Classifications

• • 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
  • B63H5/16—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers characterised by being mounted in recesses; with stationary water-guiding elements; Means to prevent fouling of the propeller, e.g. guards, cages or screens
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
  • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
  • B63H1/12—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially in propulsive direction
  • B63H1/14—Propellers
  • B63H1/16—Propellers having a shrouding ring attached to blades
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
  • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
  • B63H1/12—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially in propulsive direction
  • B63H1/14—Propellers
  • B63H1/18—Propellers with means for diminishing cavitation, e.g. supercavitation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H11/00—Marine propulsion by water jets
  • B63H11/02—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water
  • B63H11/04—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps
  • B63H11/08—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type
• • 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
  • B63H25/46—Steering or dynamic anchoring by jets or by rudders carrying jets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H11/00—Marine propulsion by water jets
  • B63H11/02—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water
  • B63H11/04—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps
  • B63H11/08—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type
  • B63H2011/081—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type with axial flow, i.e. the axis of rotation being parallel to the flow direction

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a propulsion assembly for a marine ves- sel according to the preamble of claim 1.
• Marine vessels use various propulsion systems or units.
• the main pro pulsion unit or units is/are normally arranged in the aft part of the ship.
• a marine vessel usually requires separate steering thrusters for facilitating safe and efficient port manoeuvring.
• Steering thrusters are generally of fixed or azimuthing type. Fixed thruster is arranged to a thruster duct running transversely from one side of the vessel hull to the opposite side. Thus the fixed thruster is capable of producing sideways force to the ship.
• Steer- able azimuthing thruster is supported vertically rotatable in respect to the hull and is therefore capable of steering the vessel towards any selected direction.
• EP0306642B1 discloses a transverse thruster which consists of a transverse-thrust passage, formed in the hull and consisting of a tunnel tube, and a transmission housing arranged in this transverse-thrust passage and hav- ing a propeller.
• EP0306642B1 teaches to provide air-discharge openings formed in or at the wall of the tunnel tube at its both ends. An aim of the solution is to reduce noise during start-up.
• the air-discharge openings are connected to an air compressor via at least one air-supply tube and are of appropriate size for form ing a finely distributed air flow.
• EP3009342A1 discloses an electric transverse tunnel thruster which is driven by motor arranged to rim of the propeller.
• the thruster comprises a cylin drical housing, which is open at both sides in its axial direction, a thruster body disposed inside the cylindrical housing and a pair of fairing ducts which are re movably mounted to respective side surfaces of the thruster body inside the housing.
• the thruster body includes an annular stator, an annular rotor disposed inside the stator and a propeller blade provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotor.
• WO2018193149A1 discloses a thruster in which a nozzle duct is ar ranged around a propeller of the thruster.
• the nozzle duct is supported to hub of the thruster by means of vanes extending inwards in a duct.
• the rim drive electric motor comprises a rotor rim and a stator.
• the rotor rim is arranged on the outer perimeter of the propeller i.e. on the outer tips of the propeller blades.
• the rotor rim rotates in an annular groove extending radially outwards from an inner surface of the nozzle.
• a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel comprises a body comprising a duct having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, a support structure for a propeller comprising a propeller shaft at a centre line of the duct, - a propeller, positioned into the duct and being attached to the propeller shaft, wherein the propeller comprising at least three blades and a boss which is supported to the shaft, and further a circular rim to which radial ends of the pro peller blades are attached, wherein a circumferential slot is provided, opening inside the duct between the first end and the second end, into which slot the circular rim is arranged to extend radially, and further at least one gas inlet arranged to open into the slot.
• gas preferably air is introduced such that a layer of air is maintained between the duct and the circular rim in the slot.
• the layer of air provides advantageous effects such as minimizing frictional re- sistance of the outer wall of the rim as well as noise dampening.
• a space is arranged radially between a bottom of the slot and outer surface of the rim, and that the at least one gas inlet is arranged to open into the space.
• one gas inlet is arranged to open into the space at its lowermost position.
• the slot is formed to the body as an indent from the level of the inner wall of the duct.
• the slot is formed to the body as a radially inward extending circumferential projections provided with the circumferential slot.
• the projection comprises a first fairing at a first side of the propeller and a second fairing at a second side of the propeller having the slot between the fairings.
• the projection comprises a first axial end and a second axial end.
• the outer diameter of the projection at the first end and at the second end is substantially the same, and equal to the inner diameter of the duct.
• the inner diameter of the projection is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the duct at the first axial end, and the inner diameter of the projection at its second axial end is less than outer diameter of the circular rim.
• the assembly comprises at least four gas inlets arranged to open into the slot.
