KR20240073101A - cyclorotor - Google Patents

Abstract

A cyclorotor (1) that can be used as a propulsion device for marine vessels is described. The cyclorotor 1 includes a rotating housing 2 including a main body 18 and a plurality of blade modules 16a, 16b, ..., 16f arranged in a circumferential direction around the main body 18. The cyclorotor 1 also includes a plurality of blade assemblies, each blade assembly being located in a respective blade module 16a, 16b, ..., 16f and having a blade axis, which is a central axis that can be rotated relative to the rotating housing. It has blades (4a, 4b, ..., 4f) extending from the rotating housing (2). Each blade assembly includes an electric motor and a drive shaft, a drive gear mechanically connected to the drive shaft and a driven shaft mechanically connected to each blade assembly to rotate each blade 4a, 4b, ..., 4f about the blade axis. It is associated with a blade actuator having gears. Each blade module 16a, 16b, ..., 16f is preferably adapted to be separated and removed from the main body 18.

Description

cyclorotor

The present invention relates to a cyclorotor, and in particular to a cyclorotor that can be used as a propulsion device when mounted on the hull of a marine vessel. However, cyclorotors can also be used as turbines, such as wind turbines or water turbines.

Known thrusters include a plurality of blades extending from a rotating housing, each blade being rotated about its respective blade axis by a blade actuator to provide thrust in any direction perpendicular to the rotating axis of the rotating housing. These thrusters are also called cyclorotors, cycloidal thrusters or propulsion devices, and Voith-Schneider thrusters that operate in cycloidal or trochoidal modes.

Each blade actuator may use one or more of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric actuators (e.g., electric motors) to rotate each blade about its blade axis.

The cyclorotor provided according to the present invention

A rotating housing including a main body and a plurality of blade modules arranged in a circumferential direction around the main body;

a plurality of blade assemblies, each blade assembly located in a respective blade module and having a blade extending from the rotating housing and having a blade axis, the blades being rotatable relative to the rotating housing about the blade axis; and

a plurality of blade actuators, each blade actuator associated with a respective one of the blade assemblies;

Includes, each blade actuator:

an electric motor having a drive shaft;

a drive gear mechanically connected to the drive shaft; and

a driven gear mechanically coupled to the drive gear and each blade assembly to rotate each blade about its blade axis;

Includes.

Each blade actuator defines the angle of each blade relative to the rotating housing. For convenience, the term "drive gear" is used herein to refer to a gear mechanically connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor, and the term "driven gear" is used herein to refer to a gear mechanically connected to each blade assembly. This most accurately describes the situation where the drive shaft of the electric motor is driven to rotate and the driven gear is mechanically driven by the drive gear to rotate the blades about their respective blade axes. However, it will be readily appreciated that during normal operation of the cyclorotor, there will be situations in which the drive gear is effectively driven to rotate by the driven gear or such rotation is prevented by the drive gear to maintain the desired blade angle. The term “mechanically connected” is used herein to include both direct and indirect connections between individual components, unless otherwise indicated.

The blade module may extend radially outward from the main body, and is preferably adjusted to be independently detachable from the main body so that the blade module can be replaced with another blade module when necessary. In some arrangements, the blade module is not separate from the main body. This may be the case for small cyclorotors, for example.

The structural portion of each blade module defines an external housing or casing within which each blade assembly is located. The structural part of the body defines an external housing or casing within which the electric motor of the blade actuator can be located. An electric motor for each blade actuator may be located in each blade module. Accordingly, the components of each blade actuator can all be located on each blade module or disposed between each blade module and the main body of the rotating housing.

The drive gear of each blade actuator may be separable from the drive shaft of each electric motor and/or may be separable from the driven gear. This allows blade freewheeling. Blade freewheeling is possible if each electric motor is not a permanent magnet motor, that is, an electric motor having a rotor whose rotor poles are formed by a plurality of permanent magnets instead of rotor windings. Each electric motor may have any suitable configuration.

The drive gear and driven gear of each blade actuator may define a shift gear located on each blade module to rotate each blade about its blade axis. That is, the teeth of the driving gear and the driven gear may mesh with each other. In another arrangement, the drive and driven gears of each blade actuator may be mechanically connected indirectly through a drivetrain. That is, the teeth of the drive gear and driven gear of each blade actuator need not be meshed with each other, but may be mechanically connected by any suitable drive train, such as, for example, one or more drive belts, drive chains, or gear trains. If the drive train includes, for example, a drive belt or drive chain, the term "gear" shall be taken to include other components such as pulleys, sprockets, platewheels, etc., which suitably mesh with that drive belt or drive chain. You will easily understand that it can be done.

The drive gear of each blade actuator may be directly mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor. The drive gear of each blade actuator may be indirectly mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor via a drive train, for example one or more shafts, drive belts, drive chains or gear trains.

In general, any suitable drive train(s) may be used to mechanically couple the drive shaft of each electric motor with each blade assembly such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the blade to rotate about its blade axis.

