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Kitchen rudder

Kitchen rudder is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Kitchen rudder rather than just read about it. In short: The Kitchen rudder is the familiar name for "Kitchen's Patent Reversing Rudders", a combination rudder and directional propulsion delivery system for relatively slow speed displacement boats which was invented in the early 20th century by John G. A.

Kitchen rudder — main illustration
Kitchen rudder — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Kitchen rudder belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Kitchen rudder to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Kitchen rudder from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Kitchen rudder is the familiar name for "Kitchen's Patent Reversing Rudders", a combination rudder and directional propulsion delivery system for relatively slow speed displacement boats which was invented in the early 20th century by John G. A. Kitchen of Lancashire, England. It turns the rudder into a directional thruster, and allows the engine to maintain constant revolutions and direction of drive shaft rotation while altering thrust by use of a control which directs thrust forward or aft. Only the rudder pivots; the propeller itself is on a fixed shaft and does not. "Kitchener gear" or "Kitchener rudder" have been common misnomers for the Kitchen rudder. It is held under British Provisional Patent No. 3249/1914 and US Patent No. 1186210 (1916) and has been improved with the design in US Patent 4895093 (1990).

Description The rudder consists of a pair of slightly conical (usually but not always - designs vary), semi-cones mounted on a pivot either side of the propeller with the long axis of the cone running fore and aft when the helm is midships. They are pivoted about a vertical axis such that the cone may close off the propeller thrust aft of the propeller, directing the thrust forwards and thus creating motion astern. In addition to the "jaws" of the cone being controlled the direction of thrust is also controlled by rudder direction. In this way, it is unlike the azimuth thrusters used on many medium and large vessels, or the outboard motors or stern drives used by some small boats, since these all use the directed thrust to avoid the need of a rudder altogether. Modern equivalent include certain types of pump jets or Kort nozzle. While not strictly Kitchen rudder technology, the "bucket" on some aircraft jet engines is an aeronautical derivative of the device. When the deflectors are deployed, directing thrust forwards, they are equivalent to the Kitchen rudder in the "full astern" position.

Operation The operation of the Kitchen rudder is performed with the propeller engaged, even when the boat is stationary. The rudder is controlled by a small wheel on the tiller.

Neutral The engine is brought up to speed with the drive to the propeller engaged and with the Kitchen rudder in the "neutral" position. This is a position where an equal quantity of thrust is aimed forward and aft. Each vessel will have a unique "neutral" position.

Moving ahead The Kitchen gear is opened up to direct an increasing proportion of thrust aft. As the balance changes the vessel will move ahead.

Moving astern The Kitchen gear is closed to direct an increasing proportion of thrust forward. As the balance changes the vessel will move astern.

See also Azipod – Electric drive azimuth thruster Ducted propeller – Marine propeller with a non-rotating nozzle Pleuger rudder – Thruster assisted ship's rudder Schilling rudder – Low aspect ratio rudder with endplates Sterndrive – Type of boat engine

Notes

External links Description near the foot of the article under Pinnace Kitchen Rudder - Diagrams Kitchen Rudder - Discussion and diagrams Manoeuvring device for boats: United States Patent 4895093 Archived 2007-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, expiring in fall 2007 Special rudders and manoeuvering devices U.S. patent 1,186,210 U.S. patent 4,895,093

Illustrations

Kitchen rudder: Kitchen Rudder. Image from the 1916 U.S. patent.
Kitchen Rudder. Image from the 1916 U.S. patent.
Kitchen rudder: Enhanced design to the Kitchen Rudder. Image from the 1990 U.S. patent.
Enhanced design to the Kitchen Rudder. Image from the 1990 U.S. patent.
Kitchen rudder: KLM Fokker 70 with reverse thrust applied. The two surfaces behind the engine can be seen in the deployed position, diverting the engine exhaust gases (hence thrust) forward. This is similar to the Kitchen rudder in "Full astern" position
KLM Fokker 70 with reverse thrust applied. The two surfaces behind the engine can be seen in the deployed position, diverting the engine exhaust gases (hence thrust) forward. This is similar to the Kitchen rudder in "Full astern" position

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Kitchen rudder

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Kitchen rudder claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Kitchen rudder before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Kitchen rudder ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Kitchen rudder

In research
Kitchen rudder appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Kitchen rudder in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Kitchen rudder is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fluid dynamics, Marine propulsion, Propellers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Kitchen rudder outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Kitchen rudder in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Kitchen rudder means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Kitchen rudder out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kitchen rudder in simple terms?

The Kitchen rudder is the familiar name for "Kitchen's Patent Reversing Rudders", a combination rudder and directional propulsion delivery system for relatively slow speed displacement boats which was invented in the early 20th century by John G. A.

Why does Kitchen rudder matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Kitchen rudder?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Kitchen rudder.

Tags

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Marine propulsion
  • Propellers

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