Design And Fabrication Of Power Pole Marine Propulsion Unit

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The marine propulsion system is the heart of ship; its reliability directly determines the safe navigation and operating costs of ship (Yan, 2011). The economy, space requirement, efficiency of propulsion and reliability are the most important parameters to the marine propulsion system (Conglin, 2013). Marine propulsion is a mechanism used to move a ship or boat across water. Most modern ships are propelled by mechanical system consisting of motors or engines which are propelled by turning a propeller (Rourke, 2000). A propeller is a type of a fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust, pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, air or water is accelerated behind the blade (Shraddha., 2012).

In electric propulsion system, induction motor is used to drive the marine propeller. The control is affected by ocean surface waves, ocean currents, wind, weather and also ship motion. The speed of induction motor is controlled using flux comparator (Shraddha, 2012).
The use of electric plant has been increasing in recent years, particularly in areas such as deep-water drilling units, shuttle tankers, offshore supply vessels and other ships which require significant power for propulsion service. Today, the energy sector has available mature electric systems which are robust and have high availability (Peter, 2009).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Marine propulsion electrification offers significant anticipated benefits toward ships in terms of reducing ship life cycle cost, increasing ship stealthiness, payload, survivability and power available for non-propulsion-uses, and taking advantage of a strong electrical technological and industrial base. Potential disadvantages include higher near-term costs, increased technical risk, increased system complexity, and less efficiency in full power operations. (Angelos, 2013). A marine propulsion system includes following main parts: main engine, driving device, marine shaft and propeller (Zhou, 2005). The main engine is the impulsion machine engine of the marine propulsion system. The function of the driving device is connecting or parting the energy that the main engine transfers to the marine shaft and the propeller. The marine shaft plays an important role in transferring the energy to the propeller. The propeller promotes the ship to sail (Conglin, 2013).

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to design and fabricate power pole marine propulsion unit.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The results of this study will be an additional knowledge to the existing literature on design and fabrication of power pole marine propulsion unit.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study concerns about design and fabrication of power pole marine propulsion unit.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

There is no study undertaken by a researcher that is perfect. The imperfection of any research is always due to some factors negatively affecting a researcher in the course of carrying out research. Therefore, time constraint has shown no mercy to the researcher. The limited time has to be shared among many alternative uses, which includes reading, attending lectures and writing of this research, also distance and its attendant costs of travelling to obtain information which may enhance the writing of this study was a major limitation.