Philadelphia Gear Gets Offshore Contract

Philadelphia Gear Corporation announces an agreement with the Rowan Companies, Inc., of Vicksburg, Miss., to supply propulsion reduction gearing for the Gorilla VIII drill rig. Gorilla VIII is the latest addition to Rowan’s line of self-propelled jack-up drill rigs. Philadelphia Gear will provide Rowan with marine reduction gears, model 84 DHMGH. The gearing will be used to transmit 1500 hp from each of 4 variable speed DC motors at 1050 RPM to a fixed pitch propeller turning 280 RPM in the twin-screw installation. The gear drives for port and starboard, which are identical in this application, will be arranged for motors spaced 84 in. apart, two forward of the gears and two aft.

The drives will utilize single helical, case-hardened and precision tooth ground pinions meshing with a through-hardened gear, as well as rolling element bearings for the pinions and low speed gear. A steep angle, double row tapered, roller thrust bearing will be incorporated for carrying propeller thrust. Additionally, each reduction gear includes a complete lubricating oil circulation and cooling system, which will be mounted on the gear housing, using dual, motor driven oil pumps and a sump heater. Gorilla VIII will be the fourth LeTourneau Enhanced Gorilla Class rig built by Rowan since it reactivated its Vickburg shipyard in 1996, the first to be specifically tailored for the Gulf of Mexico market and designated as Super Gorilla XL. Philadelphia Gear previously supplied reduction gearing for Rowan’s seven earlier Gorilla rigs.