Icebreaker Propulsion Systems Feasibility Study. Volume V. Electric Propulsion and Ship Service Electric Systems.

• Other Authors: NUS CORP ROCKVILLE MD
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1967
• Subjects: Electrical and Electronic Equipment; Electric Power Production and Distribution; Marine Engineering; Electric and Ion Propulsion; Jet and Gas Turbine Engines; Reciprocating and Rotating Engines; *MARINE SURFACE PROPULSION); (*ICEBREAKERS; (*ELECTRIC PROPULSION; DIESEL ENGINES); (*SHIP TURBINES; ELECTRIC PROPULSION); (*ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION; ICEBREAKERS); (*SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES); ELECTRIC MOTORS; DIRECT CURRENT; STEAM TURBINES; ALTERNATING CURRENT; HEAT EXCHANGERS; NUCLEAR REACTORS; MARINE NUCLEAR PROPULSION; STORAGE BATTERIES; Icebreaker
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0845443; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0845443

Icebreakers impose limitations on a propulsion system that have been solved historically by the use of a D.C. motor directly coupled to the shaft driving the propeller. With the advent of high power silicon rectifier devices, several members of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation published papers which suggest the use of these rectifiers in an alternating current (A.C.) to direct current (D.C.) electric propulsion system for icebreakers. It was suggested that the use of this conversion type propulsion system would provide an icebreaker with the proven and inherent advantages of a D.C. motor and would provide weight, cost, efficiency, reliability and maintenance advantages due to the use of A.C. generating equipment. The purpose of this work is to examine proposed A.C. to D.C. propulsion systems using silicon rectifier conversion equipment with the following objectives: Discussion of the A.C. - D. C. propulsion system with senior industry personnel with the intent of determining that the propulsion system can be manufactured with current technology and that a development program will not be necessary. Determination that the performance of an icebreaker using an A.C. to D.C. propulsion system would be at least comparable to that in currently operating U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers. Determination of the advantages and disadvantages of the A.C. - D.C. propulsion system when compared to a D.C. propulsion system. Determination that there are no known considerations which make silicon rectifier units unsuitable for use in a marine environment or in an icebreaker propulsion system. Prepared in cooperation with Hydronautics, Inc., Laurel, Md. See also Volume 2, AD-845 442L.