Propeller:

A propeller is a rotating fan like structure which is used to propel the

ship by using the power generated and transmitted by the main engine of the ship.
The transmitted power is converted from rotational motion to generate a thrust which
imparts momentum to the water, resulting in a force that acts on the ship and pushes
it forward.
A ship propels on the basis of Bernoullis principle and Newtons third
law. A pressure difference is created on the forward and aft side of the blade and
water is accelerated behind the blades.
The thrust from the propeller is transmitted to move the ship through a
transmission system which consists of a rotational motion generated by the main
engine crank shaft, intermediate shaft and its bearings, stern tube shaft and its
bearing and finally by the propeller itself.
Types of Propeller
Propellers are be classified on the basis of several factors. The classification of
different types of propellers is shown below:
A) Classification by Number of Blades Attached:
B) Classification By pitch of the blade:
itch of a propeller can be defined as the displaceent that
a propeller aes for ever full revolution of he classification of the propellers
on the basis of pitch is as follows.
Fixed Pitch Propeller:
The blades in fixed pitch propeller are permanently attached
to the hub. The fixed pitch type propellers are casted and the position of the blades
and hence the position of the pitch is permanently fixed and cannot be changed
during the operation.
Fixed pitch propellers are robust and reliable as the system
doesnt incorporate an echanical and hdraulic connection as in Controlled Pitch
Propeller (CPP). The manufacturing, installation and operational costs are lower than
controlled pitch propeller (CPP) type. The manoeuvrability of fixed pitch propeller is
also not as good as CPP.
Controllable Pitch Propeller:
In Controlled Pitch type propeller, it is possible to alter the pitch by rotating the blade
about its vertical axis by means of mechanical and hydraulic arrangement. This
helps in driving the propulsion machinery at constant load with no reversing
mechanism required as the pitch can be altered to match the required operating
condition. Thus the manoeuvrability improves and the engine efficiency also
increases.
BOW THRUSTER:
The Bow or tunnel thrusters are designed to provide side force to the ship to
enhance manoeuvring capability in port or additional station keeping power
when dynamic positioning.
The bow and stern thrusters are placed in the through-and-through tunnels
which open at both sides of the ship. The thruster takes suction from one side
and throws it out at the other side of the ship, thus moving the ship in the
opposite direction. This can be operated in both the directions i.e. port to
starboard and starboard to port.
The bow thrusters are placed below the water line of the ship. For this reason,
the bow thruster room should be checked for water accumulation at regular
intervals of time.
Bow thruster consists of an electric motor which is mounted directly over the
thruster using a worm gear arrangement. The motor runs at a constant speed,
and whenever there is a change required in the thrust or direction, the
controllable pitch blades are adjusted.
These blades are moved and the pitch is changed with the help of hydraulic
oil which moves the hub on which the blades are mounted. As the thruster is
of controllable pitch type, it can be run continuously, and when no thrust is
required the pitch can be made to zero.




Maintenance Required
1) The bearings of the motor and the links are to be greased every month.
2) The condition of hydraulic oil is to be checked every month for water in oil and
samples should be sent for lab analysis for further checking.
3) Checks are to be made for any water leakages in the bow thruster room which is
indication of seal leaking.
4) The flexible coupling between the motor and thruster should also be checked.
AZIMUTH THRUSTER:
Azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that
can be rotated to any angle. These give ships better maneuverability than a
fixed propeller.
The azimuth thrusters are divided into L-drive and Z-drive. An L-drive thruster
has a vertical input shaft and a horizontal output shaft with one right angle
gear (Bevel). A Z-drive thruster has a horizontal input shaft, a vertical shaft in
the rotating column and a horizontal output shaft, with two right angle gears
(Bevel).



Working of Azimuth Thrusters:

The hydraulics for the pitch function of Azimuth thruster Consists of Two
Hydraulic servo pumps with individual Suction filter.
Pitching commands are given by control handle in the bridge (DP
Computer).Any difference in the potential between the potentiometer in the
control handle (desired pitch) and another potentiometer in servo valve unit
(actual pitch at present) will cause the electronic cabinet to give electrical
signal to servo valve which in turn send the oil to control piston block either in
one of the chamber present in the crosshead (Cylinder type arrangement
upon which blade carriers are installed).
Blade carriers are installed onto the grooves present on the crosshead
through square sliding shoe
If the sliding shoe moves along the grooves the linearly to forward or
backward, which rotates the blade carriers [Upon which blade carriers are
installed](Crankshaft mechanism).
The hydraulic oil is sent to the crosshead from Oil distribution box through
eccentric tubes in which NRV (Non return valve) is present, which prevents
the backflow of the hydraulic oil.
To which chamber the oil should flow is decided by 3-way proportional valve
depending upon the electrical signal.
If the oil flows to the forward chamber then it turns the ship astern and if oil
flows to the backward chamber then it turns the ship ahead.
Feedback linkages are attached to the oil distribution block to get the
feedback of how much hydraulic oil is being pumped.