Ships Main Engine Thrust Block

In a marine engine the function of the thrust block, propeller shaft, and stern tube are closely related, being responsible for the efficient transmission of the engine’s power to the propeller and ensuring the control of torque and propeller shaft alignment from the thrust block to the stern tube.

The "Tilting Pad Bearing" or often the "Michell Bearing" is used for thrust bearing which was invented by Michell, an Australian mining engineer.

The purpose of a thrust block on a large marine engine is to transmit the torque produced by the rotating propeller through the housing hold-down bolts into the ship’s structure. 

The pads are prevented from overheating and premature wear by a fluid film of oil between them and the collar, with the oil supply being hydrodynamic due to the rotation of the drive shaft.