Veth Integrated L-Drive
Netherlands-headquartered Veth Propulsion dedicated a large part of its Europort presence to its new Integrated L-drive, first launched at NorShipping in Oslo.
The Integrated L-drive is described by Veth as ‘the most compact electric propulsion system in the world’. It can be fitted into various types of vessels, ranging from super yachts to work boats.
The Permanent Magnet motor was designed in collaboration with Visedo and allows for a much lower mounting height. On average, a PM motor is 40% to 60% more compact than an asynchronous motor. This PM motor is integrated into the thruster and makes a very compact thruster, when combined with the special mounting method, the alignment of the headsets and the adjustments to the control box. The design makes use of every millimetre, without compromising quality.
“The minimal mounting height allows the thruster to be fitted below deck height, so that few vulnerable capital assets are underwater,” says Erik Veth, CEO of Veth Propulsion.
The drive is diesel-electric driven, which results in noise reduction. The choices Veth Propulsion made for a L-drive (no gear transmission in the vessel), a water-cooled PM-motor (re the air-colled asynchronous motor) and electrical controlling (re hydraulic controlling) guarantees even more noise reduction.
Because an L-drive has only one gear transmission, it already results in higher efficiency. A PM motor, in particular when running under part load, is more efficient than an asynchronous motor. “At e.g. 25% load, there is an improvement in efficiency of 5.2%!” says Veth.
The Veth Integrated L-drive is available with nozzle or counter rotating propellers with power ranging from 300 kW to 1,325 kW. Larger units are still being developed. The patented Sharktail is used for the tail of the counter rotating propellers. Together with Promarin the tail has been further optimised and the asymmetrical shape ensures an optimal flow of water towards the second propeller. Combined with the flow caps which are affixed around the stationary parts of the thruster (fairing plates) it minimizes the resistance. “We are convinced we made the new standard in electric propulsion with the Veth Intergrated L-drives,” Veth added.
By Jake Frith
