Type | GmbH |
---|---|
Industry | Industrial machinery, Mechanical engineering |
Founded | 1921 |
Founder | Josef Becker |
Headquarters | Germany, Spay |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Dr. Christian Strahberger (CEO) |
Products | azimuth thrusters and marine propulsion, manoeuvring systems, steering systems |
Revenue | € 343 million (2014) |
Number of employees | approx. 1200 |
Website | schottel.com |
Schottel is a manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications. The company founder Josef Becker invented the rudderpropeller, a z-drive, in 1950. Today the company develops and manufactures azimuth propulsion, maneuvering and steering systems. In 2014 the subsidiary Schottel Hydro was founded to bundle up the company activities in the hydrokinetic energy segment.
In 1921 Josef Becker (1897–1973) founded his craftsman's enterprise in an old farmhouse in Spay on the Rhine. In 1925 he designed and built his first shallop, followed by the first motorboat in 1928. In the mid 1930s Becker bought part of the present-day company premises and founded Schottel Werft. He named his enterprise after a section of the river Rhine which is called Auf der Schottel and located close by in Osterspai. [1]
With the beginning of the 1950s Becker started working on his invention, a ship propeller that is steerable through 360 degrees. In 1951 the company's own motorboat was equipped with the first Schottel Rudderpropeller, which Becker called SRP. Soon, the rudderpropeller was known as a propulsion unit for small fast patrol craft for the German police and government. At the end of this decade Schottel opened its first subsidiary abroad in the Netherlands. In 1967, Janus, the first tractor tug equipped with two rudderpropellers, was launched in Hamburg. [1]
The next Schottel propulsion system was launched in 1978: The Schottel Pump Jet was designed for operation in shallow waters and installed flush with a vessel's hull. In 1996 the portfolio expanded with the Schottel Twin Propeller, a twin version of the rudderpropeller. In 2003, the Schottel Combi Drive was established with an electric motor which is vertically integrated into the support tube of the rudderpropeller. In 1998 Schottel opened a new production plant in Suzhou, China. The following year, Schottel acquired WPM Wismarer Propeller-und Maschinenbau GmbH which was merged in the newly founded Schottel Schiffsmaschinen and a new Schottel GmbH office in Wismar. Schottel expands its production capacities in Dörth, an industrial park surrounding the Schottel headquarters in Spay. In summer 2015, 23,000 m2 (250,000 sq ft) of production and office space will be available. [2]
Schottel GmbH has its headquarters in Spay, two German subsidiaries in Hamburg and Wismar, and a network of subsidiary agencies in several countries and regions.
Since Schottel developed the first Z-drive in the 1950s the product portfolio has been extended by a range of thruster types (selection).
The idea of the rudderpropeller was the result of Becker's thoughts about the propulsion plants that took up too much space on board. He was looking for a system that could be installed space-efficiently with good maneuvering properties and developed a Z-drive system with a propeller that could be endlessly steered through 360 degrees. A classic application for rudderpropellers is tugs as the example of Janus shows. The first tractor tug was commissioned in 1967 in the Port of Hamburg. It was equipped with two Schottel Rudderpropellers in the front third of the vessel. [1]
The Schottel Rudderpropeller is used in almost any kind of vessel from offshore vessels to tugs. It is available as a fixed pitch or controllable-pitch propeller. It is also available as a hydraulically retractable system for open-water service, dynamic positioning or varying water depths and underwater mountable thruster for ships that need to reduce docking times. [3]
In 2014 Schottel introduced a rudderpropeller with an additional electric motor (PTI - power take in)[ clarification needed ] as a hybrid propulsion concept. Here, the electric motor suffices for partial-load duties, the diesel engine is employed for operation at greater load, and the electric motor can be switched on to provide additional power. The PTI and diesel engine are centrally-controlled as a single system. This thruster is installed in the tug Eddy, built by Holland Shipyard. [4]
