Ernst Leo Schneider (1894-1975)
Ernst Schneider began working on the development of propellers as early as 1923. His first idea, a “screw propeller with a bird's wing profile”, unfortunately did not yet offer any advantages over the known technology. But Ernst Schneider was not discouraged by the initial failure, he continued to work creatively and four years later triggered a revolution in ship technology with the basic patent for the later Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP).
Schneider, born on June 18, 1894 in Gaya, Moravia, studied mechanical engineering in Vienna. He was regarded as a determined young man who had a perfect command of the fundamentals of physics and thus had a solid basis for his inventions. The obvious practical benefits of his new developments were always important to him.
The initial spark for the invention of the VSP was an article in 1925 about the so-called catfish drive, a drive based on the movement of fish. Schneider recognized its technical shortcomings and was now motivated to take his big inventive step by this copy of the fish propulsion. After weeks of intensive, creative work with many ups and downs, the new drive concept was ready.
The inventor was very fortunate to have close private contacts with the Voith engineer Ludwig Kober. Ludwig Kober supported Schneider both professionally and financially. Through him, Ernst Schneider's idea was taken up by Voith and successfully brought to market thanks to the commitment of the Voith engineers.
Ernst Schneider had financed his first attempts by tutoring his fellow students. Encouraged by his success, Ernst Schneider finally gave his research priority over his studies. Nevertheless, in view of his achievements, everyone called him “Mr. Engineer”.
As a freelance inventor, Schneider worked with Voith engineers, first from St. Pölten and later from Heidenheim, to further develop the system, which is both drive and rudder. In 1927, the first test ship financed by Voith, the “Torqueo”, sailed and impressed everyone because it managed a full turn around its longitudinal axis in ten seconds.
Today, the VSP is used wherever fast, accurate and efficient maneuverability is required, for example in offshore support vessels, tugs, double-ended ferries and many special ships. To date, 4500 VSPs have been built, and the Voith Schneider Propeller has proven itself in practice since 1927.
Ernst Schneider died on June 1, 1975 in Vienna.
Birthplace of Ernst Leo Schneider
Ernst Leo Schneider's birthplace at number 16 is located on the main square of the city of Kyjov (Gaya) in the Czech Republic. The original building from the 17th century, Max Bader's town house since 1904, is also a cultural monument.
The Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) is still a revolutionary maritime propulsion system
The VSP principle is strikingly simple and fascinating at the same time: A rotor casing fitted with four, five or six propeller blades rotates about a vertical axis. As is the case with the tail fin of a dolphin, a superimposed oscillating motion of the blades around their own axis generates thrust. The magnitude of thrust is determined either by the rotational speed of the rotor casing or the amplitude of the blade angle oscillation. The blade angle determines the direction of thrust.
The Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) developed almost 100 years ago generates thrust in all directions. Propulsion and steering are combined in one unit, thus allowing prompt, safe and precise maneuvering, even under adverse conditions. The VSP is suitable for a wide range of applications – from (harbor) tugs and ferries to various types of offshore vessels. And it has been operating successfully in all these applications for decades. The VSP is distinguished by its high reliability and low maintenance requirements. Its low fuel consumption translates into minimum power requirements while at the same time maximizing safety for the vessel and the environment.
The Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) combines propulsion and steering in one unit. This unique vessel propulsion solution was developed almost 100 years ago by Austrian engineer Ernst Schneider. Today, Voith Schneider Propellers are in use all over the world wherever precise, safe and efficient maneuvering is of the essence.
Learn more
The electric Voith Schneider Propeller (eVSP) combines all advantages of the VSP with the electric motor of the Voith Inline Thruster. The result is a reliable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and compact drive unit that is optimized for offshore and ferry applications as well as for use in tugs. Like the conventional VSP, the eVSP achieves maximum thrust in all directions – infinitely variable and with maximum precision.
Learn more