ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the operation principle of the elastic joint is explained and a numerical whirling vibration analysis is carried out. The whirling vibration analysis is able to check the shaft line with regards to vibrations due to the rotation of the shaft line and the hydrodynamic effects of the propeller. The chapter explores the new elastic joint is included into a whirling analysis of a classic line shaft. In many cases the new elastic joint can solve the problem because it is mounted directly on the propeller shaft and fitted with a shrink disk that integrates the propeller shaft and the thrust bearing; the thrust bearing is also integrated with the rotating part of the stern tube bearing. The implementation of a compact, integrated system seal/thrust bearing/flexible coupling to reduce the structure-borne noise should become a very interesting subject to be investigated.
