EP1013544A2 - Propulseur azimutal et bateau equipé avec un tel propulseur - Google Patents

Propulseur azimutal et bateau equipé avec un tel propulseur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1013544A2
EP1013544A2 EP99125210A EP99125210A EP1013544A2 EP 1013544 A2 EP1013544 A2 EP 1013544A2 EP 99125210 A EP99125210 A EP 99125210A EP 99125210 A EP99125210 A EP 99125210A EP 1013544 A2 EP1013544 A2 EP 1013544A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
propeller
ship
shaft
pod
azimuth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99125210A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1013544B1 (fr
EP1013544A3 (fr
Inventor
Naoji Nagasaki R&D Ct. Toki
Eiichi. c/o Nagasaki R&D Center Kobayashi
Hironori c/o Nagasaki R&D Center Yasukawa
Noriyuki c/o Nagasaki R&D Center Manabe
Tetsuji c/o Nagasaki R&D Center Hoshino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP10363047A external-priority patent/JP2000177694A/ja
Priority claimed from JP11170007A external-priority patent/JP2001001991A/ja
Application filed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd filed Critical Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Publication of EP1013544A2 publication Critical patent/EP1013544A2/fr
Publication of EP1013544A3 publication Critical patent/EP1013544A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1013544B1 publication Critical patent/EP1013544B1/fr
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
    • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
    • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/002—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for goods other than bulk goods
    • B63B25/004—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for goods other than bulk goods for containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
    • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
    • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
    • B63H2005/1254—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis
    • B63H2005/1256—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis with mechanical power transmission to propellers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
    • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
    • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
    • B63H2005/1254—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis
    • B63H2005/1258—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis with electric power transmission to propellers, i.e. with integrated electric propeller motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
    • B63H25/42—Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an azimuth propeller apparatus and a ship equipped with the azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • ships are equipped with a propeller.
  • the propeller is turned, propelling the ship in a direction that is controlled by a rudder.
  • FIG. 1 shows a typical conventional ship 80.
  • FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a stern of the ship 80, illustrating a rudder 82 of the ship 80.
  • a propeller 81 is provided at the stern, along with the rudder 82.
  • the propeller 81 is driven by the main engine 84 installed in a hull of the ship 80 at the same level.
  • the main engine 84 is has its shaft axially aligned with the propeller 81.
  • the rudder 82 is attached to the stern by a rudder horn 83.
  • the ship 80 As the main engine 84 drives the propeller 81, the ship 80 is propelled.
  • the direction in which the ship 80 is propelled is controlled by turning the rudder 82 on the rudder horn 83.
  • FIG. 3 depicts a ship 90 with a conventional azimuth propeller apparatus 91.
  • FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the stern of the ship 90, showing the conventional azimuth propeller apparatus 91.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 comprises a strut 92, a pod 93 and a propeller 94.
  • the strut 92 is connected to the stern of the ship 90 and can rotate around a vertical axis.
  • the pod 93 is secured to the strut 92.
  • the propeller 94 is attached to the pod 93.
  • a generator/engine (G/E), which is located above the strut 92.
  • the generator/engine drives a generator (not shown), which generates electric power.
  • the electric power is supplied to the motor provided in the pod 93. Driven with the electric power, the motor drives the propeller 94.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph representing the various relations between the rudder angle and the lateral force, which are observed with various ships.
  • curve D indicates the angle-force relation observed when the propeller 81 and the rudder 82 (both shown in FIG. 2) are used, propelling and steering the ship 80 shown in FIG. 1 at low speed of 18 knots.
  • Curve E shows the angle-force relation observed when the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 (shown in FIG. 4) is used, propelling and steering the ship 90 shown in FIG. 3 at low speed of 18 knots.
  • Curve C indicates the angle-force relation observed when the ship 80 is propelled and steered at high speed of 25 knots.
  • the ship 80 can receive a sufficient lateral force while being propelled at a relatively high speed, as in off-shore navigation.
  • the ship 80 can therefore be well steered in off-shore navigation.
