RU2584038C2 - Sea vessel to operate in ice conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to ship building, particularly, to vessels intended for navigation in ice. This ship comprises at lest one propulsor 1 composed of azimuthal thrusting screw propeller screw 3 fitted on capsule 6. Said propulsor 1 can be turned relative to hull of the ship 2 to drive the ship 2 in different directions. Said screw propeller 3 can act on ice to crush ice blocks. Screw propeller 3 includes bush 4 to break ice at collision therewith.

EFFECT: enhanced operating performances in ice conditions.

8 cl, 11 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This invention relates to a propulsion device for a marine vessel designed to operate in icy waters, which comprises a propeller configured to impact the ice in the water and cut it. This invention also relates to a ship designed to work in icy waters, which contains a propulsion device configured to impact the ice in the water with its cutting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some ships use a propulsion type known as an azimuth thruster (sometimes also called an azimuth thruster). The azimuth thruster includes a gondola or capsule, which is made in the form of a separate unit attached to the outer part of the hull. A propeller is attached at one end of the nacelle or capsule. A motor propelling the propeller can be located inside the nacelle / capsule or inside the housing. When said motor is mounted inside the nacelle / capsule, said motor is usually an electric motor, and such an azimuth thruster with an electric motor inside the nacelle is usually called an outboard. Energy for an electric motor can in turn come from an engine located on a ship, typically a diesel engine or gas turbine. When the specified motor is installed in the hull of the vessel, the specified motor is often a diesel or diesel-electric motor, while energy can be transmitted to the propeller using a mechanical transmission. Depending on the location of the shaft, said transmission may be L-shaped or Z-shaped. With an L-shaped drive, there is a vertical input shaft and a horizontal output shaft. With a Z-shaped drive, there is a horizontal input shaft, a vertical shaft and a horizontal output shaft with two orthogonal gears. An azimuth thruster is usually connected to the hull of the vessel so that it can be rotated in any horizontal direction. Accordingly, the mover or movers can be used to maneuver so that the steering wheel is no longer necessary. In fact, azimuth thrusters can provide ships with better maneuverability than a system that uses a fixed propeller and rudder.

Many ships should be able to work in icy waters. Accordingly, they should be able to make their way through the ice. Ships containing azimuth thrusters (e.g. outboard propulsion) can be used in ice-covered waters. For example, in US patent No. 5996520 proposed icebreaker, which can be performed with controlled propulsion devices. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,198,917 suggests the use of a screw for breaking ice, which may clutter the path of a marine vessel.

In addition, the use of azimuth thrusters (e.g., outboard propulsion devices) as ice breaking devices has also been proposed. When using azimuth thrusters for breaking ice, the specified device (s) are deployed so that its propeller is facing the ice. Then, said propeller is used as a cutting tool for cutting ice. A related problem is that said azimuth thruster can experience very strong resistance in the horizontal plane.

Patent Document CA 2025507 proposes a device that comprises a nozzle within which a propeller is located. In front of the specified propeller is located the front part, which serves as an ice-crushing device. The specified front part in this device serves only to protect the propeller, while the specified propeller is not able to act on the ice so as to ensure the cutting of the ice layer or cutting blocks of ice, since the specified propeller is located in the nozzle and the specified front part actively prevents the passage of blocks ice to the propeller.

US Patent Document 2010/0162934 describes a method for improving the performance of breaking the ice of a ship by using the inclined end of the stern, which is able to break the ice, and allows the ship to move through the ice. Then the specified vessel crashes into ice with a propeller located in front. However, a significant drawback associated with this design is the large load on the propeller and its hub and, consequently, in the risk of damage caused by this load, since large blocks of ice, not sufficiently destroyed by the end of the stern of the vessel, may encounter propeller, which results in significant horizontal forces. Despite the fact that the specified propeller is often designed to withstand such forces, however, the sleeve and surrounding components, such as shaft bearings, are at significant risk of breakage.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved propulsion device that is suitable for breaking ice (breaking ice, crushing ice), and in which the horizontal forces acting on the specified propulsion device can be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a propulsion device for a marine vessel designed to operate in icy waters. The specified propulsion device contains a propeller made to rotate around its axis in the plane of rotation of the propeller. The specified propeller is mounted on a sleeve made to rotate together with the propeller, while the specified propeller is located with the possibility of its impact on a piece of ice (for example, a block of ice or a layer of ice) in water to break the ice, even if the specified piece of ice has a length exceeding the diameter of the propeller. For convenience, the expression “block of ice” will be used below to mean any piece of ice in the water, regardless of whether it is an uneven block, an iceberg or an ice sheet. In accordance with this invention, the specified sleeve is made in the form of a cutting element with the possibility of breaking the ice with which the specified sleeve.

In embodiments of the invention, said sleeve is shaped as a cone extending in the direction of the axis of the propeller.

