- Shorter time to market
- High quality
- Complies to latest ISO standards
- Optimized dimensions and footprint
- Condition monitoring options
Bosch Rexroth is launching a modular hydraulic power unit (HPU) program specially developed for the Maritime and Offshore market. These high-end power units cover a power range of 350kW to 3,000kW, and have obtained the type approval by Lloyd’s Register. The program starts with a ‘basic’ unit, which can be expanded using all kinds of options. Since all variants are included in the modular options matrix, a design can quickly be calculated complete with dimensions and weights. This gives Bosch Rexroth a lead in the world of hydraulic power units.
Pierre Wouters, responsible for detail engineering of HPU at Bosch Rexroth in Boxtel, explains how the idea for this remarkable modular concept was born.
"Within the Maritime & Offshore sector, power units are nearly always unique," says Wouters.
"This means that until now, each HPU was separately designed and drawn. However, the market more than ever now demands fast response times and so a power range of 350kW to 3,000kW was chosen based on market demands. The units can be configured using a list of options, enabling the system to be made more maintenance-friendly, more reliable and more efficient."
Generous options matrix
The Modular Hydraulic Power Unit (MHPU) program starts with a configured solution for standard applications. This takes account of the minimum functions demanded by the customer. The HPU can also easily be adapted to additional requirements. For instance, if one requires it to include an e-cabinet and/or starter cabinet configuration. A large number of options can also be supplied, such as double cooling pumps for situations requiring redundancy, but also a cleanliness measurement system or depth filtration kit.
The MHPU can also be fitted with pulsation dampeners, as well as a number of other options. Efficient IE3 electric motors, which can drive one or more pumps, are employed for driving the pump units. The MHPU program means that based on the request, often a detailed quotation and a 3D drawing of the aggregate can be presented on the same day. All this including relevant information on dimensions and weight. Moreover, a Lloyd’s Type Approval has been obtained for the entire MHPU program.
Industry 4.0
"What we are doing now is developing ‘industry 4.0-like features’," continues Pierre Wouters.
"That means that we fit the HPU with extra sensors and interfaces so that in the near future we can enable communication via the Internet between the MHPUs and the customer’s technical department or with our headquarters."
Broad program
According to Pierre Wouters, the current program covers a large part of the market needs in the Maritime & Offshore sector.
"Of course some parts will always remain that have to be designed separately," says Wouters.
"The systems are designed for a design pressure of 350bar and a maximum flow of 6,000l/min. The functional switch blocks behind the HPU are often tailor made so that we are still talking about ETO (Engineered to Order). But the fact that the units can now be compiled with literally just a few mouse clicks saves so much time, also in production. This partly contributes to a significant improvement of the delivery times and costs and will ensure that Bosch Rexroth can operate even more competitively in this market."