  • the ship 80 is propelled at low speed as it is navigated in the harbor, as it is moored at the pier, or as it leaves the pier, its steerability greatly decreases as curve D reveals in FIG. 7.
  • the ship 90 shown in FIG. 3 has the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 shown in FIG. 4.
  • a lateral force is applied to the ship 90.
  • the lateral force is smaller than the lateral force applied to the ship 80 (FIG. 1) as the rudder 82 is rotated. Therefore, the greater part of the lateral force, which is applied to the ship 90 when the ship 90 is propelled at low speed, is a lateral component of the propelling force that the propeller 94 applies to the ship 90.
  • the lateral component of the propelling force applied to the ship 90 at low speed of 18 knots is small as is indicated by curve E in FIG. 7.
  • the steerability of the ship 90 equipped with the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 also become insufficient during the low-speed navigation.
  • a sufficiently large lateral force must be applied to the ship 91, not only when the ship 91 is propelled at low speed, but also when the wind is strong or waves are high.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus which comprises: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship; a pod mounted on an intermediate part of the rudder plate; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; and drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus which comprises: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; an upper rudder plate secured to that part of the shaft which is located above the pod, for controlling a course of the ship; a lower rudder plate secured to that part of the shaft which is located below the pod, for controlling the course of the ship; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; and drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft.
  • a ship which comprises an azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship; a pod mounted on an intermediate part of the rudder plate; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; and drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft.
  • a ship which comprises a azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; an upper rudder plate secured to that part of the shaft which is located above the pod, for controlling a course of the ship; a lower rudder plate secured to that part of the shaft which is located below the pod, for controlling the course of the ship; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; and drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft.
  • a ship according to the third or the forth aspect which further comprises: a skeg protruding from the stern of the ship toward the rudder plate, located in front of the azimuth propeller apparatus and opposing the azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the skeg has support means supporting the shaft.
  • the skeg has a notch in an intermediate edge part, for allowing passage of the propeller being rotated around the shaft.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus which comprises: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft; and a reaction fin connected to the pod and located at fore-flow of the propeller, for swirling water in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the propeller.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus which further comprises a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship.
  • a ship which comprises an azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft; and a reaction fin connected to the pod and located at fore-flow of the propeller, for swirling water in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the propeller.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus further comprises a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship.
  • a ship according to the tenth or the eleventh aspect which further comprises a skeg protruding from the stern toward the rudder plate, located in front of the azimuth propeller apparatus and opposing the azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the skeg has support means supporting the shaft.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, in which the skeg has a notch in an edge part, for allowing passage of the propeller being rotated around the shaft.
  • an azimuth propeller apparatus which comprises: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft; and a stator fin connected to the pod and located at aft-flow of the propeller, for swirling water in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the propeller.
  • an azimuth propeller according to the fifteenth aspect, which further comprises a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship.
  • a ship which comprises an azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus includes: a rotatable shaft to be connected to a stern of a ship; a pod mounted on the shaft; a propeller having a propeller shaft connected to one end of the pod; drive means provided in the pod, for driving the propeller shaft; and a stator fin connected to the pod and located at aft-flow of the propeller, for swirling water in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the propeller.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus further comprises a rudder plate secured to the shaft, for controlling the course of the ship.
  • a ship according to the seventeenth or the eighteenth aspect which further comprises a skeg protruding from the stern toward the rudder plate, located in front of the azimuth propeller apparatus and opposing the azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • the skeg extends to a point near the rudder plate, and the skeg has a notch in an edge part, for allowing passage of the propeller being rotated around the shaft.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the stern of a ship according to the first embodiment, which is equipped with an azimuth propeller apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 comprises a shaft 13, a pod 15, a motor 17, a propeller shaft 19, a propeller 21, and a rubber plate 23.
  • the structure of the apparatus 1 will be described below in greater detail.
  • the shaft 13 vertically extends, with its upper part provided in the stern 10 of the ship.
