Hydraulic rings and propeller nuts
Traditionally, ship propellers are mounted on a tapered shaft end with a nut and key. The torque is transmitted through friction of the mating surfaces and the key performs a stand-by function if the friction is insufficient.
On mounting, the propeller is driven up the taper by heating the propeller hub and driving in keys between the nut and the hub, or by using a hydraulic press or even flogging the nut to achieve the required axial drive up.
All these methods are time consuming and difficult to manage due to the large forces required. For large propellers the methods are unacceptable.
These conventional methods are especially troublesome when dismounting propellers from shafts.
Withdrawal forces are large and fretting damage often occurs on the contact surfaces. Due to the large forces, withdrawal tools are often bulky, expensive and difficult to handle. The dismounting process is therefore very time consuming.
The time saving technology from SKF
The SKF oil injection method combined with a hydraulic ring or nut from SKF solves all these problems and simultaneously eliminates the use of keys and keyways.
Accepted by all leading societies
This method is fully accepted by all the worlds leading classification societies and hundreds of references for all types of vessels are available.