Variable pitch propellers

Propulsion systems, machinery, turbines, boilers, propellers, fuel consumption, etc.
User avatar
marcelo_malara
Senior Member
Posts: 1847
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:14 pm
Location: buenos aires

Variable pitch propellers

Post by marcelo_malara »

Does anyone know when variable pitch propellers began to be used in warships, and which one was the first?

Regards
Ramius
Member
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:40 am
Location: Richmond, Virginia

Post by Ramius »

My guess is since the early 90's, since some of the Ticonderoga's have them. :think:
User avatar
marcelo_malara
Senior Member
Posts: 1847
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:14 pm
Location: buenos aires

Post by marcelo_malara »

Wow, it seems that new people in the forum is bringing back old topics from the dead!!!! Welcome to the forum and thanks for your answer. Are you sure they hadn´t been used before?

KIng regards
Ramius
Member
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:40 am
Location: Richmond, Virginia

Post by Ramius »

Im pretty sure the earliest possible ships were the Spruances. Im sure variable pitched propellers can only be so old. :think:
User avatar
frontkampfer
Member
Posts: 249
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:35 am
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ - USA

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by frontkampfer »

They used variable pitch propellers on the FFG Perry class in th early 1980's. I know because I worked at Gibbs & Cox who did the design work. In addition, the rudder was offset from the centerline of the hull to negate the effect of the torque from the propeller.
"I will not have my ship shot out from under my ass!"
Ken Thompson
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:34 am

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by Ken Thompson »

I would think that adjustable pitch propellers would be considered subseptable to shock damage so it would have taken a lot of development. The vertical Voith Schneider propellers if you consider that variable pitch were used in WW 2 on German minesweepers.
User avatar
Herr Nilsson
Senior Member
Posts: 1580
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:19 am
Location: Germany

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by Herr Nilsson »

AFAIK Leipzig had a variable pitch propeller on its center shaft.
Regards

Marc

"Thank God we blow up and sink more easily." (unknown officer from HMS Norfolk)
delcyros
Member
Posts: 213
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:26 pm

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by delcyros »

From the GOODALL report p.3 on former SMS BADEN (dated to 1921, referring to a ship completed 1917):

"Propellers and hull efficiency parameters.

(...)

The wing screws are outward turning, the center screw is left-handed. Each propeller has three detachable blades, and the pitch can be adjusted within certain limits.
"

interesting.
User avatar
Herr Nilsson
Senior Member
Posts: 1580
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:19 am
Location: Germany

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by Herr Nilsson »

But that's not unusual. The pitch could be adjusted in the shipyard between different trial runs until the optimal pitch was found.

In case of Leipzig the blades of the center propeller could be adjusted in service.
Regards

Marc

"Thank God we blow up and sink more easily." (unknown officer from HMS Norfolk)
yoda57
Junior Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:36 pm

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by yoda57 »

The USS Barbey (FF-1088) was a test platform for the variable-pitch propeller during the mid-1970's.

The installation was not an optimum arrangement, and was catastrophic for Barbey in Southern California waters. During testing, the propeller "walked off" the shaft in over 60 fathoms depth. :shock:

The propeller was unrecoverable, and the Barbey was towed into San Diego after nearly a day adrift. :oops:

TMischke (aboard 1977-1980)
Paul L
Senior Member
Posts: 317
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:04 pm
Location: Vancouver Canada

Re: Variable pitch propellers

Post by Paul L »

Pretty sure the Germans used variable pitch propellers on their Uboats or at least planned to do so.
"Eine mal is kein mal"
Post Reply