricant, or the like.
- Therefore, it is recommended to construct a lubricant chamber between the seal ring on the front-side out of a pair of seal rings for defining the air chamber and a next seal ring located further on the front-side and provide liquid supplying means for supplying a liquid lubricant into the lubricant chamber.
- When such a liquid supplying means is provided, since a liquid lubricant or outside water may leak into the air camber, it is preferred to connect a drain circuit with the air chamber for collecting them within the pod or a structure to which the pod is mounted.
- On the other hand, in order to keep the seal ring on the rear-side (farther side from the pod) out of a pair of seal ring for defining the air chamber lubricated, it is preferred that a lubricant chamber defined between the seal ring and a seal ring located further on the rear-side is filled with lubricant highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing even by compressed air injected from the air chamber.
- In this case, since lubricant in the lubricant chamber positioned on the rear-side of the air chamber has a high viscosity to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing, even when the pressure of compressed air is increased to the extent that air is blown out from the air chamber, the lubricant is prevented from being scattered out of the casing and thus environmental pollution can be prevented in advance. When lubricant filled in the lubricant chamber is highly viscous as described above, it is not necessary to add another seal ring on the rear-side for preventing oil leakage, whereby the axial dimension of the sealing device may be reduced.
- In the present invention, when employing the sealing device of the type that blows off compressed air through the seal ring, the first air supplying means comprising a first compressed air source, an air control unit for setting the pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source to the extent that air is blown off outside of the casing from the seal ring on the rear-side out of a pair of seal rings that define the air chamber, and an air piping for conducting the compressed air passed through the air control unit to the air chamber may be employed.
- In this case, since air is regularly blown off from the air chamber, by employing a second air supplying means comprising a second compressed air source, an air relay for setting the air pressure of the compressed air from the second compressed air source to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the air piping as a pilot pressure, and a pressurizing piping for applying the output pressure set at the air relay to the interior of the pod, and by setting the output pressure of the air relay slightly higher than the air pressure in the air chamber, compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure can be supplied into the pod.
- In the present invention, when employing the sealing device of the type that the air pressure in the air chamber can be varied, the first air supplying means comprising a first compressed air source, an air control unit for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source to a predetermined pressure and flow rate, a detecting piping for blowing off the compressed air passed through the air control unit directly to outside water without passing through the seal ring to detect the draft pressure, a first air relay for setting pressure of compressed air from the first compressed air source to predetermined output pressure corresponding to the air pressure in the detecting piping as a pilot pressure, and an air piping for applying the output pressure predetermined at the first air relay into the air chamber may be employed.
- In this case, by setting the output pressure of the first air relay to a value higher than the air pressure in the detecting piping by the pressure corresponding to a tightening force of the garter spring, the air pressure of the air chamber can be set to the extent that air is blown off therefrom. On the other hand, when the output pressure of the first air relay is set to almost the same value as the air pressure in the detecting piping or slightly lower than that value, compressed air is not blown off from the air chamber and, hence, outboard leakage of the liquid lubricant out of the casing in association with its blowoff may be prevented in advance, and advantageously, the amount of air consumption may be reduced as low as possible.
- In this case, since it is possible to carry out control in which air is not always blown off from the air chamber, compressed air having air pressure higher than that in the air chamber and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure can be supplied into the pod by employing the second air supplying means comprising a second compressed air source, a second air relay for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source to a predetermined output pressure corresponding to the air pressure in the detecting piping as a pilot pressure, and a pressurized piping for applying the output pressure set at the second air relay into the pod, and by setting the output pressure of the second air relay slightly higher than the air pressure in the air chamber.
-
- Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the pod propeller propulsion system according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the sealing device according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view in the casing for illustrating a modification of the second lubricant chamber; and
- Fig. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the sealing device according to the second embodiment.
-
- Referring now to the drawings, the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- Figs. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a sealing device 1 according to the present invention.
