Laboratory investigations of the stern tube bearings and pitch control mechanism of the low-power CP propeller with screw-toothed gear

Abstract

Superiority of the CP propellers over the fixed pitch propellers is evident in the case of their application on the ships intended to operate at very changeable loading conditions and on the ships reguired to have higher manoeuvrability or even dynamic positioning features. Demand for low-power CPPs grows in Poland. To face this trend, two alternative, low- power CPPs of different pitch control mechanisms and systems were designed and manufactured by a team of the Faculty of Ocean Engineering and Ship Technology, Technical University of Gdansk. A description and results of the laboratory tests of the stern tube bearing and seal assembly and of the pitch control mechanism with screw-toothed gear are presented in the paper.