ZF to begin offering complete hybrid systems for ships
ZF is now adding further electrified components for shipping to its portfolio of maritime hybrid transmissions, specifically electric motors, power electronics and control levers. According to the driveline specialist, this provides a complete solution from a single source.
The parallel hybrid systems enable the additional installation of electric drives with outputs between 150 and 750 kW. According to the German company, they are suitable for many ships, including yachts, tugs, patrol boats, passenger ships or ferries.
“Hybrid systems have been used for marine drives for a while now. However, many shipyards wish to draw on compact complete systems from a single source. ZF accommodates this wish. We provide standardized overall solutions,” says Wolfram Frei, Head of Sales of Commercial and Fast Craft.
ZF is currently presenting its entire portfolio of drive solutions at SMM Digital 2021.
This is not the first time ZF has addressed the shipping industry. The company already announced in 2019 that it was developing an electric drive system for sailing yachts. For this purpose, the supplier installed an electric motor with a maximum output of 125 kW, which is connected to the steerable Steerable Pod Propulsion (SPP) system from ZF. Only a little later, ZF announced a cooperation with Torqeedo. Specifically, the partners intend to integrate ZF’s steerable sail propulsion systems with Torqeedo’s Deep Blue electric propulsion system.
In principle, ZF has adapted its portfolio of hybrid-capable transmissions for almost all application segments. For maritime applications, the company is expanding its transmissions to include an additional power take-in (PTI). An electric motor alone or in combination with the conventional unit applies power to the propeller shaft. This additional drive can handle a wide range of gear ratios. According to the company’s headquarters, an optional spur gearbox compensates for speed differences between the main unit and the electric motor.
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