When the electric motor is located in the main body of the rotating housing, the drive train of each blade actuator may extend through an opening connecting the interior of the main body and the interior of each blade module. Each drive train can be adjusted to be selectively reconfigured so that it does not extend through or otherwise block the opening. This allows the opening between the main body and the blade module to be independently sealed when removing and replacing the blade module, as described in detail below. This also means that the drive train does not extend across the interface where the blade module separates from the body. That is, reconfiguring the drive train may include mechanically separating the drive shaft and drive gear and/or the drive gear and driven gear so that the blade module can be separated and removed from the body if the blade module needs to be replaced. Each drive train can be reconfigured in any suitable way and relocated so that it no longer extends through the aperture or across the interface.

If the drive train of each blade actuator includes a drive belt or drive chain that passes through each opening or extends across each interface, the drive belt or drive chain may be removed or repositioned after separation so that it no longer blocks the opening. . This allows, for example, to separate the drive gear from the driven gear.

Each drive train mechanically connecting the drive shaft of each electric motor with the drive gear may include one or more shafts extending through each aperture or across the interface. One or more shafts may be used to engage and disengage the transmission between the drive shaft and the drive gear. In one arrangement, one end of the shaft may be mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor and the other end of the shaft may be mechanically connected to the drive gear. The shaft may be releasably connected to one or both of the drive shaft and the drive gear by a pair of flanges which may be connected together by a suitable coupling, for example a mechanical fastener such as a bolt or screw, or other suitable fastening means. By loosening and removing the mechanical fasteners to separate the flanges, the shaft can be completely removed or moved to a position where it does not extend through the opening or across the interface. The shaft may be movable or repositionable relative to the drive shaft of each electric motor (e.g., between a drive position connected to the drive gear and a retracted position where it is located in the body or blade module and does not extend through an aperture or across an interface). movable) or fixed relative to the drive shaft. If the shaft is movable relative to the drive shaft of the electric motor, it can be slid between a drive position and a retracted position on the drive shaft while remaining mechanically connected to the drive shaft. If the shaft is fixed to the drive shaft of the electric motor, the drive shaft and the electric motor are movable or repositionable, for example, can be moved or rotated relative to the body of the rotating housing so that the shaft can no longer pass through the opening or It may be positioned entirely within the body of the rotating housing without extending across the interface. (For example, if the drive shaft is releasably mechanically connected directly to the drive gear without using a drive train, the drive shaft and electric motor may be moved such that the drive shaft no longer passes through the opening or extends across the interface, or This separates the drive gear from the drive shaft of each electric motor. After installing a replacement blade module, the shaft can be mechanically reconnected to either or both the drive shaft and drive gear, for example, by reconnecting the flanges by reinserting and tightening mechanical fixtures or other suitable fastening means. there is. The shaft may be part of a replacement blade module and movable relative to the drive shaft of each electric motor, for example between a retracted position during replacement of the blade module and a drive position extending through each aperture or across the interface. It can be relocated and can be mechanically connected to the drive shaft of an electric motor located in the main body of the rotating housing. This re-engages the drive gear of the blade actuator and the drive shaft of each electric motor.

In another arrangement, each drive train may include two or more shafts that can be used to engage and disengage the transmission between the drive shaft and the drive gear. One shaft may be mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor and the other shaft may be mechanically connected to the drive gear. The shafts may be releasably connected together by a pair of flanges which may be connected together by a suitable coupling, for example a mechanical fastener such as a bolt or screw, or other suitable fastening means. When the flanges are separated by loosening and removing or releasing the mechanical fasteners, at least one of the shafts can be moved to a position where the drive shaft does not extend through the opening or across the interface. This separates the drive gear from the drive shaft of each electric motor. In one arrangement, one of the shafts may be fixed and the other may be movable or repositioned. The fixed shaft may generally be connected to a drive gear and mounted for rotation by one or more bearings. A fixed shaft can generally be positioned in the blade module and extends through each aperture or across the interface. Therefore, the fixed shafts, bearings and drive gears are part of the blade module and are removed together with the blade module if replacement is required. The movable shaft may be movable or repositionable relative to the drive shaft (e.g., movable between a drive position connected to a fixed shaft and a retracted position positioned in the body and not extending through an aperture or across an interface) or a drive shaft. can be fixed for. When the movable shaft is movable relative to the drive shaft, the movable shaft can slide between a driven position and a retracted position on the drive shaft while remaining mechanically connected to the drive shaft. If the movable shaft is fixed to the drive shaft, the drive shaft and the electric motor are movable or repositionable, e.g. moving or rotating, relative to the body of the rotating housing, so that the movable shaft no longer moves through the opening or across the interface. It can be positioned entirely within the body of the rotating housing without extending beyond. After being separated from the other shafts, the shaft mechanically connected to the drive shaft can be completely removed from the drive shaft. After installing the replacement blade module, the movable shaft can be mechanically reconnected to the fixed shaft of the replacement blade module by reconnecting the flanges by reinserting and tightening the mechanical fixture or other suitable fastening means. This re-engages the drive gear of the blade actuator and the drive shaft of each electric motor.

