Voith - Fluid Couplings for Ship Propulsion

Voith fluid couplings provide numerous advantages to drives for work boats, ferries, ice breaker ships, air craft carriers as well as for administration owned vessels.

The hydrodynamic principle of fluid coupling relieves startup of a ship's drive motor. Torsional vibration from the motor as well as shock loading from the propeller are effectively damped. With combinations of multiple engines or propellers, the coupling has automatic load compensation.

The coupling protects the driveline from damage even under extreme operating conditions. This extends the operational life, reduces down times and ensures safe ship operation.

Our product portfolio includes:

• Constant-fill fluid couplings
• Fill-controlled fluid couplings

The transmittable power ranges up to 9MW per drive.

Benefits of fluid couplings in marine propulsion systems

• Reduction of operating costs
• Higher power transmission
• Higher availability
• Improved usability
• Reduction of investment costs

Due to the following features of the fluid couplings:

• Vibration damping
• Shock absorption
• Automatic load sharing (multi-engine drive)
• Clutching (fill controlled fluid couplings)

Couplings for marine applications

Our partnership with the shipbuilding industry is nearly as old as the fluid coupling itself. For over 50 years, Voith has been supplying couplings for a wide range of marine applications, especially frigates, patrol vessels and tugs. The experience and the know-how gained by both partners has been and will always be the basis for further improvements of our couplings - we adapt our products continuously to the requirements of our customers. An example is the TPZS turbo coupling with high power density, especially developed for installation in marine drives.

Drive solutions

Our products are successfully used by 12 different navies in Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Voith fluid couplings can be found in the following marine applications:

Multi-engine drives (CODAD, CODOG and CODAG) in:

• Frigates
• Destroyers
• Patrol vessels
• Corvettes
• Helicarriers

Single engine drives in:

• Voith water tractors
• Mine hunters
• Tugs
• Workboats

About Voith Turbo

Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a group division of Voith GmbH.

Voith sets standards in the energy, oil and gas, paper, raw materials and transportation and automotive markets. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 42 000 people, generates €5.7bn in sales, operates in over 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.