A Review of Azimuth Thruster

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2015 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 2 Issue 10

Year of Publication : 2015

Authors : Virendra Desai-Patil, Abhishek Ayare, Bhushan Mahajan, Sushmita Bade

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V2I10P107

How to Cite?

Virendra Desai-Patil, Abhishek Ayare, Bhushan Mahajan, Sushmita Bade, "A Review of Azimuth Thruster," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 2,  no. 10, pp. 21-24, 2015. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V2I10P107

Abstract:

This paper primarily concerns with the review of Azimuth thruster, its types, architecture, working along with its advantages and disadvantages. An Azimuth thruster is an arrangement of marine propellers placed in pods which can be rotated to any horizontal angle (azimuth). Joseph Becker, invented the Z-drive azimuth propeller first in 1950, whereas this kind of propulsion was first patented by Pleuger in 1955. The ships fitted with this system give better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system. This assembly consists of the podded propeller connected to a motor and an azimuth well to support the propeller. As thrust acts on the assembly, the well is supported by structures like brackets, struts etc. Furthermore, literature survey about the work doneon Azimuth Thruster till datehas been mentioned. There has been sufficient research on the optimization of design of propellers, performances and efficiencies at various parameters, but there is scope of improvisation in the design of supporting structures related to the assembly in order to optimize the weight and increase the efficiency of the working of the propeller, as well as to mitigate the problems faced while assembly.

Keywords:

Azimuth Thruster, Brackets, Propeller.

References:

[1] The Elmer A. Sperry Award 2004
[2] Roll-Royce manual.
[3] A, Meerkerk, S. Zaalberg, N. Wit, W. V. Wijk. H. Kievit, Hybrid Propulsion-Electrical Installations, Rotterdam Mainport University of Applied Sciences-RMU.
[4] Thrustmaster corporate brochure 2013
[5] I. Martinez, Marine Propulsion.
[6] Ship terms and definitions.
[7] C.C. Liang, W.H. Cheng, The Optimum Control of Thruster System ForDynamically Positioned Vessels, Science Direct, Ocean Engineering 31 (2004) 97–110.
[8] D. Barton, Failure Modes and Effect Analysis of Diving Support Vessel-Adams Challenge.
[9] C. Dymarski, M. Zagórski, New Design of the Poded Azimuth Thruster fora Diesel-Hydraulic Propulsion System of a Small Vessel, Journal of Polish CMAC, 2011.
[10] M. Fonte, L. Reis, M. Freitas, Failure Analysis of A Gear Wheel Of A Marine Azimuth Thruster, Engineering Failure Analysis, October 2011
[11] S. Go, Y. Ahn, J. Kim, H. Seo, A Study on the Powering Performance of Drillship in Transit Mode with Azimuth Thrusters, Third International Symposium on Marine Propulsors smp’13, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, May 2013.
[12] T. Kim, S. Lim, H. Seok, C. Kang, Concurrent Engineering Solution for the Design of Ship and Offshore Bracket Parts and Fabrication Process, International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Eng. (2013) 5:376~39.
[13] A.V. Parab, Steering Torque Determination of Pulling Open Thrusters, Delft University of Technology, Jan 2015.
[14] Islam M. F., Akinturk A, Liu P., Veitch B., Performance Characteristics of a Podded Propulsor During Dynamic Azimuthing, 8th Canadian Marine Hydromechanics and Structures Conference, October 2007.