GB682881A - Improvements in power plant - Google Patents

Abstract

682,881. Propelling ships. SOC. D'ETUDES DE MACHINES THERMIQUES. Dec. 29, 1949. [Dec. 30, 1948] No. 38272/49. Class 114. [Also in Group XXVII] In an internal-combustion power plant comprising one or more multi-crankshaft engines, clutch means 6, 7, 8 and 9 at one end of the crankshafts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the engine or engines for coupling them to a common load such as a ships propeller shaft 11, preferably through a speed reducer 10, and two or more electric generators 14, there is provided clutch means 12 for coupling each of the generators to a different one of the crankshafts at the end thereof opposite to the end to which the load is adapted to be coupled. The engine has four crankshafts 2, 3, 4 and 5, the upper crankshafts 2 and 3 of which are operated by twin banks of piston and cylinder units arranged in V formation ; each of the lower crankshafts 4 and 5, which are driven by single banks of piston and cylinder units, is provided at the end remote from shaft 11 with a clutch 12 in order to drive one of the electric generators 14, one or both of which may be operated as required, depending upon which clutches are engaged. Each generator may be driven as a motor to supply power to the propeller shaft 11. and may also act as a brake whilst one generator may supply current for energizing a starter motor. Each of the crankshafts or the lower crankshafts only may drive a generator ; two or more crankshafts may be spaced vertically one above the other each one having a generator coupled to it.