Analysis of Propulsion Transmission Components for Great Lakes Ore Carriers

Abstract

Great Lakes bulk carriers of recent construction are propelled by geared diesel machinery. Although this machinery is similar to propulsion sets that have been used successfully in numerous other vessel types, it has experienced failures in sufficient number to suggest that the Lakes ships present unique service features. An earlier report explores the hypothesis that a significant unique feature is deflection of the hull in way of the machinery spaces, with consequent upsetting of the transmission equipment alignment. The earlier report presents the results of finite element analysis of hull deflections of two typical ships.&&This report extends the earlier analysis to deflections of individual components, with deflections either imposed by the hull deflections, or by loads that may not have been analyzed adequately in traditional design processes. In particular, analysis here is applied to shafting, reduction gear pinions, clutch drums and spacers, and reduction gear casing structure. &&All of the analyses apply the finite element method, using the University of Michigan MSAP system.