- As shown in Fig. 1, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment is designed for a pod
propeller propulsion system 2. Thepropulsion system 2 comprises apod 4 provided at a stern of a hull 3 as an example of a structure floating on the water so as to rotate freely about a vertical axis, acylindrical casing 5 connected to the rear-side of thepod 4, and apropeller shaft 7 inserted coaxially into thecasing 5 and connected to anelectric motor 6 disposed in thepod 4. - The end of the
shaft 7 on the front-side (right end in Fig. 1) is supported by a thrust bearing 8 disposed at the front portion of thepod 4 so as to rotate freely but not to move in the axial direction, and the end of theshaft 7 on the rear-side (left end in Fig. 1) is supported by aradial bearing 9 disposed at the rear end of thepod 4 so as to rotate freely. The end of theshaft 7 on the rear-side projects outside thepod 4, and apropeller 10 is fixed on the projected end. - The sealing device 1 of this embodiment is an external sealing device disposed outside the
pod 4 on the rear-side thereof, while between theradial bearing 9 and themotor 6 in thepod 4 aninternal sealing device 11 is provided. - As shown in Fig. 2, the sealing device 1 described above comprises the
pod 4 provided at the stern of the hull 3 so as to rotate freely about the vertical axis, thecylindrical casing 5 connected to the rear-side of thepod 4, thepropeller shaft 7 inserted coaxially into thecasing 5 and connected to theelectric motor 6 disposed in thepod 4, and a plurality of seal rings 12-15 in sliding contact with the outer periphery of theshaft 7 for sealing outside water W. - The
propeller shaft 7 comprises ashaft body 16 connected directly to themotor 6, and acylindrical liner 17 mounted on the axial portion of theshaft body 16 corresponding to thecasing 5, wherein the lip of each seal ring 12-15 having a proximal end fixed on the inner peripheral surface of thecasing 5 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of theliner 17. - The
shaft 7 may be constructed only of theshaft body 16, without providing theliner 17. - In this embodiment, there are provided four seal rings 12-15 in total for defining an
air chamber 20 within thecasing 5 andlubricant chambers - The
first seal ring 12 disposed at the rearmost position (left side in Fig. 2) and thesecond seal ring 13 disposed next to the first ring on the front-side are oriented in such a manner that the tip edges of the lips face toward the rear-side. Thethird seal ring 14 that is disposed at the third rearmost position and thefourth seal ring 15 disposed next to thethird seal ring 14 on the front-side are oriented in such a manner that the tip edges of the lips thereof face toward the front-side (right side in Fig. 2). The lips of the seal rings 12-15 are all wound with ring-shaped garter springs 23 respectively. - The chamber defined between the
second seal ring 13 and thethird seal ring 14 is used as anair chamber 20 the inside of which is pressurized by compressed air, and a chamber defined between thesecond seal ring 13 which is the rear-side one of a pair ofseal rings air chamber 20 and thefirst seal ring 12 that is disposed further on the rear-side thereof is used as thefirst lubricant chamber 21 which is to be filled with ahigh viscosity lubricant 24. - In other words, the
first lubricant chamber 21 is filled with thelubricant 24 formed of grease or the like that is highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing even by compressed air blown off from theair chamber 20. - A chamber defined between the
third seal ring 14 which is the front-side one of a pair ofseal rings air chamber 20 and thefourth seal ring 14 disposed further on the front-side thereof is used as thesecond lubricant chamber 22 which is filled with aliquid lubricant 25 having sufficient fluidity byliquid supplying means 37 described later. - The sealing device 1 of this embodiment comprises a first air supplying means 26 for supplying compressed air into the
air chamber 20, and a second air supplying means 27 for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure P into thepod 4. - The first air supplying means 26 comprises a first
compressed air source 28 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, anair control unit 29 for setting pressure of compressed air from the firstcompressed air source 28 to the extent that air is blown off outside the casing from thesecond seal ring 13 on the rear-side out of a pair ofseal rings air chamber 20, and anair piping 30 introducing compressed air passed through theair control unit 29 to theair chamber 20. - The
air control unit 29 is provided with apressure reducing valve 31 and aflow regulating valve 32 connected at a downstream side thereof. In this embodiment, the first compressedair source 28 supplying compressed air of 7-8 (kg/cm2) is used and then the air pressure is reduced by thepressure reducing valve 31 to about 2-3 (kg/cm2). Concurrently, the flow rate of compressed air is set to approximately 10-40 (Nl/min.) by theflow regulating valve 32 to supply compressed air at a constant flow rate to theair chamber 20, so that compressed air is regularly blown off outside the casing from the lip of thesecond seal ring 13. - Since the tightening force of the
garter spring 23 of theseal ring 13 is generally 0.1 (kg/cm2), the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20 is set to P+0.1 (kg/cm2) by the blowoff of compressed air described above, where the draft pressure at the center of thepropeller shaft 7 of outside water W is P (kg/cm2), and thus the air pressure P1 is controlled to vary corresponding to variations of the draft pressure P with regularly keeping a level higher than the draft pressure P by a constant pressure difference. - On the other hand, the second air supplying means 27 comprises a second
