System Design Study of a Ship Traction Winch System

A Bathfp computer simulation model is given for a proposed ship traction winch system. This has been used to investigate the dynamic and steady state performance of the system under a wide range of operating conditions, involving lifting and lowering a load into and out of the sea. The purpose of the study was to assess the suitability of the design and suggest essential modifications. The simulation study included a representation of: • the frictional losses in the winches. • the coefficient of cable friction. • a strategy to ensure that the brakes are correctly applied. • the operation of the overrunning condition, employing a counterbalance valve. System modifications were proposed to allow the design specifications to be met.