Propulsion Train &

Shaft Line
Components

Introduction

Reduction Gears - fast to slow

Lubrication System - overcome
friction
Shaft components - turbines to the
working medium (ocean)
Propeller - transform rotational
energy into thrust

Reduction Gears

Purposes

Allow turbine
and propeller to
operate at most
efficient speeds
Combine two
turbines to
common shaft

Reduction Gears

Gear Types

Straight

Helical

excessive vibration
low power-transfer
ability
Reduces vibration,
quieter
Higher power transfer
ability
Excessive axial thrust

Double Helical

Two sets of teeth cut at

opposite angles
Eliminates axial thrust

Reduction Gears

Reduction Process

Pinion (small) gear

drives reduction
(large) gear
Reduction ratio =
turns of pinion : turns
of reduction gear
Double-reduction:
Double-reduction
reduction in 2 steps
(more compact
design)
For naval reduction
gears, normally 30:1

Reduction Gears

Locked Train

Two sets of gears and

shafts
Torque transmitted
equally
Increases ability to
transmit torque using
smaller components

Turbine shafts
connected to
reduction gears by
flexible couplings to
allow for thermal
expansion

Shaft Turning/Jacking
Gear

Electric motor that

rotates reduction
gears, turbines, and
shaft w/o using steam

Cool down turbines

after operation
Prior to startup for
even heating
Position for
maintenance

Can be used to lock

shaft in place

In event of casualty
(i.e., loss of lube oil)

Shaft Bearings

Designed to support
the moving parts of:

Thrust bearings

Shaft
Turbines
Absorb axial forces
Ex: Kingsbury Thrust
bearing

Radial (Journal)
bearings

Absorb radial forces

Lube Oil System

Provide lubrication and remove heat

generated by bearings in overcoming
friction
Major components:

Cooler
Sump
Pump
Moving Parts
Strainer
Strainer
Cooler
Pump
Bearings
Sump

SW

Lube Oil System

Lube oil can be kept in service for a

long time if kept pure (two methods)
Batch Purification

In-port only
Uses heated settling tank

Continuous Purification

At-sea method
Centrifugal purifier separates oil &
contaminants

Propulsion Shaft

Shaft is hollow: reduces weight &

increases resiliency
Consists of four sections

Thrust shaft - from thrust bearing in

reduction gears to end of engineroom
Line shaft - located in shaft alley
(supported by line shaft bearings)
Stern shaft - part of shaft which
penetrates hull (supported by Stern Tube
bearings)
Propeller shaft - shaft connected to
propeller (supported by Strut Bearings)

Propulsion Shaft

Different sections needed for easy

installation, removal, & maintenance

Propeller

Made of hub and blades & creates the

thrust necessary to propel the ship
through the water

Terms:

Pitch: axial
distance
advanced
during one
complete
revolution of
screw
Face: the
pressure side
Back: the
suction side

Propeller Types

Constant vs. Variable Pitch

Fixed vs. Controllable Pitch

Variable has the twisted look

Adv: more efficient over
wide range of speeds
In controllable, blades can
rotate on hub to change
pitch (change direction)

Right vs. Left Hand Screw

Viewed from aft of ship

Twin-screw ships have one
of each

CRP System

Propeller

Cavitation

Formation and subsequent collapse of

bubbles as propeller turns
Occurs at critical speed

Effects

Excessive noise
Erosion of blades
Decreased efficiency

Propeller Power vs.

Shaft RPM

Flow RPM; Thrust (head) RPM2;

Power RPM3
So, if 10% power yields 100 RPM, how
much power will produce 200 RPM?
10%
1003

x%
2003

x = 10 * (200/100)3
= 80% power

Sample Problems

Shaft hP

shp=2NT/33,000

Effective hP
Propulsive efficiency
Slip ratio

Questions
?