Abstract: In a hybrid type marine propulsion device including a main engine and a motor, low fuel consumption is realized by a compact configuration and highly efficient drive control. A marine propulsion device includes a clutch 7 provided on an input shaft 6 of a main engine, a horizontal input/output shaft 8 connected to the clutch, a vertical shaft 11 connected to the input/output shaft through an upper bevel gear 9, a horizontal propeller shaft 13 connected to a lower end of the vertical shaft through a lower bevel gear 12, and a propeller 14 at the other end side of the propeller shaft, in which the propeller is revolved around the vertical shaft to set a propulsion direction, wherein a motor generator 20 is mounted on a floor 3, and connected directly to the other end side of the input/output shaft. In a low rotation region, motor propulsion is performed, and in a high rotation region, hybrid propulsion in which the main engine is assisted by the motor is performed.

Abstract: In a hybrid type marine propulsion device including a main engine and a motor, low fuel consumption is realized by a compact configuration and highly efficient drive control. A marine propulsion device includes a clutch 7 provided on an input shaft 6 of a main engine, a horizontal input/output shaft 8 connected to the clutch, a vertical shaft 11 connected to the input/output shaft through an upper bevel gear 9, a horizontal propeller shaft 13 connected to a lower end of the vertical shaft through a lower bevel gear 12, and a propeller 14 at the other end side of the propeller shaft, in which the propeller is revolved around the vertical shaft to set a propulsion direction, wherein a motor generator 20 is mounted on a floor 3, and connected directly to the other end side of the input/output shaft. In a low rotation region, motor propulsion is performed, and in a high rotation region, hybrid propulsion in which the main engine is assisted by the motor is performed.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the rotation of a rotary mechanism such as a propeller housing in a Z-type propulsion apparatus is provided. A command signal and a feedback signal both relating to the rotation of the rotary mechanism are compared with each other. And a control signal which varies at a predetermined inclination is generated when the command and feedback signals differ in amplitude from each other. And a drive unit rotates the rotary mechanism in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: There is provided a rotation control system for a Z-type propulsion apparatus which can achieve an optimum turning of a vessel under any steering conditions of the vessel by controlling the rotation speed of a hollow rotary housing of the Z-type propulsion apparatus in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, the number of revolution of a propeller provided in the rotary housing, or the combination thereof. A difference between a signal representative of an angle of a steering handle and a signal representative of an angle of the rotary housing is first detected. The detected signal, which is representative of the difference between the angle of the steering handle and the angle of the rotary housing, is then limited in accordance with the load exerted on the rotary housing, speed of the vessel, or the combination thereof, and the rotary housing is driven in accordance with the limited signal.

Abstract: There is provided a system for controlling the rotation of a rotary housing mounting a propeller unit of a Z-type propulsion apparatus in which the rotary housing does not rotate in the direction opposite to that of rotation of a steering handle even when the steering handle for commanding the rotary housing to rotate is angularly moved by more than .+-.180.degree.. A vector calculation circuit either produces a sinusoidal signal representative of a sine of the difference of angle between the steering angle of the steering handle and the follow-up angle of the rotary housing and a cosine signal representative of a cosine of the difference of angle or produces the sinusoidal and cosine signals and a second sinusoidal signal representative of an angle obtained by adding 45.degree. to the difference of angle.