Propeller characteristics refer to the relationship curve between propeller torque, power and rotational speed, that is, M=f(n), P=f(n) curves. The most commonly used are the following three typical characteristic curves:

(1) Free navigation characteristics M_y=f(n), P_y=f(n);

(2) Mooring characteristics or anchoring characteristics M_z=f(n), P_z=f(n);

(3) Inversion characteristic M_f=f(n).

Free sailing characteristics

The relationship curve between the propeller resistance torque (or power) and its rotational speed obtained when a fully loaded ship sails in still water is called the free-navigation characteristic.

The torque-speed characteristic is an approximate quadratic curve, and its expression can be written as:

M_y= K_yn²     (1-1)

The power-speed characteristic is an approximate cubic curve, and its expression can be written as

P_y= K_y‘n³   (1-2)

In the formula, M_y is the torque (N m); P_y is the power (kW); n is the rotational speed (r/min); K_y and K_y‘ are constants.

Figure 1 shows the free-navigation characteristic curve. The ship speed is approximately proportional to the propeller speed (Van). Therefore, each propeller speed on this characteristic curve corresponds to a certain ship speed. The whole characteristic curve corresponds to many different speeds.

To make the propeller run stably at a certain speed, the resistance torque of the propeller at this speed must be overcome, and there must be a corresponding prime mover torque for this purpose. For example, to run at the speed of n₁ or n₂, the torque of the prime mover must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the propeller resistance torque M_y1 or M_y2.

Mooring (anchoring) characteristics

The relationship curve M_z=f(x) or P_z=(fn) of the propeller resistance torque M_z (or power P_z) and its rotational speed obtained by the fully loaded ship when the speed is equal to zero is called the mooring characteristic or throwing characteristic. When doing the test, the ship was moored, hence the name. The curve is shown in Figure 1.

The tethering characteristic expression is

M_z= K_zn²     (1-3)

P_z= K_z‘n³     (1-4)

It must be noted that in the free-navigation characteristic, each speed n of the propeller corresponds to a different speed, while in the mooring characteristic, the speed is always zero, that is, V=0. When sailing upwind in strong winds and waves, there is a lot of resistance and it is possible to approach this situation. When the propeller is started when the ship is stationary, the relationship between the propeller resistance torque and the rotational speed is a mooring characteristic. Therefore, when studying the co-working characteristics of the prime mover (or motor) and the propeller during starting, the mooring characteristics should be used.

If the ship has a dragging load (such as a tugboat), its propeller torque-speed curve is M_t=f(n), which is between the free-navigation characteristics and the mooring characteristics.

If the ship sails under the condition of light load or downwind, the resistance of the ship is small, and the propeller characteristics will be below the free sailing characteristics, as shown in M_s=f(n) in Figure 1.

Between M_x=f(n) and M_s=f(n), there are actually many similar characteristics, which vary with the ship’s load conditions and resistance conditions. When a ship is sailing in stormy weather, ship resistance can vary widely. Sometimes the propeller may also fall off, be damaged, or come out of water, etc., so that the propeller resistance moment is reduced to nearly zero. At this time, under the action of the torque of the prime mover, the propeller may even produce a “flying car” phenomenon, which makes the speed reach an unacceptable level.