In the most preferred embodiments, said sleeve extends beyond the plane of rotation of the propeller so that said sleeve can collide with the wall of ice before the propeller collides with the same wall of ice

In embodiments of the invention, said sleeve may be configured with protrusions that are capable of breaking ice encountered by said sleeve. These protrusions can be made in the form of ribs (i.e., shoulders, ridges) or in the form of tubercles, which provide an uneven surface of the sleeve.

Instead of making protrusions on the sleeve, the sleeve can be made with a polygonal cross section. For example, said sleeve may have a square or triangular profile.

Said propulsion device is preferably an azimuth thruster.

This invention also relates to a ship intended for use in icy waters. The specified marine vessel contains at least one mover, which is preferably an azimuth thruster with an elongated capsule / gondola extending from the first end and second end. A propeller is mounted on said capsule / nacelle together with a propeller hub, the propeller being rotatable about its axis in the plane of rotation of the propeller. Both the propeller and the sleeve are mounted on the first end of the capsule. The specified mover is made with the possibility of ensuring the movement of the specified marine vessel in the forward and backward directions. The specified propeller is located with the possibility of its impact on the block of ice (for example, ice cover) for breaking, even if the specified block of ice has a length exceeding the diameter of the specified propeller. In accordance with this invention, the specified sleeve is made in the form of a cutting element with the ability to break the ice that the sleeve faces.

It should be understood that the proposed mover and all its variants of implementation can be used in the specified marine vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a marine vessel with a propulsion device.

Figure 2 shows schematically the same marine vessel, but with a different mover.

Figure 3 shows schematically how the collision of the propulsion device with a block of ice.

Figure 4 is a view of the propulsion device in accordance with this invention from the side of the propeller.

Figure 5 is a side view of the mover shown in Fig. 4.

Fig.6 is a perspective view of the propulsion device shown in Fig.4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to that shown in FIG. 1, but on a different scale.

Fig. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.9 is a rear view of another embodiment.

Figure 10 is a side view of another embodiment.

11 is a side view of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a marine vessel 2 passes through water in which there are blocks of ice (for example, in the form of an ice sheet or in the form of icebergs). In Fig. 1, a block of ice is schematically indicated by the symbol J. Said marine vessel 2 has a mover 1, which can be seen in more detail in Fig. 7. Said propulsion device 1 is preferably an azimuth thruster.

The mover 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a nacelle or capsule 6. Said nacelle serves as a housing accommodating either a motor (not shown) located inside the nacelle or a transmission from an engine (not shown) located in the hull 10 of the sea vessel 2. The capsule 6 has a first end 7 and a second end 9. It is shown that the capsule 6 is suspended on a bracket 11, which can be substantially streamlined. The bracket 11 can essentially have a top member 12, which is rotatably attached to the marine housing 10 vessel 2. In the hull 10 of the sea vessel 2 there is equipment (not shown) that allows the propulsion device 1 to rotate around a substantially vertical axis. In this context, the term “vertical” refers to the vertical direction when the ship is in water without a roll to starboard or port side. Thus, this vertical axis, around which the propulsion device 1 can rotate, extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the propeller. In preferred embodiments, said substantially perpendicular axis around which the propulsion device 1 can rotate can be deflected by up to 10 ° or about 10 ° from a perfectly vertical axis. Thus, the propulsion device 1 can be rotated in a plane that is essentially horizontal. The propulsion unit 1 comprises a propeller 3 rotatable relative to the axis A of the propeller (see FIG. 7) in the plane of rotation of the propeller 3. The specified plane of rotation of the propeller 3 extends perpendicular to the axis A of the propeller. The propeller 3 is mounted on a sleeve 4 rotatably with the propeller 3. Both the propeller 3 and the sleeve 4 are mounted at the first end 7 of the capsule 6. In this case, there is no nozzle that surrounds or closes the propeller 3. Accordingly , said propeller 3 is configured to act directly on ice without obstruction from the side of the nacelle or other elements. However, FIG. 1 shows that mover 1 is in a position in which the propeller 3 is facing the hull 10 of the ship 3. On the other hand, in FIG. 2 mover 1 is rotated 180 ° about a vertical axis compared to the position shown in figure 1. In this position of the propulsion unit 1, the propeller 3 can be rotated so that the vessel 2 moves in the direction of ice J. When the propeller 3 reaches ice J, the propeller 3 will begin to act on the ice and cut it. The specified mover can thus make its way through a block of ice, which otherwise would constitute an obstacle to the indicated vessel 2. Since in this case there is no nozzle surrounding the propeller 3, it can freely act on the block of ice (for example, ice cover or iceberg) in water, providing breaking of ice, even if the indicated block of ice J has a length exceeding the diameter of the propeller. It should be understood that the term “length” of a block of ice refers to the length of said block on the side facing the propeller, i.e. to the extent in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the propeller.

