Propellers | Rolls-Royce

Alert

Propulsors

 
Propulsors
Propellers

Invalid Listpath
Rolls-Royce is a world leader in propeller design.

We supply controllable pitch propellers, fixed pitch propellers, and the innovative adjustable bolted propeller. Unlike other propulsor designers we have our own hydrodynamics research centre, equipped with two cavitation tunnels. In over 40 years of operation the centre has tested around 1,400 propellers and waterjet pumps to perfect and prove the design. Our propellers deliver good fuel economy, low vibration and noise levels and minimal cavitation.

Services & Aftermarket Support

Promas Lite

Propulsion system upgrade designed for reduced fuel consumption.

Promas Lite

A propulsion system upgrade designed for reduced fuel consumption by integrating the design of rudder and propeller systems. Promas Lite is not just a propeller upgrade – rudder performance is optimised as well

Promas Lite is a version of the successful Rolls-Royce Promas integrated propeller and rudder system, designed specifically as an upgrade for vessels already in service.

The upgrade consists of three main components:

  • Bulb which is attached to the forward edge of the rudder
  • Hubcap which is bolted to the rear of the propeller
  • Set of redesigned propeller blades

Each Promas Lite system is custom engineered to an individual vessel. We model each solution using the extensive in-house CFD (computational fluid dynamics) capabilities at the Rolls-Royce Hydrodynamic Research Centre to ensure that each design is matched to the hull and specified operating profile.

Customer benefits
  • Reduced fuel consumption - improvements of up to 20% can be expected, depending on the vessel’s operating profile
  • Reduced environmental impact - corresponding reduction in emissions with lower emission taxes
  • Short payback period - depends on vessel operating profile, but normally less than two years
  • Increased propulsive efficiency - integrated rudder and propeller design, reduced pressure pulses for improved comfort
  • Simple and quick installation can be normally fitted within a week
  • Lower maintenance costs - reduced engine loads means less oil consumption and potentially reduced engine wear
Which vessels can be upgraded?

Promas Lite is suitable for both twin and single screw vessels. The best results are achieved on bulky single screw vessels with a high block coefficient. Promas Lite has been installed on a twin-screw passenger vessel with considerable success. Vessels which, have changed their operating profile for which they were designed, have most to gain.

Propulsive efficiency improvements of between 8 and 16 per cent have been measured on the upgrades delivered so far, while improvements of up to 20 per cent are possible.

Each Promas Lite system is custom engineered to an individual vessel and its specified operating profile, using our extensive in-house CFD (computational fluid dynamics) capabilities.

Why is Promas Lite so efficient?

Promas Lite integrates the propeller and the rudder into a single system. Behind a normal propeller hub there is a strong low-pressure vortex (hub vortex) that acts on the propeller hub, increasing drag and reducing propeller thrust. A special hubcap is fitted to the propeller, which streamlines the flow onto a bulb that is added to the rudder, effectively reducing flow separation immediately after the propeller.

The result is an increase in propeller thrust, as previously wasted energy is recovered from the flow. The addition, the bulb on the rudder also streamlines the flow aft of the rudder, further reducing drag. The hubcap is mounted outside of the propeller hub and acts purely as a hydrodynamic fairing. No special hub design is needed, thus cost and technical complexity is kept to a minimum. Adopting the twisted rudder design of the Promas system can yield further improvements in efficiency and manoeuvrability.

What’s involved in a PROMAS upgrade

The installation is simple and straightforward, with only three areas of modification, as illustrated above. The upgrade can normally be completed within a week.

Contacts and support

If you are interested in learning more about PROMAS Lite, or if you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Olav Haug Vikebakk
GENERAL MANAGER
[email protected]

Propulsion remote control

Ensuring vessels and rigs are reliable, safe and competitive in the marketplace.

Propulsion remote control

We have supplied remote controls for propellers and thrusters since the 1970s. We support these products through their lifecycles with upgrades that bring benefits to our customers from the latest developments in technology.

Customers operating old remote control systems are able to update their equipment with the latest system, Helicon-X3, which can be used on different types of vessels or rigs.

The Helicon-X3 manoeuvring station is comprised of a lever and touch screen. As a minimum, manoeuvring stations are usually located on the bridge or pilot house and in the engine control room, but up to 6 manoeuvring stations and additional access screens can be supplied to suit customer requirements.

The new system is a compact design with key functions integrated into the ergonomic lever. The modern touch screen interface allows operators to access and control multiple thruster installations on a single screen.

Customer benefits
  • Helicon-X3 is simple and intuitive for crew to use, reducing risk of error and increasing safety.
  • Smoother operation from improved pitch control causes less wear and tear on the thrusters.
  • The system switches automatically between normal and back-up control to provide redundancy of pitch and azimuth control, which meets FMEA requirements for DP operations.
  • Ergonomic control levers and modern touch screens integrate easily in existing vessels, as minimal space is required.
  • Components are based on a common control platform for seamless integration with other Rolls-Royce products and fewer spares are needed on-board.
  • Complete propulsion system performance is optimised when undertaking remote control upgrades, by applying our experience in complete vessel and system design.
  • Global 24/7 support is available from our extensive service network.
Contacts and support

If you are interested in learning more about our upgrade options for propulsion remote control, or if you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Arnt Ove Austnes
General Manager, Sales
[email protected]

Propeller re-blading

When a vessel has been in service for some time it often pays to invest in a new set of propeller blades.

