Propulsion Software News

More than 20 percent of all machinery claims, as well as catastrophic failure, off-hire and repair costs are caused by misalignment – the cause of almost all propulsion train damages Sweden’s Dynaligner AB said, adding that the problem is getting worse as modern ship design pushes the envelope. However, a Swedish and Dutch invention aims to eliminate misalignment, modernizing today’s shaft alignment practice. The device, the Dynaligner, is said to offer troublefree operation of marine propulsion trains, irrespective of ship operation condition or hull deflections, etc.

KND Naval Design of Cape Town, South Africa successfully completed its first in class 10M Advanced Life Support Ambulance and Rescue vessel for Africa. This vessel was designed and built entirely in Cape Town. This project used HydroComp propulsion software to analyze and examine sea trial performance. Naval architect Kobus Potgieter captured a USA styled 1960’s retro ambulance look-and-feel for the boat. He also used “Batmobile” oversized fenders and flowing lines which can be seen in the vessel’s coach and shape of the hull.

New features for the industry-standard resistance and propulsion software, HydroComp's NavCad. Many contemporary marine vehicles are being outfitted with contra-rotating propellers (CRP), and naval architects need the ability to model the performance of CRP systems – a capability that has been lacking until now. As part of its ongoing internal R&D program, HydroComp, Inc. has just deployed a new CRP system analysis module into HydroComp NavCad®, the industry-standard software for the prediction and analysis of vessel speed and power performance. Published comparisons of the efficiency between standard fixed-pitch propellers (FPP) and CRP propellers typically indicate that CRPs are between 3% and 10% more efficient.

New features for the industry-standard resistance and propulsion software. HydroComp NavCad is a software tool for the prediction and analysis of vessel speed and power performance. It also provides for the selection of suitable propulsion system components – engines, gears and propellers. HydroComp has been working since late 2009 on the development of a new architecture for NavCad, and improvements to the interface. This new platform was developed with an eye to the future, and will provide a new structure for future development.

Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division said that changes to software controlling the propeller system on the new Chetzemoka ferry may provide a temporary solution to vibration issues first discovered last month. Additional sea trials are scheduled for the middle of next week after representatives of the propulsion-control company write software exerting greater control over the engine “ramping,” which allows the bow propeller to slow the ship as it approaches the dock. The goal is to ramp up the propeller speed over a period of a few seconds longer, as opposed to a more sudden and quick thrust of power.