Case study:  Specialised equipment manufacturing: maritime engineering research and development (R&D.)

Experiments to develop improved paddle wheel propulsion systems.

Conventional propellers used on watercraft are limited to approximately 70% propulsion efficiencies. This case study further investigated the use of paddle wheel propulsion with the aim to achieve propulsion efficiencies of up to 90%.

The assumption is that this device design will be used mainly on high-speed craft.

The technical aim included the construction of an experimental plant and prototype using a catamaran and a motor to drive the paddle wheel.

Detailed testing of a range of propulsion scenarios was undertaken.

Measurement of efficiencies and analysis followed.

Achievement of a hydrodynamic form capable of sustaining high speed of Froude numbers of 0.7 and above was hypothesised.

This project was undertaken in a collaborative arrangement with a major Australian University.