Fuel cost reduction by high-efficiency rudder, which are customized to the final propeller design.

Hi Carsten, I always appreciated the German engineering but in this specific case I believe that the solution gone too far. Despite of the ingenuity of the flaps ( used mainly in aircraft industry) in marine environment the rate of damage and wearing and time deterioration is much more rapid than in the air. Bear in mind that water density is 1000 time higher than the air's Having in mind that the flaps need to be actuated to generate the change in the rudder's profile I assume that the solution is hydraulic actuation. How much time you think that the components of actuation system will withstand to the effect of highly corrosive marine environment, marine growth, corrosion of the bearings or shafts, etc.? After one year the flaps will get stacked and the maneuvering capabilities will substantially reduce not mentioning the increase of drag in certain conditions will lead to fuel consumption increase As a plus is the improvement of flow in the propeller hub area reducing the cavitation in the rudder blade In respect of fuel consumption if we analyze only the commissiong+1 year conditions I don't see why the fuel consumption will be improved. What I saw in the picture are low diameter propeller meaning probably higher rpm at the propeller probably around 160 rpm which following screw propeller theory means much lower propeller efficiency and higher risks of cavitation

one question usually the flap angle is 2 alfa where alfa is the angle of the main rudder blade from the longitudinal in this case is it like this for all rudder angle or is there a threshold under with the flap is not active? thanks

Gratulations Carsten, hope that we can make some projects together.

Hallo Carsten and Congratulations. Next time we will have a Piening Propeller installed to have an even more efficient propulsion system.... ??