EP3911564A1

EP3911564A1 - Watercraft

Info

Publication number: EP3911564A1
Application number: EP19829239.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans-Peter Walpurgis
Original assignee: Cayago Tec GmbH
Current assignee: Cayago Tec GmbH
Priority date: 2019-01-17
Filing date: 2019-12-30
Publication date: 2021-11-24
Also published as: US20220106023A1; BR112021013625A2; WO2020148077A1; CN113329935A; JP2022517430A; MX2021008585A; AU2019422771A1; DE102019101251A1; KR20210114032A

Abstract

The invention relates to a watercraft, in particular a swimming and/or diving aid, comprising a hull (10) which has a stern (12) and a bow (11), wherein: two flow channels (27) are provided in the hull (10) or on the hull (10) and run from a water inlet (22) to a water outlet (24); a water acceleration device (52), in particular a propeller or a water screw, is located in each of the two flow channels (27); each water acceleration device (52) is driven by a motor (50); handles (31), on to which a user can hold, are located in the central region between the bow (11) and the stern (12) or in the bow region; a support surface (40), on at least part of which a user can rest, is provided adjacent to the handles (31) in the direction towards the stern (12); and two spaced-apart bulged portions, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the hull (10) and between which at least one water planing surface (14, 15) is located, are provided on the underside of the hull (10). In order to be able to achieve low flow resistance in such a watercraft with a compact structure, according to the invention the flow channels (27) extend, at least in certain areas, in the region of the bulged portions.

Description

Watercraft

The invention relates to a watercraft, in particular a swimming and / or diving aid with a hull which has a stern and a bow, two flow channels being provided in the hull or on the hull, which run from a water inlet to a water outlet, in each of which A water acceleration device, in particular a propeller or a water screw, is arranged in both flow channels, each water acceleration device being driven by a motor, handles being arranged in the middle area between the bow and stern or in the bow area, to which a user can hold on , in the direction of the stern, a support surface is provided on the handles, on which the user can at least partially rest, and on the underside of the fuselage there are two bulges spaced apart and extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage, between which at least one water sliding surface inor dnet is

Such watercraft are used as leisure or sports equipment as well as life-saving equipment and for professional use. They can be used to drag a user over the surface of the water. At the same time, the watercraft can also be transferred from the overwater trip to the diving trip. In particular, the watercraft can then be used for longer diving trips. From US 2001/0025594 A1 a watercraft is known in which a fuselage with laterally protruding wings is provided. The fuselage has a support surface on which a user can lie down with his upper body. Similar to a motorcycle, the watercraft has a handlebar. The handlebar has two handles. The user can hold onto this. Two flow channels are also provided in the fuselage, impellers being provided within the flow channels. The impellers are arranged on a shaft and can be driven by an electric motor. The watercraft has bulges on its underside, which are arranged at a distance from one another. This known watercraft builds relatively large and is therefore unwieldy. In particular, it cannot be used for water travel in which tight curve radii are to be used. In addition, the height of the watercraft is high, so that it offers a relatively high flow resistance.

Another watercraft is also known from DE 35 23 758 A1. Similar to a biplane, this watercraft has two wings that are spaced apart. Flow channels are formed between these two wings. Motors are arranged in the flow channels, each of which drives a propeller. Handles are also provided between the wings. With these handles, the motors can be controlled individually.

Another watercraft with two flow channels and associated motors is known from FR 2 915 172.

It is an object of the invention to provide a watercraft of the type mentioned at the outset which has a compact structure in favor of a relatively low flow resistance and which can be easily handled in favor of a sporty driving style.

This object is achieved in that the flow channels run at least in regions in the region of the bulges. According to the invention, the flow channels are thus integrated into the bulges in a space-saving manner, as a result of which the overall height of the watercraft can be significantly reduced compared to the known watercraft. This reduces the flow resistance. This means that the watercraft has a significantly lower energy consumption and enables a sportier driving style. In addition, it has been shown that the integration of the flow channels into the bulges leads to a better balance of the watercraft during a diving trip. When driving over water, a better water supply to the flow channel is achieved even in rippled water and the risk that air is drawn into the flow channels in such a driving style is significantly reduced.

