Control solutions are supplied for the wide range of Rolls-Royce propulsion equipment. Where possible the systems are calibrated and installed on the equipment at the factory to simplify installation at the shipyard. Maximum use is made of touch screens and joy sticks to enhance the human machine interface and improve operator performance.
Rolls-Royce control systems are tailored to the application from a standard range of components, based on the Rolls-Royce Common Control Platform (CCP). CCP is designed around standardised software and hardware to ensure seamless system integration with other Rolls-Royce systems, which simplifies upgrading and through-life support.
Systems are available for the complete product range – diesel and gas engines, controllable pitch propellers, waterjets, rudders, tunnel and azimuth thrusters of various types, as well as multi-product systems. Complex machinery installations are catered for including, diesel-electric, gas-electric and hybrid propulsion.
Propulsion control systems are fully supported worldwide by the Rolls-Royce aftersales and service network. Legacy products are also supported.
Our propulsion product control systems:
Aquapilot ND Control System for Azimuth Thrusters
Aquapilot ND control system is an independent follow-up control system with a non-follow-up back-up control system for a single azimuth thruster. This means that each thruster has an independent control system. The user can select from different operational modes suitable for the operation.
Aquapilot ND control system has been designed with the users in mind with the control lever having won an honorable mention for its ergonomic and user-friendly design. It is possible to have the lever with or without Follow-Up motor, turbine cheeks and the arm rest are changeable and adaptable to suit your preference.
The Aquapilot ND operation panels have led indication on symbols (with different colors for status of function and can be arranged in one or two rows. Push buttons are clearly labelled with their respective function, and connected to the control system through CanOpen.
Helicon-X3 Control System for Propellers and Thrusters
The Helicon-X3 propeller and thruster control system contributes significantly to safe operation of the ship. Seamless integration of Helicon X3 and Rolls-Royce DP systems is achieved through the use of a standard platform and standard network interfaces.
Touch screens give overall status of the propeller and thruster systems, system warnings and alarms and soft buttons for operation of main functions. Separate views can be selected on each propeller or thruster for more detailed information, functions and settings.
Control lever units are of a compact ergonomic design with integrated pushbuttons for all key functions including command transfer, alarm acknowledge and back-up control on/off.
Features
Helicon-X3 is designed to integrate with other Rolls-Royce systems through a standard platform and standard network interfaces.
Redundancy is designed in.
Ergonomic space saving control levers enhance bridge design and simplify integration
Helicon-X1 control lever units for tunnel thrusters have a compact ergonomic design with integrated pushbuttons for all key functions including command transfer and alarm acknowledge.
The control lever units can be located close to the operator making them easy to reach and operate. This ensures that the control system contributes significantly to safe operation of the ship.
Kamewa waterjet controls are microprocessor based remote control systems that control the waterjet steering nozzle, reversing bucket engine RPM and clutch engagement. It has different modes for steering, thrust and back-up.
The basic control system consists of bridge equipment, a control unit and feedback devices. Depending on customer preference it can include a touch screen, a steering wheel, lever units with handles for thrust and steering, an indication panel, a back-up panel, and an I/O unit.
Individual thrust control levers can be specified for each waterjet. Alternatively, multiple units can be controlled from a single lever, which ensures simultaneous control of both reversing bucket position and engine RPM. Steering is via levers or a steering wheel.
A touch screen adds flexibility to the bridge equipment as the selected mode is always visible, and the position of the steering nozzle and the thrust power indicated.
The settings for clutch, RPM, and mode selection are easily accessible from the tab panels. The latest active alarm is always shown at the top of the screen and the alarm history is accessed in a tab pane.
Control System for Smaller Waterjets
Suitable for FF-series, A-series and smaller Kanewa S-series waterjets, the compact system is ideal for patrol boats, yachts, ferries, and similar size vessels and is designed for single waterjet, through twin, twin plus booster to quad waterjets installations.
The new control system has standard interfaces to engines, gears and autopilot, with an option for bow thruster, voyage data recorder and DP. Another option is to include either manual or automatic interceptor controls that link interceptor movements to steering commands.
Controls can easily be incorporated into standard operator's chair and bridge consoles. An optional 7" touch screen monitor is also available.
For the operator, control stations can be configured to suit individual requirements and preferences for the human-machine interface. Users can select from a joystick, twin levers or steerable lever control devices mounted in the console or on the arms of the chair.
A colour touch screen presents the system status and performance data. As each propulsion line is independent there is ample redundancy, and a number of interlocks enhance safety.
Systems for Steering, Alarm and Rudder Angle Indication
Control system
Designed to meet the latest SOLAS and IMO requirements, it is type approved by DNV, BV, GL, LRS, RINA and ABS, for other societies approval is on a case by case basis. Systems are supplied for both solenoid operated valves and frequency controlled pumps/motors by use of a frequency converter.
Non-follow-up (NFU) steering and follow-up steering (FU) are available as are systems for single or twin rudder vessels. The system consists of a main control panel with pump start/stop, an emergency steering, NFU/FU-steering, mode selections and selections between low/high rudder angles.
Typical control panel for a twin screw vessel (left) Rudder angle indicating system (right)
Control panels are placed on the bridge wings, aft and auxiliary steering position with NFU/FU-steering and mode selection. They are designed to interface with autopilot, dynamic position system, joysticks and voyage data recorder (VDR).
The system has two alarm panels for each rudder; one for console mounting in the engine control room and one for the bridge console.
