Marine Steering Gears Mechanisms Efficiency: Status and Perspective for Increase

Abstract

The most common problem of modern marine energetic is an energy saving issue. Hydraulic steering gears driving pump units are one of the most significant loads of ship electric plant. For widespread ram-type steering gears the power of these pump units must overcome useful load of stern hydrodynamics torque and friction losses in lever transfer mechanisms. Friction losses in steering gears lever mechanisms can absorb from 10% to 20% of pump units power. Attempt to reduce these losses led to use rollers instead sliders in «ram-tiller» connections. Analysis presented in article illustrates low efficiency of this design solution. Study of friction losses sources demonstrates that its maximum arises from ram gasket friction. Reserve to decrease gaskets losses is transition from ram-type to piston-type stock equipped construction. Increasing of ram-type steering gear technical level need to change the type of mechanism for transformation progressive plunger motion to rotating tiller motion from tangents-type to another.