EP4276010A1 - Underwater propulsion system - Google Patents

Abstract

System comprising at least a first work module (2) and a second work module (4) for an underwater drive for use in water sports, wherein the two work modules (2, 4) are set up for coupling to the same drive module (1), the second Work module (4) differs from the first work module (2).

Description

The invention relates to a system comprising at least a first work module and a second work module for an underwater drive for use in water sports, the two work modules being set up for coupling to the same drive module. In use, the subsea propulsion includes the propulsion module and a selected one of the work modules coupled to the propulsion module. The drive module includes a power machine that emits mechanical energy, i.e. a motor, preferably an electric motor. The work modules each include a work machine, i.e. H. a powered machine that absorbs energy in the form of mechanical work from the propulsion module and transfers it to the surrounding water when in use (i.e. underwater). The work machines of the work modules are fluid energy machines, more precisely hydraulic fluid energy machines.

The present invention relates in particular to the use of an underwater propulsion in water sports, more specifically in surfing or "foiling", i.e. H. Surfing with a board with underwater wings, as well as small boats for one to four people.

An underwater drive for a hydrofoil surfboard is from the WO 2022/037809 A1 known. The drive has a rear part, which includes a work machine and is attached to a drive part, such as an electric motor, via a fastening flange with suitable fastening openings. This system has the disadvantage that it is optimized for only one specific application, in this case the propulsion of a hydrofoil surfboard. The rear section achieves a trade-off between flow resistance and efficiency suitable for this particular application.

It is an object of the present invention to be able to adapt the underwater drive for various applications without having to replace the entire drive.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the system of the type mentioned at the outset in that the second work module differs from the first work module.

The second work module can, for example, have a different flow resistance and/or a different efficiency than the first work module. Typically, the working module with the lower flow resistance will also have the lower efficiency and vice versa. This means that different trade-offs between flow resistance and efficiency can be achieved, optimal for different applications, with a single drive module. For example, to drive a stand-up paddle board near the water surface, a work module can be provided that prioritizes low flow resistance, while a different work module can be provided to drive a fishing boat, for which high efficiency is the priority. For example, for the drive of a hydrofoil surfboard, a compromise between the two aforementioned applications can optionally be provided with a third working module.

At least one of the work modules can have an impeller, wherein the impeller can be connected via a shaft to a coupling part for coupling to the drive module. An impeller is a propeller enclosed in a housing, with no restrictions on the shape of the housing. The housing is typically held by a stator. The propeller forms a rotor of the working module with the shaft. The propeller can have one or more blades which are arranged around an axis of rotation of the shaft, preferably rotationally symmetrical. As an alternative to an impeller, at least one of the working modules can have a propeller without a housing.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the impeller may form part of a nozzle ring propeller that includes a diffuser connected to a housing of the impeller. The diffuser serves to divert the flow of water moved by the impeller in an ejection direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft and to reduce flows and turbulence perpendicular to this direction. The impeller housing can taper in the ejection direction to increase the To achieve flow velocity in this direction at the outlet of the working module. The optional combination of impeller and diffuser can generally also be provided in a work module without a nozzle-shaped taper of the housing.

In general, the second working module can have a different diameter, in particular a larger diameter, than the first working module. The smaller diameter of the first working module can promote low flow resistance compared to the second working module. Conversely, the larger diameter of the second working module can promote high efficiency compared to the first working module. For example, the diameter of the first work module can be between 30 mm and 100 mm and the diameter of the second work module can be between 100 mm and 300 mm. If more than two work modules are provided, the respective diameters can be approximately evenly distributed, with the smallest or largest diameter lying in the aforementioned ranges. In general, however, both or all working modules can have the same diameter and differ in other ways, for example based on the design of a propeller or impeller or an associated housing.

Another optional possibility of distinguishing between the work modules is that at least one of the work modules can have a gear. The gearbox can be, for example, a reduction gearbox. This allows the torque per revolution of the rotor to be increased in relation to the shaft of the drive module. Alternatively or simultaneously, the efficiency of the drive module can be increased by adjusting the speed to an optimal working range. For a work module with a larger diameter than at least one other work module, a transmission ratio (output:drive) between 1:2 and 1:10, in particular 1:5, can be provided, for example; Analogously, for a work module with a smaller diameter than at least one other work module, for example, a gear ratio (output: drive) between 2:1 and 10:1, in particular 5:1.