• the assembly comprises 1 - 4 gas inlets arranged to open into the slot.
• the assembly comprises evenly distributed gas inlets, having an angle of 5 - 30 degrees between the gas inlets.
• the assembly comprises a circumferentially extending gas plenum in connection with the body provided with plurality of substantially evenly distributed gas inlets arranged to open into the slot.
• the gas plenum circum scribes the duct.
• the propeller shaft is a driven shaft.
• the propeller shaft may be driven by a bevel gear connection, or by an electric motor driving the shaft directly.
• the propeller shaft is a non- driven shaft.
• propeller is provided with a rim drive.
• propeller is provided with a mechanical rim drive.
• propeller is provided with an electric motor wherein the rim comprises a rotor part of the motor and the body of the duct is provided with a stator part of the motor.
• the propulsion assembly is a transverse tunnel thruster, wherein the duct of the propulsion assembly is a straight tube.
• the propulsion assembly is a shaft line propulsion system, wherein the body of the duct of the propulsion assembly is rigidly attached to a hull of a vessel and the shaft extends via a stern tube through the hull of the vessel.
• the propulsion assembly is a steerable azimuthing thruster wherein the body comprises a nozzle duct and the boss of the propeller is connected to the shaft in a support structure, the support structure extending radially from the boss for coupling the azimuthing thruster to a vessel in rotatably manner.
• a transverse tunnel thruster for a marine vessel comprises - a body comprising a duct having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, a support structure for a propeller comprising a propeller shaft at a centre line of the duct, a propeller, positioned into the duct and being attached to the propeller shaft, wherein the propeller comprising at least three blades and a boss which is supported to the shaft, and further a circular rim to which radial ends of the pro peller blades are attached, wherein a circumferential slot is provided, opening inside the duct between the first end and the second end, into which slot the circular rim is arranged to extend radially, and further at least one gas inlet arranged to open into the slot, wherein the duct of the transverse tunnel thruster comprises a straight tube.
• a steerable azimuthing thruster for a marine vessel comprises a body comprising a duct having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, a support structure for a propeller comprising a propeller shaft at a centre line of the duct, a propeller, positioned into the duct and being attached to the propeller shaft, wherein the propeller comprising at least three blades and a boss which is supported to the shaft, and further a circular rim to which radial ends of the pro peller blades are attached, wherein a circumferential slot is provided, opening inside the duct between the first end and the second end, into which slot the circular rim is arranged to extend radially, and further at least one gas inlet arranged to open into the slot, and wherein the body comprises a nozzle tube and the boss of the propeller is connected to the shaft in a support structure, the support structure extending radially from the shaft for coupling the azimuth
• the propeller can be designed to be highly loaded at tips of the blades, which improves efficiency of the propeller and can enable also smaller diameter of tunnel. This has positive impact on total cost and less vessel resistance, which in turn results in fuel savings.
• the exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this patent ap plication are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims.
• the verb "to comprise” is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features.
• the features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.
• the novel features which are considered as charac teristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
• Figure 1 illustrates a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view II - II in the Figure 1
• Figure 3 illustrates a detail of a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel accord- ing to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 4 illustrates a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel according to an other embodiment of the invention
• Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the propulsion assembly according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the propulsion assembly according to an other embodiment of the invention
• Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the propulsion assembly according to still another embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 8 illustrates a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel according to an- other embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 9 illustrates a propulsion assembly for a marine vessel according to still another embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 1 depicts schematically a water submergible propulsion assembly
• the pro pulsion assembly is a thruster assembly and it comprises a body 12, which in turn comprises a duct 20 for water to flow through the body for generating thrust.
• the duct may be referred to as a tube or a tunnel.
• the duct 20 has a longitudinal axis L, and a first end 20.1 and a second end 20.2. More precisely, the thruster assembly in the figure 1 is a transverse tunnel thruster, in which case the duct 20 is a straight tube having a first diameter D1.
• the duct 20 may also be referred to as a tunnel.
• the transverse tunnel thruster is installed rigidly to a hull of the vessel, typically inside the hull, such the first end 20.1 and the second end 20.2 open into the surrounding water at opposite sides of the hull, i.e. it is installed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
• the thruster assembly 10 comprises a propeller 16 and a support structure 14 for the propeller 16.
• the support structure comprises a propeller shaft 18 arranged at a centre line L of the duct, to which propeller shaft 18 the propeller 16 is attached to.
• the propeller shaft may be driven or non-driven depending on the actual practical solution.
• the propeller 16 comprises at least three blades 22 and a boss 24 which is supported to the shaft 18.
• the propeller further comprises a circular rim 26 attached the radial ends 22’ of the propeller blades 22, and vice versa.
