Types of Rudders Used For Ships

To broadly categorize conventional rudders, there are two types:

1. Spade or Balanced Rudder:

A spade rudder is basically a rudder plate that is fixed to the rudder stock only at the top
of the rudder. In other words, the rudder stock (or the axis of the rudder) doesnt run
down along the span of the rudder. The position of the rudder stock along the chord of
the rudder (width meaning, from the forward to aft end of the rudder) actually decides
whether the rudder is a balanced of semi-balanced one. In balanced rudders, (which
spade rudders generally are) the rudder stock is at such a position such that 40 percent
of the rudder area is forward of the stock and the remaining is aft of it.

A genuine question that must have come up in your mind is, why is such a position
chosen for the rudder stock? The answer lies in simple physics. The centre of gravity of
the rudder will lie somewhere close to 40% of its chord length from its forward end. If
the axis of the rudder is placed near to this location, the torque required to rotate the
rudder will be much lesser than what is required to move it, had the axis been placed at
the forward end of the rudder. So, the energy requirement of the steering gear
equipment is reduced, therefore lowering the fuel consumption of the ship.
2. Unbalanced Rudders:

These rudders have their stocks attached at the forward most point of their span. Unlike
balanced rudders, the rudder stock runs along the chord length of the rudder. The
reason is simple. In this case, the torque required to turn the rudder is way higher than
what is required for a corresponding balanced rudder. So, the topmost part of the rudder
has to be fixed to the spintle so as to prevent it from vertical displacement from its
natural position. However, unbalanced rudders are not widely used now.

Having discussed about the conventional types of rudders, let us shift into something
yet more interesting. Researchers and ship operators had found significant problems
with the balanced and unbalanced rudders. That is, in case there was a failure of the
steering gear mechanism while turning a ship. The rudder would remain still with its
angle of attack in that condition. The solution to this, was found in designing an
optimized Semi-Balanced Rudder.

a. Semi- Balanced Rudder:

If you have been able to visualize a balanced and unbalanced rudder by now, it should
be pretty easy to visualize a semi-balanced rudder. In fact, the rudder you see on most
ships are semi-balanced in the modern industry. The name semi-balanced itself implies,
that the rudder is partly balanced, and partly unbalanced. If you refer to the figure
below, youll see that a portion of the chord length from the top is un-balanced, and the
remaining chord length is balanced. Why? Read on.

The top part being un-balanced will help in acting as a structural support to the rudder
from vertical displacement. And the balanced part will render less torque in swinging the
rudder. As a result, a semi balanced rudder returns to the centreline orientation on its
own if the steering gear equipment fails during a turn.

Note in the above figure the Rudder horn. Semi balanced rudders are again of two
types depending upon the depth of the horn (which affects the response and torque
characteristics of the rudder). A shallow horn rudder, will have a horn which extends
hardly half the chord length of the rudder from the top. Whereas, a deep horn rudder will
feature a horn deeply extending up to more than 50 percent of its chord length from the
top of the rudder

b. Flaps Rudder:

You must have watched an aeroplanes wings closely. Did you watch those flaps
coming in and out of the aft end of the wing? Why do you think they do that? Primarily to
change the effective angle of attack of the entire aerofoil section of the wing. Youll see,
during a takeoff, how all the flaps are completely deployed. That actually helps in
attaining the effective angle of attack so as to get the maximum lift force.

The same principle, when used in rudders, provides a similar result. Just that, in case of
rudders, the flaps are not retractable and they have their significant effects when the
rudder is given some angle of attack.

c. Pleuger Rudder:

Perhaps one of the most innovative rudder mechanisms you will ever come across.
Suppose you have a ship, too large to be manoeuvre in a basin with size constraints,
such that the ship cannot use its propeller during the manoeuvre. This situation often
arises in case of large ships operating in space constrained basins, or in any case of
low speed manoeuvres.

So, a Pleuger rudder (as you can see in the figure below), has a smaller auxiliary
propeller housed within it (which runs by a motor). As this housing is mounted on the
rudder itself, it generates a thrust (which is smaller than what is generated by the ships
main engine propeller) in a direction that is oriented along the rudder, therefore allowing
effective manoeuvre in slow speed condition.
Such a rudder can be used in normal conditions also. Just that, in normal speeds, the
Pleuger is not operated. However, when the Pleuger is run, the main engine propeller
must not be operated simultaneously, which will otherwise cause the Pleuger to be torn
away.
Types of Rudder

Balanced rudder

When 20% to 37% of the area is forward of the turning axis there is no torque on the rudder stock at
certain angles.
At some angle of rudder, it is balanced. i.e., torque is zero, to keep rudder at that angle.
Axis of rotation lies between 0.2 L and 0.37 L.
Semi-balanced rudder

A rudder with a small part of its area, less than 20%, forward of the turning axis.
At no angle rudder is balanced.
Axis of rotation lies less than 0.2 L.
Unbalanced rudder

A rudder with all of its area aft of the turning axis.

At no angle rudder is balanced.
Axis of rotation is the leading edge.
Types of Rudder
1. Balanced rudder
The concept of a balanced rudder involved the shifting of the centre of rotation of the rudder to
point approximately 1/2 of the way from the forward end to the after end. This meant that when
the rudder was turned, the flow of water past the ship actively worked on the forward third to
increase the angle of deflection, whereas the same flow acted on the after 1/2 to reduce the
angle.

When 30% to 40% of the area is forward of the turning axis there is no torque on the rudder stock
at certain angles.
At some angle of rudder, it is balanced. i.e., torque is zero, to keep rudder at that angle.
Axis of rotation lies between 0.2 L and 0.37 L.
2. Semi-balanced rudder
 A rudder with a small part of its area, less than 20%, forward of the turning axis.
At no angle rudder is balanced.
Axis of rotation lies less than 0.2 L.
3. Unbalanced rudder
 A rudder with all of its area aft of the turning axis.
At no angle rudder is balanced.
Axis of rotation is the leading edge.