Page 57: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 1997)

ABS APPROVED

Designed to exceed shock, vibration, and corrosion resistance requirements for navel, commercial marine, and industrial applications, Teleflex RVOs are totally reliable in the harshest environments.

Teleflex Remote Valve Operator Systems from Triumph Controls, Inc. have been successfully installed on U.S. Navy shipboard applications for over 15 years. • Flexible Cable Technology-mechanically transfers rotary on linear motion through complex routings over long distances • Simplified Design-requires less time and manpower for installation • Helix Cable Drive System-operates in a sealed, permanently lubricated environment to prevent ffefeiij ., corrosion and eliminate maintenance

RVVO: Remote Vent Valve

Operator Systems are lightweight, low-profile operators that bolt directly to flanges of 1/4-turn ventilation valves. Systems incorporate a gv patented override feature ^pj at the valve for local x. operations.

RMVA: Remote Mechanical

Valve Actuator Systems for applications requiring delivery of multi-turn or 1/4 turn rotary motion from remote locations.

RTVA: Remote Trip Valve

Actuator Systems for appli- cations requiring delivery of quick-acting linear motion from remote locations. Systems include a patented shock compensator coupling. (Continued from previous page) ship propulsion.

It embodies two areas of particu- lar Finnish expertise, namely azimuthing drives and diesel-elec- tric AC power systems. The meld- ing of the two into a product offer- ing economic and operational bene- fits is characteristic of the Finnish ability to maintain a technological advantage, enabling global compe- tition.

A product of collaboration between Kvaerner Masa-Yards and

ABB Industry, Azipod is a podded electrical propulsion unit designed to azimuth through 360 degrees.

An AC electric motor located inside the pod gives direct drive to a fixed pitch propeller at either the for- ward or after end of the unit. Thus, depending on the application, the unit can "pull" tractor-fashion, or "push" in conventional propulsion manner.

The original development work was focused on devising an effi- cient new means of propulsion for icebreakers and merchant ships intended for the most demanding ice navigation. The scope was sub- sequently perceived as being much wider, such that the Azipod appendage is set to assume a criti- cal role with the two most promi- nent U.S.-based cruise operators.

Last month saw the float-out in

Helsinki of Carnival Cruise Lines' (CCL's) 70,400-gt Elation, equipped with two "pulling" Azipod units, with the propeller at the for- ward end, for an aggregate propul- sive effect of 28 MW. Not only does the installation constitute a break- through for the system in the pas- senger ship field but also entails the most powerful azimuthing dri- ves ever built.

Elation and newbuilding consort

Paradise testify to an enduring business association between

Kvaerner Masa and CCL, register- ing as the seventh and eighth ships in the Fantasy class. The adoption of twin Azipods enabled the design- ers to dispense with propellers, shaftlines, rudders, steering gear, inboard electrical propulsion motors and triple stern thrusters employed in the preceding vessels.

The space released within the hull has been employed to the benefit of hotel services, through increased sewage treatment, incineration and fresh water capacity.

Model tests indicate a five to seven percent gain in overall hydrodynamic efficiency, which translates into a reduction of 1.4

MW to 2 MW in power needs to achieve the top speed of 22.3 knots in the earlier ships, or a speed increase of 0.3 to 0.4 knots using the full 28-MW from the two

Azipods. Using an aftship under- body form optimized to the podded propulsors, rather than perpetuat- ing the previous hull form, would have attained higher efficiency gains.

The podded propulsors offer enhanced maneuverability — as demonstrated by retrofit installa- tions in Neste's Arctic-going prod- ucts tankers Uikku and Lunni.

While Elation and Paradise will lead application of the system in the cruise ship sector in 1998, RCI has also endorsed the Finnish ini- tiative by specifying Azipod propul- sors for its Project Eagle post-

Panamax generation of newbuild- ings from Kvaerner Masa's Turku premises. Each installation will comprise two "pulling" azimuthing units of 14 MW and a centerline, non-azimuthing fixed pod of identi- cal power operating in "pushing" mode.

The first of the 130,000-gt sister- ships, which will rank as the world's largest cruise vessels, is due out in September 1999. One of the design targets for Project Eagle was to achieve a high comfort level throughout the ship, and it was determined that the adoption of three podded propulsors instead of two traditional, heavily-loaded propellers in a variable wake field would significantly help meet this criteria while conferring opera- tional and economic benefits.

The system is an integral part of another capital-intensive new- building project in Finland, in the shape of the multi-purpose ice- breaker and offshore construction vessel booked with Finnyards by the nation's Board of Navigation.

The two 10-MW units in the multi- role vessel will facilitate summer season commitments in the North

Sea with installation and workover jobs, and will also provide a further reference for the system in the ice- covered Gulf of Bothnia during the winter months.

Positive results with the initial sea going references in the Neste- operated tankers Uikku and Lunni could stimulate future applications in Arctic vessel projects.

Circle 298 on Reader Service Card

Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki yard, with Carnival cruise ships under construction.

Decrease Cost While Increasing Reliability and Safety... with Simple to install, Maintenance Free

Remote Valve Operators (RVOs)

For information on your application call 800/523-2432,

FAX: 215/699-7080, E-mail: [email protected], or visit our Web site at http://www.triumph-controls.com. 205 Church Road UWlJ

North Wales, PA 19454-0901

Phone: 800/523-2432 • FAX: 215/699-7080

August, 1997 57