Rim Drive Azimuth Thruster
(RD-AZ)
The Rim Drive Azimuth Thruster (RD-AZ) is building on a completely new approach to thruster design and motor integration. The RD-AZ meets very high operational requirements with focus on reliability, performance and manoeuvrability.
The Rim Drive azimuth thruster is a direct electric drive thruster using permanent magnet technology, with low environmental footprint. The Permanent Magnet (PM) motor, with no requirement for an internal cooling system and no lubrication pumps, results in a compact and highly energy efficient thruster. With the motor coupled directly to the propeller, the losses in the driveline are reduced to a minimum, and the thruster unit is rotatable 360 degrees which allows fantastic vessel manoeuvrability. The thruster is approved for EAL (Environmentally Approved Lubricant) and the lubrication oil volume in the thruster is reduced by more than 50% compared to conventional azimuth thrusters.
Product Main Features
- Compact outboard unit
- Small inboard footprint
- Hydrodynamic and electric efficiency
- High torque motor
- Thruster unit cooled by surrounding seawater, no additional cooling required
- Robust design with few moving parts
- Robust centre shaft carries all propeller loads
- Simplified system design with limited auxiliary equipment
- Low maintenance requirements
- Easy installation
- Prepared for easy connection to Equipment Health Management (EHM) system
Product Main Benefits
- High fuel efficiency
- Fast response time (efficient roll-damping)
- Low level vibrations and airborneand hydroacoustic noise (URN)
- Few moving parts
- Provides excellent vessel manoeuvrability
- Strong operational support
- Reduced life cycle cost
- Long service intervals
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
The Rim Drive Azimuth Thruster is suitable for applications requiring high thrust and up to 16 knot transit speed. Other applications will be investigated on request.
The RD-AZ consist of:
Underwater unit:
• Permanent Magnet motor
• Monobloc fixed pitch propeller
Inboard unit:
• Steering machine
• Slip ring unit
• Lubrication system
• Compact design
• Permanent Magnet motor
• Steering machine
Technical data
| RD-AZ-1900 | RD-AZ-2600 | |
| Power (kW) | 500 - 1100 | 1100 - 2600 |
| Thruster (kN) | 191kN at 0knot | 440kN at 0knot |
| RPM | 252 | 200 |
| Propeller diameter (mm) | 1900 | 2600 |
| Propeller type | Monobloc/FP | Monobloc/FP |
| Direction of rotation | CW/CCW | CW/CCW |
| Drive | AFE or 12-pulse drive | AFE or 12-pulse drive |
- Approximate values, provided for information only. Actual thrust may vary for given applications.
- De-rating may be required on 12-pulse drive installations.
- All data is subject to change without prior notice.
Kongsberg Rim Drive Azimuth Thruster (RD-AZ) is formerly known as Permanent Magnet Azimuth Thruster (AZ-PM)
Services and support
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24/7 Technical support
Our 24/7 technical support team is there to help at any time, day or night, wherever your vessel is.
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Conversions, retrofit and refit
We understand the importance of having the right parts, available in the right place, at the right time.
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Training
Ensure that your crew is properly and thoroughly trained. This will reduce operational risk, downtime and maximise return on asset investment.