Since its formation more than 40 years ago SSS has concentrated solely on the marketing, development and production of SSS Clutches, primarily for high power and high speed applications. The Company has not sought to expand into other fields, preferring to perfect a single product for diverse but exacting markets. A flexible approach to design coupled with a deep interest in application engineering have made the SSS Clutch the pre-eminent device of its type.

• The highest power SSS Clutch yet produced transmits 300MW at 3000rpm.
• The highest torque SSS Clutch yet produced transmits 4MNm at 600rpm.
• In both cases these clutches have been in operation for over 20 years.

It is a deliberate policy of SSS to keep the number of employees to a minimum so that Senior Management are able to be directly involved in all aspects of the product at every stage from application engineering and design, through inspection, assembly, testing, and, where required, commissioning.

An important aspect of this drive to remain a compact organisation is the decision, made at the foundation of the Company, to subcontract all manufacturing work. This allows SSS to select suppliers on the basis of their efficiency, capability and cost effectiveness, consistent with their ability to meet the Company’s high quality standards. In addition, the substantial management time which can be absorbed by single source “in house” manufacture is avoided.

These policies enable SSS to provide a high quality product at a competitive price, supported by quick and effective customer service. By restricting its size the Company is also able to remain privately owned with the freedom to pursue its ideals of technical excellence and innovation.

Marine Propulsion

Record breaking Destriero - driven through SSS Clutches by Gas Turbines & Diesels.

US Navy Arleigh Burke Destroyer with gas turbine propulsion including SSS Clutches.

A Maersk line refridgerated container vessel with SSS Clutches in the power generation system.
SSS Clutches are selected for marine propulsion to give automatic changeovers between multiple engines in various propulsion systems...
• Drivers Propulsors
• Gas Turbines Fixed Pitch Propellers
• Diesel Engines CRP Propellers
• Electric Motors Pump Jets

SSS Clutches can also be used in marine generator drives on ships to give...
• Improved Efficiency
• Redundancy
• Fast Response
• Power Factor Correction

SSS Clutches are used for marine gas turbine starting and turning systems.

They provide operating flexibility and high reliability and are tolerant of adverse conditions.

Background

In 1958, the Royal Navy ordered SSS Clutches for their “Country” Class Destroyers and “Tribal” Class Frigates. These vessels used steam turbine main engines with “boost” power provided by two 7500 hp gas turbines driving through SSS clutches. Since then, the SSS Clutch has been selected by 30 of the world’s navies for over 500 ships, ranging from fast patrol craft to aircraft carriers.

Naval propulsion machinery is unusual in that it must be capable of long periods of efficient operation at low power but also be able to quickly deliver very high power when necessary. In modern surface warships this varied power profile is usually met by propulsion machinery based on gas turbine main engines, either in multiples or in combination with lower power cruise engines. The most appropriate engine, or combination of engines, is then coupled to the propellor to give the required power.

An essential requirement of such machinery is a reliable automatic clutch and the SSS clutch, with its exceptional ability to accept very high power and very high speed has become a universally recognised solution.

Many modern fast ferries have also adopted propulsion machinery based on gas turbines and again SSS clutches are used to allow flexible operation of the vessel.

Over 2000 marine main propulsion SSS clutches have now been supplied to transmit over 3 million kW.