MacPherson, Donald
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Propeller Considerations for Inland River Pushboats
Inland river pushboats operate in a harsh environment. Transiting our rivers, bays, lakes and inland waterways, these vessels push barges between hubs of commerce. Swift currents, trash and debris, heavy traffic and narrow waterways are day-to-day realities for these vessels and operators.Pushboats have two typical modes of operation: steady-state (long haul running) and transient-dynamic operations (backing, maneuvering and acceleration).
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Electric Motor Selection for Underwater Vehicles: Considerations of Partial Load Efficiency
It is easy to appreciate why permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are popular for use in underwater vehicles (UVs). They are compact and efficient with a high power density. More importantly, perhaps, they allow for effective operation across a broad RPM range which is beneficial for vehicles with multiple operating conditions. That said, we find vehicle product developers are often uncertain about a motor’s “efficiency”.
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Thruster Design for Submersible Developers
Many companies involved in submersible vehicle development also look to equip the vehicle with a custom thruster. These companies typically have expertise in vehicle and drive design, but will not be experienced in propulsor design. Nor would they be expected to have the specialized tools necessary for proficient thruster design, analysis, and optimization. This article will introduce submersible vehicle…
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Contemporary UUV Propulsor Design
From the standpoint of vehicle propulsion physics, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is little different from your personal ski boat or a tanker. It shares the Vessel-Propulsor-Drive system model, which allows a Propulsor to convert Drive energy into thrust for the purpose of moving a Vessel. The basic principles of thrust equilibrium and motion are common to all three, as are the translation of…