A variable pitch propeller assembly operatively coupled with an engine and methods for controlling the pitch of a plurality of propeller blades thereof is provided. In one example aspect, the variable pitch propeller assembly includes features for combining overspeed, feathering, and reverse functionality in a single secondary control valve. The secondary control valve is operable to selectively allow a controlled amount of hydraulic fluid to flow to or from a pitch actuation assembly such that the pitch of the propeller blades can be adjusted to operate the variable pitch propeller assembly in one of a constant speed mode, a feather mode, and a reverse mode.

A power system for a marine vessel comprises an engine and a controllable pitch thruster drivably coupled to the engine. A speed of the controllable pitch thruster various with a speed of the engine. A control unit receives a thrust command value indicating a thrust required from controllable pitch thruster. The control unit determines a current speed of the controllable pitch thruster and calculates a pitch of the controllable pitch thruster that produces thrust in accordance with the thrust command value at the current speed of the controllable pitch thruster. The power system allows for operating the engine at variable speeds to allow for a reduction of the engine speed under partial load conditions.

A power system for a marine vessel comprises an engine and a controllable pitch thruster drivably coupled to the engine. A speed of the controllable pitch thruster various with a speed of the engine. A control unit receives a thrust command value indicating a thrust required from controllable pitch thruster. The control unit determines a current speed of the controllable pitch thruster and calculates a pitch of the controllable pitch thruster that produces thrust in accordance with the thrust command value at the current speed of the controllable pitch thruster. The power system allows for operating the engine at variable speeds to allow for a reduction of the engine speed under partial load conditions.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the fuel consumption of a ship, the ship comprising an engine and a controllable pitch propeller, wherein torque and engine speed are adjusted to correspond to an output set point value. The adjustment is such that the engine is operated in an operating condition with an engine speed and a propeller pitch of the controllable pitch propeller such that the fuel consumption of the ship is brought and/or held within a desired fuel consumption range.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the fuel consumption of a ship, the ship comprising an engine and a controllable pitch propeller, wherein torque and engine speed are adjusted to correspond to an output set point value. The adjustment is such that the engine is operated in an operating condition with an engine speed and a propeller pitch of the controllable pitch propeller such that the fuel consumption of the ship is brought and/or held within a desired fuel consumption range.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the propulsion of a ship (10). The ship (10) comprises an engine (5) and a controllable pitch propeller (7), wherein torque and engine speed are adjusted to correspond to an output set point value. The adjustment is such that said ship (10) is operated in an operating condition with an engine speed of said engine (5) and a propeller pitch of said controllable pitch propeller (7) such that the fuel consumption of said ship (10) is brought and/or held within a desired fuel consumption range. The method comprises: determining a NOx value indicative of a NOx content in the exhaust gas produced by said engine (5) and reducing the torque of said engine (5) upon detection that the NOx value exceeds a NOx threshold value. Alternatively, the method may comprise: determining a top pressure value indicative of a top pressure in at least one cylinder (9) and reducing the torque of said engine (5) upon detection that the top pressure value exceeds a top pressure threshold value.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the propulsion of a ship (10). The ship (10) comprises an engine (5) and a controllable pitch propeller (7), wherein torque and engine speed are adjusted to correspond to an output set point value. The adjustment is such that said ship (10) is operated in an operating condition with an engine speed of said engine (5) and a propeller pitch of said controllable pitch propeller (7) such that the fuel consumption of said ship (10) is brought and/or held within a desired fuel consumption range. The method comprises: determining a NOx value indicative of a NOx content in the exhaust gas produced by said engine (5) and reducing the torque of said engine (5) upon detection that the NOx value exceeds a NOx threshold value. Alternatively, the method may comprise: determining a top pressure value indicative of a top pressure in at least one cylinder (9) and reducing the torque of said engine (5) upon detection that the top pressure value exceeds a top pressure threshold value.

The invention relates to a manoeuvrable trailing dredging vessel comprising; a vessel propulsion member coupled with a propulsion shaft provided with a single gear for driving the propulsion member, a drive system having a central drive shaft coupled with the vessel propulsion member for providing power to the vessel propulsion member, a transmission device having at least a trailing transmission shaft provided with a trailing pinion and a sailing transmission shaft provided with a sailing pinion, wherein the central drive shaft is coupled with the single gear of the propulsion shaft through one of the trailing transmission shaft and the sailing transmission shaft.

The invention relates to a manoeuvrable trailing dredging vessel comprising; a vessel propulsion member coupled with a propulsion shaft provided with a single gear for driving the propulsion member, a drive system having a central drive shaft coupled with the vessel propulsion member for providing power to the vessel propulsion member, a transmission device having at least a trailing transmission shaft provided with a trailing pinion and a sailing transmission shaft provided with a sailing pinion, wherein the central drive shaft is coupled with the single gear of the propulsion shaft through one of the trailing transmission shaft and the sailing transmission shaft.

A variable pitch propeller assembly operatively coupled with an engine and methods for controlling the pitch of a plurality of propeller blades thereof is provided. In one example aspect, the variable pitch propeller assembly includes features for combining overspeed, feathering, and reverse functionality in a single secondary control valve. The secondary control valve is operable to selectively allow a controlled amount of hydraulic fluid to flow to or from a pitch actuation assembly such that the pitch of the propeller blades can be adjusted to operate the variable pitch propeller assembly in one of a constant speed mode, a feather mode, and a reverse mode.