Marine propulsion – Paddle wheel – Having means to retract paddle or change paddle attitude
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-06-12
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Paddle wheel
Having means to retract paddle or change paddle attitude
C416S108000, C416S110000, C416S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244919
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a vertical axis and transversal flow nautical propulsor with continuous self-orientation of the blades.
More particularly, the invention relates to a nautical propulsor of the above kind able to satisfy, in the different operation conditions, the maximum fluid mechanic efficiency.
As is well known, mechanic propulsion by means of horizontal axis propellers is the most common propulsive apparatus, in view of its constructive simplicity and of the many different kinds available and hydrodynamically tested.
However, the use of this kind of apparatus has some unfavorable aspects, that can be summarized as follows:
1) limited optimum range (good efficiency only for specific speeds);
2) creation of visible vortical wakes, and high values for the centrifugal and tangential forces created (reveals the presence of remarkable loss of energy); and
3) penalization of the performances due to the hull effect (high discrepancies of the features of the propeller insulated and mounted on the hull).
The need for reducing these unfavorable aspects leads to the exploration of new, additional or substitute propulsion solutions.
Particularly, in the case of uses requiring a high level of silentness, attention has focused on the development of vertical axis propulsors, having a blade axis perpendicular with respect to the advancement direction. The flow transversely crosses the blade supporting disc and is slightly deviated; the final result on the fluid is not different with respect to the one due to sea mammal anal fins, that instinctively carry out during the motion the same kinematic functions (a result of adaptive evolution in the environment).
During tests carried out within a naval basin on these propulsive systems, aspects came out that directly influence in a determining way the performances of the new kind of propulsor and that remarkably increase its fluid mechanic performances and its flexibility.
Among the most important, the following can be mentioned: a formation effect between the blades; the number of the blades; the maximum impact angles; the ratio between the orbital ray of the blade supporting disc and the maximum chord of the blade; the chord to blade lengthening ratio; and the configuration of the hydrodynamic profile of the blade.
A first type of vertical blade propulsor is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,169, which discloses a vertical blade propulsor in which the head motors move fixedly with the rotor plate.
The vertical axis propulsors presently known have a plurality of blades, rotating upon themselves, supported by a rotating disc, the motion of the rotating disc and the rotation of the blade being due to a single motor and to a mechanical linkage assembly. An example of such propulsors is disclosed in FR-A-2 099 178.
Generally speaking, the control of the blade orientation is operated by mechanical kinematisms on the bases of angular positioning curves having an established shape an fixed during the rotation.
Furthermore, the blades are characterized by a symmetrical profile which does not allow one to obtain an optimum efficiency for any position and situation that could be encountered.
Moreover, in view of their intrinsic features, the known vertical axis propulsors cannot be employed for immersion naval means.
The known vertical axis propulsors are of the cycloidal or trocoidal kind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this framework, there is provided the solution according to the present invention that solves all the above mentioned drawbacks, it being possible to always provide, under different operating conditions, the maximum fluid mechanic efficiency.
The solution suggested according to the present invention allows one to independently rotate each blade, with defined angles, about its axis during its rotation about the vertical axis.
It is therefore suggested, according to the present invention, to provide a vertical axis nautical propulsor (i.e., a propulsor having the axis of the bearing surfaces perpendicular with respect to the advancement direction), to be used either on surface means or immersion means, wherein the characterizing and innovative element is the way of controlling the orientation of the blades along the orbital motion of the blade bearing disc, and the ability of the propulsor to self-program according the maximum fluid mechanic efficiency criteria.
The propulsor according to the present invention is versatile within the whole speed range from a fixed point, typically when the craft is started (high thrust in a stationary position and during towing operations), up to high speed, in correspondence of which, in view of the obtainable configuration, the efficiencies are higher than those of known propulsors.
With respect to traditional propellers and to azimuthal propulsors, the solution according to the present invention allows one to orient on 360° the thrust obtained, which also allows one to execute at the same time the steering action.
Furthermore, the solution according to the invention is realized in such a way to avoid any cavitation problem on the blades, and thus it is characterized by a longer life than traditional propellers.
It is therefore a specific object of the present invention to provide a vertical axis and transversal flow nautical propulsor with continuous self-orientation of the blade comprising a plurality of blades, rotatable about a vertical axis and supported by a blade supporting plate, also the plate is rotatable about a vertical axis independently with respect to the rotation of the single blades, characterized in that the propulsor further comprises a motor for rotating the blade supporting plate, a fixed pulse electric motor for each blade, for rotating each of the blades about its own vertical axis, a rotating shaft, supported by a motor body coupled with the blade supporting plate, upon which spindles are provided, coaxially one with respect to the other and with respect to the shaft, and independently rotatably coupled with the rotating shaft, the number of the spindles corresponding to the number of the single blades, the spindles rotating independently one with respect to the others in such a way to allow the rotation of the relevant blade independently with respect to the others, the rotating shaft, and the spindle, having one end within the rotor body and one end outside the rotor body, wherein the inner and outer ends of each of the spindles includes first motion transfer means to transfer the motion from the relevant electric motor to the relevant rotating blade, wherein on the blade axis and on the axis of the relevant electric motor corresponding motion transfer means are provided, to transfer the motion to the first motion transfer means, and one interface unit between the operator and a propulsor control electronic unit, the electric motors being controlled by said electronic control unit in such a way to adjust the position and the orientation of the relevant blade in order to obtain for any operative situation the best performances for the whole operative range.
Preferably, according to the invention, between each fixed electric pulse motor and the relevant transmission motion means an electro-hydraulic unit is provided.
Still according to the invention, at least three blades are provided, preferably between four and seven blades, still more preferably five or seven, although it is possible to provide a higher number of blades.
According to the invention, the blades have an asymmetrical profile.
The transmission means will be preferably comprised of means guaranteeing a substantially null sliding effect.
Particularly, the motion transfer means could be comprised of a first toothed pulley, provided on the axis of the relevant electric motor or hydraulic unit, a second toothed pulley, supported by the relevant spindle, on the outer portion of the rotating shaft with respect to the rotor body, the pulleys being connected with each other by a positive drive belt or a chain, a third toothed pulley, supported by the relevant spindle, on the end inside the rotor b
Morano S. Joseph
Olson Lars A.
S.P.N. S. R. L.
Smith , Gambrell & Russell, LLP
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