VULKAN Couplings is System partner for the innovative SANMAR AVD Tug

The Cat Marine Advanced Variable Drive™ (AVD™) is a patented system leveraging Caterpillar’s extensive experience with integrated power systems technology.

SANMAR SHIPYARDS is the leading tug builder with over 40 years of experience and known as a market leader at the forefront of the tug building industry. The Sanmar hydraulic hybrid tug will be a Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 2400SX harbour tug incorporating an integrated Caterpillar AVD™ system.

The Sanmar hydraulic hybrid tug will incorporate an integrated Caterpillar AVD™ system of 3512 main engines, a C32 auxiliary engine, Caterpillar MTA 627 fixed pitch tug thrusters. The AVD™ system will also include a fully integrated controls system with customizable operating modes and display panels at the bridge.

As a system supplier for flexible couplings, mounts and Composite shafts VULKAN is proud to have been selected by SANMAR SHIPYARDS as supplier for the AVD tug. The coupling for the main propulsion drive line engine Cat 3512, which is resiliently mounted on VULKAN T60 mounts, will be the new VULKARDAN F 57. Between the gearbox which is rigidly mounted on ROTACHOCKs and the Caterpillar thruster a VULKAN floating Composite shaft shall be mounted. The auxiliary drive line with the Cat C32 engine mounted on VULKAN T35 mounts will be equipped with a torsional coupling VULKARDAN F 54 and a VULKAN METAFLEX. The latter will be installed between the auxiliary gearbox and the FiFi pump both mounted on ROTACHOCKs, which allow the shipyard a significant time saving in installation and alignment of the entire drive line, results in project cost savings.

With the supply of a.m. flexible couplings, resilient mounts and composite shafts from one hand VULKAN once more shows their development from a component supplier into an experienced system provider offering the “best-fit” solution covering vibration requirements on one side and health respective comfort (i.e. acoustic) aspects on the other side. The perfect interaction of VULKAN components guaranties an optimum drive line behavior and operational availability to the customer.