Diesel fleet boat propulsion

mattchip · 10-13-13, 11:37 AM

While reading a book about the Bowfin, the museum boat at Pearl Harbor, a question comes to mind. How did power to the driveshafts get transferred when switching from diesel to electric and back again? Was there some sort of transmission, or did it function similar to a diesel locomotive, where the engine drives a generator that powers the electric motors? I haven't been able to find an answer.

Matt

Sailor Steve · 10-13-13, 11:59 AM

In American fleet boats the diesels drove generators, one for each of the four engines. The generators charged the batteries and provided power to the propellor shafts.
http://maritime.org/doc/fleetsub/elect/index.htm

mattchip · 10-13-13, 01:08 PM

OK, just like diesel locomotives.
Thanks,
Matt

Jimbuna · 10-29-13, 04:03 PM

I suspect there aren't many if any U-boats at Pearl Harbour.

10-13-13, 11:37 AM	#1
mattchip Swabbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Diesel fleet boat propulsion While reading a book about the Bowfin, the museum boat at Pearl Harbor, a question comes to mind. How did power to the driveshafts get transferred when switching from diesel to electric and back again? Was there some sort of transmission, or did it function similar to a diesel locomotive, where the engine drives a generator that powers the electric motors? I haven't been able to find an answer. Matt

10-13-13, 11:59 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	In American fleet boats the diesels drove generators, one for each of the four engines. The generators charged the batteries and provided power to the propellor shafts. http://maritime.org/doc/fleetsub/elect/index.htm __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

10-29-13, 04:03 PM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I suspect there aren't many if any U-boats at Pearl Harbour. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-13-13, 01:08 PM	#3
mattchip Swabbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	OK, just like diesel locomotives. Thanks, Matt