Controllable Pitch Propellers

World’s leading CAT® controllable pitch propellers (CPP) have been fully optimised to provide high performance, reliability and uptime – everything that really matters. We take into account the ship’s operational profile and hull design – and anything else that affects its hydrodynamics – to provide you with a solution that best maches your needs.

CAT® MPP (Marine Propulsion Propeller)

– controllable pitch propellers tailored to the customer’s need provide optimum performance

High performance and reliability for demanding applications

The MPP screw is designed for demanding applications. A hydraulic servo-driver located in the hub is responsible for changing the stroke of the screw.
The screw hub is lubricated by a lubricating oil system with monitoring the water content in the oil. It is the industry’s first system for monitoring moisture and water presence in oil to protect both the power train and the environment.

MPP hub for greater efficiency

In order to increase the efficiency of twin-screw vessels, Caterpillar has equipped the screw hub with a feathering function, i.e. setting the screw blades parallel to the water flow to reduce hydrodynamic resistance to a minimum. If a twin-screw vessel is moving at a lower speed, one engine can be switched off and the blades of the driven propeller can be set to feathering. In the case of a typical coastal tanker, if one engine is switched off, the speed is reduced by about 20% in ideal weather conditions and the input power is simultaneously reduced by 50%.

Our patented feathering solutions for folding the screw blades in parallel with flow direction improve the flexibility and efficiency of twin-screw systems as well as minimize hydrodynamic drag.
In single-engine systems with the propeller shaft disconnected, a slight decrease in ship power is compensated for by a significant increase in propulsion efficiency and fuel economy.
The screw hub is lubricated by a unique oil distribution system with integrated moisture and water presence monitoring.

Characteristics of the adjusting screw hub

– Rigid hub body
– Largest possible bearing area of screw blades
– Optimal screw blade sealing system
– Continuous circulation of lubricating oil in the hub and a system for monitoring moisture and water presence

Benefits

– Minimum stoppages
– Minimum maintenance
– Monitoring the oil level in the hub
– Moisture logging to forecast and plan hub refurbishment
– Unique blade design guarantees the highest possible performance with low noise and vibration levels