Different Types of Propellers

A propeller is to a ship or any marine vessel as tires/wheels to a car or any automobile.

They help the vessel to move forward or backward and there are many different types of
propellers which are used based on requirements, type of vessel and so forth.

Different Types of Propellers

When building a ship or any vessel, the naval architects decide on the best type of
propeller that would suit the vessel based on the set of requirements specific to that vessel.
The whole idea is that the propeller should be able to cope up with the speed
requirements and should utilize an optimum amount of energy in tune with the prime mover or
the main marine engine. Normally in case of higher speed requirements a pair of propellers is
used instead of a single propeller.
The propeller should be such that it can fit into the design of the ship easily. The use of
multiple screw propellers is recommended in cases where the ship has a higher chance of
meeting with accidents while sailing. This is exactly why these are used in war ships and in ice
breakers. The multiple screw propellers are also used when the ship is required to sail
smoothly even when it is in a high speed.
Let us now take a brief look at the different types of propellers which are found in
common use.

A) Classification by Number of Blades Attached:

Propeller blades may vary from 3 blade propeller to 4 blade propeller and sometimes even 5
blade propeller. However, the most commonly used are 3 blades and 4 blade propellers.

However, the most commonly used are 4 blades and 5 blade propellers.

The propeller efficiency will be highest for propeller with minimum number of blades i.e. 2
blade propeller. But to achieve strength factor and considering the heavy loads subjected by
the ship, sea and weather two blade propellers are not used for merchant ships.

3 blade propeller

A 3 blade propeller has following characteristics:

 The manufacturing cost is lower than other types.

 Are normally made up of aluminium alloy.
 Gives a good high speed performance.
 The acceleration is better than other types.
 Low speed handling is not much efficient.
4 blade propeller

A 4 blade propeller has following characteristics:

 The manufacturing cost is higher than 3 blade propellers.

 4 blade propellers are normally made up of stainless steel alloys.
 Have better strength and durability.
 Gives a good low speed handling and performance.
 Has a better holding power in rough seas.
 4 blade propeller provides a better fuel economy than all the other types.

5 blade propeller

A 5 blade propeller has following characteristics:

 Manufacturing cost is higher of all.

 Vibration is minimal from all the other types.
 5 blade propellers have better holding power in rough seas.
6 blade propeller

 Manufacturing cost is high

 Vibration is minimal from all the other types.
 6 blade propellers have better holding power in rough seas.
 With six blade propeller, the induced pressure field over the propeller decreases

B) Classification By pitch of the blade:

Pitch of a propeller can be defined as the displacement that a propeller makes for every full
revolution of 360 ̊. The classification of the propellers on the basis of pitch is as follows.

Fixed Pitch Propeller

The blades in fixed pitch propeller are permanently attached to the hub. The fixed pitch type
propellers are casted and the position of the blades and hence the position of the pitch is
permanently fixed and cannot be changed during the operation. They are normally made from
copper alloy.

Fixed pitch propellers are robust and reliable as the system doesn’t incorporate any
mechanical and hydraulic connection as in Controlled Pitch Propeller (CPP). The
manufacturing, installation and operational costs are lower than controlled pitch propeller
(CPP) type. The manoeuvrability of fixed pitch propeller is also not as good as CPP.
Controllable Pitch Propeller

In Controlled Pitch type propeller, it is possible to alter the pitch by rotating the blade about its
vertical axis by means of mechanical and hydraulic arrangement. This helps in driving the
propulsion machinery at constant load with no reversing mechanism required as the pitch can
be altered to match the required operating condition. Thus the manoeuvrability improves and
the engine efficiency also increases.

This drawback includes the possibility of oil pollution as the hydraulic oil in the boss which is
used for controlling the pitch may leak out. It is a complex and expensive system from both
installation and operational point. Moreover, the pitch can get stuck in one position, making it
difficult to manoeuvre the engine.
Skewed Propeller
The skewed propeller is used in cruise ships that must ensure that the passengers on board
experience the least vibrations and enjoy a smooth sail. When it comes to cruise luxury is the
main point of concern and the luxury can only be experienced when the least vibrations are
experienced on board. What this propeller does is that it increases the efficiency of the
propeller but ensures that the propeller has the least impact on the hull. As a result the ship
does not experience any strong vibrations unlike the other ships. As a result the guests cannot
feel that they are in the high sea. They get peaceful night sleep and they enjoy the cruise.
Self Pitching Propellers
Self pitching propellers, is the next that we are going to discuss in the list of the various types
of propellers that are used at the sea. These propellers are mostly used in small boats and
yachts. These have high probability to face mechanical errors when fitted onto a large ship.
This is exactly why they are used for small vessels and they are quite efficient.
 Different Shapes

Definition of Shapes

Geometric Shapes Names with Pictures and Examples

Nonagon
The math student measured each side of the nonagon until he had measurements for all nine edges.

