INFOCUS

摘要

It is 50 years since the first Aquamaster azimuth thruster was delivered from a factory in Finland. Since that momentous day in 1965, thrusters have grown in size and scope and nowformakey segment of Rolls-Royce's propulsion portfolio. Even in those early days, the principle of the azimuth thruster was well understood. John Ericsson, the innovator of many technologies inthe 19th century, had patented a deck-mounted outboard engine. Other patents were issued in the US and UK in the 1870s and demonstrated through-hull units on a large scale. In World War Ⅱ, barges were equipped with over-the-stern thrusters with deck mounted engines. But there was not yet a convincing commercial demand. This emerged in the 1970s and has grown ever since.