However, if the propeller 3 is to be used to break the ice when said screw 3 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, then such a breaking of the ice causes a problem, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. The propeller 3 is mounted on the sleeve 4, which in many versions can be made in the form of a cone extending in the direction of the axis of the propeller. The sleeve 4 in many preferred embodiments can extend beyond the plane of rotation of the propeller 3, at least to some extent. In this case, the sleeve 4 may collide with the ice wall before the propeller 3 collides with the same ice wall. For the purposes of this document, the expression “ice wall” refers to the surface of a block of ice. When the propeller 3 collides with ice, it can happen that the ice is pressed against the sleeve 4. This can happen, in particular, if the sleeve 4 or part of it extends beyond the plane of rotation of the propeller 3, but it can also happen and in another case. If the sleeve 4 is pressed against the ice, a considerable horizontal force F is exerted on the sleeve 4 and the propulsion device 1. In accordance with this invention, this problem is solved by making the sleeve 4 in the form of a cutting element configured to break the ice that the sleeve faces 4. When the sleeve 4 is made in the form of a cutting element, it will provide the possibility of breaking the ice in such a way that the horizontal force acting on the mover is significantly reduced. Several suitable embodiments of the cutting elements are described below. These cutting elements are, inter alia, protrusions, ribs, tubercles, polygonal profiles and cuts, it should be noted that any of these embodiments or their combinations can perform the same function, namely breaking ice that it encounters sleeve 4. Thus, the load in the form of horizontal forces acting on the sleeve 4 is significantly reduced, which reduces the risk of damage to the sleeve 4, as well as to increase the ability to break the ice and a smoother and more efficient passage through h ice and icy waters.

In the embodiments of the invention, the sleeve 4 is provided with protrusions arranged to break the ice that collides with the sleeve 4. In one embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 4-7, the protrusions are made in the form of ribs (flanges / ridges). The ridges 5 in the form of ribs, shown in FIGS. 4-7, can have a slightly twisted shape so that they can be compared with a screw thread. A similar shape can improve the ability of the protrusions 5 to break the ice. These ribs can be ribs having a height above the surface of the sleeve 4, which is in the range of, for example, 3 mm-35 mm They can also have a height greater than 35 mm, for example up to 50 mm or up to 200 mm. The maximum height of the ribs or ridges may depend on the diameter of the propeller and up to 25% of the diameter of the propeller.

Figures 4-6 show an embodiment with four protrusions 5. It should be understood that embodiments with a different number of protrusions are possible 5. For example, embodiments with two, three, five, or six protrusions are possible. In addition, embodiments are possible with only one single protrusion 5.

In another embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 8, the protrusions 5 are made in the form of tubercles, which provide an uneven surface of the sleeve 4.

As an alternative to the protrusions 5, the sleeve 4 may have a polygonal profile. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the sleeve 4 has straight edges 13 that divide the surface of the sleeve into four surfaces 14 that taper towards the end of the sleeve. Accordingly, said sleeve 4 will have a sharp end that can penetrate the ice.

Since the sleeve 4 rotates together with the propeller, the protrusions 5 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 can act on the block of ice to ensure its breaking. Accordingly, this will significantly reduce the horizontal force acting on the sleeve 4 and the propulsion device 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the edges 13 will perform the same function as the protrusions 5 in the embodiments shown in Figs. 6 and 8. .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, four edges 13 are formed so that the sleeve 4 will have a square profile. It should be understood that other polygonal shapes are also possible, for example, triangular (with three edges 13), pentagonal or hexagonal. In addition, embodiments with a number of edges 13 of more than six are possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the protrusions 5 are made in the form of ribs / ridges having, from the end of the sleeve 4, an increasing height above the surface of the sleeve 4, until they reach the maximum point from which the indicated height decreases.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the sleeve 4 has cutouts 16 providing an uneven surface of the sleeve 4. Possible embodiments with the number of cuts 16, for example, from 2 to 12. It should be understood that embodiments are also possible with the number of cuts more than 12 In addition, embodiments are possible with only one single cutout 16. Thus, said sleeve 4 may have at least one cutout 16, so that the surface of the sleeve becomes uneven.

In the above-described embodiments, various methods have been considered for making the bushing 4 an uneven surface. It should be understood that these various options can be combined with each other as much as possible. For example, sleeve 4 may have a combination of cutouts 16 and tubercles, or tubercles may be used on a sleeve having a polygonal profile.

This invention also relates to a ship 2 intended for operation in icy waters and equipped with a propulsion device according to the invention. When the marine vessel 2 is equipped with a similar propulsion device 1, then said propulsion device 1 can either be in a fixed position in which the propeller 3 is facing away from the ship's hull 10 and is able to act on ice, or this propulsion device can be rotated so that the propeller 3 is oriented from the hull 10 and is able to act on ice, which otherwise would clutter the path of the sea vessel 2.

