OCP TUNNEL THRUSTER

In principle, transverse thrusters or tunnel thrusters are used as auxiliary propulsion units. Depending on the design of the vessel, transverse thrusters are either installed in the bow or stern.

Thruster with controllable pitch propellers.

An OCP tunnel thruster is a tunnel thruster provided with a controllable pitch propeller. Controllable pitch propellers are normally driven at a constant and non-reversible shaft speed. OCP transverse thrusters are driven either electrically, hydraulically or by means of a diesel engine.

The thrust direction and thrust force are controlled hydraulically by adjusting the pitch of the propeller blades. Due to the fact that the propeller blades can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, there is no need for a reverse gearbox when driven by a diesel engine. Thrusters with controllable pitch propellers are mostly used in combination with a dynamic positioning system (DP), a computerised system to automatically maintain the vessel’s heading and position.

Applications of the ocp tunnel thruster.

OCP tunnel thrusters are used on all types of ships with sufficient draft to guarantee proper functioning. The distance measured from the waterline in the lightest seagoing conditions to the centre of the tunnel should be about one to one and a half times the diameter of the tunnel, some examples of vessels:

• Diving support vessels
• Mobile offshore drilling units
• Platform supply vessels
• Shuttle & bunker tankers
• Cable & pipe laying vessels
• Oceanographic research vessels
• Dredgers & rock dumping vessels
• Mine sweepers
• Cruise Liners & superyachts