Each blade assembly may include only one bearing assembly rotatably mounting each blade. Each bearing assembly (or “slewing bearing”) may include a fixed ring secured to the blade module housing and a rotating ring secured to the root part of each blade. The retaining ring of each bearing assembly may be secured to the blade module housing by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws or other suitable fastening means. The rotating ring of each bearing assembly may be secured to the blade by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws or other suitable fastening means.

The driven gear of each blade actuator may be formed as an integral part of the rotating ring of the bearing assembly or may be formed as a separate component secured to the rotating ring for rotation together as a single rotating component of the bearing assembly. If the driven gear is formed as an integral part with the rotating ring of the bearing assembly, the teeth of the driven gear may be formed on the surface of the rotating ring. When the driven gear is formed as a separate component, the driven gear may be formed as a ring and the teeth of the driven gear may be formed on the surface of the ring. The driven gear may be secured to the rotating ring of the bearing assembly by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws or other suitable fastening means.

If the drive gear and driven gear of each blade actuator define a shift gear, that is, if the teeth are meshed with each other, the shift gear may be a bevel gear. In this arrangement, the driven gear of each blade actuator may be a conical gear whose axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the axis of each blade. The drive gear of each blade actuator may be a conical gear with a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to each blade axis. The drive shaft and any drive train mechanically connecting the drive shaft to the drive gear may also have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to each blade axis. This configuration provides a physically compact blade assembly. Any suitable type of conical gear may be used, such as inclined, straight, spiral, etc.

If the drive and driven gears are mechanically connected, for example by a drive belt or drive chain connected around the gears, or indirectly by one or more intermediate gears, the drive and driven gears have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of each blade. You can have The drive gear may be mechanically connected directly to the drive shaft of each electric motor.

Each blade module may be detachably connected to the main body of the rotating housing via a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws or other suitable fastening means. Each blade module is preferably a self-contained unit containing the blade assembly and all mechanical components required for the blade actuator except the electric motor in one configuration. Accordingly, in this arrangement the replacement blade modules only need to be mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor located within the body of the rotating housing to be fully operable. In another arrangement, all mechanical components necessary for blade actuator operation, including the electric motor, are located in a replacement blade module. In both arrangements, defective blade modules can be easily removed and replaced, as described in more detail below.

Each opening within the body and between each blade module is generally formed by a first opening formed in a structural portion of the blade module and an aligned second opening formed in an adjacent structural portion defining the body. The interior of the rotating housing must remain watertight during use when the cyclorotor is located underwater during use, for example when mounted on the hull of a marine vessel or used as a hydraulic turbine. In this case, the blade module is preferably detachably fixed to the main body in a way that maintains a watertight seal to prevent any water from entering the rotating housing. One or more seals may be provided between opposing structural parts of each blade module and the body and may extend around the opening. In general, there will be different solutions for replacing a blade module depending on whether the cyclorotor interface is submerged or dry.

Both the first and second openings can be sealed with the respective panels before the blade module is removed from the body and replaced. The first panel may be used to temporarily seal the first opening of the structural portion of the blade module to prevent water from entering the interior of the blade module through the first opening when the blade module is removed. The second panel may be used to temporarily seal the second opening in the structural portion of the body to prevent water from entering the body and the remaining blade module through the second opening when the blade module is removed. This allows defective blade modules to be removed and replaced without dry dock facilities, ballast, or the need to lift the hydraulic turbine. The first and second panels are preferably installed from inside the main body of the rotating housing. For example, the first opening may be slightly smaller than the second opening. The first opening can thus be closed and sealed by securing the first panel to a structural part of the blade module to be replaced that surrounds the first opening and is accessible through a second, larger opening. The first panel can be mounted inside the body and is received through a second, larger opening. Once the first panel is secured, the second opening can be closed and sealed by securing the second panel to the structural portion of the body surrounding the second opening. Engineers can access the interior of the body to install the first and second panels.

Each panel may be detachably fastened to each structural portion of the blade module or body using a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws or other suitable fastening means.

One or more seals may be provided between the first panel and the structural portion of the blade module to provide a watertight seal therebetween. One or more seals may be provided between the second panel and the structural portion of the body to provide a watertight seal therebetween. One or more seals may extend around each opening.

Once the main body and the blade module to be replaced are waterproofed, the mechanical fasteners or other fastening means used to releasably secure the blade module to the main body may preferably be released from within the main body so that they can be removed or released. The watertightness of the blade module or body to be replaced must not be impaired when removing or disengaging mechanical fasteners or other means of fastening. For example, any opening in the structural part of the body or blade module to receive a mechanical fixture may be filled with a suitable plug or cap, or may include one or more seals between the fastening shaft and the inner surface of each opening, which may be released or released. Watertight mechanical fixtures that cannot be completely removed from the opening may be used.