According to a preferred variant of the invention, it is provided that each of the two flow channels has its own water inlet, each of which is introduced into the bulges. On the one hand, this leads to better straight running. On the other hand, this improves the mode of operation in that when one of the two flow channels unintentionally draws air, this is not the case with the other flow channel. The other flow channel can then continue to drive with the desired thrust.

According to a conceivable embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the water inlets are open towards the bottom and / or in the direction of the area arranged between the bulges. If the water inlets are aligned in such a way that they are open towards the underside, an ideal water supply to the flow channels is ensured. If the water inlets are aligned in such a way that they are open into the area between the bulges, the driving style is improved because the water is actively drawn into the area between the bulges via the sliding surface between the bulges. If the water inlets are aligned in both directions, i.e. towards the bottom and into the area between the bulges, these effects combine and the risk of cavitation effects is avoided. To achieve a maximum thrust effect, it can be provided that the water outlets of both flow channels are open towards the rear of the watercraft.

Significant efficiency optimization can be achieved by arranging a flow stator in the flow channels in the flow direction behind the water acceleration devices, which is designed to reduce or eliminate the swirl of the water after the water acceleration device, preferably to straighten the water jet. The water drawn through the flow channels by means of the water acceleration device, for example the propeller, experiences a swirl at the water acceleration device. This swirl leads to a reduction in thrust. The fact that this swirl is reduced or eliminated by means of the flow stator significantly increases the thrust of the water jet and thus the overall performance of the watercraft.

If it is provided that the motors assigned to the two water acceleration devices are arranged outside the flow channels in the fuselage, then the free cross-sectional area of the flow channels remains unaffected by the motor, so that a maximum water throughput is achieved. The motors are preferably arranged on both sides of the central longitudinal axis of the watercraft. As a result, the weight of the motors helps stabilize the watercraft during water travel.

A preferred option of the invention provides that the motors are accommodated in a common or in separate flooding spaces, wherein the flooding spaces can be flooded with ambient water. As a result, the motors can be effectively cooled using the ambient water during the ferry operation. The ambient water is available for cooling purposes in practically unlimited quantities.

In order to be able to effect an effective flow, it can be provided that the flooding space or spaces has at least one water inlet opening and a water outlet opening are connected to the surroundings such that the water inlet opening and the water outlet opening are arranged offset in relation to one another in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the hull running from bow to stern, in order to ensure a water flow in the flooding space or the flooding spaces during the operation of the vessel by the watercraft to create.

It is also conceivable that one or more ventilation openings are assigned to the flooding space or spaces. When the watercraft is placed in the water, the air can then quickly escape from the flooding space (s) via the ventilation opening, so that the flooding space is filled with water. The ventilation opening or the ventilation openings are preferably arranged in the region of the flooding spaces, which are arranged above and away from the lower ship, so that the most complete possible ventilation can take place.

The flooding areas can also be used to reduce the buoyancy of the watercraft when it is placed in the water. This leads to a reduction in the empty weight of the watercraft so that it can be easily transported outside of the water.

When using two flooding areas, the balance of the watercraft can be further improved during the ferry operation.

According to a conceivable variant of the invention, it can be provided that the bulges are part of lateral arms, and that a motor and / or a flooding space is preferably provided in the area of each arm. The booms can be spaced or spaced from the actual fuselage body. They can also be integrated into the fuselage body. If a motor and / or a flooding space is arranged in each boom, a stable central position of the watercraft can be generated during the ferry operation.

It can particularly preferably be provided that each of the two motors can be separately controlled and / or regulated. In this way, improved driving behavior when cornering can be achieved. For example, at when cornering, operate the motor facing the outer radius of the curve with a higher power than the motor facing the inner radius. This enables fast, tight turns.

