Dynamic behaviour and stability of marine propulsion systems

Abstract

The paper describes an approach used to study the dynamic behaviour of marine propulsion systems. The method consists of three main steps: analytical modelling of the ship propulsion system, stability analysis of the system, and dynamic behaviour of the propulsion plant. The model is based on non-linear first-order differential equations. The concepts of ‘geometric non-linear dynamics’ are used to highlight some important properties of the model. One of the main advantages of the method is that it enables some important dynamic properties of the propulsion system to be highlighted without solving the differential equations of motion. In particular circumstances an analytical solution of the proposed model is possible; the solution includes the steady state behaviour of the system, which is useful for the engine-propulsion matching.