By loosening and removing or releasing the mechanical fasteners or other means of fastening, the blade module can be separated from the rest of the rotating housing and removed from the body in a controlled manner.

If the cyclorotor is not in water when replacing a blade module, the main body and the blade module to be replaced can be removed or released by simply loosening the mechanical fasteners or other means of securing them without having to take any measures to temporarily seal or waterproof them. For example, this may involve mounting a cyclorotor to the hull of a ship in a dry dock or adjusting ballast to ensure it is above the water line. However, even if the cyclorotor is not underwater, it is generally still desirable to secure the first panel to the blade module to temporarily cover or seal the first opening before removal from the body.

While replacing a blade module, the weight of the blade module must generally be supported by a support structure. In one arrangement, the blade module is attached to a winch cable that can be used to lower or lift the blade module after it is separated from the body. In other arrangements, the blade module may be supported from above or below by a cradle or other support structure. The process by which the blade module is separated from the main body will generally depend on how the blade module is structurally connected to the main body.

Replacement blade modules can be lowered or lifted using attached winch cables (or other support structures) until they are aligned with the main body. Mechanical fasteners or other securing means can then be inserted and tightened to secure it to the body. The replacement blade module may be sealed during installation, for example using a fixed panel to temporarily cover or seal an opening in a structural portion of the blade module. After the replacement blade module is properly secured to the body in a watertight manner, the panel that is fastened to the body and blade module to temporarily seal the opening is removed to release the seal connecting the inside of the body and the inside of the replacement blade module. can do. If the drive gear of the blade actuator of the replacement blade module is indirectly mechanically connected to the drive shaft of each electric motor by a drive train, the drive train can be re-engaged to allow the drive gear to pass through the opening. This may include, for example, reconnecting one or more shaft couplings. Alternatively, any drive belt or drive chain that was removed may be reattached or reconnected to pass through the opening. This may, for example, bring the drive gear back into mesh with the driven gear.

The present invention provides a cyclorotor repair method as described above, comprising:

sealing a first opening of a blade module to be replaced and optionally a second opening aligned with the body; and

Removing the sealed blade module from the body

Includes.

The method may further include disconnecting the drive gear from one or both of the drive shaft and each driven gear of each electric motor prior to sealing. This may include, for example, reconfiguring the drive train so that, if the electric motor is located in the body, it does not extend through or otherwise interfere with the first and second openings.

Way:

securing a replacement sealing blade module to the body; and

Unsealing the first opening of the replaceable blade module and the aligned second opening of the body when sealed.

Includes.

The method may further include re-engaging the drive gear with one or both of the drive shaft of each electric motor and the respective driven gear after breaking the seal. This may include reconnecting or relocating the drive train so that it extends through the first and second openings.

A cyclorotor can be mounted as a propulsion device on the hull of a marine vessel.

The hull of a marine vessel may be provided with an access opening through which a winch cable can be attached to the blade module to be replaced from above. The access opening may be formed in an annular collar surrounding the rotating housing and forming a structural part of the hull of the marine vessel. The profile of the inner surface of the collar preferably follows generally the outer profile of the rotating housing, and an annular gap or gap is provided between the rotating housing and the collar so that the rotating housing can rotate freely. The rotating housing may be rotated until the blade module to be removed is aligned with the access opening. In some arrangements, two or more access openings are appropriately spaced.

The cyclorotor may include a slewing bearing that rotatably mounts the rotating housing. The slewing bearing may include a rotating ring and a fixed ring fixed to the rotating housing. The retaining ring can be adapted to be secured to the hull of the marine vessel, optionally directly or indirectly via a mounting plate or mounting structure.

The cyclorotor may comprise a main electrical machine (eg an electric motor or generator) with a drive shaft mechanically connected to a rotating ring of slewing bearings. When a cyclorotor is used as a propulsion device for marine vessels, the main electric machine can be operated as a motor to generate thrust by rotating a rotating housing. If the cyclorotor is used as a turbine, the main electrical machine can be operated as a generator, for example moving air or water to rotate a rotating housing to generate power.

The present invention further provides a marine vessel comprising a cyclorotor as described above and a grounding assembly, wherein the grounding assembly includes a grounding circuit between each blade assembly and a grounding connection provided on the hull of the marine vessel. When marine vessels use impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) for corrosion protection, the grounding system protects the blade assembly and other parts of the cyclomotor from damage by circulating currents, which protects the marine vessel from corrosion. designed to prevent

1 is a perspective view of a propeller according to the present invention,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the thruster shown in Figure 1 installed on the hull of a marine vessel;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the installed thruster shown in Figure 2;
4-7 is a schematic diagram showing the blade module and blade actuator;
8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing first and second panels secured using mechanical fasteners;
Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing first and second panels secured using watertight mechanical fasteners;
11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of the thruster shown in FIG. 1 with the blade module removed;
13 is a schematic diagram of a ground assembly for a thruster according to the present invention;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a thruster according to the present invention installed on a marine vessel.