compressed air source 34 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, anair relay 35 for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressedair source 34 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in theair piping 30 as a pilot pressure, and a pressurizingpiping 36 for applying the output pressure set at theair relay 35 to the interior of thepod 4. - Therefore, by setting the output pressure of the
air relay 35 slightly higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20, compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure P can be supplied into thepod 4. - In this embodiment, the output pressure of the
air relay 35 is set to a value 0.2 (kg/cm2) higher than the pilot pressure, and thus the pressure in thepod 4 can be maintained at P1+0.2(kg/cm2)=P+0.3(kg/cm2), in other words, at a pressure constantly 0.3(kg/cm2) higher than the draft pressure P. - The sealing device 1 of this embodiment comprises the liquid supplying means 37 including an oil pump and the like for supplying the
liquid lubricant 25 into thesecond lubricant chamber 22, and adrain circuit 38 connected to theair chamber 20 for collecting theliquid lubricant 25 leaked into theair chamber 20 during the supply thereof or outside water W within thepod 4 or the hull 3. Thedrain circuit 38 is constructed of adischarge pipeline 39 connected to theair chamber 20, and adrain tank 40 disposed in the hull 3 or thepod 4. - The liquid supplying means 37 may be constructed to pump the
liquid lubricant 25 little by little at a constant flow rate, or to pump theliquid lubricant 25 intermittently at constant intervals. Though thedrain tank 40 and theliquid supplying means 37 may be disposed in thepod 4 if it has any room for them, it is preferable to dispose them in the hull 3 so that thepod 4 can be miniaturized. - The operation of the sealing device 1 in the above-described construction will now be described.
- In this embodiment, since the first air supplying means 26 supplies compressed air into the
air chamber 20 in thecasing 5 that is connected to the rear side of thepod 4, the sliding load on the lips of the respective seal rings 13, 14 defining theair chamber 20 is reduced, thereby improving durability of the seal rings 13, 14. Especially, in this embodiment, since compressed air is regularly blown off from thesecond seal ring 13, the lip of thering 13 is hardly brought into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of thepropeller shaft 7, thereby significantly increasing the lifetime of thesecond seal ring 13. - On the other hand, since the second
air supplying means 27 is constructed to supply compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure P in thepod 4, even when outside water W enters into theair chamber 20 by reducing the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings 13, 14 as described above, further leakage of outside water W into thepod 4 is effectively prevented. - As is described thus far, according to the sealing device 1 of this embodiment, the sliding load on the lips of the seal rings 13, 14 may be reduced by supplying compressed air into the
air chamber 20 disposed on the rear side of thepod 4 by the first air supplying means 26 while effectively preventing leakage of outside water W into thepod 4 by means of the secondair supplying means 27. Therefore, durability of the seal rings 13, 14 may be improved without inducing breakdown or corrosion of the internal equipment of thepod 4. - According to this embodiment, since the liquid supplying means 37 for supplying the
liquid lubricant 25 into thesecond lubricant chamber 22 is provided and thedrain circuit 38 is connected to theair chamber 20, even when theliquid lubricant 25 or outside water W leaks into theair chamber 20, they can be collected within the hull. Therefore, theseal ring 14 may be maintained in a lubricated state while preventing environmental pollution in association with the blowoff of theliquid lubricant 25 outside the casing. - In addition, in this embodiment, since the
lubricant 24 in thefirst lubricant chamber 21 is highly viscous to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing, thelubricant 24 is prevented from being scattered outside the casing even when the pressure of compressed air is increased to the extent that air is blown off from theair chamber 20, and thus environmental pollution may be prevented in advance. In addition, the axial dimension of the sealing device 1 may be reduced since it is not necessary to provide an additional seal ring on the rear-side for preventing oil leakage. - Fig. 3 shows a modification of the
second lubricant chamber 22. - In this modification, the
fourth seal ring 15 constituting thesecond lubricant chamber 22 is disposed in such a manner that the tip edge of the lip thereof faces toward the rear-side. In this case, since thesecond lubricant chamber 22 is defined between a pair of seal rings 14 and 15 the tip edges of the lips of which face with each other, leakage of theliquid lubricant 25 into thepod 4 may be prevented more effectively. - As a matter of course, in this construction, it is necessary to provide a
safety valve 41 on thesecond lubricant chamber 22 to prevent the internal pressure of thesecond lubricant chamber 22 from increasing too much due to a pressure force of theliquid supplying means 37. In this case, the relief pressure of thesafety valve 41 should be set to a level approximately 0.2 (kg/cm2) higher than the air pressure P2 in thepod 4. - Fig. 4 is a second embodiment of the sealing device 1 according to the present invention.
