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Voith Schneider Propeller
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==Operation== From a circular plate, rotating around a vertical axis, a circular array of vertical blades (in the shape of [[hydrofoil]]s) protrude out of the bottom of the ship. Each blade can rotate itself around a vertical axis. The internal gear changes the [[angle of attack]] of the blades in sync with the rotation of the plate, so that each blade can provide thrust in any direction. Unlike the [[azimuth thruster]] (where a conventional propeller is rotated about the vertical axis to direct its thrust, allowing a vessel to steer without the use of a rudder), the Voith-Schneider drive merely requires changing the pattern of orientation of the vertical blades. In a marine situation, this provides for a drive which can be directed in any direction and thus does away with the need for a [[rudder]]. It is highly efficient and provides for an almost instantaneous change of [[Cardinal direction|direction]]. These drives are becoming increasingly common in work boats such as [[fireboat]]s and [[tugboat]]s where extreme maneuverability is needed. Azimuth thrusters (and [[Kort nozzle]]s) have both advantages and disadvantages when compared to [[cycloidal drive]]s. The azimuth thruster is less efficient and slower to manoeuvre, but is likely to be cheaper in the short term. Life cycle costs favour the Voith solution, something reflected in the residual value of a Voith water tractor. A choice is made on the basis of perceived performance requirements. Instead of a Kort nozzle, VSPs are often fitted with a "thrust plate" or "propeller guard" which acts as a nozzle at low speed, protects the VSP against grounding and provides another blocking location during drydocking. A low [[acoustic signature]] favours the device's use in [[Minesweeper (ship)|minesweepers]] <!-- re: "Naval mine" article --> by minimising cavitation (usually produced at the tips of axial propellers) as the rotor does not need to rotate as fast for a given thrust. The underwater sound signature of the MV ''North Sea Giant'' (IMO: 9524073, MMSI: 248039000) dynamic positioning vessel was measured by the [[International Centre for Island Technology]] (ICIT) whilst installing a foundation monopile for the Voith tidal energy device in the [[Fall of Warness]], [[Orkney]] (Ref Beharie and Side, 2011). VSPs are offered with an input power range of 160 kW to 3900 kW<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.voithturbo.com/applications/vt-publications/downloads/1870_e_19_10-types-and-dimensions-2_aktuell.pdf |type=Catalog |title=Voith Schneider Types and Dimensions |publisher=Voith Turbo Schneider Propulsion}}</ref> <gallery heights=160 mode=packed align=center caption="Operation of a Voith Schneider propeller"> File:VSPforces.jpg|Lift forces imparted to the VSP from the water body File:VSPcycloide.jpg|Path of a blade in the water </gallery>
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