  • the shaft 13 can rotate through 360° around its axis.
  • the pod 15 is connected to the lower end of the shaft 13.
  • the pod 15 incorporates the motor 17.
  • the propeller shaft 19 is connected at one end to the motor 17.
  • the propeller 21 is connected to the other end of the propeller shaft 19.
  • the rudder plate 23 is mounted on the shaft 13. Like ordinary rudders, the rudder plate 23 has a blade cross section, size and aspect ratio, all similar to the ordinary rudders in size and aspect ratio. (The aspect ratio is the ratio of the height H to the breadth B, ranging from 1.5 to 3. If the plate 23 has different breadths at the upper end and lower end, the aspect ratio will be is H/Bave., where Bave. is the average of the different breadths.)
  • the rudder plate 23 is rotated when the shaft 13 rotates around its axis. When rotated, the rudder plate 23 controls the direction in which the ship is propelled.
  • the plate 23 has the cross section indicated by the two-dot, dashed lines.
  • the ship has a drive means for driving the azimuth propeller apparatus 1.
  • the drive means will be described below.
  • the drive means comprises a diesel engine 25, a generator 27, a motor 31, a gear 33, and a gear 35, all provided in the stern 10.
  • the gear 33 is mounted on the shaft of the motor 31, and the gear 35 is mounted on the shaft 13.
  • the gears 33 and 35 are in mesh with each other.
  • the diesel engine 25 drives the generator 27, which generates electric power.
  • the electric power is supplied to the motor 31 which derives the rotation of the shaft 13.
  • the gears 33 and 35 transmit the rotation of the motor shaft to the shaft 13.
  • the shaft 13 is therefore rotated, whereby the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 is rotated.
  • the electric power is supplied from the generator 27 to the motor 17 provided in the pod 15, through an electric cable 29 that extends through the shaft 13. Driven by the electric power, the motor 17 rotates the propeller 21.
  • a skeg 14 protrudes from the stern toward the rudder plate 23, to help the ship to keep its course.
  • azimuth propeller apparatus 1 operates to propel the ship forward and backward and steer the ship.
  • the diesel engine 25 provided in the stern drives the generator 27 provided in the stern, too.
  • the electric power output from the generator 27 drives the motor 17 contained in the pod 15.
  • the motor 17 rotates the propeller shaft 19, which rotates the propeller 21.
  • the propeller 21, which is rotating, pushes water backward, in the direction of arrows a in FIG. 5. As a result, the ship is propelled forward.
  • the ship can be propelled backward, merely by rotating the propeller 21 in the reverse direction, making the propeller 21 push water forward.
  • the motor 31 rotates the gears 33 and 35, thereby rotating the shaft 13 and, hence, the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 turning.
  • the rudder plate 23 has a blade cross section, size and aspect ratio, all similar to those of the ordinary rudders.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 can therefore control the course of the ship more reliably than the conventional azimuth propeller apparatus shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph representing the various relations between the rudder angle and the lateral force, which are observed with various ships.
  • Curve D indicates the angle-force relation observed when the propeller 81 and the rudder 82 (both shown in FIG. 2) are used, propelling and steering the ship 80 shown in FIG. 1 at low speed of 18 knots.
  • Curve E shows the angle-force relation observed when the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 (shown in FIG. 4) is used, propelling and steering the ship 90 shown in FIG. 3 at low speed of 18 knots.
  • Curve A indicates the angle-force relation observed when the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 (shown in FIG. 4) is used, propelling and steering a ship at low speed of 18 knots.
  • the lateral force is almost equal to the sum of the lateral force applied to the hull when the propeller 81 and the rudder 82 (FIG. 2) are used and the lateral force applied to the hull when the azimuth propeller apparatus 91 (FIG. 4) is used.
  • the ship with the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 can acquire a larger lateral force than the ship 80 with the propeller 81 and rudder 82 and the ship 90 with the conventional azimuth propeller apparatus 91.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 having the structure described above can have a lift similar to the lift the ordinary rudder plate acquires and can provide a lateral component of propelling force by virtue of the propeller 21.
