Rolls-Royce Helicon X3 P&T Control System

RPM Control Electric Engine

The RPM control is a redundant function in the control system. The backup control system will automatically be engaged if a serious failure occurs in the normal control system. This includes loss of power supply to the normal control system, halt in the normal control cpu, failure on the normal control order potentiometer in the lever on the manoeuvre station currently in command and failure on the normal control field bus. Alarm will be given in the control system and in the ship's alarm system.

Azimuth Control

The azimuth control is a redundant function in the control system. The backup control system will automatically be engaged if a serious failure occurs in the normal control system. This includes loss of power supply to the normal control system, halt in the normal control cpu, failure on the normal control order potentiometer in the lever on the manoeuvre station currently in command, failure on the normal control field bus and failure on the normal control feedback potentiometer. Alarm will be given in the control system and in the ship's alarm system.

Dynpos and Joystick

If operating using an external Dynpos or Joystick system and a failure occurs either on the pitch order, the rpm order or the azimuth order signal from the external system, the external system is disengaged and the propeller responds to the control lever order on the manoeuvre station in command. Alarm will be given in the control system and in the ship's alarm system.

Autopilot

If operating using an external autopilot system and the azimuth lever order on the manoeuvre station in command is changed more than the adjustable limit, normally 20 degrees, the autopilot is disengaged and the thruster will respond to the control lever. This is indicated by blinking the Autopilot button, and the buzzer will sound until the Autopilot button is pressed to acknowledge the mode change back to lever control.

Safety Messages

Safety messages in this manual are always accompanied by a safety alert symbol and a signal word. The safety alert symbol is used to alert the reader about a potential risk of personal injury or damage to the equipment. The following types of safety messages are used within this manual:

Caution: Indicates the presence of a hazard which could result in damage to equipment or property and seriously impact the function of the equipment.

Note: Alerts the reader to relevant factors and conditions which may impact the function of the equipment.

General

This chapter provides an overview of the Helicon X3 system and a technical description of the main components that give the required knowledge about the system.The figures, drawings and text in this chapter are general and may not comply to the actual installation on the vessel. For details on the delivered equipment, see chapter 4 Delivery Specification.

System Overview

The Helicon X3 remote control system is a micro-processor-based system, controlling the propulsion units on the vessel. The following main functions are included: 

 • Combinator control, allowing accurate and reliable control of the propeller pitch and motor speed (RPM). The combinator curve optimises the pitch/speed performance to give the best operational conditions and fuel economy. 

 • Pitch control, allowing accurate and reliable control of the thruster pitch.

 • Speed control, allowing accurate and reliable control of the motor speed (RPM).

 • Direction control, allowing accurate and reliable control of the thrust direction.

 • Follow-up backup control from control levers. Helicon X3 consists of the following main components:

 • Instruments, screens, levers and Viewcon on the bridge (1).

 • Electrical cabinets in the instrument room (2) and thruster room (4).

 • Instruments, screens and levers in the engine control room (3). Helicon X3 may interface several external systems (5), like Dynamic positioning systems and Autopilots.

Design

Lever

Each thruster has its own lever. Their main functions are: 

 • Control of pitch, RPM and azimuth direction (dependant of application) 

 • In operation 

 • Command transfer

 • Lever in command 

 • Back-up control 

 • Alarm The control lever has integrated buttons and indication lamps for command transfer, backup system on/off, alarm indication/buzzer and push button for reset of buzzer. The display in the base shows set command (pitch and direction) from the lever. The lever contains two redundant electronic circuits, one for the normal control system and one for the backup system.

Control Panel

The control panel (touch screen) is the main user interface for the operator and gives an overview of all the thrusters on the vessel. It shows the status of the system, indicates thruster forces, displays alarms, and shows selected modes. The flat button on the top of the screen is for dimming the illumination of the LCD display. The screen is divided in two areas: a menu area in the left part of the screen, and a bigger command area to the right. The menu buttons to the left selects the content of the command area.