EP3784564A1

EP3784564A1 - Wind-propelled submersible

Info

Publication number: EP3784564A1
Application number: EP19839270.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano OPPO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-12-19
Filing date: 2019-12-19
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Also published as: WO2020128949A1

Abstract

Wind-propelled submersible, capable of navigating in balance at a marine depth of about 20 to 50 meters, with at least one wind power system that comprises a turbine and a supporting pole (3) for said turbine and is positioned on the hull (11) to become, together therewith, a single structure of said submersible. The balance of said submersible is ensured by at least two wings (4) placed laterally to the structure (hull (11) and submerged part of the supporting pole (3)) of said submersible.

Description

"WIND-PROPELLED SUBMERSIBLE"

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of submersibles. The present invention finds its main application in the marine (or nautical) sector, and in particular in the transportation of people or goods.

State of the Art

The submersibles of the known art make use of polluting materials (gas oil, nuclear energy or other fuels) as energy sources. The submersibles of the prior art cannot use a wind turbine system for their propulsion. Because of their shape, a supporting structure of the turbine cannot be mounted on the hull, since the average length of a supporting pole for a wind turbine, useful for this purpose, is between 100 and 200 meters, so that the hull obviously cannot have any stability. The object of the present invention is to ensure the balance of the submersible by counteracting the imbalance created by the turbine by using at least two wings placed at both sides of the hull. With this project, we intend to patent a means of transportation of people or goods capable of using only clean energy, producing it autonomously and constantly, and also avoiding the need for external energy/fuel supply. Summary

In the present description, the terms“high” and“low” are to be understood in their common meaning, i.e.“low” is the direction in which gravity makes bodies move and "high" is the opposite direction. In addition, the terms "high" and "low" are always referred to the submersible in the position of normal use, with the longitudinal axis of the submersible substantially parallel to the free surface of the water.

The submersible according to the present invention is configured to operate below a free surface of the water (i.e. underwater) and includes a hull and a wind turbine system comprising at least one pole equipped with a turbine and mounted on the hull. The submersible further includes at least one engine powered by the wind energy generated by the wind turbine system, a snorkel configured for feeding air into the hull and a system for connecting the energy produced by the turbine to the engine.

Preferably, the hull of the submersible has a length between 100 and 500 meters and a width between 10 and 100 meters.

According to the invention, the pole of the wind turbine system is configured to rise upwards and emerge above the free water surface when the submersible is navigating underwater so that the turbine is above the free water surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention, laterally with respect to the structure, at least two wings are installed either on the hull or on a portion of the pole subject to being immersed in the water, said wings being positioned transversely with respect to said structure and being completely immersed in the water. These wings are configured to ensure the balance of the hull when the submersible is navigating underwater. Preferably, these wings are positioned at an angle between 80 and 145 degrees measured from top to bottom with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the submersible. According to a further aspect of the invention, laterally with respect to the structure, there are installed three or more wings configured to ensure the balance of the hull when the submersible is navigating underwater.

According to another feature of the invention, preferably, the wings at their ends have extensions that extend downwards at an angle between 80 and 135 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull towards the hull itself. Preferably, these downward-facing extensions have a maximum length equal to the length of the wings.

According to another feature of the invention, preferably, at the ends of the wings there are installed panels that extend downwards and form an angle between 80 and 130 degrees measured going from a position distal to the hull towards the hull itself. Preferably, these panels are mobile, so as to change their angle with the wing ends.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the submersible has one or more fins placed under the hull.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the hull of the submersible has a reduced maximum height, preferably less than 4 meters, and is completely surrounded, in length and width, by lateral, front and rear wings, joined to one another so as to form a single perimeter wing, mounted downwards, preferably with an angle greater than 95 and less than 180 degrees measured from top to bottom with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the submersible.

