Development of an Experimental Methodology for Self-Propulsion Test with a Marine Diesel Engine Simulator, Third Report – Auxiliary Thruster System -

The experimental methodology for Self-Propulsion test with a MDES (Marine Diesel Engine Simulator) is expanded by a newly developed Auxiliary Thruster System. The MDES controls propeller rotational speed, by measured propeller torque and rotational speed itself as inputs, with control algorithm reflecting the marine diesel engine characteristics. Here, with auxiliary and adjustable force equaling to Skin Friction Correction on a model ship even in free running experiment, we can make propeller loading condition of model ship corresponded to that of actual ship at same Froude number. Authors developed an Auxiliary Thruster System (hereafter, ATS) whose thrust force is controllable. Then, adding the force equaling to Skin Friction Correction by the ATS, the experimental methodology with the MDES will be upgraded, because propeller torque input to the MDES are greatly approached to that corresponding in actual ship. In this study, free running model experiment in waves using the MDES and ATS were conducted, and there are significant differences between the results with and without the ATS. Furthermore, a problem on the methodology with the MDES and ATS are discussed.