Although the following description describes cyclorotors used as propulsors for marine vessels, it will be readily understood that the same principles can be applied to other types of cyclorotors, such as wind or water turbines.

1-3, a thruster 1 for a marine vessel includes a rotating housing 2. Six blades 4a, 4b, ..., 4f extend axially from the lower surface 2A of the rotating housing 2. Each blade (4a, 4b, ..., 4d) has a respective blade axis (6) that can be rotated relative to the rotating housing (2) by a blade actuator (8). The thruster 1 includes six blade actuators 8. Each blade actuator 8 includes an electric motor 10, a drive train 12, and a transmission gear 14 to rotate each blade. Each blade (4a, 4b, ..., 4f) is mounted on a respective blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16e, 16f) extending radially outward from the main body (18) and is connected to a single bearing assembly (20). ) (or “slewing bearing”).

Figure 3 shows schematically two of the six blade actuators (8) and two of the six bearing assemblies (20). 4-6 illustrate one of the blade modules 16D in more detail, specifically illustrating the configuration of each blade assembly including each blade actuator 8 and bearing assembly 20. It will be readily understood that different blade actuators and blade assemblies have the same configuration. The following description assumes that the blade module 16D is, for example, defective and needs to be replaced. However, it will be easily understood that any of the blade modules 16a, 16b, ..., 16f can be replaced by applying the same process.

The structural part 22 of each blade module 16a, 16b, ..., 16f forms part of the outer housing and the inner housing in which part of each blade assembly 20 and each blade actuator 8 are located. define. Each bearing assembly 20 is provided with a retaining ring 24 which is secured to the blade module housing, in particular a circular mounting ring, by a mechanical fastener, for example a bolt or screw, and to each blade (4a) by a mechanical fastener, for example a bolt or screw. , 4b, ..., 4f) and a rotating ring 26 fixed to the root portion.

The driven gear 28 is formed as a separate component that is secured to the rotating ring 26 by a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt or screw, so that it rotates together as a single rotating component of the bearing assembly 20. The driven gear 28 is a conical gear with a rotation axis substantially parallel to each blade axis 6.

A drive gear 30 is mechanically connected to the drive shaft 32 of each electric motor 10 by a drive train 12 . The drive gear 30 of each blade actuator 8 is also a conical gear with a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to each blade axis 6. Drive gear 28 and drive gear 30 together define bevel gear 14 as a single stage shift gear for rotating each blade when the drive gear is rotated by drive shaft 32 and drive train 12. do.

The drive train 12 includes a first shaft 12a mechanically connected to the drive shaft 32 and a second shaft mechanically connected to the drive gear 30 and supported for rotation by a pair of bearings 34. Includes (12b). The second shaft 12b is completely positioned within the blade module 16f and is fixed (not rotated).

The first shaft 12a includes a radial flange and the second shaft 12b includes a radial flange. The flanges together define a coupling with aligned openings that allow them to be releasably connected to each other by mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws. The coupling allows the drive gear 30 of each blade actuator 8 to be separated from the drive shaft 32 of each electric motor 10, as explained in more detail below.

The structural part 36 of the body 18 forms part of the outer housing and defines the interior where the six electric motors 10 are located. In another arrangement, each electric motor may be located in a respective blade module. Each drive gear may be mechanically connected to the drive shaft of the respective electric motor, and may be mechanically connected directly with the drive gear (i.e. as a single stage shifting gear) or indirectly mechanically connected, for example by a drive belt or drive chain. You can.

The rotating housing 2 includes six openings 38, each opening providing access from the interior of the body 18 to the interior of each of the blade modules 16a, 16b, ..., 16e, 16f. Each opening 38 is formed by a first opening 40 in the structural portion 20 of each blade module and an aligned second opening 42 formed in an adjacent structural portion 36 defining the body 18. do.

During normal use, each drive train 12 extends through each opening 38 and mechanically connects the drive shaft 32 of each electric motor 10 to the drive gear 30. When the electric motor 10 is located in the main body 18 and the drive gear 30 is located in each blade module 16a, 16b, ..., 16f, each drive train 12 is connected to the main body, respectively. must pass through the interfaces between the blade modules, each interface being effectively defined by an opening 38. If one of the blade modules 16a, 16b, ..., 16f has to be removed, each opening 38 often has to be sealed. To seal each opening, the drive train 12 needs to be moved or repositioned so that it does not extend through the opening or cross the interface where the blade module would separate from the body 18.