This single downward-mounted wing is configured to retain, if necessary, a volume of air at the bottom, underneath said wing and therefore under the hull. At the ends of side portions of the single wing there are extensions that extend downwards so as to form side fins. Preferably, the front portion of the single wing (i.e. the portion arranged in front of the hull in the direction of navigation) is inclined at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull towards the hull itself. Preferably, the rear portion of the single wing (i.e. the portion arranged behind the hull in the direction of navigation) is, instead, inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull towards the hull itself. The inclination of the above-mentioned front and rear portions of the single wing allows the submersible to encounter less resistance to forward motion during navigation.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the submersible comprises several hulls connected to one another by means of arms or connected to one another by firmly joining together the ends of the wings of each hull.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the structure immersed in the water is painted with a material that reduces the friction of the water on the immersed structure.

The choice to associate submersibles, rather than ships, with wind energy derives from the advantages that this transportation means ensures. The submersible according to the present invention is indeed designed to proceed at a constant average depth of about 20/50 meters below the sea level, so that its motion is not hindered by rough sea, winds or storms that may jeopardize the speed and safety thereof. The underwater pace also guarantees a high comfort and relaxation during cruising. Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example and also illustrated in the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1, rear view of the submersible;

Fig. 2, sectional view of the submersible;

Fig. 3, top view of the submersible;

Fig. 4, side view of the submersible;

Fig. 5, perspective view of the submersible;

Fig. 6a, rear sectional view of the hull and wings with extensions;

Fig. 6b, rear sectional view of the hull and wings with panels;

Fig. 7a, front view of the submersible according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7b, side view of the submersible of Fig. 7a.

List of reference numerals:

AIR (1); SEA (2); POLE (3); WINGS (4, 4a, 4b, 4c); WING EXTENSIONS (12); PANELS INSTALLED AT THE ENDS OF THE WINGS (13); FIN (5, 5a); ENGINE (6); GATEWAY (7); GARAGE (8); PASSENGERS LEVEL (9); MACHINE ROOM (10); HULL (11).

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

The present invention is designed for making a submersible suitable for operating on wind energy. In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a model of submersible according to claim 1.

The present invention arises from the general consideration that, with the advent of wind energy, even without rotating blades, it becomes possible to mount said energy production apparatus on a submersible, as an optimal transportation means to use and fully exploit the produced energy.

With reference to the annexed figures, in the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, the hull 11 of the submersible has a width of about 10 meters and a length of 100 meters. The wind turbine system consists of at least one pole 3, equipped with a turbine (not shown), of a length between 100 and 200 meters, and mounted on the hull 11 of the submersible so as to remain orthogonal to the hull itself. During standard navigation of the submersible, the pole 3 will remain submerged for about a fifth of its overall length. In the case of multiple turbines, the poles 3, arranged longitudinally along the hull 11, have a distance from one another, according to a preferred embodiment, of about 35 meters for wind turbine systems without blades and about 90 meters for wind turbine systems with rotating blades.

The size of the hull 11 in width, length and height can be varied and adapted according to the size of the wind turbine apparatus mounted on the hull 11.

Inside the hull 11 there is an electric motor (not shown) powered by said wind turbines.

The submersible, having, in its position of normal use, a longitudinal axis A substantially parallel to the free water surface, is further characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one snorkel (not shown), that is a tube for feeding air into the hull, said snorkel being placed, in a preferred embodiment, attached to or inside a support pole 3 for the wind turbine According to a preferred embodiment, the same tube also acts as a conduit for the cables of the on-board instruments and systems;

- at least two wings 4 placed at both sides of the submersible (mounted on the hull 11 or on the immersed portion of the support pole for the turbine), said wings being positioned in such a way as to be transverse and not necessarily orthogonal to the longitudinal plane of said submersible and being able to have a variable angle.

According to a preferred embodiment, each wing 4 has a width at least equal to the width of the hull 11 of the submersible. It is to be noted that the width of said wings 4 is in any case variable according to the type and number of wind turbines to be installed. According to another preferred embodiment, if the wings 4 are positioned orthogonally, the submersible can be equipped with at least one fin 5. Said wings 4 can also be shaped, being able to continue at their ends with extensions 12 that extend downwards with variable angles. Said wings 4 can also have, at their ends, panels 13 forming variable angles and suitable for being moved.

Preferably, said wings 4 are positioned at an angle a between 80 and 145 degrees measured from top to bottom with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the submersible (Figures 6a and 6b).

