Abstract: A propulsion and drive system for a ship includes an engine, a drive train with transmission gear and main clutch, and a propeller shaft. An auxiliary equipment shaft is connected to that drive train via two branches, geared to the drive on opposite sides from the main clutch; and each branch has its own clutch so that only one branch at a time is effective. The branch on the propeller shaft side from the main clutch is effective during high-speed cruising, the other branch during slow speeds, or even during stopping. The auxiliary equipment is to be run at constant speed throughout. Two different examples are the relative location of parts and the coaxial relation among the three clutches involved.

Abstract: A ship drive system with main engine, main transmission and propeller shaft is supplemented by a transmission branch permitting power transmission in both directions. The branch includes an auxiliary engine, an a.c. generator selectively connected to that auxiliary engine and a controlled transmission unit interposed between the generator shaft and a branch shaft from the main transmission. The unit includes two planetary gear sets of different transmission ratios, their sun gears are mounted on the generator shaft, and a common spider for two sets of planet gears is mounted on the branch shaft; the two internal ring gears for the planetary gears are selectively, one at a time or none, immobilized for power transmission at the respective speed ratio.

Abstract: The drive system includes a motor or engine whose output shaft is connected to the input shaft of a transmission, e.g. speed reducing gear, via an elastic coupling and a clutch, in that order. The input element of the coupling sits directly on the motor or engine shaft; the output element (ring) of the coupling is suspended in cardan fashion, possibly together with the input element of the clutch, by means of an additional elastic coupling which has one part secured to the clutch input and the other part is connected either to a bell shaped structure which is journalled in the transmission casing or to the output element of the motor coupled coupling. The two parts of the additional coupling are interconnected through annularly arranged elastic sleeves. The bell shaped structure can be used in either case, and extends from a hollow shaft being traversed by the transmission shaft and driving auxiliary equipment independantly from the operational state of the clutch.