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Tough Couplings Drive Mega-Dredger
01 Jun 2005
Rubber in compression couplings from Renold Hi-Tec are operating successfully in one of the toughest marine applications imaginable. They are working on the cutter drive of the world's largest cutter suction dredger JFJ De Nul , built last year by IHC Holland Merwede 's Kinderdijk yard for Belgian contractor Jan De Nul .The vessel won the prestigious Ship of the Year Award from the Royal Dutch Union of Technicians in Shipbuilding .
JFJ De Nul's ferociously powerful cutter head is driven by two motors connected to a massive double input gearbox which is the largest ever made by manufacturer Jahnel-Kestermann.
The cutter can be driven by either one or two motors, with single motor operation rated 3,800kW at 1,000rpm while twin motor operation is rated 2,500kW at 1,000rpm.
Renold Hi-Tec PM270 rubber in compression couplings, along with Wichita clutches, connect the motors to the gearbox.
During operation the couplings have to deal with very high vibratory torques of a level that could cause rapid failure in other coupling designs. The rubber in compression design also provides inherently failsafe operation whilst damping the high shock loads.
MJ Information No: 20722
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