Steering motors were first used in the mid-1800s to help move the rudder of large ships. They act as power steering and hold the rudder in position during rough seas. Modern vessels use hydraulically actuated steering cylinders and joysticks instead of ship wheels.
A steering motor is a device used to help move the rudder of a large ship. First used in the mid 1800s, the first steering engine was a steam unit used to improve the steering speed of the SS Great Eastern in 1866. The steering engine acts as a type of power steering for a large ship. The enormous size of the rudders used in the manufacture of the largest ocean and river boats created a problem when the crew had to rapidly turn the ship’s wheel. Some of the early steering engines worked so efficiently that the ship’s wheels were said to turn like fan blades.
A typical steering engine used a steam cylinder that ran through the shaft of the ship’s rudder arm, forcing the arm to port and starboard sides when a mechanical valve was actuated. The power the cylinder applied to the rudder arm made turning the ship an easier task. Many ships went from having multiple men in the wheelhouse to having just one man to steer the ship. In bad weather some boats would employ several men with blocking gear and rigging. It was laid from the ship’s wheel to the internal steel structure of the ship to help turn the ship in rough water.
The steering engine’s job was not simply to help the crew steer the ship. In rough water, the rudder was often pushed into an unsuitable position by heavy seas. The steering motor helped provide the power to hold the rudder in position, and this enabled the captain to command a course that could be held in a storm. Maneuvering a large ship while operating at low speed was also improved through the use of the steering motor.
While the typical steering motor design has been changed to that of a hydraulically actuated steering cylinder, the core idea remains the same. Gone are the ropes, chains, and gear systems that used to operate the ship’s rudder. Modern vessels often use a joystick instead of a ship’s wheel to steer the vessel. Similar to the original version of a steering motor, the ship turns very quickly with the help of a hydraulic cylinder that applies pressure to the rudder control arm.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
