BOW THRUSTERS

BOW THRUSTER OF THE CPP DESIGN

2
3
 4

PREFABRICATED TRANSVERSE DUCT

FLAPS OR FLUSH MOUNTED , BUTTERFLY ACTION ,

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED DOORS
 5

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED SYSTEM

1. DRIVE SHAFT [ PRIME MOVER]

2. AXIAL SWASH PLATE TYPE PUMP [ VARIABLE DELIVERY ]
3. SERVO VALVE FOR SWASH PLATE CONTROL FOR VARIABLE DELIVERY.
4. CONSOLE ON BRIDGE.
5. THRUST INDICATOR
6. RUNNING LIGHT PANEL .
7. FIXED PITCH PROPELLER.
8. POD CASING COVER.
9. MAIN POD CASING
10. HYDRAULIC MOTOR.
11. END COVER
12. MOUNTING PLATE
13. TACHO GENERATOR
14. REPLENISHING TANK / CIRCULATING /STORAGE TANK / SUPPLEMENTING
TANK.
15. COOLER.
 6.
Used as an alternative to the Electric Motor .It consists of a Variable
Delivery pump of the Swash Plate Type , powered by an electric motor ,
located in the thruster compartment.

The pump actuates an hydraulic motor through solid drawn seamless pipes.
The motor is located in a pod inside the transverse duct and is directly
connected to the fixed pitch propeller assembly.
Pump output is controlled by means of a servo control operated directly from
the Bridge or locally to give the required speed and direction to the hydraulic
motor inside the thruster (pod ).
The pod and Propeller are suspended in a conventional athwartship tunnel
below the water line
*********************************************************************************

ELECTRICAL MOTOR DRIVE

 7

Electrical Systems for Thrusters

Auxiliary propulsion drive systems

Electrical drive systems provide cost effective and highly reliable solutions for these
applications.

Fixed Pitch Propeller drives

1. AC Motor with frequency converter unit

The AC Motor is connected to a frequency converter , allowing to run the drive

System in both directions and at each speed with the following characteristics :

 Starting current is limited to 100% of the rated current .

 Controllable smooth and soft acceleration and de-acceleration.

 Step-less speed adjustment over the full range from 0 rpm up to rated speed .

 System develops a starting torque of approx. 100% of the rated torque.

2. AC Motor with slip-ring and rotor resistor.

The AC Motor with slip-ring is connected to a switch cabinet with integrated rotor
Resistor and contactors , to choose the direction of rotation as well as the resistance
levels for the rotor circuit.
 8
 Starting current is limited to 110% (approx.) of the rated current.

 Acceleration is carried out in several discreet steps without interruptions .

 Speed adjustment is accomplished by changing the resistance in the rotor circuit

thus providing a number of fixed speed levels.

 System develops a starting torque of approx. 25% of the rated torque.

Controllable Pitch propeller drives

1. AC Motor with direct on-line [DOL] starting.

The AC Motor is directly connected to the Main supply.

 Starting current is about 600% to 750% of the rated current.

 Sudden acceleration.

 Speed adjustment is only possible by using pole changing type of AC Motors.

 System develops a starting torque of approx.200% of the rated torque.

2. AC Motor with Star-Delta connection

The AC Motor is connected to the Main supply using changeover between star
and delta Connection.

 Starting current is about 300% to 350 % of the rated current .

 Sudden acceleration in two steps with short interruption in – between.

 Speed adjustment is only possible by using pole changing type AC Motors.

 System develops a starting torque of approx. 30% of the rated torque.

 9
3. AC Motor with starting transformer.

The AC Motor is connected to the Main supply by using a starting transformer.

 Starting current is about 150% to 200% of the rated current

 Sudden acceleration in two steps without interruption in-between

 Speed adjustment is only possible by using pole changing type AC Motors.

 System develops a starting torque of approx. 25 % of the rated torque.

NOTE:

 An auto-transformer starter makes it possible to start squirrel-cage

induction motors with reduced starting current, as the voltage across the
motor is reduced during starting.

 In contrast to the star-delta connection, only three motor leads and

terminals are required.

4. AC Motor with electronic soft start unit.

The AC Motor is connected to the Main supply by using electronic soft start unit and
a bypass contactor.
 Starting current is about 300% to 350 % of the rated current .

 Controllable smooth and step-less acceleration

 Speed adjustment is only possible by using pole changing type AC Motors.

 System develops a starting torque of approx. 100% of the rated torque [ or even
more when using pulse start features.

