Wartsila Controllable Pitch Propeller Systems
Wärtsilä Controllable Pitch (WCP) propeller systems deliver excellent performance and efficiency, while minimizing noise and vibration levels.
A customised propulsion system tailored according to customer requirements.
A reliable propulsion solution for dynamic positioning (DP) and ice class applications.
Available with a pollution free stern tube arrangement.
The Wärtsilä OPTI Design propeller methodology takes into consideration the full-scale interaction between the propeller and hull, thereby ensuring optimized efficiency.
Less maintenance and easy installation.
User friendly and intuitive operations with Wärtsilä ProTouch control panels.
Application
Feathering propellers are applied to save fuel for multi-functional vessels that operate in such a way that one or two propellers are regularly out of use. The ability to position the propeller blades for feathering achieves less resistance and lower fuel consumption than with a Trailing or Blocked propeller.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
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Double ended ferry With propellers at both the bow and stern of the ferry, the foremost propeller is not in operation during transit.
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Twin screw vessels Twin screw container or cargo/RoRo vessels operating with one propeller at low speed for longer periods, for example when the sailing route involves both high and low speed operation.
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Vessels with a booster propulsor Vessels with a centre propeller and wing thrusters have the possibility to operate on only the thrusters when a lower sailing speed is required.
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Vessels with alternative propulsion Sailing cruise vessels or sailing yachts use wind propulsion and feathering propellers to minimise resistance when the mechanical propulsion system is not in use.
An additional feature of a feathering propeller in a twin screw propulsion layout is the possibility to perform maintenance and overhaul on one of the shafts while continuing operations.
Key benefits
- Optimal performance and efficiency, while minimizing noise and vibration levels.
- Compact, well proven and robust hub designs.
- High load capacity.
- Reliable solution for dynamic positioning (DP) applications and all ice classes.
- Complies with EPA Vessel Permit 2013 requirements (EAL application).
- Available with pollution free stern tube arrangement.
- Easy installation.
- Easy to maintain, the hub can be disassembled without removing the propeller shaft.
- Optional with underwater replacement of propeller blades.
- Intuitive operation when using Wärtsilä ProTouch control panels.
- Increased fuel savings achieved with the Energopac, HP nozzle, feathering hubs and OPTI Design.
- Lubrication system available with moisture content monitoring.
Technical info
Power range starting from 500 kW, no upper limit.
- 4- or 5-bladed propellers starting at a diameter of 1200 mm.
- Bronze or stainless steel propellers.
- Various hub types, depending on the application.
- Compliant with all ice classes.
WCP propeller systems are generally available in three categories :
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With a reduction gear box and with the oil distribution unit connected to the forward end of the gear box. Commonly installed with medium speed 4-stroke engine applications.
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With a reduction gear box that produces the hydraulic pressure for pitch actuations. No separate hydraulic power pack is needed for the propeller hydraulics, thus saving installation work and reducing the amount of auxiliary equipment.
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For direct drive without a gear box. The oil distribution unit is mounted in the shaft line. This is generally applied in combination with a 2-stroke engine.
The WCP propeller system can comply with the EPA Vessel Permit 2013 requirements and can be delivered with environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL). The Wärtsilä stern tube system can ensure zero pollution.
Underwater replacement of the blades, hub disassembly without pulling the shaft, easy installation, reduced maintenance, and a customised efficient propeller design with minimal noise and vibration are further benefits of the WCP propeller system.
Wärtsilä has the unique market position to select various controllable pitch hub principles up to 16 MW. The WCP hub type D is the right solution for light and moderately loaded propellers. The WCP hub type G is selected for vessels requiring a high power or a highly loaded propeller. With these hub types Wärtsilä manages to successfully cover the complete market segments that requires controllable pitch propellers.
HP nozzle
Fitting a nozzle increases the thrust at relatively low ship speeds. This allows for significant savings to be achieved in terms of fuel consumption, depending on the number of revolutions and the capacity of the engine. The improved Wärtsilä High Performance nozzle, type HP nozzle, when combined with Wärtsilä propellers, can provide up to 5% more thrust than conventional nozzles in bollard pull conditions. The nozzle profile offers a double profiled cross section at the inlet side of the nozzle.
The HP nozzle can be combined with either fixed pitch or controllable pitch propeller systems, and are typically installed on heavy duty vessels, such as :
- Tugs and push boats.
- Anchor Handling Ships.
- Trawlers.
- Dredgers.
- Ice navigation vessels.
and on low speed vessels such as :
- Inland navigation vessels.
- General cargo vessels.
Related article : Wartsila Fixed Pitch Propeller
Feathering hubs
Feathering propellers are applied to save fuel for multi-functional vessels that operate in such a way that one or two propellers are regularly out of use. The ability to position the propeller blades for feathering achieves less resistance and lower fuel consumption than with a Trailing or Blocked propeller.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
-
Double ended ferry With propellers at both the bow and stern of the ferry, the foremost propeller is not in operation during transit.
-
Twin screw vessels Twin screw container or cargo/RoRo vessels operating with one propeller at low speed for longer periods, for example when the sailing route involves both high and low speed operation.
-
Vessels with a booster propulsor Vessels with a centre propeller and wing thrusters have the possibility to operate on only the thrusters when a lower sailing speed is required.
-
Vessels with alternative propulsion Sailing cruise vessels or sailing yachts use wind propulsion and feathering propellers to minimise resistance when the mechanical propulsion system is not in use.
An additional feature of a feathering propeller in a twin screw propulsion layout is the possibility to perform maintenance and overhaul on one of the shafts while continuing operations.
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