RINA-Certified Bow Thruster Drives
RINA certification is an Italian approval process that inspects ships, technical systems, and maritime components such as electric motors for bow thrusters for safety, environmental compliance, and quality. To obtain RINA certification, our motors must meet strict technical requirements. Testing is conducted at our in-house test facility in Hennigsdorf near Berlin.
Advantages of RINA-Certified Ship Equipment
- Safety: Prevents accidents through verified design and operational reliability.
- Environmental Protection: Minimizes emissions and ecological risks.
- Operational Efficiency: Optimizes motor performance and service life.
By meeting these rigorous testing standards, our customers and operators of large vessels benefit from maximum safety, reliability, and efficiency in our electric motors.
Optimal Availability Through Precise Motor Design
Our engineers calculate the ideal drive according to the customer’s requirements for the specific bow thruster application. The perfect motor configuration was designed with RINA criteria in mind.
The result is a 3-pole 690 V squirrel-cage motor with water-jacket cooling (IC 71W). Thanks to the combination of high starting torque, efficient water cooling, and robust construction, IC 71W squirrel-cage motors are the ideal choice for driving bow thrusters, ensuring reliable maneuverability in demanding maritime applications.
Technical data of the three-phase asynchronous motor
- Motor type: MEBKSW450-06 AC motor
- Application: Drive for a ship’s bow thruster
- Rated Power: 900 kW
- Rated Voltage: 690 V
- Rated Speed: 990 min⁻¹
- Frame Type: IM 3011 (IM V1)
- Protection Class: IP 55
- Cooling Type: IC 71W (water-jacket cooling)
- Weight: 5,700 kg
Why water-jacket-cooled squirrel-cage motors are ideal for bow thrusters
Water-jacket-cooled squirrel-cage motors are particularly well-suited for driving bow thrusters due to their high starting torque, efficient cooling, and robust construction.
High starting torque for maximum thrust
Bow thrusters often need to deliver strong performance from a standstill to move the ship sideways. Squirrel-cage motors provide high starting torque, ideal for these short but powerful applications.
Efficient water cooling for compact machine rooms
Another key advantage is the water cooling provided by the IC 71W design. With a closed water-cooling system, these motors are especially suitable for tight machine rooms, where air-cooled alternatives would be limited. Water cooling ensures not only a more compact design but also reliable temperature regulation, even under intense load changes.
Reliability under extreme conditions
Squirrel-cage motors are highly resistant to the demanding conditions of maritime environments. High humidity, saltwater atmosphere, and strong mechanical stress pose no problem for these motors.
Low maintenance and long service life
Thanks to their brushless design, these motors operate without slip rings, making them particularly low-maintenance. This reduces operating costs while increasing service life and reliability – a crucial factor for shipowners and shipyards.
Looking for compact ship drives with RINA certification?
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What is a bow thruster?
A bow thruster is a transverse propulsion device installed at the bow (or sometimes at the stern) of a vessel. It allows precise lateral movements without the ship having to move forward or backward.
Bow thrusters are especially important for large ships such as ferries, cruise ships, freighters, and yachts, as their size makes them less responsive and not easily maneuverable with the rudder alone.
Main functions of a bow thruster:
- Harbor Maneuvering Aid: Facilitates docking, undocking, and navigation in tight harbor areas.
- Turning on the Spot: Assists the ship in rotating in confined spaces, especially in combination with the main propulsion system.
- Wind and Current Compensation: Helps the captain keep the vessel stable against external influences.
