WO2009139717A1

WO2009139717A1 - Ship comprising wind power stations for manoeuvring and powering the ship and a method for manoeuvring such a ship

Info

Publication number: WO2009139717A1
Application number: PCT/SE2009/050540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Norelius
Original assignee: Propit Ab
Priority date: 2008-05-16
Filing date: 2009-05-13
Publication date: 2009-11-19
Also published as: SE533643C2; EP2276662A4; SE0801134L; EP2276662A1

Abstract

Ship (1) comprising a hull, at least two wind power stations (2a, 2b), each comprising a rotor (6a, 6b), wherein each of the wind power stations (2a, 2b) are arranged to convert wind to electrical energy and to transfer the drag of the wind power stations into a propulsive force, and manoeuvring means for manoeuvring the ship by altering the drag of the wind power stations and a method for manoeuvring such a ship by controlling the drag of the wind power stations independently.

Description

Ship comprising wind power stations for manoeuvring and powering the ship and a method for manoeuvring such a ship.

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to ships provided with a wind power station, and specifically to ships with two or more wind power stations comprising means for manoeuvring, including propulsion of the ship.

Background of the invention

For manoeuvring of machine powered ships, a rudder and a propulsion propeller is typically used. In order to improve the possibility of manoeuvring, which is preferable when space is limited such as in harbours, when touch at or approaching docks and so on, a so called bow propeller in the stem is also used. The bow propeller is, in contrary to the propulsion propeller, arranged for acting across the longitudinal direction of the ship. By putting more or less power to the bow propeller, the stem of the ship can be swerved at any direction without requiring any speed in the longitudinal direction as when using the conventional rudder.

When using the rudder for manoeuvring at sea or on a lake, where no consideration needs to be taken to limited spaces, the ship is usually manoeuvred only by using the rudder. By putting the rudder in different angles in relation to the travelling path of the ship, the ship is made to turn or sheer. A consequence of this angling of the rudder in order to make the ship turn or sheer is a "friction loss" due to that the rudder will exert a braking effect on the ship as it is angled in relation to the travelling path of the ship.

Lately, also the pollution of the environment due to the ships has been paid attention to. A ship typically has several different engines and generators in order to both drive the ship forward, but also to provide electrical power to the ship. These engines and generators are most often diesel powered, hence pollutions are emissioned, mostly in the air in the form of for example greenhouse gases.

It would therefore be preferable to be able to manoeuvre a ship in a more advantageous way and reduce the friction loss when manoeuvring the ship. It would also be preferable to be able to reduce the need of fossil fuel on a ship. Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to improve the manoeuvring ability of a ship.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the need of fossil fuel of a ship.

The invention relates to a ship comprising a hull, at least two wind power stations, each of the wind power stations comprising mast, rotor with wings, and generator, wherein each of the wind power stations is fastened to the hull and arranged to both transform wind to electrical energy and also to transfer a propulsion force to the hull by respective fastening arrangement, and wherein the ship further comprises means for manoeuvring the ship, which means is operatively connected to the wind power stations and arranged to manoeuvre the ship by controlling the wind power stations.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the manoeuvring means is arranged to control the wind power stations independently of each other.

According to yet another embodiment, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by controlling the angles of the wings in relation to the wind.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by angling the rotation plane of each respective wind power station, which rotation plane is formed by the rotating wings in respective wind power station, i.e. controlling them against the wind set area of the rotation plane.

Further, according to yet another embodiment, the angling of the rotation plane of each respective wind power station is performed by rotating the whole mast close to the fastening arrangement to the hull.

Further, according to an alternative embodiment, the angling of the rotation plane of each respective wind power station is performed by rotating the rotor including the wings around the mast. According to an embodiment of the invention, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by electrically controlling respective generator, wherein the electrical controlling involve controlling the braking of each respective wind power station.

The invention also relates to a method for manoeuvring a ship comprising a hull, at least two wind power stations comprising rotors with wings forming a rotation plane, and generators for generating electricity, wherein the wind power stations are arranged at the hull, and comprising manoeuvring means for controlling the wind power stations, which is operatively connected to each of the wind power station, wherein manoeuvring of the ship is performed by controlling the wind power stations independently of each other to make the ship sheer.

