The author has conceived the idea of Electromagnetic Gears, in order to provide power transmitting devices of high efficiencies expected to be used in ship propulsion systems of large outputs.
An electromagnetic gear is constructed by incorporating an electromagnetic coupling with a synchronous motor connected electrically with each other. It is composed of an inner rotor adapted to be driven by a prime mover for ship propulsion, an outer rotor adapted to drive a propeller, and a stator.
The electromagnetic gear has a special feature that the propeller can be driven in directions same as and opposite to the direction of rotation of the prime mover, besides features that the construction is stable and reliable, that large capacity, for instance 80, 000 PS. of Electromagnetic Gear can be easily manufactured, and that the efficiency of the gear itself is considerably high. However, the most important thing is that synthetic efficiency, cost and arrangement of whole ship system plant using Electromagnetic Gear are superior to those of other systems. It is believed, considering the present circumstances of Petroleum, that Electromagnetic Gear systems combined with 4 or 2 cycle diesels can be used in VLCC, ULCC, super-high speed ships or special vessels.
The fundamental conception and theory of Electromagnetic Gears are described, results of tests for supporting the theory are introduced, and the applications are outlined in this paper, which can be a guidance for testing a 16, 000 PS. electromagnetic gear being constructed now.
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