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Understanding Stern Tube Arrangement On Ships

The document discusses the stern tube arrangement on ships, which allows the propeller shaft to connect the main engine to the propeller while being supported by bearings. The stern tube is a hollow tube passing through the lower stern that contains the tail shaft, bearings to support the shaft, and sealing arrangements. The bearings withstand the load from the propeller and rotate the shaft smoothly. The sealing arrangements prevent water from entering and oil from escaping, using methods like stuffing boxes, lip seals, and radial face seals. Lubrication systems for ships with variable draft use header tanks above the waterline to ensure a pressure differential that prevents water ingress.

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224 views2 pages

Understanding Stern Tube Arrangement On Ships

The document discusses the stern tube arrangement on ships, which allows the propeller shaft to connect the main engine to the propeller while being supported by bearings. The stern tube is a hollow tube passing through the lower stern that contains the tail shaft, bearings to support the shaft, and sealing arrangements. The bearings withstand the load from the propeller and rotate the shaft smoothly. The sealing arrangements prevent water from entering and oil from escaping, using methods like stuffing boxes, lip seals, and radial face seals. Lubrication systems for ships with variable draft use header tanks above the waterline to ensure a pressure differential that prevents water ingress.

Uploaded by

mavericksailor
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Understanding Stern Tube Arrangement on Ships The propeller of the ship is fitted at the aft and attached to a crankshaft

coming from the main engine. This is done so that the rotating motion of the Main Engine can be converted into thrust to propel the ship. The propeller shaft or tail shaft is supported by a bearing arrangement which acts as an intermediate phase between the sea and the ship. The stern tube is a hollow tube passing at the lower stern part of the ship carrying tail shaft and connecting it to the propeller out at sea, bearing for the tail shaft, lubrication arrangement and most importantly the sealing arrangements.

The stern tube bearing arrangement and sealing plays a vital part in ships operation and pollution prevention. The two main purpose of the stern tube bearing are: Withstand load The propeller which hangs at the aft end exerts load on the shaft, which is supported and withstand by the stern bearing. The bearing is a cast iron bush lined with a white metal having excellent load handling and lubricating property. The stern tube is fitted at the stern frame and internal framing of vessels hull at aft peak. This allows the tail shaft to rotate smoothly in the bearing area for uninterrupted propulsion. Sealing The stern tube bearing consists of sealing arrangement to prevent ingress of water and to avoid the lubricating oil to escape into the sea. Sealing arrangement

The lubrication system for ships with variable draught (due to loading and unloading of cargo) consists of header tanks located at around 2 to 3 meters above the water line so that the differential pressure ensures no water ingress.

Different sealing arrangements are used to p prevent revent water ingress and oil leakage. They are as follows: Stuffing boxes consisting of packing material. Lip seals in contact with shaft to prevent passage of oil or water along the shaft. Radial ial face seals supported with springs fitted radially around the shaft, aft bulkheads and after end of the stern tube.

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