According to an embodiment of the method, the ship is steered by angling the wings of at least one of the wind power stations so that the area of the wings towards the wind is changed.

According to one embodiment of the method, the ship is steered by angling the rotation plane of respective wind power station, which rotation plane is formed by the rotating wings of respective wind power station, in relation to the wind direction.

According to one embodiment of the method, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by electrically controlling respective generator, wherein the electric controlling involves controlling the braking of each respective wind power station.

According to an embodiment, the controlling of the generator comprises changing the rotation speed of the rotor.

According to an embodiment, the controlling of the generator comprises driving the generator as a motor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, and from the patent claims.

Short description of the drawings The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a ship comprising two wind power stations.

Figur 2 illustrates an embodiment wherein a ship is manoeuvred by controlling the surface of the rotation planes of the wind power stations.

Figur 3 illustrates an embodiment, wherein a ship is manoeuvred by controlling the area of the wing blades towards the wind.

Figur 4 illustrates an embodiment, wherein a ship is manoeuvred by controlling the generators in each respective wind power station.

Figur 5 illustrates an example of settings of the rotation planes to make a ship sheer.

Figur 6 illustrates an example when the wind power stations are used at windless conditions.

Descriptions of embodiments

The description that follows will be focused on a preferred embodiment. This preferred embodiment comprises arranging two wind power stations on a ship. It shall be noted that the invention is not limited to arranging only two wind power stations on a ship, but the invention incorporates arranging three, four or more wind power stations on a ship.

Further, the wind power stations are also shown having two wings each. It shall be noted that the wind power stations may have more wings than two and that the wind power stations need not have the same number of wings.

Figur 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a ship 1 equipped with two wind power stations 2a, 2b. One of the wind power stations 2a is arranged at the stem and the other 2b at the stern on the ship 1. Each of the two wind power stations 2a, 2b comprises a tower or a mast 3 a, 3b, on which a machine housing or housing 4a, 4b is arranged. The machine housing 4a, 4b is arranged at the top of the mast 3 a, 3b. The wind power stations further comprise a rotor 6a, 6b in connection to the machine housing. This rotor is designed to drive at least one generator (not shown). The rotor 6a, 6b is arranged on a horizontal shaft extending from the rotor 6a, 6b into the respective machine housing 4a, 4b and further, optionally via a gear box (not shown) or transmission arrangement (not shown), to the generator. The generator is arranged in the machine housing. Each rotor 6a, 6b comprises a set of at least two wings 5 a, 5b. The wings 5 a, 5b are rotatably mounted at the horizontal shaft of the rotor so that the wings can be rotated 360° in the mounting in order to be angled towards the incoming wind, hi connection to the rotatable mounting of the wings 5 a, 5b in the shaft, the arrangement also comprises means for fixating the wings at a set angle position. For the angle setting, the arrangement in each wind power station 2a, 2b comprises manoeuvring means 7, which is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

The wings 5a, 5b are arranged so that when the rotors 6a, 6b rotate, the wings

5a, 5b forms a vertical rotation plane. In other words, the wings 5a, 5b extends radially in relation to the horizontally extending shaft.

When the rotor 6a, 6b rotates, the kinetic energy is transferred to the generator or generators. The generator or generators transform the kinetic energy to electrical energy. The wind power station can be arranged to transfer the extracted energy to an electric network (not shown) for example when the ship is moored in the harbour. The wind power station is arranged to transfer the extracted energy to batteries (not shown) on the ship in order to store the energy therein. Typically, a transformer is arranged between the generator or the generators and the electric network or the batteries, which transformer adapts the electric energy to either be supplied into the electric network or to be stored in one or several batteries. When the wind power stations 2a, 2b are arranged at a ship, the wind power stations 2 are typically connected to one or several batteries, which are arranged on the ship.