- The major difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the first embodiment is constructed to blow off compressed air through the seal ring, while the second embodiment is constructed in such a manner that the air pressure in the air chamber can be varied by blowing off compressed air toward outside water without passing through the seal ring. Other structures are almost the same.
- Therefore, only the points that differ from the first embodiment are focused here, and the members of the same construction or the same operation are designated by the same reference numerals and not described here again.
- As shown in Fig. 4, the first air supplying means 26 of this embodiment comprises a first
compressed air source 43 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, and anair control unit 44 for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressedair source 43 to a predetermined pressure and a flow rate, a detectingpiping 45 for blowing off compressed air passed through theair control unit 44 directly toward outside water W without passing through the seal rings 12, 13 to detect the draft pressure P, afirst air relay 46 for setting pressure of compressed air from the firstcompressed air source 43 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detectingpiping 45 as a pilot pressure, and anair piping 47 for applying the output pressure predetermined at thefirst air relay 46 into theair chamber 20. - The
air control unit 44 of this embodiment comprises apressure reducing valve 48, aflow regulating valve 49 connected at the downstream side thereof, and thefirst air relay 46. While the discharge port of the detectingpiping 45 is disposed at the proximal portion of thecasing 5 in the figure, the discharge port may be disposed on thepod 4 or the hull 3. - In the first air supplying means 43 described above, by setting the output pressure of the
first air relay 46 to a value higher than the air pressure in the detectingpiping 45 by a pressure corresponding to a tightening force of thegarter spring 23, the air pressure of theair chamber 20 can be set to the extent that compressed air is blown off therefrom as in the case of the first embodiment. - According to the first air supplying means 43 of this embodiment, the output pressure of the
first air relay 46 may be set to almost the same value as the air pressure in the detectingpiping 45 or slightly lower than that value. In this case, since compressed air is not blown off from theair chamber 20, leakage of theliquid lubricant 25 out of the casing in association with its blowoff may be prevented in advance, and advantageously, the amount of air consumption may be reduced as low as possible. - On the other hand, the second
air supplying means 27 comprises a secondcompressed air source 50 including a compressor and the like disposed in the hull 3, asecond air relay 51 for setting pressure of compressed air from the secondcompressed air source 50 to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detectingpiping 45 as a pilot pressure, and apressurized piping 52 for applying the output pressure set at thesecond air relay 51 into thepod 4. - Therefore, according to the second
air supplying means 27, by setting the output pressure of thesecond air relay 52 to a value slightly higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20, compressed air having air pressure higher than the air pressure P1 in theair chamber 20 and varying corresponding to variations in the draft pressure P may be supplied into thepod 4. - The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the construction in which the
first seal ring 12 is omitted and thus thefirst lubricant chamber 21 is not provided is also applicable. - It should be noted that the pod
propeller propulsion system 2 provided on the stern portion of the hull 3 as described above may be provided also on the bow portion or central portion of the full 3, or various structures floating on the water including an excavation plant of offshore oil fields, floating aerodromes, and the like. - As is described thus far, according to the present invention, since compressed air can be supplied to the air chamber provided at the rear portion of the pod while effectively preventing outside water from being leaked into the pod, durability of the seal ring may be improved without inducing breakdown or corrosion of the internal equipment of the pod.
- The present invention relates to a sealing device, which can be utilized to seal around the shaft of the pod propeller propulsion system provided at the rear portion of the hull so as to rotate freely about the vertical axis.
