What is the likelihood of losing hydraulic fluid through the thruster shaft seals?
The working pressure region of the in-line thruster assembly is isolated from the dual seawater shaft seals to eliminate concerns of hydraulic oil leakage into the environment. In addition, the seawater shaft seal cavity is protected from system oil leakage by a unique drain pressure control assembly, which vents any oil leakage to a controlled onboard path. The right angle thruster has lubrication oil in the thruster housing to lubricate the spiral bevel gearing. This fluid is vented to atmosphere and supplied by a lubrication header tank to assure positive pressure at the dual seawater shaft seals.