  • the lift and the lateral component of force result in a lateral force.
  • This lateral force is larger than the lateral force applied to the ship 90 with the conventional azimuth propeller apparatus 91.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 can therefore control the course of a ship. In other words, it can enhance the steerability of the ship well during the low-speed navigation.
  • the propeller 21 is located at the rear of the pod 15 while the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 is positioned to propel the ship forward.
  • the propeller 21 may be located in front of the pod 15 as in a modification of the apparatus 1, which is illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • this modified azimuth propeller apparatus attains the same advantages as the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5.
  • the rudder plate 23 may be separated into two rudder plates, the one of which is an upper rudder plate which is located above the pod 15 and the other is a lower rudder plate which is located below the pod 15.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the relation which the gap between the hull and rudder of a ship and the lateral force applied to the rudder have when the rudder angle is 35°. From FIG. 8 it can be understood that the lateral force increases as the gap between the hull and the rudder decreases. Since the lateral force applied to the rudder changes the course of the ship as already mentioned, the steerability of the ship depends on the lateral force. In view of this it may be proposed that the gap between the hull and the rudder be decreased to enhance the steerability of the ship.
  • the second embodiment of the present invention is a ship with an azimuth propeller apparatus that can steer the ship more reliably than does the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the stern of a ship according to the second embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the ship has an azimuth propeller apparatus 2, a drive means, and a skeg 43.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 has bevel gears 37, a propeller shaft 39, and a shaft 41.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 is driven by the drive means.
  • the drive means comprises a diesel engine 25, a speed-reducing apparatus 28, a transmission shaft 30, and bevel gears 37.
  • the diesel engine drives the transmission shaft 30 by way of the speed-reducing apparatus 28.
  • the bevel gears 37 transmit the rotation of the shaft 30 to the shaft 41 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 2.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 propels the ship.
  • the skeg 43 protrudes from the stern toward the rudder plate 23 of the apparatus 2 for a longer distance than the skeg 14 shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the rear edge of the skeg 43 is located closer to the front edge of the rudder plate 23.
  • FIG. 10 is a view taken along line V-V in FIG. 9.
  • the gap between the rudder plate 23 and the hull is narrower than in the case of the ship shown in FIG. 5.
  • a greater lateral force can be applied to the ship according to the second embodiment than to the ship according to the first embodiment, to change the course of the ship.
  • Curve B in FIG. 7 indicates the relation between the rudder angle and the lateral force, angle-force relation observed when the ship according to the second embodiment is propelled and steered at low speed of 18 knots. As can be evidenced by comparing curve B with curve A, the lateral force is larger than the lateral force applied to the ship according to the first embodiment.
  • curve C in FIG. 7 indicates the angle-force relation observed when the ship 80 is propelled and steered at high speed of 25 knots.
  • a lateral force which is comparable with the lateral force applied to the ship 80 navigated at 25 knots, can be applied to the ship, according to the second embodiment, though the ship is navigated at low speed of 18 knots.
  • the drive means used in the second embodiment can be used to drive the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and the azimuth propeller apparatuses according to the third to sixth embodiments, which will be described later.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatuses 2 according to the second embodiment can be derived by the derive means in the first embodiment.
  • the motor 31 and the gears 33 and 35 cooperate to rotate the azimuth propeller apparatus 2.
  • the gap between the hull and the rudder is narrow.
  • the lateral force applied to the ship as the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 is operated to change the course of the ship can therefore be increased. This enhances the steerability of the ship.
  • the third embodiment of the present invention is a ship that is improved in the support strength of the rudder plate of an azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • FIG. 11 is a side view of the stern of the ship. As shown in FIG. 11, the ship has an azimuth propeller apparatus 3 and a skeg 45. The apparatus 3 and the skeg 45 are so designed that the skeg 45 supports the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 firmly and steadily. The apparatus 3 and skeg 45 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
  • the rudder plate 24 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 is secured at its front edge to a shaft 20. Secured to the shaft 20, the rudder plate 24 is rotated when the shaft 20 is rotated.
