Steering Gears

The mechanism that actuates the RUDDER in

order to steer the ship safely for :
1) plying the shortest possible distance
between two ports.
2) manoeuvring in & out of ports.
 Steering Gears Rules
SOLAS Chapter II-1, Steering Gear. Regulation 29
1) Provided with 2 independent steering
gear systems ie main & auxiliary.
2) Auxiliary gear –
* power operated in passenger ships.
3) Adequate strength – to steer at speed
of 10 knots.
* Fast action
 Steering Gears Rules
4) Main gear – powerful enough
* putting the rudder from 35 degrees on
one side to 35 degrees on the other
side at max speed.
Time : not exceeding 28 seconds ; 35 to 30
degrees on the other side.
Passenger ship : 1 power unit operating
Cargo ship : 2 power unit operating
 Steering Gears
5)Hydraulic system fluid – non freezing type.
6)Hydraulic pipes & electric power cables –
exclusive for its system & protected.
7)All moving parts-Protection guards preventing
damages.
8)All electrical leads & fuses sized to accept 100
% overload.
 STEERING GEAR

TELEMOTOR SYSTEM AND ACTUATING SYSTEM

HYDRAULIC OR ELECTRIC ELECTRO - ALL

HYDRAULIC OR ELECTRIC

OR
TRANSMITTER & RECEIVER
ROTARY WARD SINGLE
RAM
VANE LEONARD MOTOR
TYPE SYSTEM SYSTEM
TYPE

2 RAM
SYSTEM
OR
4 RAM
SYSTEM
 STEERING GEAR

TELEMOTOR SYSTEM

Telemotor system :
1)Transmits a mechanical order ie
turning of the steering wheel on the
bridge
2)To a distant system know as the
actuating system, in the steering
compartment
3)The actuating system would turn the
rudder to the ordered or corresponding
angle.
 STEERING GEAR

TELEMOTOR SYSTEM
Telemotor system :
1)Comprises of 2 parts
HYDRAULIC OR ELECTRIC
ie. a transmitter
and a receiver.
2)Are either hydraulic
TRANSMITTER & RECEIVER
or electrical type.
3)Most common type :
electrical
 TELEMOTOR SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL RECEIVER & TRANSMITTER
SCREW BLOCK
FLOATING LEVER

FEEDBACK LINK RHEOSTATS

PUMP
ACTUATING ROD
A

MOTOR
BRIDGE
CONTROL BOX CONTROL
LEVEL OR
BEVEL GEARS B STEERING
ECCENTRIC WHEEL
LO PUMP
SPRING DETENT
RUDDER ANGLE MAIN SUPPLY
INDICATOR

SCREWED SHAFT NAVIGATION

EMERGENCY IN STEERING BRIDGE
HAND CONTROL COMPARTMENT
Wheatstone Bridge Formula
Following is the formula
used for Wheatstone bridge:
R = PS/Q
Where,
R is the unknown resistance
S is the standard arm of the
bridge
P and Q is the ratio of the
arm of bridge
TELEMOTOR SYSTEM : ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTER

1) Consist of a wheat stone

bridge circuit.
2) When the balance of the
primary circuit is upset. RHEOSTATS

3) The secondary coil will

excites the motor. A

4) Motor will turn clockwise

MOTOR
BRIDGE
or anticlockwise until CONTROL
LEVEL OR
electrical balance is B STEERING
WHEEL
restored on the bridge
circuit.
MAIN SUPPLY

ON
IN STEERING NAVIGATION
COMPARTMENT BRIDGE
 TELEMOTOR SYSTEM : RECEIVER

FLOATING LEVER
1)The motor rotates
SCREW BLOCK the screw shaft in
FEEDBACK LINK
the control box.
PUMP
ACTUATING ROD
2) The floating level
moves, actuating the

MOTOR
CONTROL BOX control rod of the
BEVEL GEARS
pump.
ECCENTRIC
LO PUMP 3) The screw shaft
SPRING DETENT
INDICATOR
can be rotated by
SCREWED SHAFT
moving the
EMERGENCY
HAND CONTROL emergency hand
control wheel.
TELEMOTOR SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTER & RECEIVER

1) Converts mechanical signal (turning of the

steering wheel) to electrical signal & sending it
to the steering flat.
2) The electrical signal excites a motor  turning
the screw shaft to move the floating lever.
Note :
The movement of the floating lever is not strong
enough to turn the rudder , hence an actuating
system is used.
 STEERING GEAR

ACTUATING SYSTEM
Actuating System :
1) Consist of power or
amplifying unit ELECTRO -
OR
ALL
HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC
2) And the actuating
mechanism.
OR
ROTARY WARD SINGLE
RAM
VANE LEONARD MOTOR
Amplifying unit ? TYPE
TYPE
SYSTEM SYSTEM

Actuating mechanism ?
2 RAM
SYSTEM
OR
4 RAM
SYSTEM
 Two Ram Steering wheel
Steering Gear Transmitter
System
Receiver
How it works ? Hunting gear
floating lever
Electric motor Fulcrum
Actuating rod

R Feedback link

Pump P Rudder stock

T Tiller

Crosshead

Cylinder

Port Starboard Ram

 Hunting Gear Floating Lever Mechanism
R R’ R’ R R

P P’ P P” P

T T T’ T’ T

1 2 3 4 5

This lever mechanism acts to start & stop the pumping action as
required.
Consider R is connected to the telemotor receiver; P connected to pump
actuating rod ; T connected to tiller arm (feedback link).
1) Neutral position ; O degree at the helm.
2) (a) Turning steering wheel to port, example 5 degrees portside.
(b) Lever moves to the left. R R’ ; P P’ pivoted about T.
(c) Pump starts to pump to starboard cylinder taking suction from
portside.
 Hunting Gear Floating Lever Mechanism
R R’ R’ R R

P P’ P P” P

T T T’ T’ T

1 2 3 4 5

3) (a) Ram moves towards the left , turning the rudder stock in clockwise direction.
(b) Rudder reaches 5 degree port.
(c) Feedback link is pushed back to the right. T T’ ; P’ P pivoted about R’.
(d) Pumping action stops.
(e) Rudder stays at 5 degree port position.

