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Voith Schneider Propeller

for Offshore Supply Vessels


Voith Turbo
Voith Schneider Propeller
for Offshore Supply Vessels
PSVs require very fast and precise
thrust changes for DP, as well as
very high free-running efficiencies
to reach the operational areas eco-
nomically.
The reliable propulsion system from
Voith Turbo Marine meets these
outstanding demands and increases
the efficiency and safety of offshore
shipping.
Benchmark model tests were
performed and showed that the
efficiency of the Voith Schneider
Propeller (VSP) is superior to other
competitive propulsors.
The VSP is a propulsion system
allowing stepless, highly accurate
and fast control of thrust in terms
of magnitude and direction.
The main advantages of the VSP
for Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV)
are the stepless control of thrust,
the high pro pulsion efficiency and
its robustness.
This aspect is of paramount impor-
tance during operation at offshore
installations in heavy weather
conditions. A vital feature is the
redundancy of the entire pro pulsion
system, which guarantees full con-
trol of the vessel even with only one
power train in operation.
PSV in heavy seas
Typical lines design of a PSV
2
systems. These vessel types were
required to maintain their position
and head within very strict param-
eters. Automatic heading and posi-
tion control systems were hence
essential for safe operation.
The new roles for standard Offshore
Supply Vessels now require that
the vessels are positioned with
a higher degree of accuracy, and
able to maintain their position for
extended periods of time.
The function of the DP system is
to control automatically the yaw,
surge and sway, and therefore
maintain the vessel in the desired
location or maintain the required
heading control.

Yaw: The change of heading


due to the vessels rotation about
the vertical axis

Sway: The vessels movement


in the transverse direction
(side stepping)

Surge: Vessels movement in


the fore and aft direction
It is therefore important to have
a propulsion system with an overall
outstanding performance.
The above-mentioned requirements
are fulfilled by the concept of Voith
Schneider Propellers. Quick and
precise steering, long service life,
high availability and fast stopping,
as well as high acceleration proper-
ties make the VSP propulsion
system a perfect partner for DP
operation.
The very rapid and precise thrust
vari ation makes the VSP an ideal
propulsion system for efficient dy-
namic positioning even in extremely
rough weather conditions.
The Voith Schneider Propeller offers
additional roll stabilization for OSVs,
which reduces the roll motion while
it is stationary or cruising. This
additional function has been proven
by Voith in theoretical computations
with the University of Hamburg-
Harburg, during model tank tests at
Marin and full scale measurements
at the North Sea.
Dynamic Positioning with
Voith Schneider Propellers
In the past only specialized vessels,
such as dive support, construction
support and survey vessels, were
fitted with dynamic positioning
PSV with 2 VSP in dry-dock
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Very rapid thrust variation and
generation of very high moments
makes it possible to use the VSP
for efficient reduction of the ships
rolling motion, in particular when
the ship is stationary or cruising.
Roll Stabilization Test VSP,
Wave Height 1.5 m, Period 5.0 s
Time [s]
Roll Stabilization OFF
Roll Stabilization ON
R
o
l
l
a
n
g
l
e

[

]
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
140 160 180 200 220 240 260
The results of calculations, model
tests and full scale measurements
have proven that the Voith Schnei der
Propeller allows very effective roll
stabilization with the ship stationary
or underway.
Roll Damping with Voith Schneider Propellers
Calculation for a PSV
Wave height [m]
S
i
g
.

r
o
l
l

a
n
g
l
e

[

]
2
Sig. roll angle for a PSV GM = 1,3 m T = 15 s
0
3 4 5 6 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Without damping
With VSP/VCR damping
7
Results from numerical investigations
(TU Hamburg-Harburg, Prof. Sding)
4
Results from model tests
(Marin)
Theoretical basis roll
stabilization
Conclusion/Summary
Independent investigation programs
carried out by Marintek and SVA
Vienna in cooperation with Voith
Turbo Marine have confirmed the
excellent propulsion efficiency of
the VSP solution across the entire
speed range. Additionally, the excel-
lent sea keeping behaviour of the
VSP was proven and documented
alongside the renowned and well-
established advantages of the VSP
in terms of:

Redundancy

Controllability (fast and extremely


precise thrust control for DP
mode)

Roll stabilization can be offered


for OSV applications. As a result,
the performance of modern OSVs
improves significantly

Long service life and minimum


downtimes
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Voith Turbo Marine GmbH & Co. KG
P.O. Box 2011
89510 Heidenheim, Germany
Tel. +49 7321 37-6595
Fax +49 7321 37-7105
vspmarine@voith.com
www.voithturbo.com/marine
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