Superyacht IPS system

Superyacht builders will soon be able to enjoy the advantages of Volvo Penta’s IPS pod-drive technology with the release later this year of its IPS1050 and IPS1200 variants based on the company’s 13lt turbo-diesel engine.

The two new IPS drive packages, said Volvo Penta, will generate the equivalent of 1050 and 1200hp respectively, which means it can now offer it’s pod-drive system for boats up to 100ft-plus.

To accommodate the higher output and torque of the new 13lt series a larger and more powerful IPS drive unit, as well as a completely new set of propellers, has been developed.

In fact seven propeller packages will be available as standard and cover the whole speed range, from about 28 to about 40kts, for IPS1050 and IPS1200. This will translate into significant advantages for both boatbuilders and end customers, Volvo Penta said.

The engine for the new power class is the company’s D13, a 13lt diesel equipped with dual-stage turbo technology that develops 800hp (IPS1050) and 900hp (IPS1200) respectively.

According to the manufacturer, the D13 is equipped with new dual-stage turbo technology. The first stage is a twin-entry turbo that enables pulse charging - the power in each exhaust pulse is used to provide pulse pressure - which results in a very high torque from low rpm. At higher rpm, a second turbo kicks in so that the engine retains its power even at high revs.

EMS 2, the new engine-control system developed by Volvo Penta, regulates fuel injection 100 times per second and controls the unit injectors, one per cylinder, which operate at a pressure of as much as 2000 bar and atomise the fuel for optimum combustion.

Total emissions are said to satisfy by a wide margin the EU RCD and US EPA Tier 2 regulations and are also in line with the stringent EPA Tier 3 regulations that will come into force in 2012.

Launched five years ago, the IPS system is offered as a double, triple or quad-engine installation, and now covers boats from 35 feet to more than 100 feet.

"With forward-facing twin propellers, IPS units are compact, which means that completely new and bold design solutions for the boats are possible. Onboard space is much larger and the time needed by the boatbuilders for installation is reduced by 50 per cent and, in some cases, even more," says Volvo Penta.

Check out Volvopenta.com for more details.