Ships – Steering mechanism – Rudders
Patent
1999-09-23
2000-07-11
Sotelo, Jesus D.
Ships
Steering mechanism
Rudders
244207, B63H 2506
Patent
active
060856807
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an arrangement for enhancing the steering effect of ships' rudders, comprising at least one passageway for supplying seawater from a pump to ducts in the rudder, and means communicating with the ducts and being adapted to discharge seawater supplied through them, at the rudder surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previously there are known many forms of steering effect enhancing means or elements in connection with ships' rudders. In particular at relatively low speeds such enhanced steering effect can be very useful when manoeuvring a ship.
A known form of such means are flaps or fins being hinged or pivotable in relation to the main part of the rudder, in particular being located at the trailing edge thereof. An example of such a design is to be found in Norwegian Patent 160.126.
Another form of auxiliary means are ports or nozzles in or at the rudder surface and being adapted to discharge water flows that can contribute to enhancing the steering effect of the rudder. Examples of such designs can be found in British patent 1.309.387 and Japanese patent publications Nos. 57.110.597, 57.110.598 and 57.121.998. These various designs are in part based on the supply of seawater to the rudder and its discharge openings or nozzles, through the actual rudder stock. However, there are also described designs where the seawater inlet and the transfer to the ports or openings takes place in a passive manner, i.e. without the influence of any pump which can impart energy to the seawater flow in the form of an increase pressure or velocity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an arrangement for such enhanced steering effect of ship rudders, with an improved efficiency and in part a simplification of the arrangement compared to the previously known designs. In this connection it is a substantial point in the basic solution according to the invention, that there is produced an additional lift as a result of extra water flow supply over substantially the whole of one rudder side or rudder surface when the rudder is deflected at an angle so as to manoeuvre the ship to the starboard or port side. It is essential in this connection that such increased lift is generated at the rudder surface facing abaft with the rudder deflection concerned, for the desired turning movement of the ship.
Closer statements of the novel and specific features of the arrangement according to the invention, are found in the claims.
An apparatus according to the invention comprises a rudder with at least one passageway for supplying seawater to ducts in the rudder, and a profile element extending substantially vertically at a leading edge of the rudder and being pivotable about a generally vertical axis, wherein distribution ducts formed between the profile element and the rudder communicate with the passageway and are adjustable so that relative movement of the profile element and the rudder causes seawater to be discharged along the rudder surface facing abaft.
The apparatus may further comprise a turning mechanism associated with a rudder stock, wherein the profile element is angularly adjustable about the vertical axis by the turning mechanism, the turning mechanism comprising at least one manoeuvre rod, one end of which is directly or indirectly articulated to the profile element.
The profile element may comprise internal connection ducts which form a central duct that leads out to either side of the profile element for discharging seawater adjacent to outer portions of the profile element and distributes seawater to either one or the other side depending upon an angular position of the profile element with respect to the vertical axis.
The apparatus may further comprise a control valve for controlling distribution of seawater to either one or the other side of the profile element, the control valve comprising first and second tubular elements, the tubular elements being concentric about the vertical axis, the first element being
REFERENCES:
patent: 3680511 (1972-08-01), English
patent: 4342275 (1982-08-01), Brix et al.
patent: 4515101 (1985-05-01), Akerblom
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Atsushi et al., "Rudder", JP 57 110597, (Jul. 9, 1982).
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Atsushi et al., "Rudder", JP 57 110598, (Jul. 9, 1982).
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Atsushi et al., "Rudder Beam", JP 57 121998, (Jul. 29, 1982).
Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
Sotelo Jesus D.
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