Energy is extracted from the wind by means of the rotation of the rotors 6a, 6b in the generators and simultaneously the propulsive thurst of the wind in the axial direction of the rotor is transferred via the mast 3 and the fastening arrangement of the mast to the ship.

The ship 1 may in that way sail by using the wind power stations 2a, 2b as sail. When sailing, the mast 3 a, 3b of the wind power station transfers the propulsive thrust, via its fastening arrangement at the ship 1, to the hull of the ship.

The wind power stations 2a, 2b that are arranged on a ship 1 are for this purpose designed to be used as sail for propulsion of the ship 1. The wind power stations 2a, 2b are rotatably 12a, 12b mounted, around its respective mast axis on the ship 1. The rotatability can be achieved in several ways, out of which two embodiments are preferable. According to one embodiment, the mast 3a, 3b is rotatably mounted at the foot of the mast at the ship. In other words, the whole wind power station, comprising mast, rotors, and generator(s), are rotated at the foot of the mast or close to the fastening of the mast 3 a, 4b to the hull of the ship. Alternatively, each respective mast 3 a, 3b is fastened or fixedly mounted on the ship 1 and instead the rotors 6a, 6b and the generators are rotatably arranged for rotation around the mast 3 a, 3b of the wind power station. Regardless of the rotation arrangement, the mast 3 a, 3b of the wind power station is attached to the ship so that it can transfer mechanical forces to the hull of the ship.

The wind power stations also comprises a control system (not shown), which will be described below, which is responsible for monitoring wind velocity, wind direction, the generator and its temperature, as well as gear box or transmission arrangement and a braking system (which will be described later below). There is also a weather-vane and a wind-gauge that measure wind direction and wind velocity.

The ship may be provided with an electrical engine (not shown) for propulsion of the ship. The electrical energy needed to run this engine may completely or partially be taken from said batteries, which are charged with electrical energy from the wind power stations.

A typical ship is provided with one or several diesel engines, which primary are used for powering one or several propellers to move the ship. Usually, a ship is also provided with electrical generators, which also typically are powered by the diesel engines. The electricity from these electrical generators is used to supply electrical current to the ship. It can be used for everything from ordinary lightening, heating of cabins within the ship, cooling, lifts, electrical control circuits and so on. According to an embodiment of the invention, such electrical current supply comes at least partially from the batteries which, instead of using the diesel engines, are charged with electrical energy from the wind power stations.

The rotors 6a, 6b of the wind power stations or all of the wind power stations 2a, 2b are rotatably mounted in order to be aligned in a certain desired direction in relation to the wind, independently of each other. When the ship is lying still and the wind power station is used for extracting energy from the wind, the rotors are advantageously rotated so that the incoming wind direction is perpendicular to the plan that is formed by the wings 5a, 5b, that is in the axial direction. When the ship 1 is to be moved, the wings 5a, 5b and the rotors 6a, 6b, i.e. each respective rotation plane, are set in an angle in relation to the incoming wind direction so that the wind power stations 2a, 2b function as sails. The ship 1 is designed to be manoeuvred with the aid the wind power stations 2a, 2b together with a rudder 8 as well as to be driven forward in a desired direction with the aid of the wind power stations 2a, 2b. The ship is provided with a rotation device for the controlling of a desired angle between the plane that is formed by the wings 5a, 5b and the incoming wind. The rotation device is preferably provided with locking means (not shown) in order to lock the rotation plane of the wings in a desired angle position. A control computer (not shown) coupled to the wind power station may be arranged on the ship 1 and adapted to continuously set the rotation plane of the wind power station in relation to a desired inputted course that the floating vessel or ship is to follow.

The different ways or method for manoeuvring the ship will now be described separately with reference to figures 2, 3 and 4. It shall be noted that the different ways to steer the ship not are excluding, but instead the different ways may very well be combined to achieve an as effective manoeuvring of the ship as possible.

