Bow thruster

A cross beam control system (English thruster, also bow or stern thruster ) are the motion orthogonal to the direction of travel on ships built below the water line drives (eg, to reduce the turning circle ) are intended for better maneuvering.

History

Such drives were first installed in the bow of ships, therefore, has become the norm in everyday language, the term bow thruster (English bow thruster ), although it is not a " rudder " in the traditional sense. The system consists of a tubular passage through the entire width of the ship in front tenths of a ship. Cross used in this tube is a propeller, which makes it possible to move the bow of the vessel to port or starboard. This is done by changing the direction of rotation of the propeller or adjustment of the propeller blades. The propeller is driven by an electric or hydraulic motor installed in the ship.

The thruster can be used due to hydrodynamic effects only up to a cruising speed of five knots. At higher speeds, it is virtually ineffective.

Use of the bow and stern thruster

A bow thruster can make the aid of tugs at berthing and departure maneuvers unnecessary in simple weather conditions and smaller ships. Especially for large ships but an assistant tractor is still usually required to compensate for maneuvering flow or wind gusts. Now, however, more and more yachts have installed a bow thruster. A bow thruster is no auxiliary rudder to keep the ship on its course or to bring faster on track, but only an aid in embarking or disembarking maneuvers.

Modern ferries, cruise ships, and some newer cargo ships, but also modern motor yachts have also installed in the rear of a transverse beam control system, the so-called stern thruster (English sternthruster ) to allow in cooperation with the bow thrusters a traverse ( lateral movement of a ship ). Large ferries and cruise ships often have two or three bow thruster in the bow.

Combined additive and Bugstrahlantrieb

Another commonly referred to as pump-jet rotating variant of the cross beam control system is used in inland navigation as a combined additive and Bugstrahlantrieb. It is drawn in the bow area under the ship and water ejected through a rotary blades rust again. This allows you to move the ship in all directions. With this system you can maneuver a ship without the support of the main engine.

Euro port 2009, bow thruster with electric drive

Issued at the fair bow thruster

SMM 2010, the new generation of bow thrusters, a ring propeller

Schottel Pump-Jet

Reference to a " Bow " at the Anke Ehler