Propellers and

propulsion
MEC-E2001 - Ship Hydrodynamics

Aalto University 10/11/2016 Ship Hydrodynamics 2

Content of the course
• Resistance
• Propulsion
• Introduction, Momentum theory on propeller action
• Introduction to the geometry of the Screw propeller
• Screw propeller design
• Propeller-hull interaction
• Early design of a propeller
• Propeller – main engine interaction
• Stopping, accelerating and backing properties
• Propeller cavitation
• Special types of propulsors
• Afterbody form of a ship

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Topic, learning outcomes, literature
Topic
• General on propulsion
• On the development of the propulsors
• Momentum theory of propeller action

After this part you can

• describe features of a good propulsor.
• describe the historical development of propulsors.
• explain the action of a propeller using the momentum theory of propeller
action.

Additional reading
• Matusiak J (2010) Laivan propulsio. M-176. Chapters 1-2
• Matusiak J (2008) Short introduction to Ship Resistance and Propulsion.
Sections 3.1-3.3
• Lewis E.V., editor (1988) Principles of Naval Architecture, Second revision.
Volume II, parts of Chapter 6. SNAME. Available in Knovel.

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Outline: Introduction to propulsion
• General

• Development of the propulsors

• Momentum theory of propeller action

• Introduction to Screw propeller

• Summary

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On the hydrodynamic design of a ship
Ideal conditions Forces acting on a ship
• Still water • Weight of a ship
• Constant speed • Environmental forces
• No drift angle • acting on a hull
• acting on a propulsor

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Forces acting on a ship

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Forces acting on a propulsor
• Integration of the stress 𝑞 over z
the surface A of the propulsor
gives the force 𝐹𝑝 and the
moment 𝑀𝑝 of the propulsor
x G V
Mp
Fp
• Thrust T: The force component
that acts on the propeller in T
r
the direction of the ship.
p
dA
n
• 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑅𝑇 + ∆𝑅𝑃 = 𝑇

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On propulsors
• Propulsion means development of a thrusting force which balances ship
resistance and inertia force associated with ship acceleration.

• Explaining the action of a propulsor: Momentum theory

• The propulsor accelerates water backwards.
• The generated reaction force push the ship forwards.

• Features of a good propulsor

• Steady thrust, Good efficiency, Reliability
• Thrust is easily controlled and directed (good acceleration and stopping
qualities)
• Propulsion is well suited to hull and vice versa
• Small investment and operational costs
• Does not cause vibration nor noise
• Operates well in a variety of conditions (ice, shallow water, etc.)

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Outline: Introduction to propulsion
• General

• Development of the propulsors

• Momentum theory of propeller action

• Introduction to Screw propeller

• Summary

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Development of ship propulsion

Rowing
• Fastest and most reliable
propulsion used from ancient times
till 14th century
• Ancient Rome rowing galley could
reach speed of 6 knots

Sail propulsion
• Introduction of artillery and guns
meant giving up rowing propulsion
and substituting it with sails in the
14th century.

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Development of ship propulsion
Jet type propulsion
• Earliest propulsive device to use mechanics power
• Jet type propulsor that used a prime-mover and a pump
• 1661: patent to Toogood and Hayes in Great Britain
• 1852: Jet propulsion patent to Alexandre Hediard.
• Sucks water from the vessel’s bottom, accelerated it and discharged
through nozzle located at stern.
• Water-jet does not operate well at low speeds (low efficiency).
• Particularly good in shallow water.

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Development of ship propulsion
Paddle wheel (Siipirataspropulsio)
• Known already in ancient China
• First, propelled by human and animal (bulls) forces

1807-1860s
• Paddle wheel period of ship propulsion
• 1807: Cleremont vessel with a steam engine (L = 40 m, Vmax = 5 kn)

• Good in river boats

• Does not perform well in waves

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Development of ship propulsion

Screw propeller 1/2

• Ancestor: Archimedean screw, Archimedean (287 - 212 BC)

1840s
• Introduction to merchant
and naval vessels
• The projected area of those
propellers resembles
present-day propellers
• Hydrofoil section (profile)
was far from optimum

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Development of ship propulsion
Screw propeller 2/2
• Limiting factor
for the usage:
steam engine

1897
• Sir Charles Parsonin’s
Turbinia (L = 30 m)
• Achieved the speed of 34 kn
• 3 bladed tandem propellers rotated by 3 shafts
• Total power of the steam engines: 2000 hp

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Development of ship propulsion
Ducted propeller
• 1936: patent to Ludwig Kort in USA.
• Produces extra thrust, especially at low speeds.
• Duct length is similar to the radius of a propeller.
• Propeller locates in the middle of the duct

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Development of ship propulsion
CRP
• 1825: Jacob Perkins patent to contra-rotating propellers
• Mechanical problems prevented it to get popular.
• Nowadays: Popularity increases steadily (z-drive units).

