The study presents the evaluation and comparative analysis of engine shaft line performance in maritime transport ships of the same type. During its operation, a technical system performs functions for which it was designed. It goes through different states. Dynamic state changes of a rotational system can be identified by means of its vibration measurement. For this purpose, a research was carried out which involved recording vibrations of the analysed rotational systems. The recordings were used for calculating selected characteristics in the time-domain, where one of the most unique is the value of the normalized mutual correlation function. On the basis of the concentration values, the characteristics which unambiguously determine the ability state were selected for further studies. Then an identification method for rotational system non-coaxiality was proposed. The method involves using fuzzy clustering. According to this method the values of input signal characteristics were used to formulate fuzzy clusters of system ability and inability states. The method can be used for identifying the current state of the system. The study presents the results of the application of this method in engine turbine shaft lines of minesweepers, with the rotational system selected as an example. It needs to be noted that the efficiency of identifying the operating state of the system with this method is higher than with other methods described in the literature by authors who deal with this issue. The research results have a significant impact on the evaluation of mechanical properties of the studied objects and directly affect operational states of mechanical systems, including those installed in minesweepers, thus determining their reliability.

Modelling of propeller shaft dynamics at pulse load The article discusses a method of modelling of propeller shaft dynamics at the presence of virtually introduced underwater detonation effects. The propeller shaft model has four degrees of freedom, which provides opportunities for introducing shaft displacements and rotations similar to those observed in a real object. The equations of motion, taking into account the action of external agents, were implemented to the Matlab SIMULINK environment. The obtained time-histories and their spectra were compared with the experimental results of the tests performed on the marine testing ground. The performed model identification confirmed its sensitivity to changing parameters of motion and external actions.

Rubber and rubber-metal vibration isolators are widely used vibration isolation systems in marine applications. For naval application, shock absorber mounting systems must fulfil two functions. The first one supports the suspended mass in the absence of waving or detonation while providing isolation from vibrations and shock impact. In the second case, during the machine operation, it reduces the force of movement to an acceptable value. Moreover, it returns the insulated mass to the position output without plastic deformation or residual buckling after removing shock stresses or harmonic vibrations. The environment in which marine vibration isolators are to be used strongly influences the selection of a shock absorber. The main environmental problem is the temperature range in marine power plants, which ranges from 20 °C to 55 °C. Temperature fluctuations may cause changes in the physical properties of typical vibration/shock insulators. Both rubbers and elastomers used for shock absorbers tend to stiffen, gain low-temperature damping, and soften and lose damping at elevated temperatures. Factors such as moisture, ozone and changes in atmospheric pressure are usually ignored in shipbuilding. The main environmental factors influencing the ageing of insulators are liquid saturated hydrocarbons, i.e., oils, fuels, coolants, etc., which may come into contact with the surface of the insulators. This work presents the results of the research carried out to determine the effect of overload and the impact of petroleum products on the materials of metal-rubber shock absorbers made of three different rubbers and one polyurethane mixture. For each of the materials, shock absorbers with three different degrees of hardness were tested.

The technical requirements for naval ships machine foundations are far more strict in comparison to merchant’s vessels. These requirements are confirmed in the military standardization of many countries. Underwater Explosion (UNDEX phenomena) detonation pulses, force naval engineers to design and implement different shock absorbers made from a wide variety of materials. This study presents the tests results of typical shock absorber designs made of various types of rubber and elastomers. The initial objective of the study was to determine the energy absorption of shock impacts, the choice of materials capable of operating within the temperature range of 0 °C to 70 °C, resistance to contact with oils and marine fuel, performance at frequencies ranging from 5 to 30,000 Hz, and absorption no less than 40% of harmonic vibration energy. Initial studies conducted on tensile testing machine were used to determine the static and dynamic stiffness of a shock absorbers. Considerations of stiffness coefficient for the linear and nonlinear range is typical for shock pulses. Further tests were carried out on a lightweight drop hammer to determine the characteristics of the damping coefficient for high-speed wave interactions—Shock Response Spectrum (SRS). The final aim of the study was to assess the repeatability of the shock absorbers response to multiple impact loads. Mechanical properties describing possibilities of tested dampers materials to absorb energy of UNDEX were also presented.

A correctly designed machine is characteristic of low vibration values. However wear processes occur during its operation. They are accompanied by a lack of balance of its rotating parts and elements, which results in non-coaxiality of shafts. For this reason energy and dynamic load resulting from machine vibrations grows. In this case cause and effect are mutually connected by feedback, that inevitably leads to occurrence of a failure. This paper presents results of investigations carried out on the basis of vibration analysis of propulsion systems installed on 207P minesweepers. In view of specific features of their operation it is very important to ensure high level of reliability for them. For this reason was done an attempt to develop a method intended for identifying non-coaxiality of shaft line systems of engines propelling the ships. 16 characteristic features of recorded vibration signals were selected. As any of them has not satisfied criteria assigned to features which unambiguously determine state of reliability of shaft line systems, the investigations have been continued and as a result a novel method for non-coaxiality identification was proposed. The method consists in determining unserviceability clusters and assumes that characteristic features are of a concentrated character. This way a non-coaxiality of main engine shaft lines of 207P minesweepers could be detected. This paper presents the proposed method and results of its application to the case in question.

This article presents a method for an evaluation of the dynamic ability and efficiency of diving fins. There is paucity in the literature on the process of selecting optimal fins. As a result, there are efforts made to develop a methodology for selecting fins that meet the proposed criteria. In the present study, an analysis on the two types of fins most popular within the commercial market was conducted. The experiment took place in a test water tunnel fully equipped with a measuring system and strain gauges for recording forced interaction between the moving fin and flowing water. The tested fins rested on an artificial leg, which moved respectively, thereby developing movement algorithms. This forced fluid flow was implemented by a pump that was able to control the fluids velocity, and a non-invasive method involving an ultrasonic flow meter was used to measure the fluids velocity. Finally, the fin efficiency was calculated as the ratio of multiplication of generated thrust to electrical energy consumption whilst also considering the mechanical efficiency of the leg manipulator. The results of these experiments are discussed in depth and a method is created for the subsequent stage in which a new type of fins called biomimetic is to be analyzed and compared.