Soft starter is an electronic starter used to control the voltage

applied on the motor during start and stop, and to accelerate
and decelerate the speed of induction motor.

*******************************************************************
 10
High Voltage :
For the same power, the motor would be of a smaller size and
consuming less current , if it is designed for 6600 Volts when
compared to 440 Volts.

SALIENT POINTS

 To maintain insulation resistance , motor windings to be kept dry by

heating of the motor and starters casing , through provision of heaters.
 Dampness through low temperatures and condensation especially since
located at the forward bow thrust compartment , is to be avoided.
 These units are infrequently used and hence prone to a.f.m. problems.
 Space/Room Heaters are provided.
 A good ventilation system is provided. This allows entry of personnel.

NOTE : CLUTCH / DE-CLUTCH ARRANGEMENT IN THE

GEARBOX
: THRUSTER IS A FIXED PITCH PROPELLER

11
Bow thrusters with diesel drive
By installing diesel drives various problems are avoided, for example the
very large power demand of electrically driven bow thrusters, the
insulation problems associated with the windings and the complications
involved with starting, speed control and reversing.

For a conventional thruster in an athwartship tunnel, the diesel engine

may be mounted at the same level as the propeller to provide a direct
drive through a reverse/reduction gear.

An alternative diesel arrangement (Figure 10.1) where space is limited,

has the diesel mounted above the thruster.

Both of the units shown, have horizontally mounted diesel engines with
simple speed control through the fuel rack, and a reverse/reduction
gearbox. The second arrangement requires an extra gearbox with bevel
gears to accommodate change of shaft line. Flexible couplings are also
fitted.

The reversing gearbox has ahead and astern clutches, with one casing
coupled to the diesel engine shaft and a drive to the other clutch casing,
through external gear teeth. The clutch casings rotate in opposite
directions and whichever is selected, will apply drive, ahead or astern,
to the output shaft. The engine idles when both clutches are
disengaged.
 12

Configuration of prime movers

 13
Q. a. Describe a transverse bow thruster unit using a CPP. Mention
Should be made of how it is supported and how the strength of
thrust and reverse thrust are achieved.
b. State , with reasons , a suitable prime mover for a CPP.

c. State whether the thrust unit delivers a relatively low pressure

head with high volume output or high pressure head with low
volume output

A. a. A transverse bow thruster is a device which assists in Docking,

Manoeuvring [when a ship is moving at a low speed , usually
below 4 knots. ] , or positioning a vessel.

Most common arrangements employs a tunnel thruster having a

built –in pipe tunnel athwart ship with protective grids at two
ends and solid bar rings around top and bottom for strengthening.
Solid floor plates supports the tunnel at the bottom , in the form
of a centre girder and transverse girders ( floors). [ SHOW TRPs ]

Vertical stiffeners /web frames on the ship side in way of the

transverse ducting (tunnel) , ensure rigid support vide welded
brackets.

In a Controllable Pitch Propeller design , driven by prime movers

( either an electrical motor or diesel engine drive or hydraulic motor)
a hydraulic servo motor assembly located in the Gear housing (pod),
is used to change the pitch of the propeller blades , based on a
signal received from the Bridge Control System. [ TRP of CPP
system ]
With the actuation of the Bridge Lever for a desired pitch (thrust),
the servo control valve [ directional valve] is positioned in such a
manner that allows hydraulic oil under pressure to flow through the
oil distribution box and up to the check valves on any either side
of the servo piston as desired for ahead or astern pitch [ thrust].

14
The force acting on the servo piston on one side and the
displacement of oil from the other side of the piston , due to
differential pressure , causes the piston to move thereby
transmitting :

1. A linear motion of the push-pull rod , to the X-head assembly

in the hub and converting it into rotary movement of the blades
vide the crank pin ring mechanism .
OR
2. With servo located inside the hub, the servo piston connected
to a piston rod , actuates the X-head assembly also inside the
hub , which in turn brings about the rotary movement of the
blades, as mentioned in Point 1.

Axial Water flow / Thrust can be provided in either direction ,

simply by changing the blade pitch angle. Therefore any
non-reversible prime mover can therefore be used , for e.g. a diesel
engine or various types of electrical motors or hydraulic motors
powered by a power unit. [ for a CPP type only].

The prime mover speed is normally constant speed when used

for a CPP drive and need not be stopped , whilst in operation ,
since the blades can be placed in neutral position ( zero pitch ) ,
when no thrust is required.