In particular, it can also be provided that control elements of a control device are assigned to each handle, so that the control of one handle can be used to regulate one motor and the control elements of the other handle to regulate the power output of the other motor. In this way, the user can actively influence the cornering behavior during the ferry operation, which supports a sporty driving style.

According to a further variant of the invention, it can be provided that both motors are supplied by a common power supply, in this case it is advisable to arrange the power supply, which can be designed as an accumulator, centrally in the central aisle or in the bow area of the watercraft, in order to load the which User attaches to the bearing surface to balance the weight of the power supply. It is also conceivable that each motor is assigned its own power supply. In this case, redundancy is created. If a power supply fails during the ferry operation, the user can reach the bank at a reduced speed with the aid of the second accumulator. It is also conceivable that in this case there is a changeover switch with which the remaining power supply can be connected to both motors. When using two power supplies, these can preferably be arranged symmetrically to the central longitudinal axis of the watercraft and on both sides of the central transverse plane of the watercraft running through the central longitudinal axis, so that good stability of the watercraft is achieved.

When using two power supplies, it is also recommended that the two power supplies for the motors are each arranged in a flooding area or in a common flooding area. Then the power supplies can be cooled in the flooding areas during ferry operation become. This ensures a constant power output from the power supplies.

If it is provided that the direction of rotation of the motors can be reversed individually or jointly by means of a control device and thus the direction of thrust of the water acceleration device can be reversed. Then you can reverse or turn the watercraft in a confined space.

To achieve the object of the invention, a watercraft can also be designed such that it has a hull with a stern and a bow, two flow channels being provided in the hull or on the hull, which run from a water inlet to a water outlet, in each of the two Flow channels a water acceleration device, in particular a propeller or a water screw is arranged, wherein each water acceleration device is driven by a motor, wherein handles are arranged in the middle area between the bow and stern or in the bow area to which a user can hold. In such a watercraft, it can be provided that it has an inclination sensor that detects the inclination of the watercraft about its central longitudinal axis qualitatively or quantitatively, that the inclination sensor is connected to a control device, and that the control device controls the two motors as a function of the signal of the inclination sensor driven at an incline of the watercraft in such a way that the motors have a different power output.

If the user of such a watercraft wants to initiate a turn, he intuitively tilts the watercraft about its central longitudinal axis. The inclination sensor now recognizes this inclination. The control device then controls the two motors with regard to their power output. For example, the motor that faces the inside of the curve can be operated with a lower output than the outside motor. This enables cornering with a narrow radius to be achieved, which leads to a sporty driving style. It is conceivable that the inclination sensor the degree of inclination, in particular the angle of inclination qualitatively recorded. A functional relationship or a map is stored in a memory in the control device. Depending on the measured angle of inclination, the control device then takes the assigned control parameters for the two motors. This enables optimized cornering with maximum driving performance.

The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a watercraft,

Figure 2 shows the watercraft of Figure 1 in a view from below and

Figure 3 shows the watercraft according to Figures 1 and 2 in side view and in section.

Figures 1 and 2 show a watercraft with a hull 10, the hull 10 having a bow 11 and a stern 12. A cockpit 30 which has a display 32 is provided in the region of the bow 11. Certain operating parameters of the watercraft can be displayed via the display 32. For example, this display 32 can indicate the state of charge of power supplies 60, the depth of immersion or the speed.

30 handles 31 are provided on both sides of the handles 31 on the cockpit. A user can hold onto the watercraft using these handles. The handles 31 can have control elements 31 A, 31 B.

A support surface 40 adjoins the cockpit 30 in the direction of the stern 12. A user can rest partially on this support surface 40, for example, support the arms and / or a partial area of his upper body. 1, the support surface 40 is preferably provided with a trough-shaped recess. However, it is also conceivable that none Deepening, but an outwardly curved central area or a flat central area is provided.

