11/9/2017 Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) Vs Fixed Pitch Propeller (FPP)

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Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) Vs Fixed

Pitch Propeller (FPP)

By Soumya Chakraborty | In: Naval Architecture | Last Updated on October 9, 2017

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Most of the propellers that are used in ships are xed pitch propellers (FPP). What does this propeller
term means? Lets understand this from a beginners point of view.

If you look at a propeller axially, you will notice a twist in the propeller blade along the length of the
propeller hub. It is this twist in the blade that results in the forward motion of the propeller with each
rotation.

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Parts of screw propeller

It is pretty much what you see on a screw. The angle of the thread is actually what is called the pitch
angle. The more the pitch angle, the more distance is travelled by the screw in one rotation, that is, the
more is the pitch. Similarly, propellers act on the principle of screw. Hence the term screw propeller.

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But what is a xed pitch propeller or the FPP?

The propeller is designed in a way such that, if you cut the propeller radially at any random radius from
its centre, then the cut section of the propeller blades will have a certain pitch (magnitude depends upon
how twisted it is along the length of the hub). Nowif you rotate this cut section in water, the axial distance
travelled in one rotation is the pitch of this section. If you vary the radius at which you cut a section, the
twist of the blade also varies from the root to the tip. This makes it evident that each section of the
propeller has a particular pitch.

The root of the propeller will have a different pitch from the tip of the propeller. So the pitch variation from
the root to the tip is as shown in Figure 1. The question now is, if each section has a different pitch, then
what is the resultant pitch of the propeller? Answer is the resultant pitch is the average of all the pitches
of each section of the propeller.

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Blade section and variation of pitch with section

Note very carefully, that the pitch varies along with the blade section (or increasing distance from the
propeller centre), but the net average or the net pitch of the propeller remains constant. Such a propeller
is a xed pitch propeller.

Now, lets go back to the concept of a screw. What if you could somehow change the angle of inclination
of the threads along the screw?

If you could, what would you actually be doing is changing the pitch angle and subsequently, the pitch of
the screw.This is exactly why the controllable pitch propeller was developed by the industry. We will be
dealing with the applications in detail a little later. But for now, it is vital to know the fundamental working
of a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)also commonly known as Variable Pitch Propeller.

The twist (to be referred as pitch from now on) of the root section of the blade is always with respect to
the angle it makes with the propeller hub. What if we can change the angle of orientation of the root? And
since all the other blade sections had their previous pitch angle already, they attain a new pitch angle. In
other words, you are able to control the pitch of the entire propeller, by changing the orientation of the
root section on the hub. This is done by the means of a hydraulic cylinder.

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When the required orientation or pitch of the propeller is obtained, the blades are locked in that position.
So the blades are not an integral part of (or not casted along with) the propeller hub. They are mounted
on spindles that have axes perpendicular to the shaft axis.

Image Credits: Stahlkocher / Wikipedia

Advantages and Disadvantages of CPP and FPP

The following points will discuss the applications and their relations with the advantages and
disadvantages of CPP and FPP systems:

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The controllable pitch propellers can be used to run the ship in forward and astern direction both,
without the requirement to change the direction of rotation of the engine. How? Well, the propeller
works on the principle of lift generated by each aerofoil section of the blade. What if we can
change the orientation of the blade, such that the direction of life force is opposite to what it was
during forward running of the ship? Thats exactly what is achieved by changing the pitch angle of
the blades, as shown in Figure 2.

Blade sections shown in various pitch orientations

A non-reversible engine can be used for both forward and astern operation of the ship. Hence,
the weight of the engine and propulsion machinery is reduced considerably when compared to
what is required in propulsion systems equipped with xed pitch propellers.

Since the pitch of the propeller determines the amount of thrust generated by the propeller, a
change in the pitch angle can bring about a change in the speed of the ship. So, a controllable
pitch propeller is useful in changing the speed of the ship without changing the speed or rpm of
the main engine. But why are we focusing on this advantage? What happens if we need to reduce
the engine rpm to reduce the ships speed? Well, many ships have a shaft driven diesel alternator
system. So the rpm of the main engine shaft controls the electric power production on board. In
that case, if the speed was to be reduced using a xed pitch propeller, it would require a reduction
in the shaft rpm, which would result in reduction of power generated.

