ABOUT THRUSTMASTER OF TEXAS, INC.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. is based in Houston, Texas USA with offices

in Rotterdam, Dubai, Singapore, Brazil, and India. As the world’s leading

Standard
manufacturer of marine thrusters Thrustmaster has maintained its reputation
over the years by strictly adhering to its mission statement of both quality and
customer service.

Transverse
Thrustmaster is ISO 9001 certified by the ABS. Thrustmaster field service
engineers and technicians provide worldwide support 24 hours a day.
Thrustmaster maintains a large inventory of all essential spare parts in Houston,
Texas, backed up by a computer controlled inventory system, ensuring same-

Tunnel
day shipping of breakdown spares to any destination in the world.

Agent Locations: Argentina - Australia - Brazil - Canada - Colombia – Egypt - England - Greece - India - Korea
Mexico - New Zealand - Pakistan - Peru - South Africa - Taiwan - Turkey - Venezuela

Contact your Thrustmaster agent for help in choosing the correct thruster for you
Thrusters
Bottom Mount and Drop-In Azi-
muth Z-drive and L-drive config-
Hydraulic Outboard Thrusters range from 26 ured thrusters range from 55 to 8
to 1,500 kW and can be built in a variety of ways MW. Z and L drives use electric or
to suit your particular application. Sought after diesel prime movers and are per-
by construction and military managers needing fect for tractor tugs and work ves-
a robust propulsion unit that is flexible and fast sels needing maximum power in all
to install. directions.
Underwater Demountable Azimuth L-Drive
Thrusters for semi-submersible and large ves-
sels available up to 8MW for Dynamic Positioning.
These L-Drive thrusters feature a 7-degree down-
ward angle to reduce interaction with the hull and
increase thrust efficiency.
The Portable Dynamic Positioning System is a
Thrustmaster exclusive delivering dynamic positioning
in a portable package to include 360° azimuth thrust-
ers, HPU’s and Control Van. Retractable Azimuth Thrusters with
variable speed electric (shown) or hy-
draulic drives are available in a range
from 55 to 2,250 kW. Retractable
thrusters can be retracted for high
speed vessels and then extended
upon arrival for Dynamic Positioning.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc.

6900 Thrustmaster Drive
Houston, Texas 77041
Phone: 713-937-6295
Fax: 713-937-7962
EMail: info@thrustmastertexas.com
Web Site: www.thrustmastertexas.com

