Module 14(Final)
Midterm (Week 16-17)
Competences: A-III/1& Table A-III/2 of the STCW’78 as amended: C1: Operate
main and auxiliary and associated control system.
Course Outcome: You must be knowledgeable on steering gear principle of
operation as well as its parts and function.
Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiencies: Operation, surveillance,
performance assessment and maintaining safety of propulsion plant and auxiliary
machinery (management level)
Learning objectives:
• Explain what steering gear system is
• Explain the principle of operation of steering gear
Subject: Auxiliary machinery 2/ Steering Gear
References:
• Table A-III/1 Function: Operate main and auxiliary and associated control
system
• Table A-III/2 Function: Plan and schedule operations
• IMO Model Courses 7.02 and 7.04
• Jackson & Morton. General Engineering Knowledge for Marine Engineering,
5th ed. London, Thomas Reed Publications Ltd 1990
• Morton. TD Motor Engineering Knowledge for Marine Engineering. London.
Thomas Reed Publications Ltd
• Taylor (1990). Introduction to Marine Engineering. London Butterworth. •
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1995 (2011 edition)
Pretest:
1. Enumerate the two type of steering gear system being used at present onboard.
Introduction
We are all familiar with the use of a rudder, which helps in turning a ship as and
when required. Rudders are the principal system for the entire motion and control of the
ships. But we mustn’t forget that the entire rudder action is dependent on another
pivotal system called the Steering Gear.
Steering Gear integrated with the rudder system defines the complete ‘turning
mechanism’ mandatory for each and every ship irrespective of size, type and operation.
Steering gear system has been an indispensable part of the ship’s machinery since
the advent of the very early ships, which were operated by hand.
Steering gear construction requirements are to be found in II-1, Regulation 29, and
the operation, testing and drill requirements are located in V, Regulation 19-1 and 19-2.
Every ship must provided with a main steering gear and auxiliary steering gear and
shall be arranged that the failure of one will not cause the other inoperative.
Learning activity:
With the aid of diagram, explain the working principle of a steering gear system
commonly use on ship.
Discussion/Processing
Steering Gear System in Ship
The efficiency of performance of steering gear depends on some main aspects. These
basic requirements to be invariably met by all steering gears are guided by rules set by
classification societies. They can be briefly outlined as:
• As per standard requirements, the steering gear should be capable of steering
the ship from 35 degrees port to 35 degrees starboard and vice-versa with the
vessel plying forwards at a steady head-on speed for maximum continuous
rated shaft rpm. and summer load waterline within a time frame of maximum
28 seconds
• With one of the power units inoperative, the rudder shall be capable of turning
15 degrees port to 15 degrees starboard (and vice-versa) within a time frame
of 1 minute with the vessel moving at half its rated maximum speed or 7 knots
(whichever is greater) at summer load line
• The major power units and the control systems are to be duplicated so that if
one of them fails, the other can easily substitute for them as standby
• Emergency Power Supply: The steering gear system is to be provided with
additional power unit (hydraulic pump etc.) connected to the emergency
power supply from Emergency Generator, which shall be capable of turning
the rudder from 15 degrees from one side to other side within 60 seconds with
the vessel moving at a maximum service speed or 7 knots, whichever is
greater
Types of Steering Gears on Ships
As ships continued to grow and became faster, modern systems easing human effort
were incorporated. Basically, there are two types of commonly used steering gear
systems present:
• Hydraulic
• Electro-hydraulic type
Though the system has undergone some major evolution, the basic physics of operation
remains the same.
Figure 2: Modern day advanced steering control at helm
The main control of the steering operations is given from the helm of any ship, like an
automobile where the entire control of the vehicle’s “steer-ability” rests on the steering
wheel of the driver. The ‘control force’ for turning is triggered off from the wheel at the
helm, which reaches the steering gear system.
The steering gear system generates a torsional force at a certain scale which is then, in
turn, is transmitted to the rudder stock that turns the rudder. The intermediate steering
systems of a modern-day ship can be multifarious with each small component having
its own unique function.