Due to the above reason, the speed of the ship can be handled from the navigation bridge
directly. In case of xed pitch propellers, the marine engineer needs to be intimidated in order to
change the ships speed. Therefore CPP technology is used for obtaining faster response of
speed change.

The efciency of astern condition in case of xed pitch propellers is less than that of controllable
pitch propeller in astern condition.

However, there are many disadvantages of using a controllable pitch propeller to a xed pitch propeller. It
is important to know them too.

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The pitch control mechanism installed in the hub is complicated enough to demand proper
inspection at regular intervals. The installation process is also more complicated as compared to
that of xed pitch propeller system.

Controllable pitch propellers have a very high initial cost. And this cost increases rapidly with
increasing diameter of the propeller.

Due to pitch control mechanisms housed inside the hub, the length and the diameter of the hub is
also high as compared to the xed pitch propeller systems.

To conclude, it is vital to know the applications of controllable pitch propellers. These are used in ships
that are required to operate at variable speeds even when operating at constant power requirements.
Such ships are tugs, trawlers, ferries, ice breakers, and small scale warships that are equipped with gas
turbines.

Over to you..

What according to you are the most important features of CPP and FPP?

Lets know in the comments below.

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About Soumya Chakraborty

Soumya is pursuing Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IMU, Visakhapatnam,
India. Passionate about marine design, he believes in the importance of sharing maritime
technical knowhow among industry personnel and students. He is also the Co-Founder and Editor-in-
Chief of Learn Ship Design- A Student Initiative.

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Comments

Abhi Verma says

JANUARY 31, 2015 AT 7:14 PM

been a deck cadet for about 18 months now ..sailed on both type of propulsion system ..
CPP .its the best for manoeuvring . being on bridge when entering port or channel . when
the pilot sees a CPP .You can see the grin on his face reduces tension on the bridge a lot

Fergus Glover says

MARCH 4, 2015 AT 6:12 AM

1.What are the advantages and disadvantages of xed propeller in ship?

2.what are the advantages and disadvantages of controllable pitch properller?

Tanvir Biswas says

APRIL 4, 2015 AT 2:16 PM

Can we use the azipod in a merchant ship instead of cpp or fpp?

Antonis C. says
AUGUST 15, 2015 AT 2:47 AM

Very interesting article!

I also think that CPPs have better performance against cavitation, as they tend to adjust their
operation (P/D) through speed changes.

However, CPPs are more expensive and require a complicated control system (automated ?).
And there is a lot of study on how to choose a CPP as well as regulating the expected changes
in pitch ratio through speed changes.

Moreover, CPPs, as far as I consider, are ideal for hybrid vessels, that use Prime Movers in
combination with Electric Motors/Shaft Generators etc.

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James says
NOVEMBER 1, 2015 AT 3:49 AM

Not necessarily: (@ Antonis

C) I sailed for 11 years now, served on a few ships, two of which were old as fuck and yet they
were cpp. m.v suilven made in 1973 with original cpp from construction. And m.v queen of
prince Rupert..
Even older still 1954
.and cpp also

So u see cpp been in the industry long before u been in the world. If u dont believe me google
that shit..who and when they invented cpp. U b amazed its old teck

Henning Heinemann says

MARCH 7, 2016 AT 2:16 AM

The reason I prefer a CP propellor is versatility in use while maintaining the engine at peak
fuel/load efciency. AHTSs are where they really shine where you can put full torque and
horsepower to the water regardless of the speed over the ground, and minimize cavitation and
slippage in the process.

PETRAS PIKSRYS says

MARCH 7, 2016 AT 2:15 PM

The CPP is ussing for the ships with special manuvering tugs, shing bouts or cargo vessels
like small RO-RO or container vessels, the FPP is ussing for long voyage vessels ocean
going vessels.

Anoop r nair pk says

MARCH 7, 2016 AT 6:07 PM

Good article

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KTS says
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AT 9:21 AM

Which propeller, FPP or CPP is more suitable to use with Dual Fuel Engine? And Why?

badr Ali says

APRIL 8, 2017 AT 11:04 PM

Theortical speed calculation for controllable pitch propeller

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