The demand for increasing power ratings could first be answered with larger rudderpropellers. Limits were set to this trend by mechanical stress and the fact that with an increasing propeller diameter, the draft of the vessel inevitably increases. Schottel therefore developed a thruster where the required power is divided between two counter-rotating thrusters that share a single shaft. The Twin Propeller is equipped with a pull propeller and a push propeller. The vortex street of the front pull propeller passes between the blades of the rear push propeller without impeding it. Contraction of the slip stream in the pull propeller means that more water reaches the push propeller from the sides. The strut is equipped with a fin, thus the swirl energy generated in the propeller stream is recovered. Additionally, the flow around the fins creates a lift component in the thrust direction, which has a thrust-enhancing effect. [5] [6]
The Combi Drive is based on the Schottel Rudderpropeller and combines its characteristics with the principle of an electric drive. The Combi Drive exists in both single and twin propeller versions. Instead of an above-water gearbox, the electric motor is integrated into the vertical shaft of the thruster. In combination with a power management system, electric drives increase the efficiency of the propulsion system and reduce fuel consumption. Electric energy generation systems produce only the power currently required and distribute it to the various consumers. [5] [6] [7]
Schottel developed the Pump Jet for shallow waters. It is also used as an additional maneuvering aid for main propulsion or as a redundant auxiliary propulsion unit. An impeller sucks in water from under the hull and forces it into a pump housing. The outlet nozzles are integrated into an azimuthing base plate which is installed flush with the hull. [6]
Schottel Controllable Pitch Propellers can be used in several vessel types like bigger ferries, container ships, heavy lift vessels or offshore supply vessels. The power spectrum includes application up to 30 MW (40,000 hp). The propeller diameters vary between 1.5 and 8.0 m (4 ft 11 in and 26 ft 3 in). Unlike a conventional fixed pitch propeller, the blades can be rotated and change their pitches variably from zero thrust to headway or reversing. [8] [9]
Transverse Thrusters are installed in the bow or stern of a vessel in order to improve maneuverability. Depending on the type of vessel, the range of application for Transverse Thrusters extends from harbor maneuvering to positioning tasks offshore. The units can be installed either with a horizontal or vertical motor flange. [6] [10] [11]
Schottel Hydro bundles up the hydrokinetic energy business of Schottel. The subsidiary comprises activities in three segments: instream turbines for river and tidal currents, semi-submerged platforms and components, such as turbine hubs and drives. The hydrokinetic turbines have a rotor diameter between 3 and 5 m (9.8 and 16.4 ft) and produce between 54 and 70 kW (72 and 94 hp). Turbines can be combined to meet higher power demands. A platform will be installed in 2016 in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. [12]
Year of construction | Name | Product | Owner/ Operator | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Bhagwan Dryden | 2x STP 550 | Australia Bhagwan Marine | dive support vessel |
2013 | Vidar | 4x SCD 2020 3x STT 3030 | Germany HOCHTIEF Solutions AG | construction vessel |
2013 | Connor Bordelon | 2x SRP 1215 2x STT 2 | United States Bordelon Marine | offshore supply vessel |
2013 | Starnav Perseus | 2x SCD 2020 2x STT 2 | Brazil Starnav | platform supply vessel |
2012 | GPC Barú | 2x SRP 1515 | Colombia SPR Cartagena | azimuth stern driven tug |
2013 | Sl Jamba | 2x SRP 1515 | Singapore Smit Lamnalco | azimuth stern driven tug |
2013 | Cerro Itamut | 2x SRP 2020 | Panama Panama Canal Authority | tractor tug |
2013 | HOS Red Dawn | 2x SRP 2020 2x STT 4 | United States Hornbeck Offshore Services | offshore supply vessel |
2012 | Lolland | 4x STP 550 | Denmark Faergen | double-ended ferry |
2012 | Starnav Perseus | 2x SCD 2020 2x STT 2 | Brazil Starnav | platform supply vessel |
