Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Failure of a Concentric Pipe for a Controllable Pitch Propeller System

  • Technical Article---Peer-Reviewed
  • Published:
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Propellers for ships can be distinguished into two main types: fixed pitch propeller and controllable pitch propeller (CPP). The CPP design is an alternative for improved efficiency, especially in the need of a wide range of thrust and load levels, while maintaining an optimum shaft speed, as in the case of diesel or gas turbines. A dynamic positioning ship presented a problem on its CPP system after 8 months of operation. By means of fractography, microstructural, microhardness, and chemical analyses, it was possible to determine that fatigue was the main responsible for the failure. Fatigue cracks were initiated at welded connections between the wire spacers and concentric pipes, positioned inside the hollow shaft of the propeller. The stress concentration caused by a sharp defects like lack of penetration and lack of fusion and the geometric restriction of this type of weld contributed to a shorter fatigue crack initiation phase and premature failure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. F.P.M. Dullens, Modelling and Control of a Controllable Pitch Propeller (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  2. R.W. Keefe, Design of a Controllable Pitch Underwater Thruster System (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 1993)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. A Smart Way of Using a Controllable Pitch Propeller, Kamome Propeller

  4. SCP Controllable Pitch Propeller—Application-Oriented Propulsion Systems, Schottel Schiffsmachinen GmbH

  5. Appendix A—Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Oil: Nature of Discharge, Phase I Final Rule and Technical Development Document of Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS), United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1999, p. 17

  6. M. Fonte, L. Reis, F. Romeiro, B. Li, M. Freitas, The effect of steady torsion on fatigue crack growth in shafts. Int. J. Fatigue 28, 609–617 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. D.J. Wulpi, Understanding How Components Fail (American Society for Metals, Metals Park, 1985)

    Google Scholar 

  8. P.F. Chaveriat, G.S. Kim, S. Shah, J.E. Indacochea, Low carbon steel weld metal microstructures: the role of oxygen and manganese. J. Mater. Eng. 9, 253–267 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Z. Boumerzoug, C. Derfouf, T. Baudin, Effect of welding on microstructure and mechanical properties of an industrial low carbon steel. Engineering 2, 502–506 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. K.J. Kirkhope, R. Bell, L. Caron, R.I. Basu, Weld Detail Fatigue Life Improvement Techniques (Ship Structure Committee, Washington, DC, 1997), p. 151

    Google Scholar 

  11. C.F. Boulton, Fatigue life predictions of welded specimens containing lack of penetration defects at ambient and elevated temperatures. Int. J. Press. Vessels Pip. 4, 171–195 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. M.N. James, Design, manufacture and materials; their interaction and role in engineering failures. Eng. Fail. Anal. 12, 662–678 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. S. Araujo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Araujo, L.S., Mendes, M.C., de Almeida, L.H. et al. Failure of a Concentric Pipe for a Controllable Pitch Propeller System. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 14, 55–60 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-013-9761-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-013-9761-7

Keywords

Navigation