Optionally, at least one of the work modules can have a removable outer wing. The outer wing can, for example, stabilize the horizontal transverse axis of the underwater drive together with a wing arranged at the other (bow-side) end of the drive module. This can counteract “nodding” forwards and backwards. This is particularly advantageous when used on an hydrofoil surfboard (“E-Foil”) in order to improve the stability when the surfboard is lifted out of the water. The wing and the outer wing can be configured in such a way that the wing (or front wing) generates lift and the outer wing (or rear wing) generates downforce.

The removable outer wing can, for example, be positively connected to the housing of the impeller and preferably held between the housing and the diffuser, wherein the diffuser can be removable from the housing. This type of coupling enables tool-free assembly and disassembly of the outer wing as required. This means that the underwater drive can be adapted in a simple and reliable manner and an optimal balance can be struck between flow resistance (which is lower without an outer wing) and stability (which is higher with an outer wing).

The working modules can each have a connection device for coupling to the drive module, wherein the connection device can be set up to produce a first connection and a second connection, the first connection holding the modules together along the connection axis and the second connection restricting or blocking relative rotation of the modules , wherein the second connection is a positive connection tangential to the connection axis, and wherein the first connection is a tool-free connection. A tool-free connection is without a separate tool such as a screwdriver or wrench producible. Optionally, no loose additional parts are required to open or close a lock (such as loose levers, pins, rods, screws or cylinders). Since the second connection is typically also a tool-free connection, the adjacent modules can be connected and thereby assembled or separated and thereby dismantled without the use of a tool, namely with bare hands. This makes handling much easier. There is no need to carry a suitable tool, which is particularly impractical in water sports. This makes it possible to transport the modules as compact individual parts to the place of use (e.g. beach) and only assemble them immediately before use. There is no risk of losing a tool required for subsequent disassembly during use, damaging other pieces of equipment, or injuring yourself or others.

The first connection can be, for example, a releasable screw connection, with the connecting device having an internal thread or an external thread for producing the first connection. The screw connection is made directly between the modules. No separate connection tools such as screws or nuts are required. The screw connection is tightened by manually applying a torque directly to the modules themselves or to movable connecting components that belong to the respective module and are, for example, movably connected to a housing of the module. In both cases, the actuation surfaces belonging to the module are sufficiently far away from an axis of the screw connection so that the screw connection can be sufficiently tightened manually, e.g. with a radius of at least 1 cm.

In this context, the connection device can optionally be set up to establish the second connection after the establishment of the first connection. The sequential production of the connections is comparable to a screw connection with a castle nut. Such - Preferably forced - establishment of the two connections in succession makes it possible to block or lock the first connection at the same time as the second connection. This is particularly advantageous if the first connection alone would not be sufficiently reliable under dynamic load.

For example, the connecting device can have a coupling part of a snap-in and lockable claw coupling. The coupling part can, for example, be provided comparable to a front feather key. The claw coupling can correspond to the second connection and transmit a torque between the adjacent modules and thereby at the same time relieve the first connection of a torque. Particularly in the case of a dynamic torque, a screw connection would in principle be unsuitable as a first connection, but in combination with such a second connection it can achieve a high level of reliability using simple means and in a small space.

According to an exemplary embodiment of such a tool-free connection between the drive module and the work module, the connection device of the work module or the connection device of the drive module can have at least two spring-loaded, in particular spherical, claw parts which are movable in the direction parallel to the connection axis, the connection device comprising a preferably rotatable link which is used for locking the claw parts are set up. This construction makes it possible to tighten a screw connection used as the first connection up to and beyond the claw parts, with the claw parts being displaced against the spring force up to a locking position in which the claw parts engage in corresponding recesses or recesses in the adjacent module. The claw parts can then be locked against displacement in this locking position, for example with the rotatable link, until the lock is released again. The rotatability of the link ensures that no torque is exerted on the link from the modules is transmitted and the connection is therefore reliably maintained even under dynamic load.

