WO2012097464A2

WO2012097464A2 - Stepped trim tab

Info

Publication number: WO2012097464A2
Application number: PCT/CH2012/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter A. Mueller
Original assignee: Mueller Peter A
Priority date: 2011-01-18
Filing date: 2012-01-18
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Also published as: CH704369A2; US20140026800A1; WO2012097464A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim tab (1) for watercraft, the inclinable tab (3) of which has stepped sections (2) comprising breaking edges (8) and upstream of said sections a breaking edge (8a) on the bracket (20). The active cylinder (5) is aided by a pneumatic spring (6) which can be locked and released in conjunction with the active cylinder (5). Underwater lamps (16) that are fixed on the downstream flow side have a spread angle (a-b-c) and said underwater lamps (16) have a metal housing which is connected to the tab (3) for dissipating waste heat.

Description

Gradually trim tab

Technical area

The invention relates to a trim tab with stepped bottom and side walls for watercraft, according to the preamble of the first claim.

State of the art

Trim tabs are used to improve the slip angle of watercraft, which move the corresponding lift zones by means of flow deflections, to allow more favorable weight distributions and or to bring the vehicle faster to glide, as described in US Patent 3,628,487 or US 2004/0014376 A1.

Recently, other systems have also been on the market, such as Lowerable stowage wedges, described u.a. in patent TW499382B or also US 6,006,689.

At present, underwater lamps are also increasingly being mounted on trim tabs, since these do not require large installation holes in the ship's wall.

Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object to achieve an trim trim with the highest possible buoyancy and lowest resistance at slower and at higher speeds in a trim tab for water vehicles of the type mentioned, which is achieved by grading the bottom surface of the trim flap, and simultaneously pulling up the lateral cheeks on the trim flap. By means of the throttle cable or gas spring, the action cylinder for adjusting the trim flap is supported in its effect. In addition to the trim flap at night to produce a special light, which allows the maneuvering in the harbor an equal safety-relevant visibility with less light pollution, which also creates a special lighting effect at the rear of a watercraft, which can point to the special trim flap and using suitable materials enables effective heat dissipation.

Trim tabs are indispensable in watercraft and produce by lowering one or both flaps a change in the vehicle position in the water, which should have as horizontal as possible in the longitudinal axis and a slight positive angle of attack in the transverse axis, so that the vehicle with as little resistance to and through the Water can slide and thus the passengers feel automatically better when the vehicle floor is more or less horizontal and calm in the water.

This is made possible by means of one or more graduations with demolition edges on the trim flap bottom, longer trim tabs can be used and in this way with a smaller angle of attack, generate the same trim angle change on the vehicle as with short trim tabs, with slightly lower overall resistance. At higher speeds, where the resistance is disproportionately felt, the gradations reduce the wetted area, so that the friction starts at a certain level

Speed is not or slightly more effective, by the flow at the steps of the trim flap and thus the contact surface of the trim tab bottom is released to the water, the frictional resistance is thus reduced and a higher

Final speed of the vehicle allows or less fuel consumption is the result. The steps can also be easily produced by plastic plates with

cut to different lengths and cut sharp on the downstream side and with the Flap be connected, which simultaneously leads to a desired stiffening of the trim flap and thus less damaging the flap.

It is understood that by means of the longer trim tabs on the outer sides of a watercraft so that the role of anchors, but also the pitching is improved due to the lever length of the trim tabs, as these like slosh plates or

Stabilizers act.

The raising of the side cheeks on the trim tabs is mainly to ensure that at moderate speeds no or little water flows to the flaps, thus always to ensure optimum buoyancy, at the same time positively affect the flow and a kind of artificial extension of the hull generated, which otherwise merges too quickly at the rear, can trigger corresponding turbulence, to a suction, which is extremely detrimental to the performance of a hull. The working cylinder can also be supported by a gas spring. Especially with an electric with spindle, this results in a new philosophy of operation, since the gas spring can afford virtually the same extension force as the active cylinder and thus the overall performance for lowering the trim flap can almost double. For this, the active cylinder has to provide correspondingly more power when raising the trim flap, since in this regard the gas spring always presses against it. In addition, the gas spring can be blocked by means of a check valve, so that not the total load of the trim flap rests on the spindle and spindle nut, but the load is also supported by the gas spring.

