Parami METC 1ST JUN.

2018

Stern Tube Principle Stern Tube

§ The stem tube is the cast iron or mild steel tube through which the
propeller shaft passes through the stern of the ship.
§ Its function being to support the weight of the propeller and shaft.
§ To prevent water entering the ship and oil leaking through to sea.
§ It is fitted between the after peak bulkhead and the stern frame,
being placed into position from the inside of the ship.

Sayar Phone (Parami)

Stern Tube Seal Lube Oil Lubrication (Aft Seal)

§ Stuffing boxes, which uses packing material to seal the area.
§ Lip seals, which are connected to the tail shaft to prevent lubricant
or water from passing through the shaft.
§ Radial face seals, which are supported with specially fitted springs
around the shaft.
The aft seal consists of 3 major parts:
1. Four rubber seal rings with springs.
2. A metal housing holding the rubber seal rings.
3. A liner which rotates together with propeller shaft.
Rubber seal rings are inserted btwn the metal ring & bolted together.
Clamp section of seal rings are secured to the groove of the metal rings
The material of the liner is highly resistant to corrosion and wear.

Lube Oil Lubrication (Forward Seal) Lube Oil Lubrication System

The forwardt seal consists of 4 major parts: Lube oil pressure higher than sea water pressure at the shaft centre
1. Two rubber seal rings with springs. under full load by (0.15~0.2 bar) gravity tank is provided onboard.

2. A metal housing holding the rubber seal rings. For deep draft vessel, two gravity tanks are provided, one for under
full load (High tank) and the other for ballast (Low tank).
3. A liner which rotates together with propeller shaft.
4. A clamp ring which holds the liner.
The material of the liner is excellent wear resistant and lip-lubricating
properties.

Sayar Phone (Parami)

09 7931 24433 / 09 7731 24433
 Parami METC 1ST JUN. 2018

Lube Oil Lubrication System Lube Oil Lubrication System

For the oil chamber between seal rings #1 & #2, supply the oil in For the oil chamber between seal rings #1 & #2, supply the oil in
installing seal assembly. installing seal assembly.
Change the oil in dry docking, Change the oil in dry docking,
L.O piping is provided to oil chamber between #2 and #3, keep the L.O piping is provided to oil chamber between #2 and #3, keep the
valve normally opened. valve normally opened.

Lube Oil Lubrication System Lube Oil Lubrication System

Check the oil by opening the drain valve once a month. The seal rings is made of either nitrile or fluoric rubber.
In the case of oil leakage to outboard, normally closed the valves and Lube oil viscosity is used 30 SAE.
Sometimes opened them in order to charge the oil. In the event of water ingress, higher viscosity of L.O can be used.
Between #3 and #3s oil chamber, L.O is supply from gravity tank.
Forward seal oil is supply by own gravity tank
And natural or automatic
circulating oil is adopted.

Water Lubrication Oil Lubrication & Water Lubrication

§ Bearing length:
Aft end: (1.5 ~ 2) x Shaft Dia Aft End : 4 x Shaft Dia
Ford End :(0.6 ~ 1.25) x Shaft Dia. Ford End : 1 x Shaft Dia.

§ Bearing Material:
Grey or Nodular cast iron with Lignum vitae or Tufnol reinforced
centrifugally lined white metal. Cu rubber staves on liner.
3% , Sb 7.5% & Tin.

§ Wear Limit:
Very less clearance 2 ~ 3 mm of Very much : 8 mm of shaft diameter.
shaft diameter.

§ Measuring:
By using poker gauge at aft end By inserting wedge between the
seal. spaces of shaft and bearing.

Sayar Phone (Parami)

09 7931 24433 / 09 7731 24433
 Parami METC 1ST JUN. 2018

Oil Lubrication & Water Lubrication Oil Lubrication & Water Lubrication
§ Clearance: § Docking survey:
0.0015 ~ 0.002 mm of shaft 0.003 ~ 0.004 mm of shaft Not require annual dry docking Require annual dry docking survey.
diameter. diameter. survey. Only special dry docking.
§ Lubrication: § Construction:
Obtain Hydrodynamic lubrication. Cannot attain Hydrodynamic Cast iron constructed stern tube is Cast iron constructed stern tube is
lubrication , due to water viscosity is pressed into the stern frame . Two pressed into the stern frame .
poor. white metal bearing bush are also Forward end is flanged to the aft
pressed in to stern tube. bulk head. Lead or wood liner is
§ Friction:
inserted between them.
Less coefficient of friction. Very much coefficient of friction
Without sleeve. A continuous length of gun metal
liner is shrunk fitted to tail shaft
§ Cost: between propeller and a point
beyond stuffing box.
High Cheap.

Sayar Phone (Parami)

09 7931 24433 / 09 7731 24433