Power split e-CVT ship propulsion system

Abstract

This paper investigates the possibility to use a power split e-CVT as the core of a vessel power management unit which is able to produce both mechanical power for driving the propeller shaft, and electrical energy for the onboard electric power system. The proposed power split e-CVT transmission for ship propulsion must guarantee all the features given by traditional drivelines based on pure mechanical systems. In addition, extra features are expected from the new system: saving in weight, volume and cost of the overall driveline, increasing the speed-power range regulation capability of the system, introducing new operating mode (i.e. pure electric operation of a ship), increasing the efficiency of the overall conversion system.