Booms 20 adjoin the center region on both sides of the central longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The arms 20 have rounded transitions 42 at the top. These round transitions 42 are convexly curved outwards. Of course, other transitions can also be provided here. The rounding transitions 42 form part of the support surface and merge into the central region of the support surface 40. The outwardly adjacent upper sides of the arms 20 form support surfaces for the arms of the user. The arms 20 end on their long sides with side walls 21. The side walls 21 are convex to the bottom of the watercraft. There the side walls 21 merge into inner boundary walls 26. The boundary walls 26 are also part of the extension arm 20. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the boundary walls 26 each divide into a front part 26.1, a middle part 26.2 and a back part 26.3.

The front parts 26.1 of the boundary walls 26 diverge in the outward direction and are thus arranged in a flow-optimized manner.

The cantilevers 20 form bulges directed towards the underside of the watercraft. These bulges run, as shown in Figure 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The bulges are formed by the side walls 21 and boundary walls 26, the limiting valve 26 connecting to the side walls 21. The bulges are spaced apart. Between the bulges there is at least one, in the present exemplary embodiment there are two deflecting surfaces 14, 15 on the lower ship 13. The sliding surface 14, 15 or the sliding surfaces 14, 15 and the boundary walls 26 form a water guide channel. This water guide channel is open to the underside of the watercraft. The water channel is also open in the area of the stern and bow. Figure 2 clearly shows this. FIG. 3 shows a section through one of the cantilevers 20 along the section shown in FIG. 2 with MI NI. As can be seen from this illustration, the booms 20 have a flow channel 27 which is led through the boom 20 at least in some areas. The flow channel 27 has a water inlet 22 and a water outlet 24. The water inlet 22 is towards the underside of the watercraft, and, as can be seen in FIG. 2, also towards the region which is arranged between the two arms 20. It is also conceivable that the water inlet 22 is only open to the underside or only to the area between the two brackets 20.

A water acceleration device 52 is arranged in the flow channel 27. In the present case, this is designed as a propeller. The water accelerator 52 is carried by a drive shaft 51. The drive shaft 51 is preferably made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. It is therefore light in weight. On the one hand, this leads to a reduction in the total weight of the watercraft. On the other hand, this reduces the inertia, so that a quick response can be achieved.

The drive shaft 51 is connected to a motor 50. The motor 50 can be designed as an internal rotor motor or as an outrunner motor. An external rotor motor is preferably used to achieve a high available torque and thus a high thrust.

The drive motor 50 is accommodated in a flooding space 28. The flooding space 28 is at least partially arranged in the area of the arm 20. A water inlet opening 23 and a water outlet opening 25 are assigned to the flooding chamber 28. The water inlet opening 23 and the water outlet opening 25 are arranged offset to one another in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the watercraft. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the water inlet opening 23 is arranged in the region of the bow. The water outlet opening 25 is arranged in the region of the rear end 25. FIG. 1 shows that the water outlet opening 25 can, for example, be opened in a ring around the water outlet 24. As can further be seen in FIG. 3, the motor 50 is arranged in the flooding space 28. A wall element is arranged between the flooding space 28 and the flow channel 27. The shaft 51 penetrates this wall element at a suitable point.

The two brackets 20 are structurally identical, so that the above explanations apply to both brackets 20, preferably the two brackets 20 are constructed in mirror symmetry.

Both motors 50 can be supplied centrally by a power supply 60. The power supply 60 is housed in the hull 10 of the watercraft. The power supply 60 is preferably arranged in the region of the bow 11 of the watercraft, as can be seen in FIG. 3. However, it is also conceivable that the power supply 60 is arranged in the area of the central aisle.