Figure 2 shows a ship seen from above with its stem to the left in the figure and its stern to the right. The ship 1 comprises two wind power stations 2a and 2b. These wind power stations are rotatably 12a, 12b mounted around their respective mast axis on the ship 1. Figure 2 also shows that wind 13 is incoming from the left hand side of the ship relative to its travelling direction, or in other words the wind is incoming from port. The two wind power stations 2a and 2b have each respective rotors 6a and 6b. The two wind power stations also comprises wings, which form a rotation plane as they rotate due to incoming wind impacting on the wings. As illustrated in the figure, the rotation planes of the two wind power stations form different angles in relation to the incoming wind 13. The wind power station 12b at the stern forms almost a right angle against the incoming wind 13. The wind power station 12a at the stem forms a sharper angle against the incoming wind 13. As illustrated in the figure, the incoming wind will give rise to a force affect F_a, F_b on the ship 1 via the two wind power stations 2a and 2b. These forces from respective wind power station will be perpendicular in relation to respective rotation plane of the wind power stations. By angling the rotation planes of the wind power stations as is shown in figure 2, the stern of the ship 1 will be swerved and cause the ship to sheer towards port. This angling of the rotation planes is performed by the manoeuvring means 7 (is not shown in this figure).

Figure 3 shows a ship 1 seen from the side with its stem to the left in the figure and the stern to the right. The ship 1 comprises two wind power stations 2a and 2b. The two wind power stations each comprise two wings 5a and 5b. The wings 5a, 5b are rotatably mounted in the horizontal shaft of the rotor so that the wings 5 a, 5b can be rotated 360° in the mounting in order to be angled against the incoming wind. In figure 3, it is illustrated how the wings 5a of the wind power station 2a at the stem of the ship are angled against the incoming wind (not shown) so that the surface of the wings impacting with the wind is as small as possible. This will of course imply that the force affect from the incoming wind on the wind power station 2a at the stem part of the ship is as little as possible. The wings 5b of the wind power station 2b at the stern of the ship are angled against the incoming wind (not shown) so that the surface of the wings impacting with the wind is as large as possible. This will of course imply that the force affect from the incoming wind on the wind power station 2b at the stern is as big as possible. The result will be that stern of the ship 1 will be exposed to a bigger forces compared to the stem of the ship, which will make the ship sheer. This angling of the wings is performed by the manoeuvring means 7 (is not shown in this figure).

Figure 4 shows a ship 1 seen from above with its stem to the left in the figure and its stern to the right. The ship 1 comprises two wind power stations 2a and 2b. Figure 4 also shows that wind 13 is incoming from port. In figure 4, it is assumed that the angling of the rotation planes against the incoming wind as well as the angling of the wings against the incoming wind to be substantially the same for both wind power stations 2a and 2b. The two wind power stations 2a and 2b are each arranged with respective generators (not shown). The respective generators of the wind power stations are designed to be electrically controlled. This electrical controlling affects among other things the speed with which the rotor rotates and the efficiency of the wind power station. In practice, this electrical controlling implies that force affect due to the incoming wind varies in accordance therewith. Figure 4 illustrates how the generators of the two wind power stations are electrically controlled so that the braking of the wind power station 2a at the stem, due to the electrical controlling, is less than that of the wind power station 2b at the stern. The consequence thereof is that the wind power station 2b at the stern with greater braking due to the electrical controlling will affect the ship with greater force than the wind power station 2a at the stem. The result of the electrical controlling of the generators is in this case that the ship will sheer towards port. This electrical controlling is performed by the manoeuvring means 7 (is not shown in this figure).

