Section 7 Inspection, testing and fitting of water jets
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 - Part 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery - Chapter 16 Water Jet Systems - Section 7 Inspection, testing and fitting of water jets

Section 7 Inspection, testing and fitting of water jets

7.1 General

7.1.1 The finished impeller is to be statically balanced on completion of the manufacturing process and meet the requirements of ISO 1940 or an alternative standard acceptable to LR. In the case where the blade tip speed is greater than 60 m/s, dynamic balancing is required unless otherwise agreed by the manufacturer and LR.

7.1.2 The following tests, markings and inspections are to be carried out in the presence of the Surveyor:

  1. The balancing of the impeller or the blades.

  2. Non-destructive examination of the impeller blades and the principal component parts of the propulsion system; see Ch 4, 8 Stainless steel castings for austenitic stainless steels and Ch 8, 3 Aluminium alloy castings for aluminium alloys of the Rules for Materials.

  3. The quality of the fit of the impeller boss on the shaft taper.

  4. The fitting of the impeller to the shaft and its subsequent functional testing.

  5. The finished surfaces of the impeller boss, conical bores, fillets, cones and blade surfaces are to be shown to conform to the tolerances specified on the impeller drawing.

7.1.3 Bolts and nuts in critical locations, as specified in the FMEA and where indicated by the manufacturer or Shipbuilder and agreed by LR, are to be equipped with adequate securing arrangements to the satisfaction of the LR Surveyor.

7.2 Shop tests and installation of water jet systems

7.2.1 The completed water jet unit is to undergo a tightness test in which an internal hydrostatic pressure of 0,15 MPa above the maximum working pressure of the unit is to be applied.

7.2.2 In cases where the impeller is fitted to the shaft using an interference fit, the bedding of the impeller with the shaft is to be demonstrated in the shop to the satisfaction of the LR Surveyor. Sufficient time is to be allowed for the temperature of the components to equalise before bedding. A contact marking between the bore of the impeller boss and the shaft surface of better than 80 per cent is to be demonstrated when the contact marking ink is spread thinly on the surface of the shaft. Alternative means for demonstrating the bedding of the impeller will be considered.

7.2.3 Means are to be provided to indicate the relative axial position of the impeller boss on the shaft. Permanent reference marks are to be made on the impeller boss, shaft and any nut to indicate angular and axial positioning of the impeller. Care is to be taken in marking the inboard end of the shaft taper to minimise stress-raising effects.

7.2.4 A copy of the fitting curve relative to temperature and means for determining any subsequent movement are to be placed on board.

7.2.5 The impeller running clearances are to be checked following the installation of the unit in the ship.

7.2.6 The thrust bearing clearances in the water jet system are to be verified against the required design values. This is to be done following the installation of the unit in the ship.

7.2.7 The piping systems are to be adequately flushed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the final levels of contamination recorded. Similarly, pressure testing of the piping systems is to comply with Pt 5, Ch 12 Piping Design Requirements.

7.3 Sea trial requirement

7.3.1 The following requirements are to be complied with:

In addition, the general design capability specified in Pt 5, Ch 16, 3.1 General 3.1.1 is to be demonstrated to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

7.3.2 The control systems relating to the correct functioning of the water jet are to be the subject of harbour and then sea trials. Demonstration of the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1 Control Engineering Systems is required and the design combinations of control functions are to be undertaken during the trials programme.

7.3.3 On sea trials and under free running conditions the relationship between ship speed and impeller rotational speed is to be verified against the water jet’s design basis.

7.3.4 Any trials and testing identified from the FMEA report, see Pt 5, Ch 16, 2.4 Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) 2.4.4, are to be carried out.


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