Pod power for fast workboats at Seawork
With the IPS system, Seawork 2010 exhibitor Volvo Penta has introduced a pod system for planing applications, such as fast workboats, pilot boats and patrol boats. The IPS program is now being expanded still further. With new and larger drive units coupled to the 13 litre marine diesel, Volvo Penta is launching a new power class, IPS1050.
The IPS system brings forward facing and counter rotating propellers to pod installations for planing craft. The first stage of the IPS system was based on Volvo Penta’s 6 litre diesel engine. Last year, a new power class was launched with larger drive units and powered by Volvo Penta’s 11 litre engine.
This year, Volvo Penta is launching a third stage based on its 13 litre marine diesel. The new IPS package generates the equivalent of 1050hp, compared with conventional inboard installations. This means that Volvo Penta can now offer the IPS system for workboats, passenger ferries and patrol boats up to 30m LOA and requiring up to 40 knots performance.
The larger unit’s underwater body and a new series of propellers have been developed with the help of advanced computerized models together with extensive cavitation tunnel tests and tests in boats. The result is a highly efficient integrated system for propulsion.
The engine for the new power class is Volvo Penta’s 13 litre marine diesel, the D13, equipped with dual stage turbocharging technology and developing 800 horsepower. The dual stage turbocharging system has a first stage twin entry turbine that enables pulse charging, which results in a very high torque from low rpm. At higher rpm, a second turbo gradually takes over, so the engine retains high power even at high rpm. The charge air is both intercooled and aftercooled.
Total emissions satisfy the EU Inland waterways stage 3A, US EPA tier 2 for Marine Commercial and IMO Tier 2, in force from January 2011, by a wide margin.
The IPS system is offered as a double, triple or quad engine installation covering boats from 10m up to 30m. There is no difference for the driver whether the boat is powered by two, three or even four IPS systems. Acceleration and shifting are done in the same way with twin, single lever, controls. No additional controls are needed.
The IPS units are compact, which enables completely new boat design solutions. Onboard space is much larger, while the time needed by the boat builders for installation is reduced by 50%, in some cases even more.
All Volvo Penta IPS models are available with a joystick which lets the driver control the boat by simply moving it in the direction he or she wants the boat to move, helpful in docking and other low speed maneuvering. Also available is a DPS that holds the boat’s heading and keeps it within a very limited area. Twin high precision GPS receivers determine the boat’s position and heading. Special software transforms the data into steering angles, gear shifts and throttle positions to keep the boat still.
Volvo Penta UK will be on Stand 58 at Seawork 2010.