By turning the mover 1 (or movers 1, if there is more than one mover), you can adjust the direction in which the specified marine vessel will move. The specified propeller of each mover 1 can be rotated either backward or forward. When the specified mover is in the position shown in figure 1, the direction of motion of the marine vessel 2 can be changed either by turning the entire mover 1, or by reversing the direction of rotation of the propeller 3.

During operation, a sea vessel 2 equipped with a propulsion device 1 according to the invention can pass through icy waters. If the path of the sea vessel 2 is cluttered with ice, the mover 1 can be rotated so that the first end 7 of the mover is facing the ice. The propulsion unit 1 is driven so that the propeller 3 advances the marine vessel 2 to the ice. The propeller 3 will hit the ice and begin to break the ice, thereby creating a passage for the sea vessel 2 in the ice.

It should be understood that the specified marine vessel may have more than one mover 1. For example, the marine vessel 2 may be equipped with two movers in accordance with this invention. It may also have more than two movers 2. For example, it may contain three, four, five or even more movers 1. When the sea vessel 2 contains more than one mover 1, they may be appropriately located at the stern end 15 of the sea vessel 2. For example, a pair of such movers 1 can be placed in parallel on the stern end 15 of the marine vessel 2. However, movers 1 can also be located on the bow end 8 of the vessel.

The propeller can have a diameter in the range of, for example, 0.4-4 m. For example, the magnitude of the specified diameter can be in the range of 0.5-3 m. The diameter can also be greater than 4 m. For example, the diameter of the propeller can reach 6 m. In some cases, the propellers used to crack ice (ice crushing, ice crushing) can supposedly reach a diameter of even 10 m or more, while propulsors in accordance with this invention can presumably have such large propellers.

The mover 1 may be an azimuth thruster with its own electric motor, or may be an azimuth thruster driven through a transmission from a diesel engine located in the hull of the vessel, or from a diesel-electric motor. The specified transmission may be an L-shaped drive or a Z-shaped drive.

Alternatively, these protrusions 5 may be retractable. When the marine vessel 2 is used in situations in which there is no need to break the ice, the protrusions 5 can be retracted. When it becomes necessary to break the ice, the protrusions 5 can be extended again.

In all embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve 4, made in the form of a cutting element, can be made with the possibility of removing part of the sleeve 4. The specified removable part of the sleeve 4 may be that part of the sleeve 4, which is made in the form of a cutting element, made with breaking ice . If the sleeve 4 contains a removable part, the advantage of this solution is that a broken sleeve 4, which can no longer break the ice, can be easily repaired by replacing said removable part. The removable part of the sleeve 4 may be a tip mounted on the main part of the sleeve. The specified tip can be considered part of the sleeve 4. In many preferred embodiments, the sleeve 4 will contain a tip, and the tip will be the part of the sleeve that first hits the ice.

The propeller blades 3 may have a variable pitch. In addition, the propulsion device 1 can be made to provide a variable speed of rotation of the propeller 3.

Claims (8)

1. A marine vessel (2) designed to operate in icy waters, having at least one mover (1), which is an azimuth thruster with an elongated capsule (6) extending from the first end (7) and the second end (9) moreover, a propeller (3) and a sleeve (4) for a propeller are mounted on the capsule (6), and the propeller (3) is arranged to rotate both backward and forward around its axis in the plane of rotation of the propeller (3) ), while both the propeller (3) and the sleeve (4) are installed on the first end (7) of the capsule (6 ), and said mover (1) is configured to provide movement of the indicated marine vessel (2) both in the forward and backward directions, while the propeller (3) is located with the possibility of its impact on the block of ice in the water to ensure its cutting, even if the indicated block has a length exceeding the diameter of the propeller (3), characterized in that the specified sleeve (4) is made in the form of a cutting element capable of breaking the ice that the sleeve (4) collides with. 2. A marine vessel according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve (4) is made in the form of a cone extending in the direction opposite to the axis of the propeller axis. 3. A marine vessel according to claim 2, wherein said sleeve (4) extends beyond the plane of rotation of the propeller (3) so that the sleeve may collide with the wall of ice before the propeller (3) collides with the same wall of ice . 4. A sea vessel according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the sleeve (4) is made with protrusions (5), made with the breaking of ice, which collides with the sleeve (4). 5. A marine vessel according to claim 4, wherein said projections (5) are made in the form of ribs. 6. A marine vessel according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions (5) are made in the form of tubercles that provide an uneven surface of said sleeve (4). 7. A marine vessel according to claim 2, wherein said sleeve (4) has a polygonal cross section. 8. A sea vessel according to claim 2, wherein said capsule (6) can be rotated relative to the hull of the sea vessel (2) around a vertical axis.

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