Propulsor: Difference between revisions
Even numbers are necessarily non-prime, since they are evenly divisible by two. It's sufficient to say the numbers are prime. |
Previous wording gives impression that all propulsors have shrouds, in conflict with the rest of the article. |
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A '''propulsor''' is a mechanical device that gives propulsion. The word is commonly used in the marine vernacular, and implies a mechanical assembly that is more complicated than a [[propeller]]. The [[Kort nozzle]] and [[Pump-jet]] are examples. |
A '''propulsor''' is a mechanical device that gives propulsion. The word is commonly used in the marine vernacular, and implies a mechanical assembly that is more complicated than a [[propeller]]. The [[Kort nozzle]] and [[Pump-jet]] are examples. |
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An example propulsor is shown in the accompanying picture. It has a shroud which cuts down on blade-tip cavitation and radiated noise. It also has a rotor element and a [[Axial_compressor#_Description|stator]]. The stator concentrates the thrust in axial direction and reduces energy wasted in the tangential flow (therefore eliminating torque on the hull). The number of blades in the rotor & stator will typically be two different prime numbers to avoid [[standing wave]]s. The blades in the rotor or the stator may be angled to further reduce noise. The physical design and layout is very much similar to a single stage [[Axial-flow compressor]]. |
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==Other propulsors== |
==Other propulsors== |
Revision as of 23:32, 31 May 2011
A propulsor is a mechanical device that gives propulsion. The word is commonly used in the marine vernacular, and implies a mechanical assembly that is more complicated than a propeller. The Kort nozzle and Pump-jet are examples.
An example propulsor is shown in the accompanying picture. It has a shroud which cuts down on blade-tip cavitation and radiated noise. It also has a rotor element and a stator. The stator concentrates the thrust in axial direction and reduces energy wasted in the tangential flow (therefore eliminating torque on the hull). The number of blades in the rotor & stator will typically be two different prime numbers to avoid standing waves. The blades in the rotor or the stator may be angled to further reduce noise. The physical design and layout is very much similar to a single stage Axial-flow compressor.
Other propulsors
Voith Schneider
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/VSPreal.jpg/150px-VSPreal.jpg)
The Voith Schneider propeller (VSP), also known as a cycloidal drive (CD) is a specialized marine propulsion system (MPS). It is highly manoeuvrable, being able to change the direction of its thrust almost instantaneously. It is widely used on tugs and ferries.
From a circular plate, rotating around a vertical axis, a circular array of vertical blades (in the shape of hydrofoils) protrude out of the bottom of the ship. Each blade can rotate itself around a vertical axis. The internal gear changes the angle of attack of the blades in sync with the rotation of the plate, so that each blade can provide thrust in any direction, very similar to the collective pitch control and cyclic in a helicopter.
Azimuth thruster
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Siemens_Schottel_Propulsor.jpg/150px-Siemens_Schottel_Propulsor.jpg)
An azimuth thruster is a configuration of ship propellers placed in pods that can be rotated on the horizontal plane, making a rudder unnecessary. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system.
Magnetohydrodynamic drive
A magnetohydrodynamic drive or MHD propulsor is a method for propelling seagoing vessels using only electric and magnetic fields with no moving parts, using magnetohydrodynamics. The working principle involves electrification of the propellant (gas or water) which can then be directed by a magnetic field, pushing the vehicle in the opposite direction. Although some working prototypes exist, MHD drives remain impractical and exist mostly in the world of science fiction.