• the rim 26 is illustrated in the figure 1 as a cylindrical rim part having an axial length shorter than the propeller boss 24.
• the rim has a radially outer surface which has a second diameter D2.
• the second diameter is less than the first diameter D1 such that the propeller with the rim 26 can be easily assembled to and disassem bled from the shaft 18.
• the rim is parallel to the boss 24 having equal radiuses at its axial ends. The rim reduces tip vortices created by the propeller, decreases noise generation and also improves efficiency of the thruster.
• the assembly 10 is provided with a circumferential slot 28 at its inner surface such that the circular rim 26 extends at least partly into the slot 28 in radial direction.
• the circumferential slot 28 opens inside the duct 20 between the first 20.1 end and the second end 20.2 of the duct.
• the slot 28 has substantially radially extending side walls 28’.
• the circular rim 26 has substan tially radially extending side walls 26’, the side walls of the slot and the rim being at least part radially overlapping. This way the radially extending side walls 26’, 28’ form a radial gap between the slot 28 and the circular rim 26.
• gas inlet 30 There is at least one gas inlet 30 arranged to open into the slot 28.
• a space is arranged radially between a bottom of the slot and outer surface of the rim, and that the at least one gas inlet is arranged to open into the space.
• gas preferably air is introduced such that a layer of air is maintained between the duct 20 and the circular rim 26 in the slot 28.
• the layer of air provides advantageous effects such as noise dampening as well as mini- mizing frictional resistance of the outer wall of the rim 26.
• the projections are ring-like parts, optionally formed of several segments.
• the projections 32 are releasably assembled to the duct 20 so that the propeller with the rim 26 can be easily assembled to and disassem- bled from the shaft 18.
• the propeller and the projections are installed so that firstly the projection 32 behind (as seen from the first end 20.1.
• the pro- jection 32 is a circular part, or an assembly of circular segments having a cylin drical outer surface. Its radially inner surface provides smooth change of inner diameter between the first axial end and second axial end of the projection 32.
• the projections are formed so as to provide a first fairing at a first side of the propeller 24 and a second fairing at a second side of the propeller 26.
• This way even if the outer diameter, the second diameter D2, of the rim is smaller than the inner diameter of the duct 20, the first diameter D1, efficiency of the propeller is maintained at good level thanks to the radial projections 32 on both sides of the rim 26.
• the slot is arranged between the projection parts having fairings on a side in contact with the water flow when in use, the hydrodynamical efficiency is improved.
• the fairing smoothly bridges the radial gap/step between the duct inner surface and the rim inner surface that has smaller diameter.
• the projection 32 has a first axial end and a second axial end.
• the inner diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter D1 at the first axial end.
• the outer diam eter of the projection 32 is substantially equal at its first and second ends. Inner diameter of the projection 32 at its second axial end is less than the second di ameter D2.
• the projections are made as a removable assembly of at least two parts to enable installation and removal of the propeller.
• the assembly comprises multiple gas inlets 30 in the wall of the duct 20 opening into the slot 28.
• the assembly 10 comprises evenly distributed gas inlets 30 in the duct 20, having an angle A of 5 - 30 de grees between two adjacent gas inlets 30.
• the assembly 10 comprises a circumferentially extending gas plenum 42 in connection with the body 12 which is provided with plurality of substantially evenly distributed gas inlets 30 arranged to open into the slot 28 inside the duct 20.
• the gas plenum advantageously circumscribes the body 12 outside the duct 20.
• the ple- num 42 and the gas inlets 30 are connected to a source of pressurized air 38 by means of a pipe 40 and a control valve system 43 arranged between the source of pressurized air 38 and the plenum 42.
• the propeller shaft maybe a driven shaft, which means that the shaft is attached to the propeller such that torque and axial thrust can be transmitted from the propeller to the shaft. Also, the shaft is also coupled to a prime mover, such as an electric or hydraulic motor.
• a prime mover such as an electric or hydraulic motor.
• the propeller shaft may be a non-driven, which means that the shaft is attached to the propeller such that axial thrust can be transmitted from the pro peller to the shaft.
• the propeller may be provided with a rim drive and be rim driven e.g. driven by an electric motor 31 , having a rotor part arranged to the rim and a stator part to the body.
• This particular feature is depicted in the figure 3 which schematically shows a detail where the rotor part 34 is in connec tion with the rim 26 and the stator part 36 in connection with the body 12.
• the propeller may also be mechanically drive by suitable gear system or a belt or a chain drive. Also hydraulic or pneumatic force transmission via the rim of the propeller is feasible alternative to operate the thruster.