Octagon
The sectional shape is a quarter of an octagon.
Heptagon
The pagoda has a base of heptagon.

Hexagon
A hexagon is a six – sided figure.

Triangle
The sum of all the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.

Scalene triangle
A scalene triangle is a triangle that has three unequal sides.
Right triangle
The hypotenuse is the longest side of a right triangle.

Parallelogram
These are the opposite sides of the parallelogram.

Rhombus
A rhombus is a simple quadrilateral whose four sides all have the same length.

Square
The interior angles of a square are right angles or angles of 90 degrees.
Pentagon
Draw a pentagon, a regular five-sided figure.

Circle
The students sit in a circle on the floor.

Oval
The shape of the earth is an oval.

Heart
The pool was in the shape of a heart.
Cross
The cross is the symbol of Christianity.

Arrow
It flew straight as an arrow.

Cube
The box was cube-shaped.

Cylinder
The cylinder is rotated 180 degrees.
Star
She cuts these paper into star-shaped.

Crescent
He has a crescent–shaped knife.
Perimeter and Area of Shapes
1. The perimeter of a polygon (or any other closed curve, such as a circle) is the distance
around the outside.

2. The area of a simple, closed, planar curve is the amount of space inside.

Square
A square is a four-sided figure which is created by connecting 4 line
segments. The line segments in the square are all of the equal lengths and
they come together to form 4 right angles.

Circle
On the other hand, a circle which is another shape of geometry has no straight
lines. It is rather a combination of curves that are all connected. In a circle,
there are no angles to be found.

Rectangle
Similar to a square, a rectangle is also created by connecting four line
segments. However, the only difference between a square and a rectangle is
that in a rectangle, there are two line segments which are longer than the
other two line segments.
So, in geometry, a rectangle is also described as an elongated square. Also, in
a rectangle, the four corners come together to form four right angles.

Triangle
Triangle comprises three connected line segments. Unlike, a rectangle or a
square, in a triangle, the angles can be of distinct measurements. They aren’t
always the right angles. Triangles are named, depending upon the type of
angles which is found within the triangle itself. For instance, if a triangle has
one right angle, it will be known as a right-angled triangle.

However, in case all the angles of a triangle are less than 90 degrees, then it
will be called as an acute-angled triangle. If any, one of the angles in the
triangle measures more than 90 degrees, then it will be known as an obtuse
angled triangle. Finally, there is an equiangular triangle, in which all the
angles of the triangle are 60 degrees. On the other hand, the triangle can also
be identified or labeled on the type of sides they have.
 A scalene triangle has no congruent sides.
 An isosceles triangle has two congruent sides.
 An equilateral triangle has three congruent sides.
Please note that equilateral and equiangular triangles are the two distinct
terms for the same triangle.

Polygon
Another in the geometric shapes that you need to know about is a polygon. A
polygon is made up of only lines and has no curves. It may not have any open
parts. In this case, a polygon is basically a broader term to several shapes
such as a square, triangle, and a rectangle.

Parallelogram
A parallelogram is another in the geometric shapes in which the opposite side
of the shape are parallel. To be able to examine, if the sides are parallel or
not, you’ll have to closely examine the shape. The key property of a
parallelogram is that parallel lines never cross or intersect each other, no
matter how long you extend them. So, if you go on extending the lines
through eternity and they never intersect each other, then they can be called a
parallelogram.

How to measure the Area of Parallelogram?

However, if the lines touch or meet at any given point, then that shape cannot
be considered a parallelogram. So, a triangle cannot be considered a
parallelogram since the lines opposite to a triangle meet at the point of the
triangle. And since the lines intersect, it cannot be called a parallelogram.
 RESEARCH OUTPUT IN NAV ARCH

TYPES OF PROPELLER

SUBMITTED BY: MANIMBAYAN, KENT S.

BSMarE 1-3

SUBMITTED TO: CAPT. KRISTOFFER JOHN AŇES