A better illustration for the exact work sequence of in a simple rudder system is given in
the following figure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship's_wheel#/media/File:Wheel_and_rudder_assembly.
gif
Representative image of Steering Gear arrangement in a ship
The rudder system consists of the following:
• Rudder actuators
• Power units
• Other auxiliary equipment needed to apply turn the rudder by applying torque
• Hydraulic pumps and valves
In hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems, hydraulic pressure is developed by
hydraulic pumps which are mainly driven by electric motors (electro-hydraulic
systems) or sometimes through purely mechanical means (hydraulic systems).
However, mainly advanced electro-hydraulic systems are predominant in ships
nowadays. These hydraulic pumps play a crucial role in generating the required
pressure to create motions in the steering gear which can trigger the necessary rotary
moments in the rudder system.
These pumps are basically of two major types:
• Radial piston type (Hele-Shaw)
• Axial Piston type (Swash plate)
Actuators mediate the coordination between the generated hydraulic pressure from
pumps (driven electrically, of course) and the rudder stock by converting it into a
mechanical force creating a turning moment for the rudder. Actuators are now mainly
electrically driven by power units.
These actuators, in turn, can be of two types:
• Piston or cylindrical arrangement
• Vane type rotor
The types of actuator systems depict the types of steering gears present on ships, which
are also segregated as Ram type and Rotary Vane type arrangements accordingly.
Let’s discuss them in brief.
Ram Type Steering Gear System
Ram type steering gear is one of the commonly used steering gear construction and is
quite expensive in construction. The basic principle is same as that of a
hydraulically-driven motor engine or lift.
There are four hydraulic cylinders attached to the two arms of the actuator disc, on both
sides. These cylinders are directly coupled to electrically driven hydraulic pumps
which generate hydraulic pressure through pipes. This hydraulic pressure field present
in the pumps imparts motion to the hydraulic cylinders, which in turn corresponds with
the actuator to act upon the rudder stock. As we know, rudder stock is an indispensable
part of the entire steering gear arrangement of ships and dictates the exact behaviour of
the rudder response.
The sense of turning the rudder is guided by the action of the hydraulic pump. The
physics behind its function can be explained better with the help of the following figure.
Figure 5: Ram type steering Gear
Here the cylinders denoted A and C are connected to the discharge side of the pump.
This generates a positive pressure in the piston cylinders. On the contrary, the other two
cylinders B and D are connected to the suction side of the pump. This creates a negative
pressure in the cylinders. The resultant forces create a clockwise moment in the rudder.
To put it simply, positive and negative pressures from pumps generate lateral forces on
the rams which create a couple for turning the rudder stock.
Similarly, to put it in a anticlockwise turning sense, the reverse is carried out, viz. the
discharge ends of the pumps are connected to the cylinders B and D, while the suction
side of the pumps are to A and C. This reverse pressure flow from hydraulic pumps is
achieved with the help of control valves operated from the wheelhouse.
The ram type steering gear arrangement produces a considerably high value of torque
for a given applied power. The hydraulic oil pressure varies from 100 bars to 175 bars
depending on the size of the rudder and torque required.
Rotary Vane Steering Gear
In rotary vane steering gear, there is a fixed housing in which two vanes rotate. The
housing along with the vanes form four chambers. The physics behind its operation is
similar to the ram type with a small difference.
Figure 6: Rotary Vane type Steering Gear
When chambers A and C are pressurized, there is an anticlockwise rotation of the
vanes. A and C are connected to the discharge side of the pump while chambers B and
D are connected to the suction side of the pump.
Similarly, when clockwise rotation is required, B and D are connected to the discharge
side of the pump while A and C are connected to the suction side of the pump. As
above, this is also operated by specialized control valves.
Thus, differential pressurization of the chambers causes rotational moments in the
vane.
Rotary vane type arrangement is used when the pressure requirement is 60 to 100 bar
for producing required torque. This is the main advantage of rotary vane type steering
gear, requiring lesser hydraulic pressure and thus power for producing the same amount
of torque as ram type.
There are 3 fixed and 3 moving vanes, which can make rudder angles up to 70 degrees,
i.e. 35 degrees on each side.
This arrangement has several other advantages like lower installation cost, less weight
and smaller space required.
The fixed and rotating vanes are of spheroidal graphite cast iron. Keys are often
provided in the rotary vanes for proper strength and orientation.
Evaluation:
Let the students discuss what is the ram type steering gear system and rotary vane
steering gear system.
Assignment:
Discuss the different composition of rudder and steering gear system and the role
they play in giving the ship its direction when underway.
