I.

Introduction

A rudder is a primary control surface used to steer a ship, boat, submarine, hovercraft,
aircraft, or other conveyance that moves through a medium (generally air or water).

a. Definition of the Machine

Nautical - Rudder is an underwater blade that is positioned at the stern of a

boat or ship and controlled by its helm and that when turned causes the vessel's head
to turn in the same direction.

b. Description of the Machine

Spade or Balanced Rudder:

A spade rudder is basically a rudder plate that is fixed to the rudder stock
only at the top of the rudder. In other words, the rudder stock (or the axis of the
rudder) doesnt run down along the span of the rudder. The position of the rudder
stock along the chord of the rudder (width meaning, from the forward to aft end of
the rudder) actually decides whether the rudder is a balanced of semi-balanced one.
In balanced rudders, (which spade rudders generally are) the rudder stock is at such a
position such that 40 percent of the rudder area is forward of the stock and the
remaining is aft of it.

A genuine question that must have come up in your mind is, why is such a
position chosen for the rudder stock? The answer lies in simple physics. The centre
of gravity of the rudder will lie somewhere close to 40% of its chord length from its
forward end. If the axis of the rudder is placed near to this location, the torque
required to rotate the rudder will be much lesser than what is required to move it, had
the axis been placed at the forward end of the rudder. So, the energy requirement of
the steering gear equipment is reduced, therefore lowering the fuel consumption of
the ship.
Unbalanced Rudders:

These rudders have their stocks attached at the forward most point of their
span. Unlike balanced rudders, the rudder stock runs along the chord length of the
rudder. The reason is simple. In this case, the torque required to turn the rudder is
way higher than what is required for a corresponding balanced rudder. So, the
topmost part of the rudder has to be fixed to the spindle so as to prevent it from
vertical displacement from its natural position. However, unbalanced rudders are not
widely used now.

Having discussed about the conventional types of rudders, let us shift into
something yet more interesting. Researchers and ship operators had found significant
problems with the balanced and unbalanced rudders. That is, in case there was a
failure of the steering gear mechanism while turning a ship. The rudder would
remain still with its angle of attack in that condition. The solution to this, was found
in designing an optimized Semi-Balanced Rudder.

Semi- Balanced Rudder:

If you have been able to visualize a balanced and unbalanced rudder by now,
it should be pretty easy to visualize a semi-balanced rudder. In fact, the rudders you
see on most ships are semi-balanced in the modern industry. The name semi-
balanced itself implies that the rudder is partly balanced, and partly unbalanced. If
you refer to the figure below, youll see that a portion of the chord length from the
top is un-balanced, and the remaining chord length is balanced. Why? Read on.

The top part being un-balanced will help in acting as a structural support to
the rudder from vertical displacement. And the balanced part will render less torque
in swinging the rudder. As a result, a semi balanced rudder returns to the centreline
orientation on its own if the steering gear equipment fails during a turn.
c. Function of the Machine

Rudders function by cutting through any kind of fluid, water or air, and forcing
the fluid to pass by the body of a ship or airplane. A modern rudder looks like a flat
piece of material that is attached to a vessel's tail or stern. However, rudders didn't
always look like flat panels.

d. Main parts of the Machine

Spade or Balanced Rudder

Unbalanced Rudders

Semi- Balanced Rudder:

II. Part by Part Description

a. Main Part

i. Rudder Carrier

A fitting usually constructed in two parts which are bolted together around
the rudder stock and which forms a means of transferring the weight of the rudder
to the rudder bearing. The upper portion of the carrier consists of a sleeve that
forms a close fit around the stock which is usually turned to a larger diameter at
the top and bottom of the carrier sleeve to form shoulders. The upper shoulder
aids in transferring the weight of the rudder through the carrier to the bearing and
the lower shoulder prevents the stock from slipping up through the carrier. Set
screws or a key and keyway are usually fitted to insure that the carrier turns with
the stock. The lower portion of the carrier consists of a flange having a flat
bearing surface that works on an annular ring floating in oil in a groove on the top
of the rudder bearing.

ii. Rudder Pintle

A vertical metal pin attached to the leading edge of the rudder; it is fitted
into the metal ring or 'gudgeon' bolted to the sternpost of a vessel.

iii. Rudder Trunk

A separate watertight gland often fitted where stock enters the rudder
trunk. This arrangement provides access to greater length of the rudderstock,
removes the need for a watertight construction of the carrier bearing and reduces
the unsupported length of the stock. A watertight gland is essential for ease of
operation of the rudder of the pintles and rudderstock turning axes are in the same
line.