Propeller re-blading

Propeller design techniques continue to improve, and when a vessel has been in service for some time it can often pay to invest in a new set of propeller blades.

Due to advances in hydrodynamic analysis and blade manufacture the new blades will be more efficient than the old ones, which will also be suffering from normal wear and tear. If the vessel has changed its operational profile the gains can be even higher.

We have carried out numerous re-blading jobs that have resulted in substantial reductions in fuel consumption and short payback times, with a subsequent reduction in emissions. An added bonus is usually a reduction in vibration and propeller induced noise. Ships are studied to see if new propeller blades will pay off – contact your local Rolls-Royce service centre if you have a candidate vessel and determine the potential savings.

Container workshop

Our trained Rolls-Royce technicians will go through a series of steps to deliver fully refurbished blades:

  • Download the original CAD blade drawings
  • Complete a 3D measurement of the damage blade
  • Analyze and compare the measured blade to the original blade drawings
  • Restore the blade to original state by using the equipment to bend, weld, grind and/or polish
  • Balance the blade to align efficiency with the rest of the blade units
Contacts and support

If you are interested in learning more about our propeller re-blading service, or if you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

TBC
TBC
[email protected]

Customer Product Training

Offering blended teaching combining e-learning, simulator training and more.

Customer Product Training

Ensuring that your crew are properly and thoroughly trained will reduce operational risk and downtime plus maximise return on asset investment.

It also enables you to meet regulatory standards, improve crew safety and retain key personnel. In our state of the art training centres qualified and experienced trainers are able to provide your crew with practical training tailored to suit your products, systems and operational requirements. Our instructors can also train your crew on-board their vessel.

From hands on experience on full sized products in our training workshops, to experiencing real life scenarios in our virtual reality simulators all of our courses are designed to focus on safe and efficient operation and maintenance of your Rolls-Royce equipment.

Regional training centres:

  • Ålesund, Norway
  • Niteroi, Brazil
  • Singapore
E-learning

This type of solution is ideal for course preparation, where the participant is exposed to theoretical training for fundamental basic knowledge, with e-assessments throughout the module to assist in measuring the participants understanding of the basics.

Classroom

This type of solution is ideal for theoretical training, especially for larger groups. It goes through detailed systems overview including drawings and functionality.

Workshop/technical room

This type of solution is ideal for practical training with focus on maintenance and troubleshooting on actual products. This type of training used together with classroom training can provide a holistic view of complete systems.

Simulators

This type of solution is ideal for operator training where simulations of real life scenarios occurring at sea expose crew to dangerous situations in a controlled environment. They can be configured for systems or stand-alone operations like subsea, bridge, crane or winch operations.

  • DP simulator

    Practice manoeuvring around an oil platform in all types of sea conditions. Learn from realistic situations using operator stations arranged as on the vessel.

  • Winch simulator

    Enhanced with a winch remote control and monitoring system, the latest winch configurations helps crew practice and learn how to handle complex winch operations.

  • Seismic simulator

    Realistic training on deploying the streamer cable and deflector. Simulating the operator’s tasks on the back deck of a seismic vessel, using the control system together with the radio remote.

24/7 Technical Support

Our 24/7 technical support team is there to help at any time of day or night.

24/7 Technical Support

Our 24/7 technical support team is there to help at any time of day or night wherever your vessel is located. They manage your call from the time it is received to the time the issue is resolved.

The team has direct access to the experts in our product centres, should additional support be required, and for the more complex issues a product specialist will be assigned to you. Our priority is to get the right expertise quickly matched with the issue to provide the answers you need.

Contacting any of these numbers will put you through to our global support team:

Americas: +1 312 725 5727
Asia Pacific: +65 6818 5665
Europe, Middle East & Africa: +31 20 700 6474
Email: [email protected]

Field Service

Our network of strategically located marine workshops is spread across the globe.

Field Service

We understand the importance of having the right parts, available in the right place, at the right time. Working in close collaboration with our customers we have now developed a Spares Transformation Programme (STP) to further improve our customer response times.

This programme will streamline our operations to reduce lead-times, increase spares availability, and allow customers to track the status of their spares delivery in real-time.

To support the programme, we have opened a dedicated Marine Parts Service Centre (MPSC) to process spares quotations and orders centrally. This is underpinned by an improved logistics and IT infrastructure, which will enable us to deliver high-quality support to our customers, wherever they are in the world.

Our local representatives will continue to respond to your support requirements 24/7. If you would like to learn more about how this enhanced service delivery will benefit you, please contact your nearest Rolls-Royce Office

24/7 Technical support

Our 24/7 technical support team is there to help at any time of day or night wherever your vessel is located. They manage your call from the time it is received to the time the issue is resolved.

Contacting any of these numbers will put you through to our global support team:

Americas: +1 312 725 5727
Asia Pacific: +65 6818 5665
Europe, Middle East & Africa: +31 20 700 6474
Email: [email protected]

Downloads

Marine products & systems catalogue
-
Download
Marine global service network catalogue
pdf - 10.0MB
Download