US 11,702,182 B2
Method and arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft located under water
Veikko Vähätalo, Hämeenlinna (FI); Jukka Laine, Helsinki (FI); Otto Maja, Lahti (FI); and Toni Niska, Vantaa (FI)
Assigned to ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/650,467.
Claims priority of application No. 21157328 (EP), filed on Feb. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0274680 A1, Sep. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. B63H 23/32 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 23/321 (2013.01) [B63H 2023/327 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for sealing a propeller shaft located under water, wherein the propeller shaft is arranged at a pod that is suspended at a hull of a ship and wherein an air chamber is provided circumferentially around the propeller shaft, the method comprising
supplying compressed air from a compressed air source in an air supply line to the air chamber,
discharging compressed air from the air chamber in an air return line and out of the air return line, and
colleting liquid present in the compressed air discharged from the air chamber in an intermediate leakage tank that is provided in the air return line within a
pod housing of the pod, wherein
by closing the air return line upstream of the intermediate leakage tank, and
by supplying compressed air to the intermediate leakage tank to effect flowing of liquid present in the intermediate leakage tank to a leakage tank.