Q0

T0

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Development of ship propulsion
Air-screw propulsion
• 18th century: The idea was presented in France.
• Purpose: substitute sails.
• Used in hovercrafts ie air cushion vehicles

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Outline: Introduction to propulsion
• General

• Development of the propulsors

• Momentum theory of propeller action

• Introduction to Screw propeller

• Summary

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Momentum theory of propeller action
An example of the propeller flow in reality

• Planar velocity
• Axial velocity

• Measurement
• Particle Image Velocimetry

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On the momentum Principle
• Propellers derive their propulsive thrust by accelerating the
fluid in which they work.

• This is in accordance with Newton’s law of motion:

• Force is required to alter the existing state of motion of any material
body in magnitude or direction.
• The action of any two bodies upon one another is equal and opposite.

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Momentum theory of propeller action
• What do we learn by using this theory?
• Understanding and estimating the propeller action
• How does the efficiency depend on the loading of the propeller?

• Universal theory
• The propulsor does not need to be a screw propeller.

• Ideal conception of the propeller

• The propeller is regarded as a “disk” or a mechanism that imparts a
sudden increase of pressure to the fluid that passes through it.
• The actual method by which it does so is ignored.

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Momentum theory of propeller action
Assumptions Downstream Upstream
• The propeller
imparts a uniform
acceleration to all
the fluid passing
through it. Thrust
generated is
uniformly
distributed over the
disk.
• Flow is frictionless
and irrotational.
• Unlimited inflow to
the propeller.
Plane 3 Plane 2 Plane 1
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Momentum theory of propeller action
On the thrust T
• 𝑇 = ∆𝑝 ∙ 𝐴0
• ∆𝑝: Apply Bernoulli’s
equation
1
• 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑉 2 = constant
2
• Streamline fore of the
propeller plane
• Streamline aft of the
propeller plane

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Momentum theory of propeller action
On the thrust T
• 𝑇 = ∆𝑝 ∙ 𝐴0
• ∆𝑝: Apply Bernoulli’s
equation

1 2 ′
1 2
𝑝0 + 𝜌𝑉𝐴 = 𝑝 + 𝜌 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴
2 2
1 2 1 2 1
𝑝0 + 𝜌 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 = 𝑝′′ + 𝜌 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴 ∆𝑝 =𝑝′′ 𝑝′
− = 𝜌𝑈𝐴0 𝑈𝐴0 + 2𝑉𝐴
2 2 2
1
𝑇 = ∆𝑝𝐴0 = 𝜌𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 𝐴0
2
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Momentum theory of propeller action
On the thrust T
Mass flow of water through the
disk Downstream Upstream

𝑚 = 𝜌𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴

Change of momentum must

equal to the thrust T on the disk

𝑇 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 − 𝑉𝐴
= 𝑚 ∙ 𝑈𝐴0

Plane 3 Plane 2 Plane 1

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Momentum theory of propeller action
On the induced velocities
𝑈𝐴 and 𝑈𝐴0

• Two definitions of T

𝑇 = 𝑚𝑈𝐴0 = 𝜌𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴 𝑈𝐴0

1
𝑇 = ∆𝑝𝐴0 = 𝜌𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 𝐴0
2

UA = 1 UA0
2

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Momentum theory of propeller action
Efficiency of the propeller
useful work obtained
• η𝐼 =
work expended
𝑃𝑇
• η𝐼 =
𝑃𝐷
• Work done by the propeller
in time unit (power)
1
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑇𝑉𝐴 = 𝜌𝐴0 𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴
2
• Lost of the kinetic energy of
the water passing through
the disk
1 1 1
𝑃𝐷 = 2 𝑚 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 2
− 2 𝑚𝑉𝐴2 =2 𝜌𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 2 −𝑉𝐴2

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Momentum theory of propeller action
Efficiency of the propeller
useful work obtained
• η𝐼 =
work expended

𝑃𝑇
• η𝐼 =
𝑃𝐷

𝑃𝑇 𝑉𝐴 1
𝜂𝐼 = = =
𝑃𝐷 𝑉 + 1 𝑈 1 𝑈𝐴0
𝐴 2 𝐴0 1 + 2 𝑉 𝐴

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Momentum theory of propeller action
Efficiency of the propeller
It is practical to express the efficiency as a function of the thrust loading
coefficient
𝑇 1
𝐶𝑇 = 𝑇 = ∆𝑝𝐴0 = 𝜌𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑈𝐴0 𝐴0
1 2
𝜌𝐴0 𝑉𝐴2
2

1
𝜌𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴 +2𝑈𝐴0 𝐴0 1 𝑈𝐴0 𝑈𝐴0 𝑈𝐴0
𝐶𝑇 = 1 =2 1 + 2 = −1 + 1 + 𝐶𝑇
𝜌𝐴0 𝑉𝐴2 𝑉𝐴 𝑉𝐴
𝑉𝐴
2

