Pametrada hydraulic transmission¹

Subtitle: Introduction and early developments

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brown, T.W.F.

Note: [1] Paper read before the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders on the 21st April 1961, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Abstract: The paper is in three parts: the introduction, including some early history of hydraulic transmissions; the second section dealing with experimental work in the development of the elements of the hydraulic transmission; and the third section giving results in service in the Shell tanker Auris, followed by general conclusions. The Pametrada hydraulic transmission enables a ship to be driven ahead or astern by means of a uni-directional turbine in conjunction with a gear-box. The primary elements of the ahead and astern couplings are mounted on a quill shaft driven by the turbine, and the secondary or output elements are bolted to the primary pinion of the gear-box. Manoeuvring is effected simply by admitting oil to the ahead or astern coupling as required. The ahead coupling also incorporates a hydraulically-operated friction clutch which is engaged once the ship is at sea and thus avoids the losses due to slip in the coupling. Following several years of research and experiment, the Pametrada hydraulic transmission was fitted in the gasturbine tanker, Auris, where it was conspicuously successful and enabled the ship to manoeuvre with great facility. The present paper, after reviewing the early history of the transmission, describes in detail the research which was carried out and the experience gained in the Auris. The conclusion is reached that although this transmission was originally developed with the gas-turbine application mainly in mind, it also offers great advantages in conjunction with steam turbines where the simplification resulting from the elimination of the astern turbine, manoeuvring valves, piping, etc. would simplify design problems and enable higher steam conditions to be employed.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1962-98902

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 9, no. 89, pp. 20-26, 1962