Rolls-Royce expands permanent magnet range

“We are delighted to broaden our range of permanent magnet technology with the launch of new azimuth thruster,” said Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce svp for Propulsion.

The technology, able to do away with gearboxes, shafts and other components, can save 50% on the footprint of a traditional thruster system, with sea trials aboard RV Gunnerus demonstrating efficiency savings between 7 - 13% compared with a conventional azimuth system.

Due to the lack of gearbox, the propulsors can exercise equal thrust in both directions, switching between 100% thrust in one to 100% in another in under six seconds.

Although more expensive than a traditional thruster, the Permanent Magnet thruster’s one moving part – the propeller – is expected to massively improve maintenance costs and lifespan, as well as being considerably quieter than a conventional design. An installation on Anchor Handler Olympic Octopus has so far seen 4,000 hours without an incident.

Gjerde continued: “The sea trials are continuing but initial findings have significant implications for future ship sustainability in both the marine and offshore sectors, as PM thrusters become a valuable supplement to traditional thruster technology.”