Standard blades are of backward skewed design with

Rounded tips This results in optimum thrust efficiency .

 The propeller should have a large blade area so as to keep
cavitation volume as low as possible. This results in maximum
thrust output at minimum noise and vibration levels.

15

The drive is obtained through a flexible drive shaft , couplings

and set of bevel Gears .

Effective sealing arrangements at the blades palm base prevent

any sea water ingress into the unit.

Strength of the thrust is achieved by controlling the speed of

rotation in the case of a FPP design. ,and by pitch variation in
the case of CPP design.

Reverse thrust is achieved in a FPP with prime movers capable

of reversing , and in the case of CPP , by pitch variation , either
side of neutral pitch.

b. For a constant speed drive in CPP design , a squirrel cage

induction motor , mounted above the athwart ship tunnel
[ Bow thruster compartment ]with star/delta or an electronic soft
start arrangement is a better choice.

The reason being , because of its least maintenance , low starting

current. On the other hand , diesel engine prime movers require
expensive and time consuming engine maintenance ; hydraulic
units are expensive , susceptible to leakages , and also requires
periodic maintenance.

c. As the function of the Bow thruster is to provide an axial flow,

a screw propeller of special profile is used to create an increase
in pressure by causing an axial acceleration of liquid through its
 blades.

The incidental rotation imparted to the liquid is converted into

straight axial movement , by the suitably shaped tunnel casing.

16
An axial flow propeller blade unit is chosen for a relatively low
pressure head with a high volume output because :

1. In general, axial flow pumps create less pressure (head) than

radial flow centrifugal pumps, but they can produce much higher
flow rates.

2. The axial orientation of the blades produces very low head as the
liquid is pumped.

3. Some configurations can have their flow and head adjusted by altering the
pitch of the impeller vanes.

4. Axial flow pumps are dynamic pumps, meaning

they utilize fluid
momentum and velocity to generate pump
pressure.

***************************************************************************************
NOTES : IN GENERAL

What is an axial flow pump?

An axial flow pump is a type of centrifugal pump that uses an impeller with
vanes that direct the flow axially.
In this way, they differ from most other centrifugal pumps, which direct the flow
more radially.
In general, axial flow pumps create less pressure (head) than radial flow
centrifugal pumps, but they can produce much higher flow rates.
 17
But in a Bow Thruster , design of the blades [vanes] is profiled in such a
manner where fluid flow is in both transverse direction, in the transverse
duct , as required.

An axial flow pump may generate only 10 to 20 feet of head, much lower
than most other types of centrifugal pumps. They are capable of
producing very high flow rates – as high as several hundred thousand
gallons per minute, the highest flow rates of any type of centrifugal pump .
Some configurations can have their flow and head adjusted by altering the pitch
of the impeller vanes.

Axial Flow Pumps Information

Axial flow pumps, also called propeller pumps, are centrifugal pumps
which move fluid axially through an impeller. They provide high flow
rate and low head, but some models can be adjusted to run
efficiently at different conditions by changing the impeller pitch.

Advantages Disadvantages
 Highest flow rates (capacity) Low head and discharge press
 Can be adjusted for best
Not suitable for suction lift
efficiency at varying conditions

Operation
 Axial flow pumps are dynamic pumps,
meaning they utilize fluid momentum and velocity to generate pump
pressure.

Axial flow pumps are one of three subtypes of centrifugal pumps, the
others being mixed flow and radial flow. Of these three types, axial
flow pumps are characterized by the highest flow rates and lowest
discharge pressures.
18

view
full size image
Specifications

 Flow rate describes the rate at which the pump can move fluid
through the
system, typically expressed in m³/ hr or litres /hr.
The rated capacity of a pump must be matched to the flow rate
required by the
application or system.

 Pressure is a measure of the force per unit area of resistance

the pump can handle
or overcome, expressed in bar or kg/cm².
As in all centrifugal pumps, the pressure in axial flow pumps
varies based on the
 pumped fluid's specific gravity.

For this reason, head is more commonly used to define pump

energy in this way.

 Head is the height above the suction inlet that a pump can lift a
fluid. It is a
shortcut measurement of system resistance (pressure) which is
independent of the
fluid's specific gravity, expressed as a column height of water
given in
meters (m).

 Net positive suction head (NPSH) is the difference between

the pump's inlet
stagnation pressure head and the vapor pressure head. The
required NPSH is
an important parameter in preventing pump cavitation.

xx