A linking drive system comprises a first drive shaft of the first drivetrain connected between a first prime mover and a first propulsor. The linking drive system comprises a second drive shaft of the second drivetrain connected between a second prime mover and a second propulsor. The linking drive system further comprises a linking drive clutch, which comprises at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part. The first clutch part and the second clutch part are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween. At least one flexible drive link is coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive shafts. Rotation from one of the first and second drive shafts is transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts when the linking drive clutch is engaged thereby linking the first and second drivetrains.

A linking drive system comprises a first drive shaft of the first drivetrain connected between a first prime mover and a first propulsor. The linking drive system comprises a second drive shaft of the second drivetrain connected between a second prime mover and a second propulsor. The linking drive system further comprises a linking drive clutch, which comprises at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part. The first clutch part and the second clutch part are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween. At least one flexible drive link is coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive shafts. Rotation from one of the first and second drive shafts is transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts when the linking drive clutch is engaged thereby linking the first and second drivetrains.

A modular drive apparatus includes a gear box (16) with a rotatable internal transmission gear (60). The gear box includes a plurality of body openings (44). The openings may be selectively closed by the installation of cover plates (52, 54). With a cover plate removed, a drive coupler (32, 34, 58, 148) may be extended in the respective opening and mounted in operative connection with the gear box. In the mounted position of the drive coupler, an idler gear (72, 172) engages the ring gear of the gear box. Rotatable power devices such as pumps, motors and generators may be operatively rotatably engaged with the drive coupler.

Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.

Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.

A ship propulsion device (1) is adapted to rotate a propeller (20) to propel a ship (2). In a case where the rotating speed of the propeller (20) is less than a predetermined rotating speed, a low-output sub-motor (M2) is controlled and rotationally driven by a small-capacity general-purpose inverter (24), and the rotational driving is transmitted to the propeller (20) so as to rotate the propeller. In that case, in a drive system of a main motor (M1), rotation is not transmitted to a slip clutch (23) or an input shaft (7) by cutting off an on-off clutch (8). In a case where the rotating speed of the propeller (20) becomes equal to or more than the predetermined rotating speed, a driving source is switched from the sub-motor (M2) to the main motor (M1) so as to couple the on-off clutch (8), and the rotating speed of the main motor (M1) is controlled by the slip clutch (23) and transmitted to the propeller (20) so as to rotate the propeller (20).

A ship propulsion device (1) is adapted to rotate a propeller (20) to propel a ship (2). In a case where the rotating speed of the propeller (20) is less than a predetermined rotating speed, a low-output sub-motor (M2) is controlled and rotationally driven by a small-capacity general-purpose inverter (24), and the rotational driving is transmitted to the propeller (20) so as to rotate the propeller. In that case, in a drive system of a main motor (M1), rotation is not transmitted to a slip clutch (23) or an input shaft (7) by cutting off an on-off clutch (8). In a case where the rotating speed of the propeller (20) becomes equal to or more than the predetermined rotating speed, a driving source is switched from the sub-motor (M2) to the main motor (M1) so as to couple the on-off clutch (8), and the rotating speed of the main motor (M1) is controlled by the slip clutch (23) and transmitted to the propeller (20) so as to rotate the propeller (20).

A system for controlling propulsion of a marine vessel by a marine drive is provided, the marine drive having a marine engine that effectuates rotation of propulsor through a shift system that shifts amongst at least a forward gear position, a reverse gear position, and a neutral position. The system includes a remote control having a lever movable to provide a throttle demand input for controlling the marine engine and a shift demand input for controlling the shift system. A shift demand sensor measures a shift demand lever position to provide the shift demand input, and a throttle demand sensor measures a throttle demand lever positions to provide the throttle demand input. A control module is configured to detect shift demand sensor failure based on the shift demand lever position values and assign a predetermined throttle demand lever position as shift command position. When the throttle demand lever position reaches the shift command position, a shift command is generated instructing a change in gear position of the shift system.

A marine hybrid drive unit (100) has an electric motor (2) and a transmission (3). The transmission (3) has an input shaft (4), an output shaft (5), and a pressure actuated transmission clutch (6) configured to selectively connect the input shaft (4) to the output shaft (5). The input shaft (4) can selectively be driven solely by a combustion engine (1), solely by the electric motor (2), or by both the combustion engine (1) and the electric motor (2) simultaneously. The transmission (3) further includes a main oil pump (7), driven by the input shaft (4) to provide oil pressure for actuating the pressure actuated transmission clutch (6). An auxiliary oil pump (8) provides oil pressure to the pressure actuated transmission clutch (6) during operation in a low-speed range. Also disclosed is a method for driving such a marine hybrid drive unit.

A marine hybrid drive unit (100) has an electric motor (2) and a transmission (3). The transmission (3) has an input shaft (4), an output shaft (5), and a pressure actuated transmission clutch (6) configured to selectively connect the input shaft (4) to the output shaft (5). The input shaft (4) can selectively be driven solely by a combustion engine (1), solely by the electric motor (2), or by both the combustion engine (1) and the electric motor (2) simultaneously. The transmission (3) further includes a main oil pump (7), driven by the input shaft (4) to provide oil pressure for actuating the pressure actuated transmission clutch (6). An auxiliary oil pump (8) provides oil pressure to the pressure actuated transmission clutch (6) during operation in a low-speed range. Also disclosed is a method for driving such a marine hybrid drive unit.