Kort Vector Thruster

Based on the principals of the thrust from a gas turbine jet engine which powers the Harrier Jump Jet, the Kort Vector Thruster has been developed to provide an effective propulsion device which can be fitted at the bow or stern of a vessel.

This can be used at the stern for main propulsion or as a stern thruster.

At the bow, the unit can be used for auxiliary propulsion to provide ahead or astern thrust or as a side thruster by rotating the outlet nozzles of the unit.

The impeller is located on the vessel centreline and draws water from underside of the vessel via a pump unit along a single tube to a valve arrangement. The valvediverts water flow into two separate tubes to port or starboard. Each outlet has steerable nozzles to provide directional thrust.

The full Vector Thruster system will consist of a stern unit for propulsion and manoeuvrability and a bow unit which will have reverse thrust, auxiliary propulsion and tunnelthruster functions.

The system can be used effectively on vessels with moderate free running speed requirements and is of particular advantage for slow speed manoeuvrability.

On larger vessels a Vector Thruster at the bow could replace a conventional tunnelthruster and provide auxiliary propulsion should main engine failure occur.

The unit can also be used in addition to main engine power to provide increased acceleration to cruising speed which would be an advantage to RO-RO ferries where docking and service times are critical.

Propulsion and manoeuvring functions are shown in the diagrams below.