Figure 5 illustrates a scenario where it is desired to turn or sheer a ship 1 mainly counter-clockwise. Figure 5 shows a ship 1 seen from above with its stem to the left in the figure and its stern to the right. The ship 1 comprises two wind power stations 2a and 2b. Figure 5 also shows that wind 13 is incoming from port. By setting the wind power station 2a at the stem so that its rotation plane coincides with the incoming wind direction, the wind power station 2a at the stem doesn't significantly contribute with any force affect on the hull or the ship 1. By setting the wind power station 2b at the stern so that its rotation plane is perpendicular to the incoming wind, the wind power station 2b at the stern will generate a force affect on the hull or the ship 1 that will bring the stern of the ship to swerve in the direction of the wind, which will cause the ship to sheer mainly counter-clockwise. Further, it would of course be advantageous to angle the wings of the wind power station at the stern so that they have maximal surface impacting with the incoming wind, even if this is not illustrated in the figure. In order to further make use of the power of the wind in order to turn or sheer the ship, the wind power station can be braked by electrically controlling generators, even if this also is not shown in the figure. As the ship starts turning or sheering counterclockwise, the angles of the rotation planes of the wind power stations at the stem and at the stern respectively in relation to the incoming wind 13 will change. The two wind power stations are therefore advantageously continuously rotated in order to maximize the force affect that can be achieved from the wind.

Figure 6 illustrates a scenario with no wind. Figure 6 shows a ship 1 seen from above with its stem to the left in the figure and its stern to the right. The ship 1 comprises two wind power stations 2a and 2b. In this example, it is desired to sheer the ship counterclockwise. According to the state of the art, bow propellers of the ship were used to turn or sheer the ship, which of course demands use of the diesel engines for power the bow propellers. According to the present invention and as stated before, each respective wind power station is equipped with at least one generator (not shown). A generator can be driven "backwards" so that it functions as a motor. By setting both wind power stations 2a and 2b so that their respective rotation plane coincides with the longitudinal direction of the ship 1 and then driving the generators as motors, which drive the wind power stations so that their respective rotor rotates, the ship can be made to turn approximately around its centre. When the generators power the rotors of the wind power stations, the wind power stations generate forces directed perpendicular to their respective rotation plane. As has been described earlier, in connection with the use of the wind power stations as sails for manoeuvring and propulsion of the ship, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship even when using the wind power stations at motors. The manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by angling each of the wings of at least one of the wind power stations so that the surface of the wings against the wind is changed. The manoeuvring means is further arranged to steer the ship by aligning respective rotation planes of the wind power stations in relation to the wind, either by rotating the entire mast close to the fastening to the hull or by rotating the rotor and the wings around the mast. Further, the manoeuvring means is arranged to steer the ship by electrically controlling each respective generator.

The present invention is also related to a method for manoeuvring a ship, wherein the ship comprises a hull 1 , at least two wind power stations 2a, 2b comprising rotors 6a, 6b with wings 5 a, 5b forming a rotation plane, and generators for producing electricity, wherein the wind power stations are arranged at the hull, and comprise manoeuvring means 7 for controlling the wind power stations, which is operatively connected to each of the wind power stations 2a, 2b, wherein the manoeuvring of the ship is achieved by controlling the wind power stations 2a, 2b independently of each other to make the ship sheer.

The method for manoeuvring a ship 1 comprises angling the wings 5a, 5b of at least one of the wind power stations so that the area of the wings towards the wind is changed.

The method for manoeuvring the ship 1 further comprises changing the rotation plane of at least one of the wind power stations 2a, 2b in relation to the direction of the wind. The method for manoeuvring the ship 1 comprises electrical controlling of the generator of at least one of the wind power stations 2a, 2b.

According to one embodiment for manoeuvring the ship 1, the controlling of the generator comprises changing the rotation speed of the rotor.

According to another embodiment for manoeuvring the ship 1, the controlling of the generator comprises driving the generator as a motor.

The present invention also relates to a method for the making of a ship comprising a hull 1, and the method comprises the following steps:

- arranging at least two wind power stations 2 on the ship, each comprising mast 3, rotor 6 with wings 5 and generator 4, wherein each of the wind power stations 2 are fastened to the hull, arranged to convert wind to electrical energy and to transfer a propulsion force to the hull by respective fastening arrangement, and arranging means 7 for manoeuvring the ship,

- operatively connecting the manoeuvring means 7 to the wind power stations 2, for manoeuvring the ship by controlling the wind power stations 2.

The method for the making of a ship 1 further comprises arranging the manoeuvring means 7 to control the wind power stations 2 independently of each other.

