Propulsion Equipment
The following editorial is a compilation of the latest product and company news from manufacturers of propulsion-related equipment. For additional information on any of the companies mentioned in the article, please circle the appropriate reader service card number, which is listed at the end of the story. North American Marine Jet, of Benton, Ark., which serves the commercial and military markets with its marine jet products, added a new line of water jets.
The Traktor Jet III has an extremely high Bollard thrust-to-horsepower ratio, making it an outstanding waterjet propulsion system for craft operating at speeds up to 20 knots. The Traktor Jet III features shallow draft capabilities and a low impeller rpm operating level to negate damage from ingestion of debris. At 7,000 pounds Bollard pull thrust with only 450 shp, the Traktor Jet III out-pulls low geared props and achieves maximum efficiency in the 5-15 knot speed range without engine overload or over speed.
The Traktor Jet IV is now in final design and testing. It is a waterjet propulsion system for large vessels or for heavy towing duty.
At the design horsepower of600, the Traktor IV produces over 11,000 pounds of Bollard pull thrust at 600 rpm.
North America's NOMERA bow thrusters are based on the NOMERA 14 and 20 models with adaptation for port or starboard discharge. Valves operated via hydraulic, air or mechanical systems provide port, starboard or neutral flow.Power requirements from 200- through 500- shp may be via direct-driven diesel engine (no gearbox or clutch) or via electric or hydraulic motor.
Founded in 1928, Lips B.V. is recognized as a leading manufacturer of propellers. The company has supplied more than 45,000 fixed-pitch propellers, with sizes up to 36 feet in diameter, for powers up to 48,000 kW. Since 1975, Lips has supplied more than 40 transverse tunnel thrusters in the range of 1,300- to 1,560-kW for dynamically positioned ships. Nozzles, sterntube seals and bearings complete the company's product line. From its head office and main production facility in Drunen in The Netherlands, Lips B.V. coordinates additional manufacturing plants, which operate either as whollyowned subsidiaries or as joint ventures.
In addressing the challenge of steerable thrusters, in 1981 Lips pooled its own expertise with the large-thruster know-how developed over more than 30 years by Schottel-Nederland B.V. In 1989, pursuant to an agreement with Schottel, the assets of the joint venture were vested in a new, wholly-owned company, Lips Thrusters B.V. The company wages an ongoing R&D policy to continually review production methods and upgrade them for maximum effectiveness. Lips provides a variety of thrusters, including modular thrusters, can-mounted thrusters, containerized thrusters and retractable thrusters.
Recently, KaMeWa received an order for its new Dynamic Compensation (DC) Maneuvering System for three new passenger/car ferries which are under construction at the Volkswerft yard in Stralsund, Germany. The order was placed by Norwegian ferry operator Hurtigruten. The DC system is an extended version of KaMeWa's standard joystick maneuvering system, and was developed in cooperation with SSPA Maritime Consulting AB, Gothenburg. Brunvoll Thruster of Norway, a supplier of high-quality thruster systems, has delivered more than 2,500 thruster systems throughout the world since 1965. The company focuses on controllable- and fixed-pitch bow and stern thrusters; azimuthing(rotatable) thrusters; complete drive system packages, both diesel electric and hydraulic; and related control systems. In a recent effort to reduce operational noise, Brunvoll introduced the Brunvoll Thruster unit in resilient mounting.
The unit was developed to combat noise levels of 85- to 90-db, a level common in accommodation localities above and near thrusters operating at full power. Recommendations for acceptable noise levels (as dictated by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate in regards to continuous operation), are 60-db for sleeping quarters and A Lips steerable thruster.
65-db for mess rooms, etc. The Brunvoll Thruster unit in a resilient mounting reportedly conquers this problem, and is reportedly easy to install, as it is supplied factory complete with: full-length double tunnel; connecting ribs on outer tunnel for welding to ship structure; fairings at in/outlets; brackets for grating; resilient mounting elements installed; seals installed; elastomeric balloons in position; zinc anodes applied; and antifouling treatment between tunnels.
KaMeWa, which supplies a wide variety of propulsion products for marine applications, also recently launched a new propeller sleeve concept, a project developed jointly by KaMeWa and SKF. The propeller sleeve was designed to simplify removal and mounting of fixed-pitch propellers. Based on the oil injection method, it provides full interchangeability between operating propeller and spare propeller. In addition, it reduces the requirement for a complete spare propeller shaft to just a spare sleeve, an economical aspect geared to please shipowners.Keys to the new propeller sleeve, which was officially launched last fall, are precision manufacturing and a cylindrical bore in the propeller. The Hamilton HM Series waterjet propulsion system is a range of units designed for the efficient propulsion of a wide range of work and patrol craft and fast ferries typically in the 66- to 197-foot range. Suitable for power inputs up to 3,000 kW per units, HM Series jets would normally be driven via a reduction gearbox. A new 56-ton Royal Malaysian Customs patrol craft outfitted with twin model HM571 jets recently achieved a maximum continuous speed of 32 knots during trials, versus a 28-knot contract design speed.
Other HM Series jet applications include crew boats for the Malaysian oil fields, a 59-foot pilot boat for the Dutch Pilots Association, patrol craft for North Africa and loiter/ boost propulsion application in new Hong Kong Marine Police patrol craft. It was announced also that the HM Series was chosen for six Caterpillar-powered marine police patrol craft being built at Western Australia shipyard, and four MTUpowered Inshore patrol vessels, also being built at Western Australia. The new HS Series of multi-stage waterjets are designed specifically to operate in the 40- to 65-knot speed range, and are proving to be a primary choice option for designers of extra high-speed craft, the manufacturer reports.
Servogear A/S of Norway, founded in 1973, has delivered approximately 900 gearboxes and propeller systems, 500 of which have been installed in high-speed crafts, both twin and monohull. Today, Servogear Propulsion System supplies a wide variety of propulsionrelated equipment, including reduction gearboxes, controllable-pitch propellers, effect rudders, and more. The systems cover an engine range of 300 to 3,000 kW and speed up to 50 knots.
The company's latest gearbox, type HD 250, is designed for highspeed craft and is available in HDrive, U-Drive and Twin-input/ Single-output versions. Gearwheels are crafted of high quality steel, designed for maximum safety and minimum noise. The unit is also equipped with a built-in hydraulic operated clutch and servo system to actuate the propeller pitch.
Ulstein International has achieved an important breakthrough into the French market. The Norwegian Group is supplying propellers, shafting and thrusters for the Dreamward and Windward Kloster Cruise Line (KCL) vessels being built at Chantiers de 1'Atlantique, and a further significant first is the contract to supply bowthrusters for six Lafayette frigates being built for the French Navy.
The cruise ship contract continues a long-standing Ulstein relationship with KCL having previously supplied stern gear to the Royal Viking Sun and Royal Viking Star built in Finland.
It is, however, Ulstein's first penetration of the Atlantique yard, made even more notable by the additional July, 1993 supply of Ulstein Bergen diesel engines for auxiliary power.
The supply of bowthrusters to the French Naval yard of DCN Lorient is also significant. In addition to the export success in the French market warships do not normally fit thrusters. The Ulstein's Liaaen factory is to supply a 90TV-type thruster, rated at 310 kW and specially approved to comply with Naval shock-load specifications, for each of the six Lafayette-class light frigates being built. Each thruster has a diameter of 1,280 mm and will be driven at a speed of 388 rpm by an ABB electric motor through a 3.64:1 reduction gear. The first vessel in the series, F710 Lafayette, was floated out at DCN Lorient Naval Dockyard in June 1992 and is currently undergoing sea trials
