This is an independent system operating by means of one hydraulic pump (fitted on a gear box), which suck oil from a suitable tank and convey it to a control valve.
From the control valve depart two lines: one supplies the stabilizer group, the other the bow/stern thruster. In the stabilizer assembly, the oil flows out of the control valve and reaches two separated blocks of solenoid valves, each of which drives the hydraulic cylinders of each stabilizer.
In the other line of the bow/stern thruster, oil supplies a further block of solenoid valves, that activates the hydraulic motor on which the bow/stern thruster is fastened.
A heat exchanger is connected to the hydraulic tank, which uses sea water to cool down the oil, in order to keep oil temperature constant, a pressure gauge, to keep the oil pressure under control, and a visual gauge to monitor the level.
Bow/stern thrusters and stabilizing fins system diagram