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems according to the present invention comprises: a pod (4) provided on a structure (3) floating on the water so as to rotate freely about a vertical axis; a cylindrical casing (5) connected to the rear-side of the pod (4); a propeller shaft (7) inserted coaxially into the casing (5) and connected to an electric motor (6) disposed in the pod (4); a plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15) in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft (7) for sealing outside water (W); first air supplying means (26) for supplying compressed air into an air chamber (20) defined between a pair of adjacent seal rings (13, 14) out of the plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15); and second air supplying means (27) for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than air pressure (P1) in the air chamber (20) and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure (P) into the pod (4).
Claims (7)
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems, comprising:a pod (4) provided on a structure (3) floating on the water so as to rotate freely about a vertical axis;a cylindrical casing (5) connected to the rear-side of the pod (4);a propeller shaft (7) inserted coaxially into the casing (5) and connected to an electric motor 6 disposed in the pod (4); anda plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15) in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the shaft (7) for sealing outside water (W);first air supplying means (26) for supplying compressed air into an air chamber (20) defined between a pair of adjacent seal rings (13, 14) out of the plurality of seal rings (12, 13, 14, 15); andsecond air supplying means (27) for supplying compressed air having air pressure higher than air pressure (P1) in the air chamber (20) and varying corresponding to variations in draft pressure (P) into the pod (4).
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising;
liquid supplying means (37) for supplying a liquid lubricant (25) into a lubricant chamber (22) defined between the front-side seal ring (14) out of the pair of seal rings (13, 14) for defining the air chamber (20) and the seal ring (15) that is disposed further on the front side; and
a drain circuit (38) connected to the air chamber (20) for collecting the liquid lubricant (25) or outside water (W) leaked into the air chamber (20) within the structure (3). - A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a lubricant (24) having a high viscosity to the extent that it cannot be blown off outside the casing (5) even by compressed air blown off from the air chamber (20) is filled in the lubricant chamber (21) defined between the rear-side seal ring (13) out of the pair of seal rings (13, 14) defining the air chamber (20) and the seal ring (12) disposed further on the rear side.
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first air supplying means (26) comprises:a first compressed air source (28);an air control unit (29) for setting the pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source (28) to the extent that air is blown off outside the casing (5) from the rear-side seal ring (13) out of the pair of seal rings (13, 14) defining the air chamber (20); anda air piping (30) for introducing the compressed air passed through the air control unit (29) into the air chamber (20).
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in Claim 4, said second air supplying means (27) comprises:a second compressed air source (34);an air relay (35) for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source (34) to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the air piping (30) as a pilot pressure; anda pressurizing piping (36) for applying the output pressure set at the air relay (35) to the interior of the pod (4).
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in any one of Claim 1 to 3, wherein the first air supplying means (26) comprising:a first compressed air source (43);an air control unit (44) for setting pressure of compressed air from the compressed air source (43) to a predetermined pressure and flow rate;a detecting piping (45) for blowing off the compressed air passed through the air control unit (44) directly to outside water (W) without passing through the seal ring (13) to detect the draft pressure (P);a first air relay (46) for setting pressure of compressed air from the first compressed air source (43) to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detecting piping (45) as a pilot pressure; andan air piping (47) for applying the output pressure predetermined at the first air relay (46) into the air chamber (20).
