The Octane series is our newest series of bow and stern thrusters. Designed for 16" to 24" tunnel diameters, these thrusters have been under development for since 1996. They incorporate all of the features that have made the original TwinProp series successful, in addition to features resulting from 24 years of field-testing, designing, and manufacturing thrusters. These thrusters are not  merely revised, larger versions of the original TwinProp thrusters, but represent a complete 'from scratch' redesign with everything down to the smallest detail engineered to be as strong, reliable, powerful and efficient as possible. Octane thrusters feature significantly smaller tunnel sizes for a given power rating compared to other manufacturers.

Achieved through:

High power, efficient, gearbox design.

Minimal tunnel obstruction.

High rotational propeller speeds.


KEY SPECIFICATIONS.

Primary Design Focus: Minimum flow path obstruction while maintaining maximum strength.
16 inch unit obstructs 14% of the flow path.
20 inch unit obstructs 10% of the flow path.
24 inch unit obstructs 8% of the flow path.
 
GEARBOX REMOVAL.
This gearbox is designed to be removed from the tunnel in the same manner as the Original TwinProp Series. Due to a proprietary shaft design, the propeller shaft is an integral part of the propeller. The gearbox has no shafts extending from it after the propellers are removed. An extremely small gear case envelope results. The entire gearbox measures only 10.2 inches in length. Torque is transmitted via involute splines and keyed tapers to the props.

TWIN COUNTER-ROTATING PROPELLERS.
Laboratory test results show an improvement over propellers rotating in the same direction. A propeller of any length can be used without penalties. The propellers can be removed under water. Continuous development work is being done on propeller designs which will take advantage of the unique features of the Octane Series.

STATOR SCREENS.
This series has its own proprietary stator screens. They improve the performance of an open tunnel as well as prevent water debris from damaging the gearbox.

SHAFTS.
All shafting exposed to salt water is of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel, which is both hard enough to resist shaft journal wear from shaft seals and is extremely strong. 

SHAFT SEALS.
Custom shaft seals of bi-directional twin lip design will protect the oil-filled gearbox from seawater contamination.  The entire gearbox housing is protected by o-ring seals. This will allow the Octane Series to operate at great depths.

GEARS.
The custom spiral bevel gears are integral with the primary shafts and are machined from alloy 9310 or 4320 steel.  They are designed  for continuous duty with a large factor of safety in relation to the horsepower load to which they may be subjected.

MOTOR FLEXIBILITY.
The Octane Series can be driven via a flex coupling attached to a hydraulic motor, an engine driven shaft, or an electric motor driven shaft.

HOUSING ALLOYS.
The Octane Series was designed to be manufactured with the use of lost wax/lost foam investment castings. Our standard castings will be in 17-4-PH. Shipwrights can machine from solid stock, allowing customers to have their choice of alloy (aluminum, bronze, or titanium) for the gearbox housing as an option at additional cost.

The Octane Series can be fitted for retracting applications as well as rotating, or both retracting and rotating applications.

LARGE TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS
Standard bearings are oversized tapered roller bearings, allowing the Octane Series to develop extremely high thrust loads without distortion or excessive wear.