The method for the making of a ship 1 comprises arranging the manoeuvring means 7 to manoeuvre the ship 1 by angling the wings 5a, 5b so that the wings of one of the wind power stations 2a, 2b get a larger area towards the wind than the wings 5a, 5b of the other wind power station 2a, 2b.

The method for the making of a ship 1 comprises arranging the manoeuvring means 7 to steer the ship 1, by aligning each respective rotation plane of the wind power stations 2 in relation to the wind.

According to one embodiment of the method for the making of a ship 1 , the aligning of each respective rotation plane of the wind power stations 2 is performed by rotating the whole mast 3a, 3b close to the fastening arrangement to the hull. According to an alternative embodiment of the method for the making of a ship 1, the aligning of each respective rotation plane of the wind power stations 2 is performed by rotating the rotor 6a, 6b around the mast 3a, 3b.

The method for the making of a ship comprises arranging the manoeuvring means 7 to steer the ship 1 by electrically controlling each respective generator.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Ship (1) comprising:

- a hull,

- at least two wind power stations (2a, 2b), each comprising mast (3a, 3b), rotor (6a, 6b) with wings (5a, 5b) and generator, wherein each of the wind power stations (2a, 2b) are fastened to the hull, arranged to both convert wind to electrical energy and to transfer a propulsion force to the hull be respective fastening arrangement, and

- manoeuvring means (7) for manoeuvring the ship (1), which means (7) is operatively connected to the wind power stations (2a, 2b) and arranged to manoeuvre the ship (1) by controlling the wind power stations (2a, 2b).

2. Ship (1) according to claim 1, wherein the manoeuvring means (7) is arranged to control the wind power stations (2a, 2b) independently of each other.

3. Ship (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the manoeuvring means (7) is arranged to steer the ship (1) by angling each of the wings of at least one of the wind power stations so that the surface of the wings towards the wind is changed.

4. Ship (1) according to claims 1-3, wherein the manoeuvring means (7) is arranged to steer the ship (1 ) by aligning the rotation plane of each respective wind power station (2a, 2b) in relation to the wind.

5. Ship (1) according to claim 4, wherein the setting of the rotation plane of each respective wind power station (2a, 2b) is performed by rotating the whole mast (3 a, 3b) close to the fastening arrangement at the hull.

6. Ship (1) according to claim 4, wherein the setting of the rotation plane of each respective wind power station (2a, 2b) is performed by rotating the rotor (6a, 6b) and the wings (5a, 5b) around the mast (3a, 3b).

7. Ship (1) according to claims 1-6, wherein the manoeuvring means (7) is arranged to steer the ship (1) by electrically controlling each respective generator, where the electrical controlling implies controlling the braking of each respective wind power station.

8. Method for manoeuvring a ship comprising a hull (1), at least two wind power stations (2a, 2b), comprising rotors (6a, 6b) with wings (5a, 5b) which form a rotation plane, and generators for generating electricity, wherein the wind power stations are arranged at the hull, and comprise manoeuvring means (7) for controlling the wind power stations, which is operatively connected to each of the wind power stations (2a, 2b), characterised in that manoeuvring the ship by controlling the wind power stations independently of each other to make the ship sheer.

9. Method for manoeuvring a ship according to claim 8, wherein the manoeuvring comprises angling the wings (5 a, 5b) of at least one of the wind power stations so that the area of the wings towards the wind changes.

10. Method for manoeuvring a ship according to claim 8 or 9, comprising changing the rotation plane of at least one of the wind power stations (2a, 2b) in relation to the direction of the wind.

11. Method for manoeuvring a ship according to any of claims 8-10, comprising electrical controlling of the generator of at least one of the wind power stations (2a, 2b), where the electrical controlling implies controlling the braking of each respective wind power station.

12. Method for manoeuvring a ship according to claim 11 , wherein the controlling of the generators comprises changing the rotation speed of the rotor.

13. Method for manoeuvring a ship according to claim 11, wherein the controlling of the generators comprises driving the generator as a motor.