  • the rudder plate 24 is identical to the rudder plate 23 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 and 2 in the shape of its cross section, as is indicated by the two-dot, dashed lines 241.
  • the skeg 45 has two bearing sections 451, on the upper and lower parts of its rear edge, respectively.
  • the bearing sections 451 support the shaft 20.
  • the rudder plate 24 is a flap-shaped component that is coupled to the rear edge of the skeg 45.
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of another ship equipped with a modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 11.
  • the skeg 45 shown in FIG. 12 has two bearing sections 451, like the skeg 45 shown in FIG. 11, and has two intermediate bearing sections 453, on two intermediate parts of its rear edge.
  • four bearing sections support a shaft 20.
  • the bearing sections 451 and bearing sections 453 are axially aligned with the shaft 20.
  • the rudder plate 23 secured to the shaft 20 can therefore be rotated smoothly around the shaft 20.
  • FIG. 13 is a view taken along line V-V in FIGS. 11 and 12;
  • the rudder plate 24 shown in FIG. 11 is supported at both ends of the shaft 20 by means of the upper and lower bearing sections 451, not by a single shaft (such as the shaft 13) as the rudder plate 23 shown in FIG. 9. Obviously, the rudder plate 24 is more firmly supported than the rudder plate 23 shown in FIG. 9.
  • the rudder plate of the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is supported at both ends of the shaft 20 and, if necessary, at two intermediate part of the shaft 20. Hence, the rudder plate is more firmly supported than the rudder plates of the second embodiments. Furthermore, the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 attains the same advantages as the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 9.
  • the fourth embodiment of this invention is a ship characterized in two respects. First, the gap between the rudder plate and the hull is narrow, increasing the steerability of the ship. Second, the azimuth propeller apparatus is rotated by 180° from the normal position to propel the ship backward.
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of the stern of the ship according to the fourth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 14 the azimuth propeller apparatus 4 and skeg 51 of the fourth embodiment will be described.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 4 has a rudder plate 53.
  • the rudder plate 53 is a modification of the rudder plates 23 shown in FIGS. 5 and 9.
  • the rudder plate 53 has a projection 531 on the front edge and can rotate through 360°.
  • the rudder plate 53 is identical to the rudder plate 23 of the azimuth propeller apparatuses 1 and 2 in the shape of its cross section, as is indicated by the two-dot, dashed lines 531in FIG. 14.
  • the skeg 51 has a U-notch 511 in the rear edge. It is in the notch 511 in which the projection 531 of the rudder plate 53 is placed as long as the rudder plate 53 remains in the normal position. Thus, the gap between the plate 53 and the hull is much narrower than in the case of the conventional ships.
  • the forth embodiment attains the same advantages as the second embodiment.
  • the fifth embodiment of the present invention describes an azimuth propeller apparatus which can apply to the hull a propelling force greater than in the first to fourth embodiments described above and a ship equipped with the azimuth propeller apparatus.
  • FIG. 16A is a side view of the stern of the ship according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, which is equipped with an azimuth propeller apparatus designed to apply a greater propelling force to the hull.
  • FIG. 16B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 16A.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 16A is characterized by a reaction fin 61 that is provided at the rear of the pod 15, namely at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • a fin located at the fore-stream of a propeller is called “reaction fins”
  • a fin located at the aft-stream of a propeller is called “stator fins.”
  • the reaction fin 16 comprises, for example, eight fin blades.
  • the fin blades extend in radial directions from the rear end of the pod 15.
  • the fin blades are positioned to swirl the water flow toward the propeller 21, in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21. More precisely, each fin blade is twisted in the same direction as the blades of the propeller 21 provided at the rear of the reaction fin 61.
  • a diesel engine 25 and a generator 27 are provided in the hull, and a motor 17 is provided in the pod 15 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 5.
  • the diesel engine 25 drives the generator 27, which generates electric power.
  • the electric power is supplied to the motor 17.
