US 11,970,259 B2
Shaft linkage for linking and driving at least two drivetrains of a vessel
Thomas Bangslund, Copenhagen (DK); and Esben Grundtvig, Copenhagen (DK)
Assigned to Svitzer A/S, Copenhagen K (DK)
Filed by Svitzer A/S, Copenhagen (DK)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/403,635.
Application 17/403,635 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2020/056377, filed on Mar. 10, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 201900302 (DK), filed on Mar. 11, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0371076 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. B63H 23/18 (2006.01); B63H 5/08 (2006.01); B63H 23/12 (2006.01); B63H 23/30 (2006.01); B63H 23/02 (2006.01); B63H 23/06 (2006.01)
CPC B63H 23/12 (2013.01) [B63H 5/08 (2013.01); B63H 23/18 (2013.01); B63H 23/30 (2013.01); B63H 2023/0216 (2013.01); B63H 2023/062 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A linking drive system for coupling together a first drivetrain and a second drivetrain of a vessel, the linking drive system comprising:
the first drivetrain connecting a first prime mover and a first propulsor, the first drivetrain comprising a first drive shaft;
the second drivetrain connecting a second prime mover and a second propulsor, the second drivetrain comprising a second drive shaft;
a linking drive clutch, the linking drive clutch comprising at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part which are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween;
at least one flexible drive link separate from the first and second drivetrains, the at least one flexible drive link coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive trains, wherein the at least one flexible drive link is coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive shafts;
wherein the linking drive clutch is engageable to allow rotation of one of the first and second drive shafts, generated by a respective one of the first and second prime movers, to be transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts, and
wherein the at least one flexible drive link comprises:
at least a first flexible drive link, the first flexible drive link being coupled between the first drive shaft and the first clutch part of the linking drive clutch; and
at least a second flexible drive link coupled between the second drive shaft and the second clutch part of the linking drive clutch.