New NAVSEA Components Projected to Save Navy Millions

(Washington, February 26, 2010) -- New shipboard fluid system components developed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) could save the U.S. Navy more than $50 million in energy and maintenance costs, officials announced Feb. 16.

"We constantly look at ways to make our ships more efficient, and these new components use less energy and last much longer than legacy equipment," said Vernon Parrish, Program Manager for NAVSEA's Engineering for Reduced Maintenance (ERM) Program.


The new ship components include variable speed drives (VSDs) and integral motor pumps (IMPs). They were developed, tested and installed by engineers at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division's Ships Systems Engineering Station (NSWC Carderock-SSES) in Philadelphia, Pa., a NAVSEA field activity.

The VSD and IMP projects are two of more than 30 initiatives managed by ERM, a NAVSEA's Fleet Readiness and Engineering Office program which seeks to reduce high-cost shipboard maintenance burdens in the U.S. Navy fleet.

The VSDs automatically regulate rotation speeds for motors on pumps feeding firemain piping systems, ensuring the systems maintain an optimal 150 pounds per square inch (psi) water pressure. Legacy pump motors often run at speeds generating much greater psi than the systems can handle, causing leaks and frequent breakdowns. The VSDs keep the water pressure constant, reducing system corrosion, and they cut energy costs by running the motors at lower speeds.

Four VSDs have been installed on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) said Parrish. Recent data compiled by NSWC Carderock-SSES revealed the VSDs improved the pumps' overall energy efficiency by more than 50 percent. Parrish added once VSDs are installed on all LHD-class ships, they could save the Navy more than $50 million over 20 years.

"While the cost savings are significant, our first concern was improving firemain system reliability," Parrish said. "The systems are critical to Sailors' ability to fight shipboard fires. The VSDs ensure the firemains deliver peak performance whenever Sailors need them."

The IMPs are designed to replace bulky, two-part motor and pump combinations, combining the motor and pump into a single, compact unit. In addition to saving space, a prime commodity on Navy ships, the components last longer and require less maintenance than the two-part systems because they have fewer moving parts.

"The IMPs are permanent magnet motors that combine the pump rotor and the motor rotor into the same piece, resulting in an extremely power-dense unit," explained NSWC Carderock-SSES engineer Jesse Schmeller. "Since the motor and pump are in one casing, it eliminates alignment issues and seal maintenance."

The IMPs are being installed on Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ships as they undergo mid-life upgrades. Schmeller said the IMPs act as circulation pumps in new hot potable water systems being installed on the ships.

The new hot water systems, which replace the ships' legacy individual steam heaters, are more efficient and, thanks to the IMPs, require less maintenance than the steam heaters. USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) received the new system in November 2008, followed by USS Germantown (LSD 42) in March 2009 and Whidbey Island in July 2009.

Source : US Navy