- A sealing device for pod propeller propulsion system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said second air supplying means (27) comprises:a second compressed air source (50);a second air relay (51) for setting pressure of compressed air from the second compressed air source (50) to a predetermined output pressure with the air pressure in the detecting piping (45) as a pilot pressure; anda pressurizing piping (52) for applying the output pressure set at the second air relay (51) into the pod (4).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000374745 | 2000-12-08 | ||
JP2000374745 | 2000-12-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1213221A1 true EP1213221A1 (en) | 2002-06-12 |
EP1213221B1 EP1213221B1 (en) | 2004-02-18 |
Family
ID=18843877
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01126239A Expired - Lifetime EP1213221B1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-11-05 | Sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1213221B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60102064T2 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2005090797A1 (en) * | 2004-03-17 | 2005-09-29 | Imi Norgren Limited | Fluid flow control valve means |
NL1025959C2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-18 | Ihc Holland Nv | Sealing construction. |
US7189126B2 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2007-03-13 | Abb Oy | Ship's propulsion arrangement and method |
WO2010100094A3 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2011-05-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Turbomachine having a housing having increased impermeability |
FR2955557A1 (en) * | 2010-01-22 | 2011-07-29 | Vanessa Batlle | Sealing device for use on hull of boat for assuring sealing on shaft of propeller immersed under waterline of boat, has compressor transmitting compressed air to inner side of threaded part of through-hull via inlet for forming air seal |
WO2016071565A1 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2016-05-12 | Abb Oy | A sealing arrangement for a vessel, a propulsion unit, a vessel and a method for sealing a propeller shaft of a vessel |
CN110203363A (en) * | 2019-06-10 | 2019-09-06 | 山东华宇工学院 | A kind of device improving the submarine deep-sea speed of a ship or plane |
EP3656655A1 (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2020-05-27 | Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB | Leakage detection system for azimuth thruster |
EP4043335A1 (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2022-08-17 | ABB Schweiz AG | Method and arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft located under water |
RU2778797C1 (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2022-08-25 | Абб Швайц Аг | Method and layout for sealing screw shaft located under water |
EP4197898A1 (en) * | 2021-12-14 | 2023-06-21 | ABB Oy | Draining arrangement of a propulsion unit |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102009052433A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | Schottel Gmbh | Ship propulsion has rotating shaft, housing partially surrounding rotating shaft and sealing devices arranged between rotating shaft and housing |
DE102013209682B4 (en) * | 2013-05-24 | 2017-12-28 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | HOUSING FOR A PROPELLER DRIVE UNIT |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3815655A1 (en) * | 1988-05-07 | 1989-11-16 | Blohm Voss Ag | SEALING FOR ROTATING SHAFTS, ESPECIALLY STEVEN TUBE SEALING |
US5209497A (en) * | 1990-09-05 | 1993-05-11 | Blohm+Voss Ag | Sealing apparatus for rotating shafts, in particular stern tube seal for the propeller shafts of a ship |
EP0590867A1 (en) * | 1992-09-28 | 1994-04-06 | Kvaerner Masa-Yards Oy | Ship propulsion arrangement |
US5683278A (en) * | 1994-09-24 | 1997-11-04 | Blohm Voss Holding Ag | Stern tube seal with a pressure control system to adjust to the changing draft of ocean-going ships |
-
2001
- 2001-11-05 DE DE60102064T patent/DE60102064T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-05 EP EP01126239A patent/EP1213221B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3815655A1 (en) * | 1988-05-07 | 1989-11-16 | Blohm Voss Ag | SEALING FOR ROTATING SHAFTS, ESPECIALLY STEVEN TUBE SEALING |
US5209497A (en) * | 1990-09-05 | 1993-05-11 | Blohm+Voss Ag | Sealing apparatus for rotating shafts, in particular stern tube seal for the propeller shafts of a ship |
EP0590867A1 (en) * | 1992-09-28 | 1994-04-06 | Kvaerner Masa-Yards Oy | Ship propulsion arrangement |
US5683278A (en) * | 1994-09-24 | 1997-11-04 | Blohm Voss Holding Ag | Stern tube seal with a pressure control system to adjust to the changing draft of ocean-going ships |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7189126B2 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2007-03-13 | Abb Oy | Ship's propulsion arrangement and method |
WO2005090797A1 (en) * | 2004-03-17 | 2005-09-29 | Imi Norgren Limited | Fluid flow control valve means |
NL1025959C2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-18 | Ihc Holland Nv | Sealing construction. |
EP1586798A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-19 | IHC Holland NV | Seal construction |
WO2010100094A3 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2011-05-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Turbomachine having a housing having increased impermeability |
FR2955557A1 (en) * | 2010-01-22 | 2011-07-29 | Vanessa Batlle | Sealing device for use on hull of boat for assuring sealing on shaft of propeller immersed under waterline of boat, has compressor transmitting compressed air to inner side of threaded part of through-hull via inlet for forming air seal |
WO2016071565A1 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2016-05-12 | Abb Oy | A sealing arrangement for a vessel, a propulsion unit, a vessel and a method for sealing a propeller shaft of a vessel |
