Completed Controllable Pitch Propulsion Systems for Commercial Vessels and Superyachts

Hundested Propeller offer superyacht, fishing and commercial marine customers a complete effective propulsion system solution. The Hundested Controllable Pitch Propeller in combination with the custom-made marine gears, thrusters and sail drives offer a hybrid solution with visible operational cost savings. Our range includes the following products.

Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)

Hundested Controllable Pitch Propellers are available with variable or multi pitch options for installation on a custom Hundested Propeller Shaft.

Marine Gearboxes

We have two main categories in our gear program:

• Standard gears.
• Custom gears.

The gears’ range in reduction ratio depending on whether they are single reduction or double reduction. Single reduction range in reduction ratio from 2,030 to 6,580. Double reduction range in reduction ratio from 6,050 to 12,600. Made-to-order products. We manufacture propeller shafts in one piece in lengths up to 12m.

Made-to-order products

All our marine gearboxes are made-to-order. This means that every gear is designed especially for the individual project.

Pitch Control Units

We made our first pitch control units in 1929 for the Hundested engine in connection with our propeller system. This was of the mechanical type with a big hand wheel to change the pitch. A lot has changed since then. We have used this extensive experience to update our units through the years. Our pitch control units are shaft line units designed to be installed aft of a standard reduction gearbox without built-in pitch control or with direct electric drives.

This system has many advantages:

• In combination with a conversion from a fixed into a controllable pitch propulsion system.
• If a very noise and vibration-free installation is required.
• If a reverse function in combination with a controllable pitch system is required.

The shaft line pitch control units all have built-in thrust bearings, long stroke for feathering propellers and can be delivered with semi-flexible foundations for very low noise applications. We can supply two different types of pitch control units. The difference is in the way the pitch is activated: It can either be electrically (FR-ELH) or hydraulically (FR-HP) activated. We can also supply a system (FR-HFC) with an O.D. box built on to an existing reduction gearbox without built-in pitch control. We supply our pitch control units to superyachts, mega yachts, and commercial vessels used for fishing and ferries. Our units can be installed on all types of vessels.

Low Resistance Propulsion Systems

The RPS (Retractable Propulsion System) and SPS (Saildrive Propulsion System) provide minimal resistance when under sail and during races. The systems have the following features: – The systems are light weight – CP Propeller – Require minimum space inside the hull and engine room – Can be posisitoned near the center of the vessel, for optimum weight distribution – Highly efficient when motoring. – Replace a normal stern propeller The RPS system can swing up into the wet box in the hull. When the doors are closed there is no resistance when sailing. When down the doors close around the leg so the hull looks smooth. It is only the leg that protrudes from the hull. The wet box takes up app. 2m x 1m x 1m inside the hull. The SPS system stays down but the propeller can go into feathering posisiton. This will give a little resistance when sailing but the resistance is far less than from a normal shaft, P bracket and propeller in sailing position. The SPS system takes up a lot less space in the engine room since there is no need for a wet box.

Power supply and layout

Both the RPS and SPS can be driven by an electrical motor or a combustion engine. The RPS will always have the power in at a horisontal direction. The power unit can be aft of the RPS or on the side depending on how it is most convenient. If a combustion engine is used a clutch unit must be mounted on the engine. In the clutch unit it is possible to have 2 PTO/PTI. The PTI can used for regeneration. The SPS can have an electrical motor mounted directly on top of the leg. This will take up as little space as possible in the engine room. Both of the systems exsist in three different sizes. The sizes are called 286, 335 and 386. The numbers correspond to the diameter of the propeller hub and that correspond to the power. – 286 goes up to approx. 400kW – 335 goes up to approx. 540kW – 386 goes up to approx. 660kW The lower leg are similar on the RPS and the SPS. The RPS can adjust the propeller pitch forward to astern. The SPS can adjust the propeller pitch fethering to astern.

Propeller orientation

When designing the system for the boat it is important to decide where the focus lies. Is the focus on motoring or on regenerating. The propeller on a RPS/SPS can be positioned forward or astern. That is just a question of turning the leg 180 degress. If the focus is on having the best possible efficiency when motoring the propeller should be pointing forward when in motoring. If the focus is on regenerating the propeller should be pointing astern when motoring. The difference in efficiency is causted by the shadow from the propulsion leg. When regenerating the propeller should always turn opposite of the motoring direction.

Regeneration

Regeneration is posssible on both of the systems. If a RPS is used for regeneration a hybrid clutch must be mounted on the input shaft of the clutch unit. A generator must be mounted on the PTO/PTI. The power will then come from the propeller into the clutch unit and out through the PTO/PTI. The size of the generator is limited due to the size of the PTO/PTI. If a SPS is used for regenation the electrical motor/generator on the SPS is mounted directly on  top of the leg it is then the size of the generator or the electronis parts connected to the generator that is the limit. On a conventionel propulsion system about 20% of the designed power take out can be regenerated. On a RPS/SPS about 27% can be regenerated due to the fact that the leg can be turned 180 degress. Turning the propeller blades the opposite way makes them about 30% more efficient than a standard positioned propeller when regenerating.

Motoring

When motoring the systems work the same way. The leg can be used with the propeller pointing forward or astern. The leg is not intended to be used as a steering system. The leg should be in a fixed position when motoring.

Maneuvering

When maneuvering the engine is in a fixed medium-range RPM and the lever only adjusts astern – ahead by changing the pitch of the propeller. The leg can now be turned sideways to work as a thruster. The thruster will be with the max. power from the engine/motor. The leg turns from ahead to sideways in less than 3 seconds. The leg can give propulsion in any direction when maneuvering. The boat will often be maneuvered without the use of a bow thruster. The boat will be able to go sideways, sideways and astern, sideways and ahead or whater ever is needed.