Gear Driven Tunnel Thrusters using

Copyright 2012 - Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Electric or Diesel Engine Prime Movers
 WE HAVE YOUR TUNNEL THRUSTERS SPECIFICATIONS
Aluminum Tunnel Thrusters ABS Carbon Steel Tunnel Thrusters
Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. designs and manufactures the widest variety of tunnel thrusters in the marine industry. To Model Tunnel Data HP/RPM Weight Model Tunnel Data HP/RPM Weight
answer the needs of diverse vessel designs and many applications Thrustmaster offers;
Dia. Length BHP RPM LBS Dia. Length BHP RPM LBS
Hydraulic and Mechanical Gear Driven Transverse Tunnel Thrusters 30TT150ML 30 36 150 1800 1200 30TT150ML 30 36 150 1800 1200
Hydraulic Outboard Propulsion 30TT200ML 30 36 200 1800 1200 30TT200ML 30 36 200 1800 1200
 Hydraulic and Mechanical Gear Driven Retractable Azimuth Thrusters 36TT200ML 36 40 200 1800 2100 36TT200ML 36 40 200 1800 2100
Z and L Drive Hydraulic Azimuth Propulsion and Thrusters
36TT300ML 36 40 300 1800 2100 36TT300ML 36 40 300 1800 2100
 Z and L Drive Mechanical Gear Driven Azimuth Propulsion and Thrusters
 Patented Portable Dynamic Positioning System 42TT400ML 42 54 400 1800 2600 42TT400ML 42 54 400 1800 2600
47TT500ML 47 54 500 1170 3650
This brochure is designed for those needing STANDARD MECHANICAL GEAR DRIVEN TRANSVERSE TUNNEL 52TT600ML 52 60 600 1000 5500
THRUSTERS. For applications requiring HYDRAULIC TRANSVERSE TUNNEL THRUSTER or RETRACTABLE
AZIMUTH THRUSTERS please see the appropriate brochure(s). 56TT600ML 56 59 600 1000 4800
56TT800ML 56 59 800 1200 6700
All Thrustmaster Thrusters Offer Unparalleled Precision Control When You Need It Most 66TT1000ML 66 66 1000 1200 9500
77TT1500ML 77 72 1500 1200 14750
Tunnel thrusters are primarily used for docking and undocking, slow speed maneuvering, emergency steering, and station-
keeping at zero or slow forward speed. Tunnel thrusters provide a significant advantage to vessels where adjustments in 90TT2000ML 90 94 2000 900 24700
their heading at zero speed are critical to their operation, where maneuvering in tight quarters is required or where frequent 104TT2500ML 104 92 2500 720 45500
docking occurs. 117TT3000ML 117 94 3000 720 49500
126TT4000ML 126 140 4000 720 75000
Thrustmaster tunnel thrusters are highly effective at very slow vessel speeds and are available from 35hp to 5,000hp
(26kW to 3730kW) with tunnel diameters of 16 to 84 inches (400 to 2130 mm). Larger thrusters up to 10,750hp (8MW) can 136TT5000ML 136 154 5000 720 96200
be engineered by our state-of-the-art engineering department in Houston, Texas USA. Ordering and Design Information
Thrustmaster maintains a staff of highly qualified Design Engineers to assist you with your selection and answer any A drop-in style bridge remote control panel comes with a Thrustmaster’s model code is easy to understand. The first
questions. Thrustmaster Service Engineers provide worldwide service and support for installation, start-up and sea trials. proportional joystick for infinite thrust control in both port two digits are the outside diameter of the tunnel in US inches.
and starboard directions. The letters “TT” stand for “Transverse Tunnel”. Trailing
Visit our web site, or feel free to contact one of our digits represent the nominal power rating of the thruster in
many offices or agents around the world. horsepower.

L-Drive TT Configuration
The Aaron McCall (below) and Ms Netty (right) use The ML designates a mechanical L-Drive. Outside diameter
3 Thrustmaster 30TT200ML thrusters to create a and minimum tunnel length are listed in inches. The tunnel
highly effective DP system. Using three smaller can not be shorter without a portion of the thruster housing
thrusters rather than 1 large thruster positions or the propeller nut extending beyond the tunnel. Longer
them deeper under water for less interaction with tunnels can be provided at additional cost to facilitate easy
the surface. installation. Alternatively, the shipyard can extend the tunnel
by butt welding extensions to either end.
Both vessels also use Thrustmaster’s electric VFD
arrangement to deliver precise speed control while Power Values
standing off of a rig to deliver supplies and transfer Power values listed in the table represent US horsepower
personnel safely. delivered to the thruster at rated thrust conditions. The values
are based on short tunnel length with faired inlets, no inlet
grating, and proper submergence.

Z-Drive TT Configuration
A designator of MZ would mean that a right angle gear box is
located atop the thruster for the attachment of a cardan shaft
leading from the prime mover. The prime mover can be a
The Aaron McCall is outfitted horizontal mounted diesel engine.
with fore and aft bridge controls
integrated into a DP-2 system. Input Must Match Output
Variable Frequency Drive cabi- In all cases the output speed of the electric motor, or, a marine
nets are located in the thruster gear (diesel) must match the input RPM of the thruster.
room adjacent to each thruster
for convenience.
Notes/Disclaimer:
1. Values shown are for General Arrangements Only. Many conditions will
affect your engineered thruster(s). Only the values and conditions under
Thrustmaster’s Tyson Griffen shows vessel operators written contract will apply. All values are subject to change without notice
the procedures for transferring thruster control to the aft or consent. Contact Thrustmasters highly qualified engineers to determine
your project parameters.
control stations. These drop-in controls are easily installed 2. Contact your regional agent or info@thrustmastertexas.com for more
or removed for quick access. information on models or sizes between those shown.
 DESIGN TIPS THRUSTMASTER MEANS QUALITY
Fixed Pitch vs. Controllable Pitch Propellers How to Select Your Tunnel Thruster

