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Voith Schneider Propulsion in Ice
Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP) are known as very reliable and precise propulsion systems. The VSP is preferably used for very maneuverable vessels.

There is often a special maneuverability required under ice conditions. Here the VSP is an interesting option as propulsion and maneuvering solution.

Investigations of the VSP in ice have been carried out by the research institute VTT Helsinki in the ice laboratory of Aker Arctic [1]. As a result of these tests a much better understanding of the physics of Voith Schneider Propulsion in ice has been achieved. The test results of which have been used to develop design recommendations for VSP propelled vessels when in ice conditions.

Ship assistance with a Voith Water Tractor in close pack ice 
 

Voith Water Tractor used as an ice-breaker   Ice test of a VSP propelled vessel at Aker Artic in Helsinki
 



Important physical effects are:
  1. The ice blocks hit the blades mainly at the upper part of the blade near the bearing (low bending moment).
  2. The ice blocks are hit by the leading edge of the blades. There the blade profile has its highest sectional modulus and reduces the risk of damages.
  3. The ice blocks are pushed aside and not caught by the VSP. Thus the blocks leave immediately after the first hit the propulsion disk area.
The advantages of VSP in ice are the high maneuverability and the stepless thrust variation. This leads directly to a stepless propeller wash variation, which can be used to wash ice blocks very precisly in the needed direction to clean a canal.
The VSP blades are hit by ice blocks differently than screw propeller blades because of the special physical effects and interaction between VSP blades and ice blocks. This reduces the risk of damages.

The Svitzer tugs in Gothenburg, the URAG tugs in Bremerhaven and the Bugsier tugs in Rostock have had very good experiences during periods of ice operation. These results match the results that we have had during the past with hitting logs or other floating debris.
[1] Pajala, Jukka: Model tests of VSP propelled vessels in ice, Hydrodynamic Symposium on Voith Schneider Propulsion,
5. - 6. Juni 2008, Heidenheim


VWT in Ice
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