The mechanical fastener used to connect the flanges of the first and second shafts 12a and 12b can be removed so that the flanges are no longer connected. As shown in Figure 5, the electric motor 10 may be moved back in the mounting portion such that the first shaft 12a is spaced apart from the fixed second shaft 12b and no longer extends through the respective openings 38. You can. The second shaft 12b is now no longer mechanically connected to the drive shaft 32 of each electric motor 10, and the separate drive train 12 is connected to the blade module 16d once the opening 38 is properly sealed. This does not prevent it from being separated or removed from the body (18). Next, first shaft 12a may be removed from drive shaft 32 as shown in FIG. 6 . It will readily be appreciated that each drive train may be reconfigured in another way such that it no longer extends through the aperture or across the interface between the body and the blade module to be replaced. It will also be readily appreciated that alternative drive trains may be used, which may include, for example, one or more of a drive belt, drive chain and gear train. For example, such a drive belt or drive chain may be at least partially removed or separated if it extends through an opening or across an interface.

Once the drive train 12 no longer extends through the opening 38 between the interior of the body and the interior of the blade module 16d to be replaced, the opening may be sealed. In particular, both first opening 40 and second opening 42 can be sealed by respective panels 44a and 44b (see Figure 7). The first panel 44a temporarily seals the first opening 40 of the structural portion 22 of the blade module 16d such that water enters the interior of the blade module through the first opening when the blade module is removed. It is used to prevent this from happening. The second panel 44b temporarily seals the second opening 42 of the structural portion 38 of the body 18 so that when the blade module 16d is removed, the body and the remaining blade modules pass through the second opening. It is used to prevent water from flowing inside. The first and second panels 44a and 44b are installed inside the main body of the rotating housing. As schematically shown in FIGS. 8-10, the first opening 40 is slightly smaller than the second opening 42. Accordingly, the first opening 40 is closed and closed by securing the first panel 44a to the structural portion 22 of the blade module to be replaced which surrounds the first opening and is accessible through the larger second opening 42. Can be sealed. The first panel 44a can be mounted inside the body 18 and is received through the second opening 42. Once the first panel 44a is secured, the second opening 42 can be closed and sealed by securing the second panel 44b to the structural portion 36 of the body 18 surrounding the second opening 42. You can. The first and second panels 44a and 44b are detachably connected to respective structural parts of the blade module or body by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or screws.

8 and 9, only the mechanical fasteners 46 used to secure the first panel 44a to the blade module 16d are shown. Mechanical fasteners 46 are received through openings in first panel 44a and are screwed into aligned openings in the structural portion 22 of blade module 16d to be removed. 8 and 9 also show how the blade module 16d is detachably connected to the body 18 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners 48, for example bolts or screws. Mechanical fastener 48 is received through opening 50 in second panel 44b. Additional openings (not shown) in the second panel receive mechanical fasteners that secure the second panel to the structural portion 36 of the body 18. Mechanical fasteners for securing second panel 44b to body 18 are received through openings in the second panel and are screwed into aligned openings in structural portion 36 of the body. The opening 50 of the second panel 44b is received through the opening 52 of the structural portion 36 of the body 18 and is aligned with the opening 54 of the structural portion 22 of the blade module 16d. Provides access to a screw-fastened mechanical fixture (48).

When the main body 18 and the blade module 16d to be replaced are made watertight through fixing the first and second panels 44a and 44b, the mechanical fixture 48 holding the main body and the blade module together is preferably Can be removed from inside the body 18. The openings 52 in the structural portion 36 of the body 18 are then filled with a plug or cap 56 to keep the body watertight. Alternatively, a watertight mechanical fastener 58 may be used, as shown in FIG. 10 . This watertight mechanical fastener 58 is released from the structural portion 22 of the blade module 16D but is not removed from the structural portion 36 of the body 18. One or more O-ring seals 60 are provided between the shaft of each mechanical fixture 58 and each opening 52 of the structural portion 22 of the body 18 to maintain a watertight seal. 8-10 also show another O-ring that provides a watertight seal between opposing surfaces.

Once the mechanical fasteners 48 or 58 are loosened and removed or released, the blade module 16d can be separated from the rest of the rotating housing and moved away from the body 18 in a controlled manner.

11 and 12 show the blade module 16d after being separated from the main body 18. As shown, adjacent side plates may be separated before the blade module 16d is separated.

After the replacement blade module is installed and secured to the body 18 by inserting and tightening the mechanical fasteners 48 or 58 inside the body, the mechanical fasteners are loosened and removed to secure the first and second panels 44a and 44b. can be removed. It will readily be appreciated that the first panel 44a will be secured to the replacement blade module to seal the opening in the casing or housing of the replacement blade module prior to being installed in place of the removed blade module. Therefore, the blade module remains watertight during blade module replacement.

After the opening 38 between the interior of the body 18 and the interior of the replacement blade module is opened, the first shaft 12a is reconnected to the drive shaft 32 and the electric motor 10 is moved forward from its mounting portion. It can be moved so that the flanges of the first and second shafts 12a and 12b are engaged. The flanges can then be reconnected together such that the drive shaft 32 is mechanically connected by drive train 12 to the drive gear 30 of the replacement blade module. It will be readily understood that each drive train can be reconfigured in other ways to extend through the opening to mechanically connect the drive shaft with the drive gear.