It is also conceivable that two separate power supplies 60 are used. Each of the power supplies 60 then preferably supplies one of the two motors 50 in the brackets 20. The power supplies 60 can, for example, be arranged on both sides of the central transverse plane running in the longitudinal direction of the watercraft. In this way a load distribution is achieved. The power supplies 60 are preferably constructed identically, which leads on the one hand to a reduction in the number of parts and on the other hand to a uniform weight distribution. More preferably, the two power supplies 60 are arranged symmetrically to the central transverse plane.

It is also conceivable that one power supply 60 or both power supplies 60 are arranged in the area of the flooding areas 28. In this way, the power supply can be cooled while the ferry is operating. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the flooding spaces 28 are supplied via separate water inlet openings 23. However, it is also possible that a common water inlet opening 23 is provided for both flooding areas and / or a common water outlet opening 25 for both flooding areas 28.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a common flooding space 28 is provided in which both motors 50 and / or the power supply 60 are arranged. It is also conceivable for an electrical control unit for the watercraft to be accommodated in the flooding space or spaces 28 for cooling purposes. The control unit can of course also be arranged at another suitable location on the watercraft

The control unit can be used, for example, to individually control the power output of the two motors 50 connected to the power supply 60 or the power supplies 60. In the present exemplary embodiment, the handles 31, as described above, have control elements 31A, 31B. The control elements 31 A, 31 B are connected such that one motor can be controlled with the left handle 31 and the other motor 50 with the right handle 31. In particular, the user can individually control the power output of the motors 50. This enables improved cornering behavior. For example, if the starboard engine 50 is operated at a higher power than the port engine 50, cornering toward port is supported.

In addition or as an alternative to this possibility of controlling the motors 50, it can also be provided that an inclination sensor is arranged in the fuselage 10 or on the fuselage 10. This inclination sensor detects the inclination of the watercraft around the central longitudinal axis. The inclination of the watercraft about its central longitudinal axis can be detected qualitatively or quantitatively using the inclination sensor. The inclination sensor is connected to a control device. The control device is designed to operate the two motors 50 as a function of the signal of the inclination sensor when the watercraft is inclined to control that the motors 50 have a different power output. In this way, the cornering behavior can be influenced solely by the inclination of the watercraft.

When the watercraft is placed in the water, water flows into the flooding space 28 via the water inlet openings 23 and the water outlet openings 25, so that these are filled.

For a complete filling with water or an almost complete filling with water, it can be provided that one or more ventilation openings, preferably in the upper area, are assigned to the flooding spaces 28.

Furthermore, the flow channels 27 are also filled with water via the water inlets 22 and the water outlets 24.

Now the watercraft can be put into ferry operation. For this purpose, the user activates the motors 50 via the control elements 31 A, 31 B on the handles 31. Due to the activation of the motors 50, the drive shafts 51 and with them the water acceleration devices 52 are operated. The water accelerating device 52 draw water through the water inlets 22 to accelerate it in the flow channel 27. Following the water accelerating devices 52, the accelerated water has a swirl which is given to it by the water accelerating devices 52. Therefore, as can be seen in FIG. 3, flow stators 53 are provided following the water acceleration devices 52. These flow stators 53 have water guide vanes which are arranged opposite to the swirl of the water jet and reduce the swirl of the water jet, preferably cancel it completely. Following the flow stators 53, the water jet leaves the watercraft and exerts its thrust effect.

During the water travel, the water is guided between the bulges and the sliding surfaces 14, 15. The sliding surfaces 14, 15 can be convex or be concave surfaces. The water is drawn in and accelerated the water guide channel between the bulges and the sliding surfaces 14, 15, so that an improved driving behavior arises.

After completing the water ride, the user can lift the watercraft out of the water. Both the flooding chamber 28 and the flow channels 27 are emptied through the water inlets 22, the water outlets 24, the water inlet openings 23 and the water outlet openings 25. The weight of the watercraft is reduced considerably as a result, and it can be easily transported.

