🔍 Key Concepts

• Relationship between number of rams and total rudder torque in a ram-type steering gear • Effect of number of power units (pumps) on pressure vs. speed of rudder movement • How hydraulic pressure × piston area × tiller arm relates to rudder torque

💭 Think About

• In the original rating, which parts of the system are actually creating the torque at the rudder: the rams or the pumps? • If you reduce the system from four rams to two rams, what happens to the total piston area acting on the tiller? • When you put both power units on line, does that normally increase maximum pressure (and thus torque), or mainly increase flow and rudder speed?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear whether torque depends on pressure and ram area, or directly on the number of pumps running • Decide how torque changes when the number of active rams is halved but system pressure stays the same • Confirm whether adding a second power unit would double torque or only affect rudder speed at the relief-valve pressure limit