Optionally or additionally, the connecting device can have a passage arranged parallel to the connecting axis, preferably centrally, wherein a coupling part for a shaft of the working module can be arranged in the passage. The passage can, for example, be arranged radially within the screw connection in that the housings of the modules are designed as hollow cylinders in the area of the screw connection.

• Fig. 1 schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Unterwasser-Antriebs mit einem Antriebsmodul und einem Arbeitsmodul eines Systems der hier offenbarten Art;
• Fig. 2 schematisch einen Teil-Längsschnitt durch den Unterwasser-Antrieb gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 schematisch eine Seitenansicht des Antriebsmoduls und des Arbeitsmoduls gemäß Fig. 1, in einer demontierten Stellung, getrennt voneinander, unter einem anderen Blickwinkel als Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 schematisch einen Längsschnitt der Module gemäß Fig. 3 entlang der Linie IV-IV;
• Fig. 5-7 drei unterschiedliche Arbeitsmodule eines Systems der hier offenbarten Art; und
• Fig. 8-10 eine Seitenansicht und zwei (teilweise) Explosionsansichten eines Arbeitsmoduls mit einem abnehmbaren Außenflügel.

The invention is explained further below using particularly preferred exemplary embodiments, to which it is not intended to be limited, and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show in detail:

• Fig. 1 schematically a side view of an underwater drive with a drive module and a work module of a system of the type disclosed herein;
• Fig. 2 schematically a partial longitudinal section through the underwater drive Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 schematically a side view of the drive module and the work module according to Fig. 1 , in a dismantled position, separated from each other, from a different angle than Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 schematically a longitudinal section of the modules Fig. 3 along line IV-IV;
• Fig. 5-7 three different working modules of a system of the type disclosed herein; and
• Fig. 8-10 a side view and two (partial) exploded views of a work module with a removable outer wing.

The Figures 1-4 each show a drive module 1 and a first work module 2 for an underwater drive 3 for use in water sports. The drive module 1 and the work module 2 each belong to a system that includes a second work module 4 and a third work module 5, as in the Figures 5-7 shown, with the work modules 2, 4, 5 all differ from each other. At the same time, the work modules 2, 4, 5 are set up for coupling to the same drive module 1. The work modules 2, 4, 5 therefore form a system with the drive module 1.

The drive module 1 has an electric motor 6 (schematically in Fig. 2 shown), which is supplied with power by a battery, which is housed, for example, in a board and is connected to the drive module 1 via lines in a mast and suitable connecting parts 7 between the mast and the drive module 1. The electric motor 6 can be controlled by a control unit, which is also housed in a board, for example, and is connected to a control element via radio or cable. Mechanical work is transferred from the drive module 1 to a shaft 11 of the work module 2 via a coupling 8 with opposing coupling parts 9, 10.

All three work modules 2, 4, 5 shown in these exemplary embodiments have an impeller 12 (see Fig. 2 and 4 ). The impeller 12 is connected via the shaft 11 to a coupling part 9 for coupling to the drive module 1. The impeller 12 forms part of a nozzle ring propeller 13. The nozzle ring propeller 13 includes a diffuser 15 connected to a housing 14 of the impeller 12 in the manner of a jet nozzle.

The second work module 4 has a higher flow resistance and a higher efficiency than the first work module 2. The third work module 5 has a lower flow resistance and a lower efficiency than the first work module 2 and than the second work module 4. The second work module 4 has a larger diameter than the first work module 2. The third work module 5 has a smaller diameter than the first work module 2 and than the second work module 4.

The second work module 4 has a gear. The gearbox of the second work module 4 has a gear ratio of 1:5 (output:drive). i.e. the speed of the shaft 11 of the second working module 4 is five times higher than the speed of the Wing 16 of impeller 12.

That in the Figures 1-4 Working module 2 shown is suitable for receiving two removable outer wings 17, as in the Figures 8-10 shown. Fig. 8 shows the work module 2 with the removable outer wings 17. The removable outer wings 17 have a support ring 18. The carrier ring 18 is positively connected to the housing 14 of the impeller 12. This connection prevents the removable outer wings 17 from rotating around the housing 14. The removable outer wings 17 are held between the housing 14 and the diffuser 15 in a direction parallel to the shaft 11 of the working module 2. The diffuser 15 is removable from the housing 14 and, in this example, connected to the housing 14 by means of a screw connection. The diffuser 15 has an internal thread 19 that can be screwed onto an external thread 20 of the housing 14 (see Figure 4 ).