Any captain or pilot worth their salt will easily learn A bow thruster used for docking and undocking should be capable of
the nature of their transverse thruster system and how producing thrust in pounds of force (lbf) equal to twice the lateral cross
to make it respond as they wish. The most important section of the area below the water in square feet, or, two to three times
factors are the amount of thrust, response time, and the lateral cross section of the area of the superstructure above the water,
reliability. whichever is greater.

Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) have their place but Sizing of tunnel thrusters for slow speed maneuvering and station keeping
one tenant of Thrustmaster is that a Fixed Pitch Propeller depends greatly on the vessel operating parameters. Before making your
(FPP) will easily out perform the CPP in cost and service final selection, consult your naval architect or one of Thrustmaster’s
life. Long term use proves them efficient and cost application engineers.
effective due to the absence of seals, push-rods, and
bearings. The root of the blades on the FPP are much When using tunnel thrusters in waters with high current or while the
less susceptible to cracking and breakage, reducing the vessel has forward speed, the thruster becomes less effective. At vessel
potential for downtime and drydocking fees. speeds of 3 knots, the tunnel thruster may lose as much as 25 percent of
its thrust. At speeds of 7 knots, the thruster may only produce half of its
The ability to quickly change directions with a robust four rated thrust. A Thrustmaster retractable azimuthing thruster may be more
blade, high thrust Nickel-Aluminum-Bronze propeller appropriate for these applications.
and to respond to speed controls are simply good
design work. Fixed pitch propellers used in Thrustmaster If space does not allow proper submergence with a single tunnel thruster
thrusters have been proven over and again in the harshest on a shallow draft vessel, two or more smaller tunnel thrusters, installed
of environments. side by side, may be used. Multiple Thrustmaster tunnel thrusters can be
powered by a single prime mover with a common hydraulic system making the thrusters act in unison as if they were a
single thruster.
Dedicated Engineers and Production Staff
The tunnel openings in the shell plating increase the resistance of the vessel. In addition to fairing the tunnel entrances for
Thrustmaster is dedicated to the total engineering and thruster performance improvement, the aft section of the tunnel entrances may be faired back conically to reduce drag.
manufacturing process of building thrusters and ONLY
thrusters. The new 200,000 sq/ft factory and office was built to For high speed applications such as ferries, supply vessels and crew boats, Thrustmaster can provide hydraulically
deliver thrusters to our customers. The first floor of the office actuated covers which completely close off the tunnel entrances when the thruster is not in use, eliminating tunnel drag.
supports operations and running the factory while the second
floor houses the departments of training, finance, project
managers, and top engineers, many with PhD’s, who delve At Thrustmaster we are thrusters.
into the intricate and complicated sciences related to long term
reliability and efficiency of your thruster design. ISO 9001:2001 Quality
Thrustmaster engineers continue to invent new thruster Thrustmaster thrusters are built under strict quality stan-
concepts and improve existing designs using state-of-the-art dards and classed in accordance with the customers re-
design and analysis tools such as SolidWorks®, AutoCAD®, quirements. By the time it leaves our factory a thruster
ANSYS®, STARCCM+ and Magma. will have gone through numerous quality inspections.