Preferably, the extensions 12 at the ends of the wings 4 extend downwards at an angle b between 80 and 135 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull 11 towards the hull itself (Figure 6 a).

Preferably, the panels 13 installed at the ends of the wings 4 extend downwards and form, with respect to the wings, an angle g between 80 and 130 degrees measured going from a position distal to the hull 11 towards the hull itself (Figure 6b).

Referring to Figures 7a and 7b, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the hull 11 of the submersible has a reduced maximum height, preferably less than 4 meters, has, for example, a triangular cross-section and is completely surrounded, in length and width, by lateral wings 4a, front wings 4b and rear wings 4c, joined to one another so as to form a single perimeter wing, mounted downwards, preferably with an angle Q greater than 95 and less than 180 degrees measured from top to bottom with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the submersible. This single downward-mounted wing 4a, 4b, 4c is configured to retain, if necessary, a volume of air 1 at the bottom, underneath said wing and therefore under the hull 11 (delimited by a horizontal dashed line in Figures 7a and 7b). At the ends of side portions of the single wing there are extensions that extend downwards so as to form side fins 5 a. Preferably, the front portion 4b of the single wing (i.e. the portion arranged in front of the hull in the direction of navigation) is inclined at an angle f greater than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull 11 towards the hull itself. Preferably, the rear portion 4c of the single wing (i.e. the portion arranged behind the hull 11 in the direction of navigation) is, instead, inclined at an angle y of less than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull 11 towards the hull itself. The inclination of said front portion 4b and rear portion 4c of the single wing allows the submersible to encounter less resistance to forward motion during navigation.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the submersible consists of several hulls replicating the base unit 11 and joined together by means of the wings or arms. In order to improve performance, the

immersed part of said artifact 5 can be painted with materials that reduce friction with the liquid.

Claims

1 Submersible, configured to operate below a free water surface, comprising a hull (11) and a wind turbine system comprising at least one pole (3) equipped with a turbine and mounted on the hull (11), said submersible comprising at least one engine powered by the wind energy generated by said wind turbine system, a snorkel configured for feeding air into the hull (11), and a system for connecting the energy produced by the turbine to the engine, characterized in that the pole (3) of said wind turbine system is configured to rise upwards and emerge above the free water surface when the submersible is navigating underwater so that the turbine is above the free water surface, and in that laterally with respect to the structure, at least two wings (4) are installed either on the hull (11) or on a portion of the pole (3) subject to being immersed in the water (2), said wings (4) being positioned transversely with respect to said structure and being completely immersed in the water (2), said wings (4) being configured to ensure the balance of the hull (11) when the submersible is navigating underwater.

2. Submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that said wings (4) are positioned at an angle (a) between 80 and 145 degrees measured from top to bottom with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A) of the submersible.

3. Submersible according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that laterally with respect to the structure, there are installed three or more wings (4) configured to ensure the balance of the hull when the submersible is navigating underwater.

4. Submersible according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wings (4) at their ends have extensions (12) that extend downwards at an angle (b) between 80 and 135 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the submersible and measured going from a position distal to the hull towards the hull itself.

5. Submersible according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at the ends of said wings (4) there are installed panels (13) that extend downwards and form, with respect to the wings (4), an angle (g) between 80 and 130 degrees measured going from a position distal to the hull (11) towards the hull itself.

6. Submersible according to claim 5, characterized in that said panels (13) are mobile, so as to change their angle (g) with the ends of said wings (4).

7. Submersible according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a fin (5) placed under the hull (11).

8. Submersible according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has, under the hull (11), two or more fins (5).

9. Submersible according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several hulls (11) connected to one another by means of arms.

10. Submersible according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several hulls (11) connected to one another by firmly joining together the ends of the wings (4) of each hull (11).

11. Submersible according to claim 1, characterized in that the hull (11) has a maximum height of less than 4 meters and is completely surrounded by wings (4a, 4b, 4c) joined to one another so as to form a single perimeter wing mounted downwards and configured to retain, if necessary, a volume of air at the bottom, underneath said wing (4a, 4b, 4c) and under the hull (11).

12. Submersible according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire structure immersed in the water is painted with a material that reduces the friction of the water on said immersed structure.