Screw propeller Paddle wheel Vertical axis propeller

vertikaaliakselipotkuri
ruuvipotkuri siipiratas vertical axis propeller - VAP
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Momentum theory of propeller action
Efficiency of the propeller
It is practical to express the efficiency as a function of the thrust loading
coefficient
𝑃𝑇 𝑉𝐴 1 𝑈𝐴0
𝜂𝐼 = = = = −1 + 1 + 𝐶𝑇
𝑃𝐷 𝑉 + 1 𝑈 1 𝑈𝐴0 𝑉𝐴
𝐴 1 +
2 𝐴0 2 𝑉𝐴
1

0.8

2 0.6
𝜂𝐼 = hI

1 + 1 + 𝐶𝑇 0.4

0.2

0
0. 01 0.1 1 10 100
CT

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Outline: Introduction to propulsion
• General

• Development of the propulsors

• Momentum theory of propeller action

• Introduction to Screw propeller

• Summary

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Outline: Screw propeller
• Geometry

• Kinematics and forces

• On the design of a propeller

• Open water characteristics of a propeller

• Effect of main dimensions

• Summary
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Geometry of a screw propeller
jättöreuna
trailing edge kärki tip johtoreuna
leading edge
lapa (siipi) x
blade
pyörimissuunta
direction of rotation

akseli
shaft
painepuoli
pressure imupuoli
side (face) suction side

napa
hub (boss)

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Cylindrical cross section
of the propeller blade

• discloses hydrofoil
section
• helps to understand
the definition of the
pitch

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Pitch P
• x-directional distance,
which propeller moves
when rotating 1
revolution.

• changes as a function of
radius r, usually.

• can be expressed as an
angular measure:
𝑃/𝐷 𝑃
tan 𝜙 = =
𝜋𝑟/𝑅 2𝜋𝑟

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Pitch P 𝑃/𝐷 𝑃
tan 𝜙 = =
𝜋𝑟/𝑅 2𝜋𝑟

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Cylindrical cross section
of the propeller blade

• discloses hydrofoil
section.
• Other names:
• Foil
• profile

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Geometry of the hydrofoil
• Chord is a straight line connecting leading and trailing edges.
• The distance between these two is the chord length c.
• Thickness distribution t(x): the distance between the suction and pressure sides.
• Camber line of a profile: the line through the middle of the thickness.

camber y(kaarevuus) paksuus

fMAX
suction y(imu)
pressure y(paine) y 0,10
0,05
0,00
-0,05
a
1,00 0,80 0,60 0,40 0,20 0,00
x/c U
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Geometry of a screw propeller
Pitch
• Reference point
• Chord line
• Pressure side of the blade
• Small difference

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Cylindrical cross section
of the propeller blade
developed into a plane

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Cylindrical cross section
of the propeller blade
developed into a plane
• Hydrofoil shape
• Chord line changes from a
helix on the cylinder into a
straight line, and its
extension is called the pitch
line.
• Pitch angle:

𝑃/𝐷 𝑃
tan 𝜙 = =
𝜋𝑟/𝑅 2𝜋𝑟

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Reference line, Propeller plane, Generator line
potkurin taso potkurin taso
propeller plane propeller plane
lavan kaltevuus
lavan kaltevuuskulma
rake rake q (r)

referenssiviiva
reference line
generointiviiva
generator line
R juuri
root

a) b)
B
B

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Rake
• Is the x-directional
distance from the
propeller plane to the
generator line.
• Can be expressed as an
angular measure 𝜃.
• If generator line is not
B
straight, rake angle 𝜃
B
changes with the
radius.

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Skew
• how much the reference
and generator lines are
apart.
• This is a distance measured
along developed and
expanded blade surface
• Skew angle 𝜃𝑆

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Shape of the propeller in the drawings
1. Side projection
2. Projection in the x-direction / Projected area of the blade
3. Developed area of the blade

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Side projection
• much space the propeller requires in the longitudinal
direction of the shaft

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Geometry of a screw propeller
Projected area 𝐴𝑃
• x-directional projection of the
blade (Fig. a)

Developed area 𝐴𝐷
• is obtained by developing blade
pressure side screw surface into the
plane. (Fig. a)

Expanded blade area 𝐴𝐸

• is the developed area that is
presented so that the cylindrical
cuts are expended into the straight
lines. (Fig. b)

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Geometry of a screw propeller

NO RAKE NO SKEW

ONLY RAKE

ONLY SKEW
RAKE & SKEW

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Outline: Introduction to propulsion
• General
• Forces acting on a ship
• Development of the propulsors

• Momentum theory of propeller action

• On the momentum theory
• On the propeller action

• Summary

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Summary
• Describe the development of ship propulsion

• What features does a good propeller have?

• Explain the action of a propeller using the momentum

theory of propeller action.

• When does a propeller has good efficiency?

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References
• Matusiak J (2010) Laivan kulkuvastus. M-289. Available in
Noppa

• Lewis E.V., editor (1988) Principles of Naval Architecture,

Second revision. Volume II. SNAME. Available in Knovel

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