PROS AND CONS OF CONTROLLED PITCH PROPELLERS

The controllable pitch propeller has been in use for a sufficient length of time to draw a comparison with the fixed pitch propeller. Initial cost, specific fuel consumption, speed, maintenance, effect on diesel engine cylinder wear, adaptability to bridge control and crash stop time are discussed, making use of compiled and corrected data for the controllable pitch and fixed pitch propellers. A major portion of the article is devoted to the opinions of officers who have had experience with the controllable pitch propellers. Numerous points in favor of the controllable pitch propeller are listed in two categories; those by ships captains and those by chief engineers. The article concludes that there are no direct and clear economical gains which justify the higher initial cost and higher maintenance costs of the controllable pitch propeller yet better and safer maneuvering, better conditions in the engine room, engineer preference to the controllable pitch propeller over bridge control of the engine and better crash stopping power seem to indicate a preference for the controllable pitch propeller.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00183571
• Corporate Authors:

  National Institute of Shipping and Shipbuilding

  10 Burgemeesters & Jacobplein
  Rotterdam,   Netherlands 
• Authors:
  • Radius, C F
  • Gruppelaar, P
• Publication Date: 1970-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 52-55
• Serial:
  • Holland Shipbuilding
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 12
  • ISSN: 0018-3571

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Controllable pitch propellers; Propellers
• Old TRIS Terms: Propeller efficiency; Propeller speed
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00015537
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 19 1973 12:00AM