KR20170069278A (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2017-06-20 | 에이비비 오와이 | A sealing arrangement for a vessel, a propulsion unit, a vessel and a method for sealing a propeller shaft of a vessel |
KR101899337B1 (en) | 2014-11-03 | 2018-09-17 | 에이비비 오와이 | A sealing arrangement for a vessel, a propulsion unit, a vessel and a method for sealing a propeller shaft of a vessel |
RU2670552C1 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2018-10-23 | Абб Ой | Ship sealing device, power plant, ship and ship's propeller shaft sealing method |
WO2020104070A1 (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2020-05-28 | Caterpillar Propulsion Production Ab | Leakage detection system for azimuth thruster |
EP3656655A1 (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2020-05-27 | Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB | Leakage detection system for azimuth thruster |
CN110203363A (en) * | 2019-06-10 | 2019-09-06 | 山东华宇工学院 | A kind of device improving the submarine deep-sea speed of a ship or plane |
EP4043335A1 (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2022-08-17 | ABB Schweiz AG | Method and arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft located under water |
RU2778797C1 (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2022-08-25 | Абб Швайц Аг | Method and layout for sealing screw shaft located under water |
CN114940255A (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2022-08-26 | Abb瑞士股份有限公司 | Method and device for sealing a propeller shaft located underwater |
US11702182B2 (en) | 2021-02-16 | 2023-07-18 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Method and arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft located under water |
CN114940255B (en) * | 2021-02-16 | 2024-05-14 | Abb瑞士股份有限公司 | Method and device for sealing a submerged propeller shaft |
EP4197898A1 (en) * | 2021-12-14 | 2023-06-21 | ABB Oy | Draining arrangement of a propulsion unit |
US12043362B2 (en) | 2021-12-14 | 2024-07-23 | Abb Oy | Draining arrangement of a propulsion unit |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60102064D1 (en) | 2004-03-25 |
EP1213221B1 (en) | 2004-02-18 |
DE60102064T2 (en) | 2004-12-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1213221B1 (en) | Sealing device for pod propeller propulsion systems | |
JP6393833B2 (en) | Sealing structure for ship, propulsion device, ship and method for sealing propeller shaft of ship | |
JP3386855B2 (en) | Sealing device for propeller transmission mechanism for ship with two concentrically arranged contra-rotating propeller shafts | |
KR100301150B1 (en) | Lubrication unit for packing propeller drive mechanisms of ships equipped with two concentrically arranged double inverted propeller shafts | |
KR840002079A (en) | Axial sealing assembly | |
JP3813842B2 (en) | Water lubricated stern tube sealing device | |
JP2024107363A (en) | Sealing Device | |
JP2000238694A (en) | Stern tube sealing device | |
US3749464A (en) | Lubrication system for bearings | |
JP3668709B2 (en) | Seal device for pod propeller propulsion system | |
JP2003127988A (en) | Sealing device for underwater structure | |
JPH0972427A (en) | Stern pipe sealing device | |
JPH0332478Y2 (en) | ||
JP2005041348A (en) | Shaft seal device and shaft seal method for propeller shaft for ship | |
JPH06323439A (en) | Stern tube shaft seal device | |
GB2150234A (en) | Underwater sealing of an oil-lubricated shaft bearing | |
JPH07242198A (en) | Stern tube sealing device | |
JP3693698B2 (en) | Device for sealing the end of a propeller shaft tube of a ship | |
JP2005162066A (en) | Oiling device for stern tube | |
CN214499430U (en) | Ship universal pump capable of controlling secondary impeller to run or not to run | |
KR101470955B1 (en) | Stern tube sealing device including stand-by sealing unit | |
SU1068338A1 (en) | Propeller shaft arrangement | |
CN114151548A (en) | Side pushes away lid seal structure | |
JP2003240130A (en) | Sealing device of underwater structure and assembly unit used in the same | |
CN116888437A (en) | Lubricating oil flow sensor and ship provided with same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20020719 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: KATSUBE, MASAHIRO Inventor name: YAMAJYO, SEIJI Inventor name: MATSUOKA, IWAO |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20021127 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FI GB NL SE |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FI GB NL SE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60102064 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20040325 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20041119 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: TD Effective date: 20100916 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20101123 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20101123 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: V1 Effective date: 20120601 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 60102064 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: TBK, DE |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20111105 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120601 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 60102064 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD., JP Free format text: FORMER OWNER: KEMEL CO., LTD., TOKYO, JP Effective date: 20120625 Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 60102064 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: TBK, DE Effective date: 20120625 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20111105 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Payment date: 20201109 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20201110 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20201020 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 60102064 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FI Ref legal event code: MAE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: EUG |