EP1504991B1

EP1504991B1 - Dynamic rudder which is used to steer vessels

Info

Publication number: EP1504991B1
Application number: EP02793138A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriel Barcelo Rico-Avello
Original assignee: Advanced Dynamics SA
Current assignee: Advanced Dynamics SA
Priority date: 2002-01-25
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-29
Also published as: ES2216663A1; EP1504991A1; DE60236215D1; ES2216663B1; WO2003062051A1

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present specification refers to a Patent of Invention application corresponding to a dynamic rudder applicable for controlling ships, whose evident purpose rests on substituting the traditional rudder of a ship of any type with a dynamic device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention has its application within the industry dedicated to manufacturing ships.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The applicant does not know of the current existence of an invention which has features similar to those described in the present specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The dynamic rudder applicable for controlling ships proposed by the invention substitutes the traditional rudder by means of incorporating a dynamic device.
More specifically, the dynamic rudder applicable for controlling ships object of the invention is constituted by means of a submerged cylinder and connected to the hull, being located under the keel and suitably centered, having an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal bow to stern axis.
In the case of sailboats, the cylindrical device will be located beneath the board, substituting the fixed counterweight of these boats, it being necessary to indicate that in this type of boats, the rotation of the cylinder of the dynamic rudder could be carried out by an inner, electric motor or by means of propellers on the stern of the cylinder itself which will be actuated by the thrust of the boat due to the wind.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description being given and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, a sheet of drawings accompanies the present specification as an integral part thereof, which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, show the following:

Figure 1.- Shows a side elevational view of a sailboat which incorporates the object of the invention relating to a dynamic rudder applicable for controlling ships.
Figure 2.- Shows a front elevational view of the object shown in figure 1.
Figure 3.- Shows a cross-section view of the dynamic rudder.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of figures 1 and 2, it can be seen how in this embodiment in sailboats, the applicable dynamic rudder for controlling ships is constituted as from incorporating on the hull (2) of a sailboat (1), and specifically beneath the keel (4) obviously submerged in water (3), a structural reinforcement (5) which holds a support body (6) inside of which the cylinder (8) is located, a cylinder which, due to the rotation thereof, acts like a dynamic rudder, it being necessary to indicate that the rotation of the cylinder can be carried out by means of an inner, electric motor or also by means of propellers on the stern of the cylinder (8) itself, which will be actuated by the thrust of the boat mobilized by the wind received in its cloth or sail.
Figure number 3 shows that the invention incorporates a submerged cylinder (8) and connected to the hull as shown in figures number 1 and 2, referenced with (5), but in the case of the conventional ship mobilized by an engine, this would be in a centered position beneath the keel (4) and its axis parallel to the longitudinal bow to stern axis.
As in the previous case, the cylinder would be constantly revolving, it being necessary to indicate that in this graphic representation, the cylinder referenced with (8) has two containers (12) and (13) located in the front and rear areas, in other words on the bow and stern, 50% of which will fill up with water or another liquid derived from it.
The cylinder has a pump (14) intended for driving the liquid from one container to the other.
The cylinder joined to the keel (4) of the ship by a fixed connection located in its center must be able to permit oscillating on a horizontal axis (15) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) of the ship and parallel to the plane of the water.
For controlling the ship, both in the case of it being of sails or mobilized by an engine, the water deposited in the cylinder will be moved form one container to the other, and if they are both balanced, the dynamic rudder will permit a linear movement, but in the case of pumping a larger amount to the front container (12), the ship will turn starboard and port in the case of a larger amount being incorporated in the rear container (13).
Controlling the ship is performed only by means of this device, which can be connected to a wheel in the control bridge or to the apparently conventional rudder wheel in any type of ship.
This typology of controlling a ship consumes no energy for the lateral shift of the water due to the rudder blade in the turn.

Claims

A dynamic rudder for steering a vessel, characterized in that it comprises a revolving cylinder (8) which is joined to the keel (4) through a centered structural reinforcement (5) which holds a support body (6) that supports the revolving cylinder (8), and whose revolution axis (7) extends in a direction from bow to stern, said revolving cylinder (8) being pivotable around a horizontal axis (15) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) of the vessel and is parallel to the surface of the water, and comprising a front container (12) and a rear container (13), both containers being half filled with water when they are balanced, the cylinder (8) further comprising a pump (14) for pumping liquid from one container to the other, in order to induce the revolving cylinder (8) to pivot around said horizontal axis (15).
A dynamic rudder according to claim 1, wherein the revolution movement of the revolving cylinder (8) is driven by an inner electric motor.
A dynamic rudder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the revolution movement of the revolving cylinder (8) is driven by the thrust of the vessel through propellers assembled on the front area of the cylinder (8).
A method for steering a vessel, characterized in that it makes use of a dynamic rudder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3.
A method according to claim 4, wherein, in order for the vessel to keep a linear movement, the liquid content of the front and rear containers (12, 13) is balanced so as to align the revolving cylinder (8) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
A method according to claim 4, wherein, in order to steer the vessel starboard, liquid is pumped from the rear container (13) to the front container (12), in order to induce the revolving cylinder (8) to suitably pivot around the horizontal axis (15).
A method according to claim 4, wherein, in order to steer the vessel larboard, liquid is pumped from the front container (12) to the rear container (13), in order to induce the revolving cylinder (8) to suitably pivot around the horizontal axis (15).