4) (a) Steering wheel brought back to midship. Telemotor receiver will push the
lever towards the right. R’ R; P P” pivoted about T’.
(b) Pump starts to pump to port side cylinder taking suction from starboard side.
(c) Ram moves towards the right , turning the rudder stock in anti-clockwise
direction.
 Hunting Gear Floating Lever Mechanism
R R’ R’ R R

P P’ P P” P

T T T’ T’ T

1 2 3 4 5

5) (a) Rudder reaches midship position.

(b) Feedback link is pushed back to the left . T’ T ; P” P pivoted
about R.
(c) Pumping action stops.
(d) Rudder stops at midship position.

NOTE : Buffer spring in the hunting gear linkage is provided to

take up the effects of heavy seas acting on the rudder.
 STEERING WHEEL
FOUR RAM
STEERING
TRANSMITTER
GEAR
SYSTEM
RECEIVER

FULCRUM

ELECTRIC HUNTING GEAR

MOTOR FLOATING LEVER

PUMP ACTUATING ROD

FEEDBACK
LINK

A
RUDDER

1 2 STOCK
B C
TILLER

CROSSHEAD
3 4
D E
F VALVE BLOCK

PORT SIDE STARBOARD SIDE

 STEERING WHEEL
FOUR RAM
STEERING TRANSMITTER
EMERGENCY GEAR
OPERATIONS SYSTEM
With cylinders 3 & 4 cut out RECEIVER

& cylinder 1 & 2 operational, FULCRUM

valve B,C & F should be

ELECTRIC HUNTING GEAR
open. Valve A,D & E shut. MOTOR FLOATING LEVER

PUMP ACTUATING ROD

FEEDBACK
LINK
With cylinders 1 & 2 cut out
& cylinder 3 & 4 operational,
valve A,D & E should be A
RUDDER
open. Valve B, C & F shut. STOCK
B 1 2 C
TILLER

CROSSHEAD
3 4
D F E VALVE BLOCK

PORT SIDE STARBOARD SIDE

 Precautions taken under Emergency Operation
1. Only ONE pump should be used.
2. Ship’s speed should be reduced to 70% of the
normal speed if large angle are used.
3. Surveillance of the steering gear should be
increased ; watches should be kept in the steering
gear compartment.
4. Locking arrangements should be ensured on all
valves, which have been altered.
5. Bridge should be informed of the limitation.
 STEERING WHEEL
ROTARY VANE
STEERING GEAR TRANSMITTER

ACTUATING SYSTEM

RECEIVER

FULCRUM

ELECTRIC MOTOR HUNTING GEAR

FLOATING LEVER
PUMP ACTUATING ROD
FEEDBACK LINK

RUDDER STOCK
ROTOR at mid ship
position
STATOR
MOVING VANE
COMMON FIXED VANE
MANIFOLD

VALVE BLOCK

PORTSIDE STARBOARD SIDE

 Working Principle (1) :
1) Steering wheel turns to 5 degree Port.
2) Telemotor receiver output signal actuates the pump/s
via the movement of the hunting gear floating lever.
3) The pump/s deliver hydraulic oil into chamber 2 , 4 &
6 while taking suction from 1 , 3 & 5.
4) Rudder stock turns clockwise & rudder moves to 5
degrees Port.
5) The floating lever moves to new position & effective
pumping action stops. (Note : pump are still running)
 Working Principle (2) :
1) Steering wheel turns to midship from 5 degree Port.
2) Telemotor receiver output signal actuates the pump/s
via the movement of the hunting gear floating lever.
3) The pump/s deliver hydraulic oil into chamber 1 , 3 &
5 while taking suction from 2 , 4 & 6.
4) Rudder stock turns anti-clockwise & rudder moves to
mid ship.
5) The floating lever moves to new position & effective
pumping action stops. (Note : pump are still running)
 Testing of Steering Gear System :

1) A very important system on board.

2) Safety of vessel , safety of lives & safety of
cargo.
3) Prior departure testing & before arrival port.
Testing of Steering Gear System :

(A)Prior Departure :
Within 12 hours before departure

(B)Before Arrival Port :

One hour before picking up pilot
 NOTE :
1) All steering gear spare parts to be kept in a safe
place, preferably in the steering flat in lockers,
protected(?) & secured(?).
2) Special hydraulic oil used for the system kept in
drums. These drums should never be placed on the
upper deck(?).
Where are the drums stored ?
3) Steering flat (aka as S/Gear compartment ,room)
should never be used as a stand-by store, unless
proper racks are provided & the stores properly
lashed & secured(?).
4) Watch Keeping Engineers to inspect the steering gear
before & after every watch(?).
Inspection / Checks for ?