Embodiments are provided for a fluid pump having a hollow shaft centrifugal impeller capable of using suction or pressure to move large volume flows of fluids including liquids and gasses. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the pump has an impeller assembly that is capable of being attached to the inner circumference of a housing tube and said housing tube is connected to a magnetic rotary. The magnetic rotary is capable of spinning the hollow shaft and the impeller assembly inside the hollow shaft and moving the fluid through the hollow shaft.

A submarine drive system of a submarine, having a drive shaft, a drive propeller coupled to the drive shaft (2), and an electric motor for driving the drive shaft. A main drive having at least one first electric motor is designed for full-load operation and is or can be coupled to the drive shaft on the drive side, and an additional drive having at least one second electric motor is designed for part-load operation for creep operation or submerged operation of the submarine and likewise is or can be coupled to the drive shaft on the drive side.

A submarine drive system of a submarine, having a drive shaft, a drive propeller coupled to the drive shaft (2), and an electric motor for driving the drive shaft. A main drive having at least one first electric motor is designed for full-load operation and is or can be coupled to the drive shaft on the drive side, and an additional drive having at least one second electric motor is designed for part-load operation for creep operation or submerged operation of the submarine and likewise is or can be coupled to the drive shaft on the drive side.

A method for charging an auxiliary voltage source that provides power for at least one additional component, the additional component being in addition to an electric drive that is powered by a main voltage, is described. The method includes electrically connecting a protection and/or control circuit to the main voltage source via a DC-to-DC converter configured for power supply, and to the auxiliary voltage source via a reverse blocking valve. The method further includes electrically connecting the main voltage source to the auxiliary voltage source via a charging device. The method still further includes charging the auxiliary voltage source via the main voltage source.

A method for charging an auxiliary voltage source that provides power for at least one additional component, the additional component being in addition to an electric drive that is powered by a main voltage, is described. The method includes electrically connecting a protection and/or control circuit to the main voltage source via a DC-to-DC converter configured for power supply, and to the auxiliary voltage source via a reverse blocking valve. The method further includes electrically connecting the main voltage source to the auxiliary voltage source via a charging device. The method still further includes charging the auxiliary voltage source via the main voltage source.

A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a propulsive force generator including a duct and a propeller. The duct includes a stator. The propeller includes a rim that includes a rotor disposed at a position facing the stator, and a blade on an inner side in a radial direction of the rim. The vessel propulsion apparatus further includes a steering shaft that turnably supports the duct, a motor controller that rotationally drives an electric motor including the stator and the propeller in forward and reverse rotation directions, a turning mechanism that turns the duct in a full turning angle range including a range of 180 degrees, and a turning angle range limiter that limits a turning angle range of the turning mechanism to a reduced turning angle range narrower than the full turning angle range, and when a predetermined limitation cancellation condition is met, cancels the limitation and allows turning in a turning angle range wider than the reduced turning angle range.

A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a propulsive force generator including a duct and a propeller. The duct includes a stator. The propeller includes a rim that includes a rotor disposed at a position facing the stator, and a blade on an inner side in a radial direction of the rim. The vessel propulsion apparatus further includes a steering shaft that turnably supports the duct, a motor controller that rotationally drives an electric motor including the stator and the propeller in forward and reverse rotation directions, a turning mechanism that turns the duct in a full turning angle range including a range of 180 degrees, and a turning angle range limiter that limits a turning angle range of the turning mechanism to a reduced turning angle range narrower than the full turning angle range, and when a predetermined limitation cancellation condition is met, cancels the limitation and allows turning in a turning angle range wider than the reduced turning angle range.

A propulsion system is described that includes an AC generator configured to produce AC current, and a plurality of propulsors configured to receive the AC current from the AC generator and provide thrust based on the AC current from the AC generator. The propulsion system further includes an AC distribution system configured to deliver a first portion of the AC current to a first group of propulsors from the plurality of propulsors, and a second subsystem configured to deliver a second portion of the AC current to a second group of propulsors from the plurality of propulsors.

A propulsion system is described that includes an AC generator configured to produce AC current, and a plurality of propulsors configured to receive the AC current from the AC generator and provide thrust based on the AC current from the AC generator. The propulsion system further includes an AC distribution system configured to deliver a first portion of the AC current to a first group of propulsors from the plurality of propulsors, and a second subsystem configured to deliver a second portion of the AC current to a second group of propulsors from the plurality of propulsors.

A marine propulsion unit includes a duct including a stator, a propeller including a rim including a rotor disposed at a position that faces the stator and a blade provided radially inward of the rim, a steering shaft that supports the duct such that the duct is steerable, a casing provided separately from the steering shaft and that extends along a rotation axis of the propeller, and a motor controller disposed in the casing and configured or programmed to control rotational driving of the propeller.