Plug and play tug transmission

The core of this self-sufficient system is a hydraulic clutch with paired sinter/steel plates that elevate the torque through friction contact. The oil needed for clutch engagement and clutch cooling is provided by a dedicated pressure oil and cooling oil circuit, which monitors itself using an integrated control system. As such, users are independent of the actuating medium and do not need to develop their own pumps, coolers, filters and category-conform control components. No separate pipework and wiring between the individual components is required either. This makes Prop.act directly installable as a plug & play solution. With the two shaft connections on the input and output, this unit can be positioned individually in the drive train between the drive motor and ship propeller gear using relevant shaft connections.

So what distinguishes this Prop.act in particular? One type of operation facilitates “black/white” actuation, e.g. hybrid drives where the drive source – electric motor or diesel engine – can be selected using the clutch. Alternatively, the Prop.act unit makes it possible to individually reduce the propeller speed in contrast to the diesel idling speed. The permanent slip clutch used for this purpose permits fine manoeuvring and trolling of harbour tugs at a low fixed propeller speed.

By Jake Frith