Quality at Thrustmaster begins with selection and control

of our suppliers and the basic elements from which our
Make Them Work Better
products are made. Materials are processed in strict ac-
cordance with our rigorous specifications.
Successful thruster applications require more than just a hole
through the hull. This photo shows two “rules of thumb” that
Each step of our manufacturing process is controlled
are common design principles for your thruster application.
by our quality control procedures and requirements, all
in line with our ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
 Use two tunnel thrusters if the draft is too shallow
Part specifications are verified and monitored with the
to maintain at least one propeller diameter below the
highest quality of instruments and latest technology,
water line.
which provides us with exceptional control and confi-
 Fairing the tunnel helps reduce drag at normal oper-
dence in the durability and performance of our products.
ating speed while increasing efficiency of the thruster
during slow speed maneuvering.
The Zeiss CMM (right) is of the newest addition to Thrust-
masters many insurances of a quality product.
When you are ready to choose your thruster make sure to call
on the experts for advise and leadership. The ones that make
thrusters and only thrusters. Thrustmaster!
 SIZING YOUR THRUSTERS THRUSTMASTER TUNNEL THRUSTERS
Thrust, Force, Horsepower, Bollard Pull, Kilonewtons?
Architects might need assistance from our professional engineering department
because sizing a thruster can be a challenge. One reason is the confusion about (e)
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNALS MANUAL CONTROL
JOYSTICKS
how to determine the size of a thruster needed for the application. Is it thrust, VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM
horsepower or kilowatts, or kilonewtons and how do those terms relate to the BY OTHERS
size thruster you will need?
(d) INTERFACE J-BOX INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNALS
INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNALS (c) (g)
Bollard Pull - Not a Factor for Transverse Thrusters BRIDGE CONTROL
DYNAMIC POSITION SYSTEM
Bollard pull refers to the amount of constant pulling power available. It can be
shown on a scale between a vessels towing bit and a fixed anchor point on the
shore. It is used to determine that particular vessels ability to pull or push a tow and
is not relevant when discussing a bow or stern thruster.

INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNALS
The kN or Kilonewton LUBE OIL HEAD TANK(S)
REMOTE CONTROL
The SI unit for force is the newton. For every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction. The newton is used to describe the amount of force expelled by the propeller. Newtons law of motion explains that OUTPUT ALARM
the force expelled by the propeller will result in an equal force that will push the vessel in the opposite direction. Knowing
the “newton” factor (or force available) of a thruster is useful in determining what size thruster is needed to move the ves- (b)
sels bow (or stern) sideways. However, it is not the only factor affecting the architects decisions. With design variations VFD ENCLOSURE
(a)
the forces or thrust referred to in the form of newtons at the propeller can vary widely. The size and pitch of the propeller, DIRECTION/SPEED CONTROL
POWER
the speed of rotation, obstacles such as the motor or gear housing and gratings, all of these can affect the amount of useful
force exerted so that one 200hp thruster might produce more thrust than another 200hp thruster. The power demands on
the ships systems can be the same but the thrust exerted by the propeller can be different.
SHIPS POWER
(f )
Horsepower (US) or Watts (Metric)
In order to create the forces necessary to move the vessel we need power. Horsepower (US) or watts (Metric) refers to
the amount of power available to, or consumed by, the system. When we describe a 200hp thruster we are providing use-
ful information the design engineer will need to determine specific demands on power plants or prime movers (generator, Variable Frequency Drive Systems
electric motors, engines, etc.,) for which they must accommodate in their design. The Variable Frequency Drive System cabinet (a) is located near the electric motor (b), usually in the same compartment to
minimize bulkhead penetrations. The cabinet contains the controller, transformers, relays, and local interface connections.
Power
1 horsepower equals 0.7457 kW of power. A J-Box (c) is positioned in-line between the bridge controls above and the cabinet below. The DP System (if used) (d) and
The motor which turns the Horsepower (US) or kilowatt (Metric) refers to Vessel Monitoring System (e) will also connect to this J-Box. High voltage power connections from the ships power plant (f)
the amount of energy generated by the power will connect to the bow thruster motor through the VFD module located in the cabinet. A soft start device is not used since
propeller is the prime mover. plant or consumed by the prime mover and all the VFD module eliminates the need for such.
of those components in between.
Low voltage signals (g) communicated between the joy stick control or DP system will control the direction and speed of the
motor and provide an emergency stop.

Force
1 kilonewton equals 224.8089 pounds (101.9716 kilograms) of
force. This force (or thrust) is that which is applied at the pro-
peller to push the vessel sideways when docking, or, to hold
a steady position during dynamic positioning. The propeller in
this bow thruster is designed to produce thrust equally in both
directions.