• FIG. 4 depicts schematically a water submergible thruster assembly 10 for a marine vessel according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the thruster assembly comprises a body 12, which in turn comprises a duct 20 for water to flow through the body for generating thrust.
• the duct 20 has a longitudinal axis, and a first end 20.1 and a second end 20.2. More precisely, the thruster assembly in the figure 4 is a steerable azimuthing thruster, in which case the duct 20 is a nozzle duct.
• the boss 24 of the propeller is connected to a support structure 14 extending radially from boss for coupling the steerable azimuthing thruster to a vessel 1 in manner rotatably around a vertical axis as depicted by the arrow A.
• the thruster assembly 10 comprises a propeller 16 and a support structure 14 for the propeller 16.
• the slot is formed to the body as an indent from the general level of the inner wall of the duct.
• the radially inner wall of the rim is substantially flush with the wall of the duct 20.
• the plenum 42 and the gas inlets 30 are connected to a source of pressurized air 38 by means of a pipe 40 and a control valve system 43 arranged between the source of pres surized air 38 and the plenum 42.
• Practically the functionalities of the introduction of gas in the embodiment of the figure 4 correspond to that of the figure 1 and at least their main features are totally interchangeable.
• Figure 5 discloses an embodiment of the invention as a sectional view at the location of the section ll-ll in the figure 1.
• the assembly 10 comprises one gas inlet 30 in the duct 20, which is positioned to open into the slot 26 at its lowermost position.
• the gas inlet 30 is connected to a source of pressurized air 38 by means of a pipe 40 and a control valve system 43 arranged between the source of pressurized air 38 and the inlet 30. This is the most straightforward manner of realizing the introduction of the pressurized air into the slot.
• Figure 6 discloses an embodiment of the invention as a sectional view at the location of the section ll-ll in the figure 1.
• the assembly 10 comprises three gas inlets 30 in the duct 20, one of which is positioned to open into the slot 26 at its lowermost position and to other equally distributed to the rim of the duct.
• the gas inlets 30 are each connected to a common source of pressurized air 38 by means of a pipe 40 and a control valve system 43 arranged between the source of pressurized air 38 and inlet. This is the most straightforward manner of realiz ing the introduction of the pressurized air into the slot with improved distribution of gas introduction compared to the embodiment of the figure 5.
• Figure 7 discloses an embodiment of the invention as a sectional view at the location of the section ll-ll in the figure 1.
• the assembly 10 comprises four gas inlets 30 in the duct 20, one of which is positioned to open into the slot 26 at its lowermost position and to other equally distributed to the rim of the duct.
• the gas inlets 30 are each connected to a common source of pressurized air 38 by means of a pipe 40 and a control valve system 43 arranged between the source of pressurized air 38 and inlet.
• This is the most straightforward manner of realiz ing the introduction of the pressurized air into the slot with improved distribution of gas introduction compared to the embodiment of the figure 6.
• the embodiment shown in the figure 2 is believed to be the most feasible way of obtaining the air distri bution into the slot.
• FIG. 8 depicts schematically a water submersible thruster assembly 10 for a marine vessel 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the thruster assembly comprises a duct 20 for water to flow through the body for generating thrust.
• the duct 20 has a longitudinal axis L, and a first end 20.1 and a second end 20.2.
• the duct 20 is a straight tube having a first diameter D1 at its second end 20.2, while the first end of the duct has smaller diameter than the first diam- eter.
• the rim 26 is illustrated in the figure 8 as a cylinder having an axial length shorter than the propeller boss 24.
• the rim has a radially outer surface which has a second diameter D2.
• the second diameter is less than the first diameter D1 such that the propeller with the rim 26 can be easily assembled to and disassem bled from the shaft 18 via the second end of the duct 20.
• the slot 28 is formed to the duct
• FIG. 9 depicts schematically a propulsion assembly 10 for a marine vessel according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the propulsion assembly 10 is a shaft line propulsion system, wherein the body 12 of the duct 20 of the propulsion assembly is rigidly attached to a hull of a vessel 1 and the shaft 18 extends via a stern tube through the hull of the vessel 1.
• the operation and fea tures relating to the duct 20, the slot 28 and the gas inlets 30 may be adopted from anyone of the embodiments shown in the figures 1 to 8.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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ID=74884953

Family Applications (1)

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• 2021
  • 2021-03-12 KR KR1020237034752A patent/KR20240082261A/ko unknown
  • 2021-03-12 WO PCT/EP2021/056331 patent/WO2022188988A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2021-03-12 EP EP21712468.4A patent/EP4304927A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-03-12 US US18/550,172 patent/US20240149996A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-03-12 CN CN202180095278.XA patent/CN116940503A/zh active Pending

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