Shipboard Stern Tube Systems

Oil return from

#3 / #3S
Header tank (normally open)
V3

Stern tube
lube oil
gravity tank

V1
Oil tank for
#2 / #3
Stern tube chamber
V5
LO Cooler
Forward seal Forward seal V4
header tank header tank Oil supply
Aft seal Forward valve #3 / 3S
Aft seal seal To bilges
chamber
liner liner (normally
open)
V2
#1 #2 #3 #3S Seal No #4 #5
Seal No.
To collecting
line
Pumps

Forward seal
Aft stern tube Forward Strainers
bearing / bush stern tube Aft seal Forward seal
bearing /
bush

STERN TUBE COOLING SYSTEM

Sump tank
STERN
TUBE
SEALS
Seal ring types / application:
• Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) – low duty
application

• Viton material – fluroric rubber with special

fabric vulcanised on the surface
for severe loading application
Sealing rings works under heavily loaded
condition. Desired properties :
• Excellent sealing performance-flexibility,elastic
• Strength & durability
• Free from crack generation
• Excellent wear resistance
• High heat resistance
• High chemical resistance
Stern tube liner
• High nickel chromium steel
– Excellent wear (abrasion) & corrosion
resistance

• Optional ceramic coating if applied

running surface,Viton rings are mandatory
Checks and signs of abnormality:
Item Checking interval Abnormal if …….
Temperature of stern Daily Stern tube bearing > 70
tube bearing or lube oil deg C or stern tube lube
oil > 60 deg C
Strainer Monthly Traces of white metal or
sea water
Oil level in the header Daily Oil level drops by more
tank than 12 litres / day
Oil level in the forward Daily Oil level drops by more
seal lube oil tank than 12 litres / day
Lube oil temperature of Daily Lube oil temperature >
forward seal or 70 deg C ( 90 deg C if
temperature of casing viton seal rings are used.
Casing temperature > 65
deg C ( 85 deg C if viton
Page 13 sealing rings are used)
Problems & Counter Measures
Problems
Sea water ingress into Stern
tube
Damage to stern tube bearing
Damage to #1 & #2 seal rings
or foreign objects in seal ring
assembly
Damage to #3 ring or foreign
object in seal ring assembly
Pumping action of forward
seal
Damage to #4 ring or foreign
object in seal ring assembly
Assembly wear on seal liner
Remedies Actions at sea
Check & renew #1 & #2 seal rings. Slowdown engine
Check LO cooler
Repair or re-metal bearing in Slowdown engine
drydock
Inspect & renew seal ring. Use vinyl hose to raise
Remove foreign object stern tube lube oil
pressure
Inspect & renew seal ring. Use vinyl hose to lower
Remove foreign object stern tube lube oil
pressure
Check & correct the place of fwd -
seal. Correct shaft alignment
Inspect & renew seal ring. Close air vent of fwd seal
Remove foreign object lube oil tank so that #5
seal acts
Machine or renew liner. -
Insert distance piece to shift liner Page 13
axially