An arrangement including a gearwheel connected to the propulsion unit, a steering electric motor operatively connected to the gearwheel and controlled by a drive, a force transmission arrangement including a clutch between the gearwheel and the steering electric motor, and a measurement unit for measuring rotational motion positioned at each side of the clutch. The steering electric motor is arranged to rotate the gearwheel and thereby also the propulsion unit. A difference in the output signals of the two measuring units indicating slipping of the clutch is detected. The steering electric motor is controlled to at least reduce the difference in the output signals when the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold.

A drive train in a marine vessel includes a marine pod drive unit and an inboard engine operatively connected by a driveshaft. To protectively enclose the driveshaft, a guard sleeve having a tubular configuration is disposed around the driveshaft and extends between the marine pod drive unit and the inboard engine. The first sleeve end of the guard sleeve is coupled to a first coupling collar on the marine pod drive unit using a first annular packing and the second sleeve end is coupled to a second coupling collar on the inboard engine using a second annular packing. The first and second annular packings enable relative angular displacement between the guard sleeve and the marine pod drive unit or the inboard engine.

A hybrid marine drive unit mounted to a transom. The drive unit includes a drive housing mounted on the transom, a propelling unit rotatable about a vertical axis and mounted to a lower surface of the drive housing, and a transmission with at least a vertical drive shaft located in the drive housing and extending into the propelling unit. The vertical drive shaft is arranged transmit drive torque from at least one of multiple sources of drive torque. The vertical drive shaft is operably connected to a first source of drive torque arranged within the drive housing, and the vertical drive shaft is operably connected to a horizontal output shaft extending into the drive housing through the transom. The horizontal output shaft is connectable to a second source of drive torque.

An electric marine propulsion system including steering and vertical position control is provided. The electric drive assembly includes a main drive motor transmitting torque through a shaft to a propeller. The electric drive assembly integrates a dual rudder system positioned ahead of the main drive propeller. The rudder assemblies integrate electric stern thrusters for low-speed maneuvering. The steering and vertical position adjustments for the drive assembly are electrically operated. The electric drive assembly is installed entirely outside the hull of the watercraft.

A marine propulsion device includes an engine, a driveshaft powered by the engine, a propulsor shaft coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the driveshaft, and a propulsor coupled to the propulsor shaft and rotatable to produce a thrust. A housing supports the propulsor shaft therein. The housing has fore and aft skegs projecting from a bottom surface thereof.

A hybrid marine drive unit mounted to a transom. The drive unit includes a drive housing rigidly mounted on the transom, a propelling unit rotatable about a vertical axis and mounted to a lower surface of the drive housing, and a transmission with at least a vertical drive shaft located in the drive housing and extending into the propelling unit, which vertical drive shaft is arranged transmit drive torque from at least one of multiple sources of drive torque. The vertical drive shaft is operably connected to at least one first source of drive torque arranged within the drive housing, and the vertical drive shaft is operably connected to a horizontal output shaft extending into the drive housing through the transom.

An electric marine propulsion system including steering and vertical position control is provided. The electric drive assembly includes a main drive motor transmitting torque through a shaft to a propeller. The electric drive assembly integrates a dual rudder system positioned ahead of the main drive propeller. The rudder assemblies integrate electric stern thrusters for low-speed maneuvering. The steering and vertical position adjustments for the drive assembly are electrically operated. The electric drive assembly is installed entirely outside the hull of the watercraft.

An outdrive for a marine vessel, such as a watercraft having an inboard engine, includes a standoff box configured to continuously provide power to the drive unit as the drive unit vertically moves from a raised mode to a lowered mode, thereby lowering a thrust point produced by a propeller, all while the watercraft is moving through water and while the propeller is producing thrust. The standoff box can include one or more idler gears that move via a system of brackets relative to an input gear and a transfer gear to maintain rotational engagement between the input gear and the transfer gear, which is joined with the drive unit to rotate the propeller. A related method also is provided.

The invention relates to a method for determining the direction and the amplitude of a force applied to a system (IO) comprising a stationary portion (13) and a mobile portion (12) which can deform when exposed to said force. Mechanical deformations applied to the mobile portion when exposed to said force are measured by measuring a distance between the stationary portion and the mobile portion in the direction of application of the force, and the distance measurements are processed in order to determine the amplitude and the direction of the force.

Power transmission systems including clutch arrangement and control systems are adapted to be used in numerous different operational environments. Such power transmission systems may include clutch arrangements that provide more effective power transmission capabilities as well as greater durability and longer life. Control arrangements are provided to more effectively control and monitor clutch operation in ways that provide for greater system flexibility and drive options.