Supercavitating propellers are used in ships that require high engine powers, high

speeds, and small propeller diameters. These propellers operate with a vapor-filled
cavity covering the back of the blade, providing high thrust and efficiency. The
design of supercavitating propellers involves ensuring a complete separation of flow
on the back of the blade while maintaining a high lift-drag ratio. Blade section
shapes for supercavitating propellers differ from conventional propellers, with
wedge-shaped sections being commonly used. Design methods for supercavitating
propellers have evolved over time, incorporating theoretical models, empirical
corrections, and testing in cavitation tunnels.

Key points

 Supercavitating propellers have a vapor-filled cavity covering the back of the

blade.
 They provide high thrust and efficiency, especially in high-speed, high-power
ships.
 Blade section shapes differ from conventional propellers, with wedge-shaped
sections being common.
 Design methods involve theoretical models, empirical corrections, and testing
in

p. 30p. 32p. 33

Surface propellers are a type of propeller that is located just behind the hull of a ship,
rather than being fully submerged under the water. They have several advantages,
including a reduction in appendage resistance and the ability to operate in shallow
water. Surface propellers are not susceptible to cavitation and can have low drag due
to their low blade areas. However, they also have disadvantages, such as unsteady
hydrodynamic forces on the blades and poor astern performance.

Key points

 Surface propellers are located behind the hull of a ship, not fully submerged
under the water.
 They have advantages such as reduced appendage resistance and the ability
to operate in shallow water.
 Surface propellers are not susceptible to cavitation and can have low drag.
 However, they also have disadvantages, including unsteady hydrodynamic
forces on the blades and poor astern performance.

p. 34p. 35p. 38
Podded propellers, also known as azimuthing thrusters or steering rudder propellers,
are a type of propulsion system used in small vessels. They consist of a propeller
supported in a streamlined body of revolution (pod) by a vertical strut extending
downward from the ship's hull. The propeller is driven through a shaft from inside
the hull and can be rotated 360 degrees by a separate mechanism, allowing the
thrust to be directed at any angle in a horizontal plane. Podded propellers offer
advantages such as excellent maneuverability, good backing performance, and speed
control over the complete range.

Key points

 Podded propellers are supported by a vertical strut and can be rotated 360
degrees for maneuverability.
 They offer excellent maneuverability, good backing performance, and speed
control.
 Podded propellers are also known as azimuthing thrusters or steering rudder
propellers.
 They are used in small vessels and offer advantages such as good
maneuverability and speed control.

p. 53 (1-38)p. 53 (38-46)

A cycloidal propeller is a type of ship propulsion system that consists of spade-like

blades attached to a disc, which is set flush with the ship's hull. The disc rotates
about a vertical or nearly vertical axis, while the blades rotate about their own
individual axes through a mechanical linkage system. Cycloidal propellers were first
proposed in the 1870s and have been used in practice since the late 1920s. There are
two main types of cycloidal propellers: the Kirsten-Boeing propeller and the Voith-
Schneider propeller.

Key points

 Cycloidal propellers consist of blades attached to a disc that rotates about a

vertical or nearly vertical axis.
 The blades of a cycloidal propeller rotate about their own individual axes
through a mechanical linkage system.
 There are two main types of cycloidal propellers: the Kirsten-Boeing propeller
and the Voith-Schneider propeller.
 The Kirsten-Boeing propeller has blades that make half a rotation about their
own axes for every revolution of the disc, while the Voith-Schneider propeller
 has blades that make one rotation about their own axes for every revolution
of the disc.
 The path described by each blade of a cycloidal propeller is a form of cycloid,
depending on the speed of the ship and the angular velocity of the propeller.
 Cycloidal propellers are used in ships that require exceptional maneuverability,
as they allow for control of the direction and magnitude of thrust without
changing the speed or direction of the engine's revolution.

p. 54

Waterjet propulsion is a mechanical propulsion device used in ships. It consists of a

pump inside the ship that draws water from outside, accelerates it, and discharges it
in a jet above the water line at the stern. This jet provides the thrust to propel the
ship. Waterjet propulsion offers advantages such as improved maneuverability,
stopping and backing ability, and the ability to control the ship's speed without
altering the engine's RPM. However, it also has disadvantages, including the
occupation of considerable space inside the ship and the need for a grating at the
water inlet to prevent debris from damaging the pump.

Key points

 Waterjet propulsion is a mechanical propulsion device used in ships.

 It consists of a pump inside the ship that draws water from outside,
accelerates it, and discharges it in a jet above the water line at the stern.
 Waterjet propulsion offers advantages such as improved maneuverability,
stopping and backing ability, and the ability to control the ship's speed
without altering the engine's RPM.
 However, it also has disadvantages, including the occupation of considerable
space inside the ship and the need for a grating at the water inlet to prevent
debris from damaging the pump.

p. 63p. 62p. 64

A tip modified propeller is a type of propeller that has been modified at the tip to
improve its performance. The modification is typically done to reduce the occurrence
of cavitation and increase the efficiency of the propeller.

Key points
  Tip modified propellers are designed to minimize cavitation, which is the
formation of bubbles or voids in the water around the propeller blades.
Cavitation can cause damage to the propeller and reduce its efficiency.
 The modification at the tip of the propeller can take different forms, such as
adding a bulb or modifying the shape of the blade. These modifications help
to reduce the pressure difference between the front and back of the blade,
reducing the likelihood of cavitation.
 By reducing cavitation, tip modified propellers can operate at higher speeds
and produce more thrust, resulting in improved performance and efficiency.
 Tip modified propellers are commonly used in various applications, including
ship propulsion, where efficiency and performance are crucial factors.

p. 52

Flow improvement devices are devices that are fitted to ships to improve the nature of the
flow into the propeller and enhance its efficiency. These devices
help mitigate the undesirable effects of complex flow at the
stern of a ship, such as boundary layer separation, non-uniform
flow, bilge vortices, and crossflow velocities. They work by
improving the flow characteristics, reducing intermittent
cavitation, and minimizing propeller-induced vibration. Some
examples of flow improvement devices include the asymmetric
stern, wake equalizing ducts, Grothues spoilers, and the Mitsui
integrated duct. These devices aim to optimize the flow
conditions and increase the propulsive efficiency

Flow improvement devices are used to mitigate the undesirable effects of complex
flow at the stern of a ship and improve the efficiency of the propeller. Some of these
devices include:

1. Asymmetric Stern: The asymmetric stern, with non-symmetrical transverse

sections, is designed to counter the rotation of the flow induced by the
propeller. It imparts a swirl to the flow just ahead of the propeller, reducing
rotational energy loss in the propeller slipstream.
2. Wake Equalising Duct: The wake equalising duct is a ducted propeller feature
that reduces resistance and improves propulsive efficiency. It consists of a
duct with specific design parameters such as diameter, profile shape, length,
and angle. It can result in power savings of up to 15% and is particularly
beneficial for ships with block coefficients of 0.60 and above.
3. End Plates: Propellers with end plates at the blade tips, also known as TVF (tip
vortex free) or CLT (contracted and loaded tip) propellers, are used to
suppress trailing vortices and improve propeller efficiency. Different types of
 end plates, such as constant radius or aligned with the streamline, can be used
to modify the distribution of circulation along the radius.
These flow improvement devices aim to enhance the nature of the flow into the
propeller, reduce energy losses, and improve propulsive efficiency.
p. 73p. 78p. 77