  • the propeller 21 is rotated by the motor 17 and pushes water backward.
  • the reaction fin 16 swirls the water flow toward the propeller 21 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21.
  • the propeller 21, which is located at the rear of the reaction fin 16, further increases the velocity of the water flow by the rotating.
  • the reaction G resulting from the change in momentum (in the direction arrows a in FIG. 6) propels the ship forward.
  • FIG. 17A is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 17A.
  • the reaction fin 16 can swirl water in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21. Hence, the energy of the swirling water would not be wasted at the rear of the propeller 21. This serves to increase the efficiency of propelling the ship.
  • the lateral force that controls the course of the ship results in part from the lateral component of the propelling force the azimuth propeller apparatus 5 exerts on the hull. Therefore, the increase in the ship-propelling efficiency can enhance the steerability of the ship.
  • the reaction fin 16 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 5 can be used in the azimuth propeller apparatuses according to the first to fourth embodiments described above. How the fin 16 may be used so will be briefly explained below.
  • FIG. 18A shows a modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 according to first embodiment, which has a reaction fin 50 at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • FIG. 18B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 18A.
  • the reaction fin 50 has six fin blades, three on each side of the rudder plate 23.
  • FIG. 19A is a side view, showing the azimuth propeller apparatus of FIG. 18A which has been rotated by 180° from the position shown in FIG. 18A to propel the ship backward.
  • FIG. 19B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 19A.
  • FIG. 20 depicts a modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 2 according to second embodiment, which has a reaction fin 50 at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates a modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 3 according to third embodiment, which has a reaction fin 50 at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • FIG. 22 shows another modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 3, which has a reaction fin at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • FIG. 23 shows a modification of the azimuth propeller apparatus 4 according to fourth embodiment, which has a reaction fin 50 at the fore-stream of the propeller 21.
  • reaction fin 50 can help to increase the ship-propelling efficiency.
  • This embodiment is a ship equipped with an azimuth propeller apparatus 6 that has a propeller 21 located in front of the pod 15, thereby to increase the ship-propelling efficiency further.
  • FIG. 24A is a side view of the azimuth propeller apparatus 6, and FIG. 24B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 24A.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 6 has a stator fin 16, not a reaction fin 16.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 6 further comprises a shaft 13, a pod 15, and a propeller 21.
  • the pod 15 of the apparatus 6 is connected to the shaft 13.
  • the stator fin 16 is mounted on the pod 15 and located at the aft-flow of the propeller 21.
  • the propeller 21 is located in front of the pod 15 as is illustrated in FIG. 24A.
  • the stator fin 16 is similar to the reaction fin 16 in terms of structure. It is designed to swirl water in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21. To swirl the water in this direction, the blades of the stator fin 16 are twisted in the same direction as the blades of the propeller 21 provided in front of the stator fin 16.
  • the stator fin 16 swirls the water that has gained momentum as the propeller 21 rotates, in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21.
  • the momentum of the water flow greatly changes, propelling the ship forward.
  • the azimuth propeller apparatus 6 can be rotated by 180° around the axis of the shaft 13, as is illustrated in FIG. 25A. In this case, the ship is propelled backward.
  • the stator fin 16 is located at the aft-flow of the propeller 21 no matter whether the ship is propelled forward or backward.
  • the stator fin 16 can therefore swirl water in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the propeller 21.
  • the stator fin 16 reduces the swirl of water caused by the rotating propeller 21 and converts the energy of the swirling water to a propelling force. The force propelling the hull can be thereby increased.
  • the steerability of the ship can be enhanced by increasing the ship-propelling efficiency as in the fifth embodiment.
  • the stator fin 16 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 6 can be used in the azimuth propeller apparatuses according to the first to fourth embodiments described above. How the stator fin 16 may be used so will be briefly explained below.
  • FIG. 26A shows a modification 7 of the azimuth propeller apparatus 1 according to first embodiment, which has a stator fin 50 at the aft-stream of the propeller 21.
