|
‘©MINI-TURN™’ RUDDERS FROM WILLS RIDLEY |
|
| The Wills Ridley ‘Mini-Turn’ Rudders are a concept borrowed from the aircraft Industry, European Canal Barge design development and a 40 year practical career on board Harbour, Salvage Tugs, Oil Rig Service Vessels and Offshore sailing racing. Plane Airfoil wings depend upon differing top and bottom profiles and flap angles, creating variable pressure and providing lift enabling take off and flying. | |
| The 100 or so year old ‘Schilling’ Rudder design for canal barges, adopted more than 20 years ago in the Marine Industry, was primarily used on large ships to improve the turning circle. The rudders were expensive to produce and generally restricted to applications where manoeuvrability was vital i.e. canals, passenger terminals and small harbours. Whenever they are fitted, the extra performance draws acclaim from the Marine Industry and users. | |
| Wills Ridley a have developed the design further applying it not only to ships, but smaller boats both slow and fast moving, and the design being modified to suit the characteristics of the hull whilst taking into account the type of vessel and its uses. | |
| By adopting cost effective manufacturing processes, the ‘Mini-Turn’ Rudder has now been brought within the reach of smaller vessels. The revolutionary rudder design means that both sides perform whilst the tail end acts as an anti-yaw device. Rudder movements are reduced resulting in considerable fuel saving and less speed reduction when sailing. | |
| The ‘Mini-Turn’ Rudder reduces the turning circle and heeling angles, contributing to safety at sea and easier operation in crowded marinas or restricted harbour areas, without a shallow water penalty. | |
| The Design Principles | |
|
|
The ‘Mini-Turn’ Rudder has a much larger balance than ordinary plate, aerofoil or flap rudders, this is because of the greater efficiency of the profile. It also reduces the rudder torque and, at the same time, makes more efficient use of the total propeller wash. Greater rudder angles can be used without increasing the power requirement of the Steering System and, with the special fish tail design, turning can be achieved in only slightly more than the length of the vessel. The ‘Mini-Turn’ Rudder has a bulbous leading edge. This is to provide an uninterrupted and even flow of water to the body of the rudder. Its diameter and shape are critical depending upon the type of propeller, number of blades and propulsive force. Reduced movements and rudder angles to maintain a straight course are the result of the shape of the rudder’s leading edge and tail end. |
