Torque technology measures efficiency
A new technology development which measures propulsion effectiveness through torque and power monitoring is currently seeking funding for further development and testing.
Duodrivetrain’s TorqueFlange enables ‘twistn’lock’ mounting to the hull and incorporates load cells providing 3D output to enable the real-time monitoring of torque and thrust performance.
Speaking at Seawork 2019, John Carter, director of Duodrivetrain, said: “Duodrivetrain is a contra-rotating propulsion concept which allows you to mount the propulsion externally to the vessel. It solves a lot of the issues to do with maintenance, alignment in a conventional line shaft arrangement. What’s missing from that equation, particularly in vessels up to 30m, is a way of monitoring what’s happening to that Drivetrain.
“TorqueFlange complements the design of Duodrivetrain and allows you to measure out of balance torque and the thrust. Out of balance torque enables us to know how much power is going to each propeller, so the efficiency of each propeller can be measured. And when the vessel is operating we can measure the thrust that is delivered to the vessel.”
He explained that this is critical data for operators and port authorities and helps them comply with emissions regulations. Monitoring will also allow users to predict maintenance issues, as if something is damaged it will show up in the analysis of TorqueFlange’s data.
Last year, Duodrivetrain received funding from the UK government’s Department for Transport (DfT), which enabled it to design and development of TorqueFlange. The startup company said no orders have been taken yet, as it is currently building a vessel on which its equipment will be mounted, so it can start demonstrating the functionality of it. It is currently seeking funding for this.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
