Overview
Land Based Case Study of Insulated Bus Pipe for Ship Design (2018-441)
Project Team:
- Hepburn and Sons LLC.
- Tefelen Inc.
- Florida State University Center of Advanced Power Systems (FSU CAPS)
- NSWC Philadelphia
- GD Bath Iron Works
April 2018 – April 2019
NSRP ASE INVESTMENT: $474K
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT: $ 500K
OBJECTIVE:
The overall objective of this project was to physically demonstrate the ROI and benefits of using IBP in a shipboard application simulated at FSU CAPS, allowing shipyards to witness and contribute their vision of how this technology can be implemented in their respective ship designs. There were five key objectives of this project:
- Fully mature and verify Tefelen’s manufacturing capability in their Frederick MD facility
- Construct sections of IBP including the three joint technologies and transport to FSU
- Develop a Business Case Analysis with shipyards, ABS, and NAVSEA, and support team inputs
- Conduct a demonstration of the IBP powered up and simulating multiple shipboard representative loads (AC & DC)
- Write a detailed Technical Final Report to include ROI estimates and a path forward for certification
SUMMARY:
IBP is a new and creative solution as it supports modular construction of electrical distribution systems for ships saving weight, costs, and size/space, each being major drivers in future ship design research. A single IBP would replace multiple paralleled cables in high current (1000 amps and higher) at medium voltages (4 kV and higher). Physical space arrangements on ships can greatly benefit from using IBP (less termination space, tighter bend radius, no tangle-box, and less crowded cable trays). There is improved survivability (improved blast/fragmentation, flame integrity and emergency repair) using IBP. There is also an improvement in reliability/life resulting in lower maintenance costs and no cable re-pull or splices would be required during Ship Alts and mods. IBP offers a diverse set of applications, which will provide economies of scale across multiple platforms including surface ships, submarines, sensors, weapons systems, off shore platforms, and land based grid systems.
KEY DELIVERABLES / BENEFITS:
- Reduction in cost when using IBP vs. cables
- Weight savings using IBP vs. cables
- Space savings using IBP vs. cables
- IBP needs little to no scheduled maintenance
- IBP sections can be modeled in CAD like piping, and sections can be prefabricated, including joint parts added to inventory as demand increases
POINT OF CONTACT: Ben Ford | Hepburn and Sons LLC | [email protected]
Key Deliverables:
Request Final Report from NSRP – Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry and NSRP ASE Program representatives.