Claims

Expectations

1. Watercraft, in particular swimming and / or diving aid with a hull (10) which has a stern (12) and a bow (11), two flow channels (27) being provided in the hull (10) or on the hull (10) which run from a water inlet (22) to a water outlet (24), a water acceleration device (52), in particular a propeller or a water screw, being arranged in each of the two flow channels (27), each water acceleration device (52 ) is driven by a motor (50), handles (31) being arranged in the middle area between the bow (11) and the stern (12) or in the bow area, which a user can hold on to, towards the stern (12 ) a support surface (40) is provided next to the handles (31), on which the user can at least partially rest, and on the underside of the fuselage (10) two bulges spaced apart and extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage (10) are provided between which at least one water sliding surface (14, 15) is arranged,

characterized,

that the flow channels (27) run at least in regions in the region of the bulges.

2. Watercraft according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two flow channels (27) has its own water inlet (22) which are each introduced into the bulges.

3. Watercraft according to claim 2, characterized in that the water inlets (22) towards the bottom and / or in the direction of the region arranged between the bulges are open.

4. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water outlets (24) of both flow channels (27) are open towards the rear of the watercraft.

5. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a flow stator (53) is arranged in the flow channels (27) in the flow direction behind the water acceleration devices (52), which is designed to follow the swirl of the water to reduce or cancel the water accelerating device, preferably to straighten the water jet.

6. Watercraft according to claim 5, characterized in that the two water acceleration devices (52) associated motors (50) are arranged outside the flow channels (27) in the hull (10) and are preferably arranged on both sides of the central longitudinal axis of the watercraft.

7. Watercraft according to claim 6, characterized in that the motors (50) are accommodated in a common or in separate flooding spaces (28), wherein the flooding spaces (28) can be flooded with ambient water.

8. Watercraft according to claim 7, characterized in that the flooding space (s) (28) are connected to the environment via at least one water inlet opening (23) and one water outlet opening (25), that the water inlet opening (23) and the water outlet opening (25) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the fuselage (10) extending from the bow (11) to the spot (12) are arranged offset from one another in order to ensure a water flow in the flooding space (28) or the flooding spaces (28) during the ferry operation of the To generate watercraft.

9. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bulges are part of the lateral boom (20), and that A motor (50) and / or a flooding space (28) is preferably provided in the area of each arm (20).

10. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each of the two motors (50) can be controlled and / or regulated separately.

11. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each handle (31) is associated with control elements (31 A, 31 B) of a control device, so that with the control elements (31 A, 31 B) of the one handle (31) one motor (50) and with the control elements (31 A, 31 B) of the other handle (31) the other motor (50) can be regulated with regard to its power output.

12. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that both motors (50) of a common

Power supply (60) are supplied or that each motor (50) is assigned its own power supply (60).

13. Watercraft according to claim 12, characterized in that the two power supplies (60) for the motors (50) are each arranged in a flooding space (28) or in a common flooding space (28).

14. Watercraft according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that by means of a control device the direction of rotation of the motors (50) can be reversed individually or jointly and thus the direction of thrust of the water acceleration device (52) can be reversed.

15. Watercraft, in particular swimming and / or diving aid with a hull (10) having a stern (12) and a bow (11), two flow channels (27) being provided in the hull (10) or on the hull (10) are that run from a water inlet (22) to a water outlet (24), wherein in each of the two flow channels (27) a water Accelerating device (52), in particular a propeller or a water screw, is arranged, each water accelerating device (52) being driven by a motor (50), with handles in the middle area between the bow (11) and the stern (12) or in the bow area (31) are arranged which a user can hold on to,

characterized in that

the watercraft has an inclination sensor which qualitatively or quantitatively detects the inclination of the watercraft about its central longitudinal axis, that the inclination sensor is connected to a control device, and that the control device controls the two motors (50) as a function of the signal of the inclination sensor when the watercraft is inclined controls that the motors (50) have a different power output.

16. Watercraft according to claim 15, characterized by one of the

Claims 1 to 14.