2011 | Bibby Tethra | 2x SPJ 57 RD | United Kingdom Osiris Projects | research vessel |
2010 | Calovébora | 2x SRP 1515 | Panama Panama Canal Authority | ASD tug |
2010 | Baltic | 2x SCP 100-4XG 4x STT | Germany Fairplay Schleppdampfschiffs-Reederei Richard Borchard GmbH | salvage tug of the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure |
2009 | Adriaan | 3x SRP 1215 | Netherlands Kotug International BV | rotor tug |
2007 | Janus | 2x SCP 119-4XG 3x STT 330 T-LK CP | Germany Harms Bergung GmbH & Co. KG | anchor handling tug |
2005 | SyltExpress | 2x STP 1212 | Germany Förde Reederei Seetouristik | Double-ended ferry |
2004 | Empress of the North | 2x STP 1212 1x SPJ 220 | United States Majestic America Line | paddle steamer |
2004 | RheinEnergie | 2x STP 440 | Germany Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt | excursion ship |
2004 | Arkona | 2x SSP 2 1x SPJ 220 | Germany Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt Stralsund | multipurpose vessel |
2001 | Peter Pan | 2x SSP 10 | Germany TT-Line GmbH und Co. KG | RoPax-ferry |
1999 | Fairplay 25 | 2x SRP 1515 CPP | Germany Fairplay Reederei GmbH | ASD tug (bollard pull: 65 t) |
1998 | Berlin | 2x SCP 141-4XG | Germany German Navy | combat supply vessel |
1997 | Neuwerk | 2x SRP 3030 1x SPJ 520 | Germany Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure | multipurpose vessel |
1996 | Goethe | 1x SPJ 57 1x STT 060 | Germany Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt | paddle steamer |
1988 | M-Boot 3 | 2x SPJ 55 M | Germany German Army | multipurpose vessel for the German army |
1986 | Saipem 7000 | 4x SRP 4500 | Italy Micoperi Srl / Saipem S.p.A. | biggest available SRP thruster in 1986 (4500 kW) |
1955 | Stadt Boppard | 1x SRP 1x NAV | Germany Family Deleu | Ferry construction year 1892, conversion 1955 |
In 2004 the Elmer A. Sperry Award was given posthumously to Schottel founder Josef Becker for the invention of the propeller.
A propeller is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon a working fluid such as water or air. Propellers are used to pump fluid through a pipe or duct, or to create thrust to propel a boat through water or an aircraft through air. The blades are shaped so that their rotational motion through the fluid causes a pressure difference between the two surfaces of the blade by Bernoulli's principle which exerts force on the fluid. Most marine propellers are screw propellers with helical blades rotating on a propeller shaft with an approximately horizontal axis.
An electric boat is a powered watercraft driven by electric motors, which are powered by either on-board battery packs, solar panels or generators.
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters, and provide safe waterways for other boats and ships. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels, such as the icebreaking boats that were once used on the canals of the United Kingdom.
An azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that can be rotated to any horizontal angle (azimuth), making a rudder redundant. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system.
Volvo Penta is a Swedish marine and industrial engine manufacturer, a joint stock company within the Volvo Group. Volvo Penta was founded as Penta in 1907 with the production of its first marine engine, the B1. The Penta company soon became an established internal combustion engine manufacturer, which in 1927 delivered the engine for Volvo's first passenger car.
On a ship, the engine room (ER) is the compartment where the machinery for marine propulsion is located. The engine room is generally the largest physical compartment of the machinery space. It houses the vessel's prime mover, usually some variations of a heat engine. On some ships, there may be more than one engine room, such as forward and aft, or port or starboard engine rooms, or may be simply numbered. To increase a vessel's safety and chances of surviving damage, the machinery necessary for the ship's operation may be segregated into various spaces.
A propulsor is a mechanical device that gives propulsion. The word is commonly used in the marine vernacular, and implies a mechanical assembly that is more complicated than a propeller. The Kort nozzle, pump-jet and rim-driven thruster are examples.
The Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) is a specialized marine propulsion system (MPS) manufactured by the Voith Group based on a cyclorotor design. It is highly maneuverable, being able to change the direction of its thrust almost instantaneously. It is widely used on tugs and ferries.
A Z-drive is a type of marine propulsion unit. Specifically, it is an azimuth thruster. The pod can rotate 360 degrees allowing for rapid changes in thrust direction and thus vessel direction. This eliminates the need for a conventional rudder.
Azipod is a trademark azimuth thruster pod design, a marine propulsion unit consisting of a fixed pitch propeller mounted on a steerable gondola ("pod") containing the electric motor driving the propeller, allowing ships to be more maneuverable. They were developed in Finland in the late 1980s jointly by Wärtsilä Marine, Strömberg and the Finnish National Board of Navigation.
Combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) is a modification of the combined diesel and gas propulsion system for ships. A variant, called the combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) system, contains the same basic elements but will not allow simultaneous use of the alternative drive sources.
Manoeuvering thrusters are transversal propulsion devices built into, or mounted to, either the bow or stern, of a ship or boat to make it more manoeuvrable. Bow thrusters make docking easier, since they allow the captain to turn the vessel to port or starboard side, without using the main propulsion mechanism which requires some forward motion for turning; The effectiveness of a thruster is curtailed by any forward motion due to the Coandă effect. A stern thruster is of the same principle, fitted at the stern. Sufficiently large vessels often have multiple bow thrusters and stern thrusters.
The Pleuger rudder is a power assisted ship's rudder. It creates a flow of water in the direction the rudder points powered by an auxiliary electric motor. This aids maneuverability at low speeds greatly, since it operates on a similar principle to a thruster.
RV Western Flyer is a twin hulled SWATH research vessel operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Its relatively stable SWATH design permits expanded operational capability in rough sea states. It is the platform of operations for the ROV Doc Ricketts. The vessel carries 10 crew, 5 ROV pilots, and 11 scientists, for a total complement of 26. Cruises generally center around the central California coast and Monterey Bay, although excursions further afield to Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and the Gulf of California have taken place in recent years.
Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a watercraft through water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting of an electric motor or internal combustion engine driving a propeller, or less frequently, in pump-jets, an impeller. Marine engineering is the discipline concerned with the engineering design process of marine propulsion systems.
The Elmer A. Sperry Award, named after the inventor and entrepreneur, is an American transportation engineering prize.
A double acting ship is a type of icebreaking ship designed to travel forwards in open water and thin ice, but turn around and proceed astern (backwards) in heavy ice conditions. In this way, the ship can operate independently in severe ice conditions without icebreaker assistance but retain better open water performance than traditional icebreaking vessels.
The Baltic is a German emergency tow vessel (ETV) commissioned in 2010.
The rim-driven thruster, also known as rim-driven propulsor/propeller is a novel type of electric propulsion unit for ships. The concept was proposed by Kort around 1940, but only became commercially practical in the early 21st century due to advances in DC motor controller technology. As of 2017, commercial models of between 500 kW and 3MW are available from manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce, Schottel, Brunvoll, Voith, Van der Velden, etc.
A marine thruster is a device for producing directed hydrodynamic thrust mounted on a marine vehicle, primarily for maneuvering or propulsion. There are a variety of different types of marine thrusters and each of them plays a role in the maritime industry. Marine thrusters come in many different shapes and sizes, for example screw propellers, Voith-Schneider propellers, waterjets, ducted propellers, tunnel bow thrusters, and stern thrusters, azimuth thrusters, rim-driven thrusters, ROV and submersible drive units. A marine thruster consists of a propeller or impeller which may be encased in some kind of tunnel or ducting that directs the flow of water to produce a resultant force intended to obtain movement in the desired direction or resist forces which would cause unwanted movement. The two subcategories of marine thrusters are for propulsion and maneuvering, the maneuvering thruster typically in the form of bow or stern thrusters and propulsion thrusters ranging from Azimuth thrusters to Rim Drive thrusters.