The work modules 2, 4, 5 each have a connecting device 21 for coupling to the drive module 1. The drive module 1 has a corresponding connection device 22 for coupling a work module 2, 4, 5 at the rear end. The connection devices 21, 22 are each set up to produce a first connection 23 and a second connection 24. The first connection 23 holds the modules together along the connection axis 25. The second connection 24 limits or completely blocks relative rotation of the modules. The second connection 24 is a positive connection tangential to the connection axis 25. The first connection 23 is a tool-free connection.

In the connection devices 21, 22 between the drive module 1 and the work module 2, the first connection 23 is a releasable screw connection. The connecting device 22 on the drive module 1 has an external thread 26 and the connecting device 21 on the work module 2 has a corresponding internal thread 27 for producing the first connection 23 (see Fig. 4 ).

To produce the second connection 24, which is a positive connection tangential to the connection axis 25 to absorb torque, the connecting devices 21, 22 each have a coupling part 28, 29 of a snap-in and lockable claw coupling. In detail, the connecting device 22 of the drive module 1 has three spherical claw parts 30 which are movable and spring-loaded in the direction parallel to the connecting axis 25 and includes a rotatable link 31 which is set up to lock these claw parts 30. More precisely, the link 31 presses the spherical claw parts 30 outwards and into corresponding recesses 32 in the connecting device 21 of the working module 2 and locks them there. As a result, the two modules are locked against mutual rotation, whereby the screw connection is at the same time permanently blocked until the spherical claw parts 30 are loosened and released by rotating the link 31 in reverse. The connecting devices 21, 22 are accordingly set up to produce the second connection 24 after the first connection 23 has been produced.

The connecting devices 21, 22 each have a central passage 33, 34 arranged parallel to the connecting axis 25. The coupling parts 9, 10 for the shaft 11 of the underwater drive are arranged in the passage 33, 34.

Claims (14)

System comprising at least a first work module (2) and a second work module (4) for an underwater drive for use in water sports, the two work modules (2, 4) being set up for coupling to the same drive module (1), characterized in that the second work module (4) differs from the first work module (2). System according to claim 1, characterized in that the second work module (4) has a different flow resistance and/or a different efficiency than the first work module (2). System according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the work modules (2, 4) has an impeller (12), the impeller (12) having a shaft (11) with a coupling part (9) for coupling the drive module (1) is connected. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the impeller (12) forms part of a nozzle ring propeller (13) which comprises a diffuser (15) connected to a housing (14) of the impeller (12). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second work module (4) has a different diameter, in particular a larger diameter, than the first work module (2). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the work modules (2, 4) has a gearbox. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the work modules (2, 4) has a removable outer wing (17). System according to claim 4 and claim 7, thereby characterized in that the removable outer wing (17) is positively connected to the housing (14) of the impeller (12) and is preferably held between the housing (14) and the diffuser (15), the diffuser (15) being separated from the housing (14) is removable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the work modules (2, 4) each have a connecting device (21) for coupling to the drive module (1), the connecting device (21) being used to produce a first connection (23) and a second Connection (24) is set up, wherein the first connection (23) holds the modules together along the connection axis (25) and the second connection (24) restricts or blocks relative rotation of the modules, the second connection (24) being tangential to the connection axis (25) is a positive connection, characterized in that the first connection (23) is a tool-free connection. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the first connection (23) is a releasable screw connection, the connecting device (21) having an internal thread (27) or an external thread for producing the first connection (23). System according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting device (21) is set up to produce the second connection (24) after the production of the first connection (23). System according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting device (21) has a coupling part (29) of a snap-in and lockable claw coupling. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting device of the work module or the connecting device (22) of the drive module (1) has at least two spring-loaded, in particular spherical, claw parts (30) movable in the direction parallel to the connecting axis (25). has, wherein the connecting device (22) comprises a preferably rotatable link (31) which is set up to lock the claw parts (30). System according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the connecting device (21) of the working module (2) has a preferably central passage (34) arranged parallel to the connecting axis (25), with a coupling part (34) in the passage (34). 9) is arranged for a shaft (11) of the work module (2).

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