A hydraulic steering gear consists of components like a bridge control, telemotor unit, hunting gear, steering motor and pumps, and rudder actuators. The telemotor system uses electrical or hydraulic signals from the bridge to operate the receiver and hunting gear. Modern vessels typically use electric or electro-hydraulic telemotor systems. The hunting gear receives signals and moves a control rod to alter pump delivery and rotate the rudder stock. The rotation of the rudder stock then returns the control rod to neutral position.
A hydraulic steering gear consists of components like a bridge control, telemotor unit, hunting gear, steering motor and pumps, and rudder actuators. The telemotor system uses electrical or hydraulic signals from the bridge to operate the receiver and hunting gear. Modern vessels typically use electric or electro-hydraulic telemotor systems. The hunting gear receives signals and moves a control rod to alter pump delivery and rotate the rudder stock. The rotation of the rudder stock then returns the control rod to neutral position.
A hydraulic steering gear consists of components like a bridge control, telemotor unit, hunting gear, steering motor and pumps, and rudder actuators. The telemotor system uses electrical or hydraulic signals from the bridge to operate the receiver and hunting gear. Modern vessels typically use electric or electro-hydraulic telemotor systems. The hunting gear receives signals and moves a control rod to alter pump delivery and rotate the rudder stock. The rotation of the rudder stock then returns the control rod to neutral position.
bridge control which applies helm, telemotor unit (2) , hunting gear (when fitted or a control unit) , feedback unit, steering motor & pumps(2) and rudder actuators which constitutes the steering gear. Telemotor systems
The telemotor system consists of
a transmitter on the bridge and a receiver fitted on the steering gear forming a part of the hunting gear.
The system may be electrical or
hydraulic or a combination of the two. Telemotor systems
Most modern vessels are fitted
with electric or electro-hydraulic systems.
Due to the increasing size of
vessels pipe runs have lengthen causing lags in the operation of the receiver in hydraulic systems.
In addition hydraulic only
systems generally require more maintenance. Electro-hydraulic type telemotor system
The signal is derived
from the action on the steering wheel, created by the autopilot or directly from the non-follow up control levers. Hunting Gear
The steering gear system above consists of the
telemotor which receives a signal from the bridge wheel. This acts on the hunting gear Hunting Gear The hunting gear moves displacing a control rod, this rod acts on the pump displacement control gear to alter the delivery from the pump.
The delivery from the pump
causes the ram to move rotating the rudder stock and hence the rudder.
The other end of the hunting
gear is mounted on the rudder stock. Hunting Gear The rotation of the rudder stock moves the hunting gear returning the operating rod for the pump to the neutral position once the rudder has reached the correct angle. Rotary Vane Gear The chambers are alternately connected to the suction and delivery from the hydraulic pump so that they can be used to produce the rudder actuating torque. Because the distribution of the pressure chambers is balanced around the rudder stock, only pure torque is transmitted to the stock and no side loading are imposed by the gear. Rotary Vane Gear "Follow Up" Steering
This is the normal method of steering and involves
the feedback of steering angle to the helm. This is suited to both manual and automatic operation.
The ships heading may be set into the autopilot
which can then compare the actual to desired heading and adjust the rudder angle to suit . "Non-follow Up" Steering
Normally used for back up purposes only.
Consists of a single lever per steering gear unit, by
moving the lever in on direction the rudder will begin to turn, the rudder will continue to turn until the lever is released or it reaches the limit of its operation.