The control method of a ship is used for the ship. The ship is equipped with a plurality of power sources including a first power source and a second power source, and has a plurality of propulsion modes in which a power source used for propulsion of a hull is different between the plurality of power sources. The control method of the ship includes adjusting an output value related to a propulsive force of a hull to a value corresponding to an operation amount of an operation acceptor and changing a correspondence relation between the operation amount and the output value in accordance with a propulsion mode.

A method and a system for controlling a propulsive power output applied to a propeller shaft of a ship. If a current value of a propulsive power of a propulsive power source equals or falls below a lower power limit value, and/or if a current value of an operational parameter reaches a first/lower parameter limit value, a control unit is configured to: increase a power output of an internal combustion engine of the propulsive power source. Thus, operation of the engine below a lower power limit is avoided.

A method and a system for controlling a propulsive power output applied to a propeller shaft of a ship. If a current value of a propulsive power of a propulsive power source equals or falls below a lower power limit value, and/or if a current value of an operational parameter reaches a first/lower parameter limit value, a control unit is configured to: increase a power output of an internal combustion engine of the propulsive power source. Thus, operation of the engine below a lower power limit is avoided.

A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

A marine propulsion unit includes a stern drive mounted to a transom. The stern drive comprises an upper unit enclosed in a stern drive housing and a lower unit enclosed in a gearbox housing; wherein the gearbox housing contains a gearbox arranged to drive at least one propeller. The propulsion unit further comprises at least two electric motors arranged in the stern drive housing, which electric motors are mounted with vertical output shafts; a planetary gear set arranged between the at least two electric motors and the gearbox, and a vertical shaft that is attached to a ring gear of the planetary gear set at its upper end and is connected to the gearbox at its lower end; wherein the output shaft of each electric motor is connected to a planetary gear arranged in the planetary gear set to drive the ring gear and the vertical shaft connected to the gearbox.

A marine propulsion unit includes a stern drive mounted to a transom. The stern drive comprises an upper unit enclosed in a stern drive housing and a lower unit enclosed in a gearbox housing; wherein the gearbox housing contains a gearbox arranged to drive at least one propeller. The propulsion unit further comprises at least two electric motors arranged in the stern drive housing, which electric motors are mounted with vertical output shafts; a planetary gear set arranged between the at least two electric motors and the gearbox, and a vertical shaft that is attached to a ring gear of the planetary gear set at its upper end and is connected to the gearbox at its lower end; wherein the output shaft of each electric motor is connected to a planetary gear arranged in the planetary gear set to drive the ring gear and the vertical shaft connected to the gearbox.

A propulsion assembly includes an assembly output shaft adapted to drive one or more power receiving devices, a first output driving shaft which is adapted to drive the assembly output shaft, and a second output driving shaft which is adapted to drive the assembly output shaft. The first output driving shaft extends in an angle to the assembly output shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees. The propulsion assembly further includes a first input shaft adapted to drive the first output driving shaft and adapted to be driven by a first power supply unit, wherein the first input shaft extends in an angle to the first output driving shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees, and a second input shaft adapted to drive the first output driving shaft and adapted to be driven by a second power supply unit. The second input shaft extends in an angle to the first output driving shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees. The second output driving shaft is adapted to be driven by a third power supply unit, wherein the second output driving shaft extends in an angle to the assembly output shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees.

A propulsion assembly includes an assembly output shaft adapted to drive one or more power receiving devices, a first output driving shaft which is adapted to drive the assembly output shaft, and a second output driving shaft which is adapted to drive the assembly output shaft. The first output driving shaft extends in an angle to the assembly output shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees. The propulsion assembly further includes a first input shaft adapted to drive the first output driving shaft and adapted to be driven by a first power supply unit, wherein the first input shaft extends in an angle to the first output driving shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees, and a second input shaft adapted to drive the first output driving shaft and adapted to be driven by a second power supply unit. The second input shaft extends in an angle to the first output driving shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees. The second output driving shaft is adapted to be driven by a third power supply unit, wherein the second output driving shaft extends in an angle to the assembly output shaft which is larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees.

The invention relates to a hybrid power system (1). System (1) has an internal combustion engine (2), a gear box (3) having an input (4) connectable to the engine and an output shaft (5) to drive a vehicle, a first power drive and take off (10) releasably connectable to the gear box input, a second power drive and take off (30) releasably connectable to the gear box output, at least one motor/generator (21,41) connected the first and/or second power drive and take off, a connecting clutch (50) to releasable connecting the first and second power drive and take off, and a battery (60) to power or be charged by the or each motor generator.