Marine propulsion: a history that merges with that of navigation
Since time immemorial, Man has sought to use rivers, lakes and seas to travel, to fish and to transport people and goods…
Thus, the first images of ships that come to us from Antiquity, show boats using the wind or human power to move: the sail and the oar are thus the first modes of naval propulsion.
Marine propulsion: modern times
It was not until the 19th century and the industrial revolution that a major evolution in marine propulsion took place:
The invention of the steam engine,
and that, almost concomitantly, of the propeller…
These innovations will transform the way people navigate.
Ships, which have always had this vocation of transport and movement, will thus be able to gain in performance. This new mode of marine propulsion will then develop rapidly and come to equip commercial or military fleets.
The Napoleon: the first steam-powered ship of the line (Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France)
Marine propulsion: an evolution that continues…
Early naval steam propulsion required heavy boilers to burn coal.
Throughout the 19th century, power gains were limited, until a technological solution led to the elimination of boilers, allowing fuel to be burned directly in the cylinders.
It was Diesel who, in 1894, was the first to develop a piston-crank engine using liquid fuel. And since the middle of the 20th century, progress has been considerable, allowing power gains with less weight and less consumption for naval propulsion systems.
Nuclear, electric, solar… Other systems have been developed and marine propulsion remains a field in constant evolution…
Hydraulic marine propulsion: a Hydro-Armor specialization…
In 1971, Hydro-Armor marketed its first hydraulic thruster.
The company’s vocation was, from the beginning, to provide original technical solutions to professionals in certain niche activities, who could not find a satisfactory offer on the market for their specific needs.
This first tilting and lifting thruster was designed to meet the navigation problems of shellfish farmers at low tide: the tilting nature of the thruster allows them to navigate even with shallow drafts.
The hydraulic dimension of the propulsion system has also provided great reliability and flexibility of operation, with excellent maneuverability of the vessel or fishing barge.
The success of this innovation has led the company to offer this type of thruster to other professionals for various maritime and river applications:
ferries and ferries,
passenger ships,
pushers and tugs,
dredges, barges, platforms and work and service boats,
etc…
Oil transport barge (Nigeria)
Hydro-Armor marine propulsion: a range of hydraulic thrusters from 30 to 600 kW
The Hydro-Armor marine propulsion range offers low and medium power solutions, from 30 to 600 kW, with high efficiency, thanks to an innovative design.
Hydraulic thrusters
The professionals of fishing, transport and maritime and river works can thus benefit from :
liftable thrusters,
tilting thrusters,
pods in wells,
bow thrusters.
A marine propulsion system perfectly adapted to professional use
Hydro-Armor hydraulic thrusters are entirely designed, manufactured and tested in Brittany, France, before being delivered worldwide.
With over 50 years of expertise in the field of naval propulsion, Hydro-Armor provides hydraulic thrusters that are perfectly adapted to the needs and uses of its customers, who are professionals in the fishing, transportation, and marine and river sectors:
Simplicity
Performance
Reliability
Profitability
are all words that apply to Hydro-Armor hydraulic thrusters.
With fewer and fewer drawbacks, thanks to the use of biodegradable oils and noise reduction that meets the most demanding standards, Hydro-Armor’s hydraulic marine propulsion is the most efficient solution in its power range.
Some examples of Hydro-Armor marine propulsion applications
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Simplicity, robustness, reliability and efficiency are our reference values for our products and our people.