As shown in FIG. 3, the thruster 1 includes a slewing bearing 62 for rotatably mounting the rotating housing 2. The slewing bearing 62 includes a rotating ring and a fixed ring fixed to the rotating housing 2. The retaining ring is adapted to be secured to the hull of the marine vessel via a mounting plate (64).

The slewing bearing 62 includes a driven gear fixed to the rotating ring.

A plurality of rolling elements (not shown) are disposed between the driven ring and the fixed ring.

2 and 3 show the thruster 1 mounted within an annular collar H forming a structural part of the hull of a marine vessel. The annular collar includes an upper annular surface (H1), a first inner cylindrical surface (H2), an inner frustoconical surface (H3) and a second inner cylindrical surface (H4). The inner surface H2 is adjacent to the slewing bearing 62 and the inner surfaces H3 and H4 define an inner profile of the collar that generally matches the outer profile of the rotating housing 2. The rotating housing 2 and the inner surfaces H3 and H4 of the collar are spaced apart by a gap G which allows the rotating housing to rotate freely. Gap G has an open end at the lower surface 2a of the rotating housing 2 and a closed end adjacent the slewing bearing 62. One or more static or dynamic seals (not shown) may be provided at the closed end to provide a watertight seal to prevent water from entering the interior of the rotating housing 2 past the slewing bearing 62 .

When replacing a blade module, the weight of the removed blade module 16d must be supported by a support structure (not shown). In one arrangement, the blade module 16d is attached to a winch cable that can be used to lower or lift the blade module after being separated from the main body. The winch cable can also be used to lower or lift replacement blade modules. The winch cable can be secured to an appropriate part of the blade module and passed through an opening (O) in the annular collar (H) surrounding the thruster (see Figure 2). The thruster 1 can be rotated so that the blade module 16d to be replaced is arranged under the opening O and the winch cable can pass through the opening and be secured to the blade module. It will be readily appreciated that other methods of supporting the blade module may also be used.

The mounting plate 64 is secured to the collar H by an intermediate fastening structure (not shown) positioned between the lower surface of the mounting plate and the upper annular surface H1 of the collar. In another arrangement, the fastening part of the slewing bearing 62 may be fixed directly to the hull of the marine vessel, for example to the inner surface H2 of the collar.

Two drive gears 66a and 66b (or “pinion gears”) are radially disposed inside the driven gear of slewing bearing 62. The first drive gear 66a is mechanically connected to the drive shaft 68a of the first main electric motor 70a. The second drive gear 66b is mechanically connected to the drive shaft 68b of the second main electric motor 70b.

The driven gear of the slewing bearing 62 and the first drive gear 66a define a first single stage transmission gear. The driven gear of the slewing bearing 62 and the second drive gear 66b define a second single stage transmission gear arranged in parallel with the first single stage transmission gear.

The first and second main electric motors 70a and 70b are mounted on the mounting plate 64.

The drive shafts 68a and 68b of the first and second main electric motors 70a and 70b are aligned substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating housing 2.

13 shows ground assembly 100. Ground assembly 100 provides an electrical ground circuit 102 between each blade assembly 104 and the hull 106 of the marine vessel. (Although in FIG. 13 only one blade assembly 104 is shown connected to the marine vessel's ground connection 108 by its respective ground circuit 102, all blade assemblies are shown to be connected to the ground connection 108 in a similar manner. You will easily understand that it is desirable). Each ground circuit 102 interfaces a fixed ground circuit to the blade root and may include means such as a brush 110 that can rotate about the respective blade axis. The brush 110 may be in sliding contact with the annular track 112 at the blade root. A slip ring or other suitable coupling 114 may be used to connect a portion of the ground circuit that rotates with the rotating housing with a portion of the ground circuit that is fixed relative to the hull of the marine vessel. Figure 13 shows a power supply (P) for generating a circulating current that protects marine vessels as part of an forced current cathodic protection (ICCP) system. Ground assembly 100 provides a low impedance electrical path for these circulating currents from each blade assembly 104 to ground connection 108.