  • FIG. 26B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 26A.
  • the stator fin 50 is similar in structure to the reaction fin 50 described above.
  • the stator fin 50 has six fin blades, three on each side of the rudder plate 23.
  • FIG. 27B is a view taken along line G-G in FIG. 27A.
  • the stator fin 50 can help to increase the ship-propelling efficiency in the first embodiment.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
  • Mechanical Means For Catching Fish (AREA)
  • Underground Or Underwater Handling Of Building Materials (AREA)
  • Placing Or Removing Of Piles Or Sheet Piles, Or Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
EP19990125210 1998-12-21 1999-12-17 Propulseur azimutal et bateau equipé avec un tel propulseur Expired - Lifetime EP1013544B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP36304798 1998-12-21
JP10363047A JP2000177694A (ja) 1998-12-21 1998-12-21 舵付きアジマスプロペラを備えた船舶
JP11170007A JP2001001991A (ja) 1999-06-16 1999-06-16 フィン付きアジマスプロペラ装置
JP17000799 1999-06-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1013544A2 true EP1013544A2 (fr) 2000-06-28
EP1013544A3 EP1013544A3 (fr) 2002-01-30
EP1013544B1 EP1013544B1 (fr) 2004-10-27

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EP (1) EP1013544B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE280709T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69921432T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2232070T3 (fr)
NO (1) NO996345L (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1270402A1 (fr) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-02 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Dispositif de propulsion de navire en fuseau
EP1384661A1 (fr) * 2002-07-25 2004-01-28 Alstom Gouverne de navire asservie en position angulaire par un moteur électrique
US6688927B2 (en) * 1998-09-14 2004-02-10 Abb Oy Arrangement and method for turning a propulsion unit
US6957990B2 (en) * 2002-08-21 2005-10-25 Lowe Jerry W Electric houseboat
WO2006056654A1 (fr) * 2004-11-29 2006-06-01 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Systeme de propulsion d'un navire
US7147523B2 (en) * 2001-09-11 2006-12-12 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Power generating and propelling system of vessel
EP1847455A1 (fr) * 2006-04-20 2007-10-24 Rolls-Royce Marine AS Unité de propulsion et de direction pour navire à flot
EP1566332A3 (fr) * 2004-02-18 2008-02-20 ROLLS-ROYCE plc Arrangement pour la propulsion d'un bateau
CN101857082A (zh) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-13 第一电气株式会社 船舶用电推进系统
NL1037824C2 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-27 Heijden Spijkers Maria Anna Josepha Apparatus and method for the propulsion, steering, manoeuvring and stabilisation of boats and other floating vessels.
CN102958801A (zh) * 2010-11-26 2013-03-06 三菱重工业株式会社 方位推进器及具备其的船舶
CN103097239A (zh) * 2010-09-15 2013-05-08 三菱重工业株式会社 方位推进器
JP2014121928A (ja) * 2012-12-20 2014-07-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 首振り推進器および船舶
WO2016046318A1 (fr) * 2014-09-26 2016-03-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Propulseur omnidirectionnel avec hélice de traction
CN106604866A (zh) * 2014-09-03 2017-04-26 Abb 有限公司 船舶推进组件
CN109436269A (zh) * 2018-12-06 2019-03-08 无锡瑞风船用推进器有限公司 一种用于风电运维船的全回转舵机桨
CN109515666A (zh) * 2019-01-21 2019-03-26 中国计量大学 一种水下机器人的矢量推进器
PL424813A1 (pl) * 2018-03-09 2019-09-23 Bibus Menos Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Zespół pędnika jednostki pływającej
CN113593355A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-11-02 武汉理工大学 一种组合式混合动力实验教学船
