PROPELLERS

AND
BOW THRUSTERS
 BLADE TIP
Screw Propeller
TIP CIRCLE
HUB
ROOT

SUCTION
BACK
PRESSURE
PROPELLER FACE
DISC

ROTATION

TRAILING LEADING
EDGE EDGE
 Screw Propeller
Definitions

Diameter(D): distance from tip to tip

Hub: the connection between propeller and shaft
Blade Tip: the furthest point on the blade
Blade Root: the point where the blade meets the hub
Pitch(P): Theoretical distance a propeller would move in
one revolution
Pitch Angle: Angle of the blade with respect to incoming flow.
It usually varies from root to tip.
Fixed Pitch:
- The pitch is constant all the way from the blade root to
the blade tip.
- Blade is fixed to the hub and cannot be altered.
 Screw Propeller
Definitions
Left hand screw :
- Rotates CCW when viewed from astern.
- Single screw ships use this type.
Right hand screw :
- Rotates CW when viewed from astern.
Pressure face :
- High pressure side of blade. The astern side when going ahead
Suction side : Low pressure side. Surface opposite the face
Leading edge Suction side
Trailing edge
T.E. L.E.
Pressure side
 Screw Propeller
Some Definitions

Pitch -Theoretical distance a propeller would move in one revolution

Tip Circle- Circle described by the blade tip rotation
Propeller Disc- The area circumscribed by the propellers tip circle
Leading Edge- Forward edge of the blade, first to encounter the water stream
Trailing Edge- Last part of the blade to encounter the water stream
Pressure Face- The high pressure side of the propeller blade (the back side as the
propeller advances)
Suction Back- The low pressure side of the propeller blade (the front side as the
propeller advances)
 Propeller Pitch

The distance that the blade travels in one revolution, P

- measured in feet

pitch
diameter

Hub
 Propeller Pitch Angle

Thepitch angle relates the pitch length to the

circumference of the propeller blade:

tan = P
2r

Pitch angle is the angle that any part of the blade makes perpendicular
with the water flow
 Types of Propeller Pitch

WITH REGARD TO THE BLADE SHAPE:

1. Constant Pitch-
- The pitch angle does not change, it is the same at the root as at
the tip of the blade, but the pitch will vary

tan = P
2r

2. Variable Pitch- The pitch angle changes as the distance from the root
changes ( is defined at a blade radius of .7r)
WITH REGARD TO THE BLADE MOUNTING ON THE HUB:

3. Fixed Pitch- The blade is permanently attached to the hub and cannot change

4. Controllable Pitch- The position of the blade can be altered while the blade
rotates, thereby changing the pitch angle
 Propeller Rotation

Left hand screw

- Rotates Counter Clock-wise when viewed from astern
- Single screw ships use this type
Naval Ship
Right hand screw
- Rotates Clock-wise when viewed from astern

Counter Rotating Propellers

- Have both a right and left hand screw
- Eliminates torque created by the rotation
- Torque will cause the stern to make a turn in
the direction of rotation Submarines & torpedoes
 The Skewed Propeller

Highly Skewed Propeller for a DDG 51

Advantages:
- Reduced interaction between propeller
and rudder wake
- Reduced vibration and noise

Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Less efficient operating in reverse
Right Hand propeller torque forces a boat into a right
hand turn.
Right Hand propeller torque forces a boat into a right
hand turn.

How can we prevent this walking due to blade rotation?

Right Hand propeller torque forces a boat into a right
hand turn.

Counter Rotating Propeller : Torpedo, Submarine

Right Hand propeller torque forces a boat into a right
hand turn.

OR
Right Hand propeller torque forces a boat into a right
hand turn.

Naval Ship
 Propeller Theory
The velocity of the water wake at the propeller (VW) is less than the
velocity of ship. The difference is called the Speed of Advance

Vwater = 0
P
Wake Region
VS VW
Q
Vwater = VS

The ship drags the surrounding water so that the wake to follow the ship with a
wake speed (VW) is generated in the stern.

VA = VS - VW Speed of Advance
 Propeller Theory

Propeller Efficiency, P:
THP: Thrust
THP Horse Power
p = (after
DHP propeller)
DHP: Delivery
Horse Power
(Before
propeller)
2
p =
1 + 1 + Ct

Where CT is the Thrust Loading Coefficient

 Propeller Theory

2
p = T
1 + 1 + Ct CT = 2
0.5VA A o

CT : Thrust loading coefficient

T : Propeller thrust
A o : Area of the projected propeller disc

So for a given thrust, T,:

Ao CT Prop Efficiency, p
...The larger the diameter of propeller, the better the propeller efficiency
(~70 % for a well-designed PP.)
 Propeller Cavitation
- The formation and collapse of vapor bubbles on propeller blades where the
pressure has fallen below the vapor pressure of water

Cavitation occurs on propellers that are heavily loaded, or are experiencing a

high thrust loading coefficient

Consequences:
1) Low propeller efficiency (Thrust reduction)
2) Propeller erosion (Mechanical erosion. Severe damage
to propeller : up to 180 ton/in)
3) Vibration due to uneven loading
4) Cavitation noise due to impulsion by the bubble collapse
 Navy Model Propeller 5236

Blade Tip Cavitation Sheet Cavitation

Flow velocities at the tip are Large and stable region of
fastest so that pressure drop cavitation covering the suction
occurs at the tip first. face of propeller.
 Propeller Cavitation

Preventing Cavitation
- Remove fouling, nicks and scratches
- Operate at speeds below the cavitation inception speed
- Increase or decrease the engine RPM smoothly to avoid an abrupt change in
thrust.
-Appropriate pitch setting for controllable pitch propeller
- For submarines, diving to deeper depths will delay or prevent cavitation as
hydrostatic pressure increases
 Propeller Ventilation

Ventilation

- If a propeller operates too close to the water surface, surface air or exhaust
gases are drawn into the propeller blade due to the localized low pressure around
propeller.
- The load on the propeller is reduced by the mixing of air or exhaust gases into
the water causing effects similar to those for cavitation.
-Ventilation often occurs in ships in a very light condition(small draft) and in
rough seas.
Bow Thrusters

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Bow Thrusters

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 Bow Thrusters
(Installation Process)

Step 2:Insert tube Step 3: Cut tube to

and check for fit. fit.
Step 1: Cut a
hole in the boat.

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 Bow Thrusters
(Installation Process)

Step 4:Grind Step 5: (this one's Step 6: Install

away hull real important) thruster motor.
around tube. Glass tube into the
boat.

Step 7: Install props on

thruster.

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Questions?