Claims (25)

As a cyclorotor (1),
A rotating housing (2) including a main body (18) and a plurality of blade modules (16a, 16b, ..., 16f) arranged in a circumferential direction around the main body (18);
A plurality of blade assemblies - each blade assembly is located in a respective blade module and has blades 4a, 4b, ..., 4f having a blade axis 6 and extending from the rotating housing 2, the blades having: Can be rotated relative to the rotating housing (2) about the blade axis -; and
a plurality of blade actuators (8), each blade actuator (8) being respectively associated with one of the blade assemblies;
Including,
Each blade actuator (8) has
an electric motor (10) with a drive shaft (32);
a drive gear (30) mechanically connected to the drive shaft (32); and
A driven gear 28 that is mechanically connected to the driving gear 30 and each blade assembly to rotate each blade 4a, 4b, ..., 4f about its blade axis 6.
Cyclorotor (1), including. The method of claim 1, wherein each blade assembly includes only one bearing assembly (20) rotatably mounting each blade (4a, 4b, ..., 4f), and each bearing assembly (20) has a blade A cyclorotor (1) comprising a fixed ring (24) fixed to the module housing and a rotating ring (26) fixed to the root portion of each blade (4a, 4b, ..., 4f). 3. The cyclorotor according to claim 2, wherein the driven gear is formed as an integral part with the rotating ring of each bearing assembly, and the teeth of the driven gear are formed on the surface of the rotating ring. 3. Cyclorotor (1) according to claim 2, wherein the driven gear (28) is formed as a separate component fixed to the rotating ring (26) of each bearing assembly (20). The cyclorotor (1) according to claim 4, wherein the driven gear (28) is formed as a ring, and the teeth of the driven gear (28) are formed on the surface of the ring. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive gear (30) and the driven gear (28) of each blade actuator are arranged in a respective blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16f). A cyclorotor (1) defining a gear (14). 7. Cyclorotor (1) according to claim 6, wherein each transmission gear (14) is a bevel gear. 8. The driven gear (28) of each blade actuator (8) according to claim 7, wherein the driven gear (28) of each blade actuator (8) is a conical gear with a rotation axis substantially parallel to the respective blade axis (6). Cyclorotor (1), wherein the drive gear (30) is a conical gear with a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to each blade axis (6). 9. Cyclorotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drive gear (30) of each blade actuator (8) is separable from the drive shaft (32) of each electric motor (10). . 10. Cyclorotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drive gear (30) of each blade actuator (8) is separable from the driven gear (28). 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the drive gear (30) of each blade actuator (8) is connected by a respective drive train (12) to the drive shaft (32) of each electric motor (10). and a cyclorotor (1) mechanically connected to one or both of said respective driven gears (28). 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a plurality of openings (38), each opening being connected to the interior of the main body (18) and each of the blade modules (16a, 16b, ..., 16f). ), the drive train 12 of each blade actuator 8 extends through the respective aperture 38 during normal use, the drive train 12 being used when replacing a blade module. The cyclorotor (1) is adapted to be selectively reconfigured so that it does not extend through the opening (38) so that the opening (38) can be sealed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a plurality of openings (38), each opening (38) being connected to the inside of the main body (18) and the blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16f). ), providing access between the interior of each one of the cyclorotors (1). 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each opening (38) is formed in a first opening (40) in the structural part (22) of the blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16f) and an adjacent structural part of the main body (18). Cyclorotor (1), formed by aligned second openings (42) formed in (36). 15. The method of claim 14, comprising a first panel (44a) detachably connected to the structural part (22) of the blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16f) for sealing the first opening (40) and The cyclorotor (1) further comprising a second panel (44b) removably connected to the structural portion (36) of the body (18) for sealing the second opening (42). 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: one or more seals between the first panel and the structural portion of the blade module and extending around the first opening; and one or more seals between the second panel and the structural portion of the body and A cyclorotor, further comprising one or more seals extending around the second opening. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each blade module (16a, 16b, ..., 16f) is detachably connected to the main body (18) by a plurality of mechanical fasteners (48; 58). , cyclorotor (1). A method for repairing a cyclorotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising:
sealing the first opening (40) of the blade module (16d) to be replaced and optionally the aligned second opening (42) of the body (18); and
Removing the sealed blade module (16d) from the body (18)
Method, including. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising the step of disconnecting the drive gear (30) from one or both of the drive shaft (32) and the respective driven gear (28) of each electric motor (10) prior to sealing. More inclusive methods. According to claim 18 or 19,
securing a replacement sealing blade module to the body (18); and
Unsealing the first opening (40) of the replacement blade module and the aligned second opening (42) of the main body (18) when sealed.
A method further comprising: 21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, after breaking the seal, the drive gear (30) is connected to one or both of the drive shaft (32) and the respective driven gear (28) of each electric motor (10). A method further comprising the step of re-engaging with. Marine vessel, comprising at least one cyclorotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which is mounted as a propulsion device on the hull (H) of the marine vessel. 23. Marine vessel according to claim 22, wherein the hull (H) of the marine vessel is provided with an access opening (O) through which winch cables can be attached to the blade module to be replaced. 24. Marine vessel according to claim 23, wherein the access opening (O) is provided in an annular collar (H) surrounding the rotating housing (2) and forming a structural part of the hull of the marine vessel. 25. The method of any one of claims 22 to 24, further comprising a grounding assembly (100), the grounding assembly (100) comprising each blade assembly (104) and a grounding connection (108) on the hull (106) of the marine vessel. ), including a ground circuit 102 between them.

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