Design, Modelling and Application of Microcontroller (MCU) on Ship’s Steering Gear Motor System

Abstract

One of the most important equipment of a vessel is its steering gear. It is designed to turn the ship to right (Starboard side) or left (Port side) while sailing. All ships are required to have the main steering gear and an auxiliary steering gear as backup. The main steering gear only works when the ship is in motion, not in stationary state. This is because the system uses a rudder, directly mounted behind the ships propeller. The rudder is controlled by the steering gear. When the bridge gives a signal to turn left, the rudder is moved to the left as well (seeing from the back), causing water forces to turn the vessel in the wanted direction. Steering gear systems have minimum requirements to achieve certain safety levels. In example they are required to maneuvers from 35 degrees port to 35 degrees starboard and visa-versa within 28 seconds, with the vessel sailing forwards at a steady maximum continuous rated shaft RPM. It also required to have an auxiliary system on the background in case the main system has failures.