US11352117B1 (en) 2021-02-08 2022-06-07 Gigawave Llc Enhanced wave generation methods and systems

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CN112278212B (zh) * 2020-10-29 2022-01-28 武汉船用机械有限责任公司 一种舵桨回转驱动装置的分体式结构

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Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6688927B2 (en) * 1998-09-14 2004-02-10 Abb Oy Arrangement and method for turning a propulsion unit
EP1270402A1 (fr) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-02 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Dispositif de propulsion de navire en fuseau
US7147523B2 (en) * 2001-09-11 2006-12-12 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Power generating and propelling system of vessel
FR2842784A1 (fr) * 2002-07-25 2004-01-30 Alstom Gouverne de navire asservie en position angulaire par un moteur electrique
EP1384661A1 (fr) * 2002-07-25 2004-01-28 Alstom Gouverne de navire asservie en position angulaire par un moteur électrique
US6957990B2 (en) * 2002-08-21 2005-10-25 Lowe Jerry W Electric houseboat
EP1566332A3 (fr) * 2004-02-18 2008-02-20 ROLLS-ROYCE plc Arrangement pour la propulsion d'un bateau
WO2006056654A1 (fr) * 2004-11-29 2006-06-01 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Systeme de propulsion d'un navire
US7452253B2 (en) 2004-11-29 2008-11-18 Wartsila Finland Oy Propulsion system of marine vessel
KR101256240B1 (ko) * 2004-11-29 2013-04-23 바르실라 핀랜드 오이 해양 선박의 추진시스템
CN101058338B (zh) * 2006-04-20 2012-06-13 劳斯莱斯船舶股份有限公司 用于水运船舶的推进和转向单元
EP1847455A1 (fr) * 2006-04-20 2007-10-24 Rolls-Royce Marine AS Unité de propulsion et de direction pour navire à flot
US7585195B2 (en) 2006-04-20 2009-09-08 Leif Vartdal Propulsion and steering unit for a waterborne vessel
EP2236409A3 (fr) * 2009-04-02 2012-10-03 Dai-Ichi Electric Co., Ltd. Système de propulsion électrique pour navires
CN101857082A (zh) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-13 第一电气株式会社 船舶用电推进系统
NL1037824C2 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-27 Heijden Spijkers Maria Anna Josepha Apparatus and method for the propulsion, steering, manoeuvring and stabilisation of boats and other floating vessels.
CN103097239A (zh) * 2010-09-15 2013-05-08 三菱重工业株式会社 方位推进器
CN102958801A (zh) * 2010-11-26 2013-03-06 三菱重工业株式会社 方位推进器及具备其的船舶
JP2014121928A (ja) * 2012-12-20 2014-07-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 首振り推進器および船舶
CN106604866A (zh) * 2014-09-03 2017-04-26 Abb 有限公司 船舶推进组件
CN106604866B (zh) * 2014-09-03 2019-01-01 Abb 有限公司 船舶推进组件
WO2016046318A1 (fr) * 2014-09-26 2016-03-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Propulseur omnidirectionnel avec hélice de traction
CN106715258A (zh) * 2014-09-26 2017-05-24 西门子公司 具有牵引螺旋桨的吊舱驱动装置
CN106715258B (zh) * 2014-09-26 2018-11-30 西门子公司 具有牵引螺旋桨的吊舱驱动装置
PL424813A1 (pl) * 2018-03-09 2019-09-23 Bibus Menos Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Zespół pędnika jednostki pływającej
CN109436269A (zh) * 2018-12-06 2019-03-08 无锡瑞风船用推进器有限公司 一种用于风电运维船的全回转舵机桨
CN109515666A (zh) * 2019-01-21 2019-03-26 中国计量大学 一种水下机器人的矢量推进器
US11352117B1 (en) 2021-02-08 2022-06-07 Gigawave Llc Enhanced wave generation methods and systems
CN113593355A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-11-02 武汉理工大学 一种组合式混合动力实验教学船

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE280709T1 (de) 2004-11-15
EP1013544B1 (fr) 2004-10-27
ES2232070T3 (es) 2005-05-16
DE69921432D1 (de) 2004-12-02
NO996345L (no) 2000-06-22
EP1013544A3 (fr) 2002-01-30
NO996345D0 (no) 1999-12-20
DE69921432T2 (de) 2006-03-02

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