In addition, underwater lights are attached to the trim flap, with a

Distortion angle from one underwater lamp to the other underwater lamp, so that with less powerful lamps for focused light nevertheless a good illumination of the water behind the vessel is achieved and thus the light pollution, which now also covers the water environment, to stop, without the quality of the viewing condition diminish.

According to the invention this is achieved by the features of the first claim, which can be demolished by means of steps on the flap bottom at appropriate speeds, the flow of demolition edges each clean and thus the resistance is reduced, which leads to a higher terminal speed on the vehicle or less fuel consumption during cruising and by means of a gas spring as a support for the active cylinder and the appropriately placed underwater lamps, which use less energy and less light and still allow an equivalent, safety-relevant view behind the vessel as conventional stronger lamps.

The essence of the invention is to achieve a comprehensive efficient trim tab with less energy, equal or better results with respect to trim on a vessel by means of grading and demolition edges to support the working cylinder by means of a gas spring forceful, as well as good visibility behind a watercraft at night to ensure less light energy.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The same elements are provided in the various figures with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a stepped trim flap, which is rotatably mounted by means of a console at the rear of a watercraft, with an active cylinder and a gas spring, as well as a blocking cable for the gas spring

Fig. 2 is a schematic 3D view of a stepped trim flap with the steps and the attachment for the working cylinder with an emergency bolt and the stiffeners on the floor panel, the side cheeks, and the individually angled underwater lights.

Only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown schematically.

Way to carry out the invention

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a trim flap 1 with gradations 2 on the flap 3 at the rear 4 of a watercraft, an active cylinder 5 and a

Gas spring 6, both supported and supported by means of bearing elements 7 on the one hand on the rear 4 and on the other hand on the trim flap. 1

The trim flap 1, one attached to each side of the tail 4 of a watercraft, by means of a working cylinder 5 in the inclination by means of the

Fulcrum DP are adjusted in order to influence the trim position of a watercraft. When accelerating the vehicle, for example, both trim tabs 1 are simultaneously pivoted downwards, according to arrow H, so that the tail 4 decreases less during the acceleration phase, respectively. the bow of the vehicle is thus less lifted and thus the acceleration of the

Vehicle, as well as the view to the front is improved. The individual driving the trim flap 1, however, serves to balance the vehicle in a horizontal position as possible, which would otherwise have an inclined position due to crosswinds or not evenly distributed weight, the vehicle.

The active cylinder 5 can be a hydraulic or electric spindle drive and can be supported by means of a gas spring 6. Steel springs on one

Impact cylinder 5 trim tab 1 are known and serve to raise the flaps 3 again, thus saving a hydraulic valve and a fluid line. The disadvantage is the unfavorable spring rate, which means one on the trim flap

1 attached gas tension spring 6a is ideally solved because gas springs have a special property, namely to have a flat spring rate. This reduces the total forces on the hydraulic active cylinder 5, on the one hand to drive the flap 3 in flow S of the water down and on the other hand, the force to the in addition to the swing H always unfavorable acting steel or

Overcome plastic spring rate. In electric spindle drives with self-locking spindle, the gas spring 6 is used in such a case as

Power amplifier by the gas spring 6 acts as a gas spring 6b. This can be a electric spindle drive together with the gas spring 6b almost twice the force. When driving back, ie when starting up the flap 3, the electric spindle drive must overcome the force of the gas spring 6b, less the pressure of the flow S of the water on the flap 3 and gradations 2 during the ride of the watercraft.

The use of longer trim tabs 1 is often due to the not strong enough acting cylinder 5 - in particular the electrical - due and can now be solved inexpensively and quickly by means of such gas springs 6.

It is conceivable further to use a blockable gas spring 6c, which is a

Shut-off valve 17 in the interior of the gas spring 6c and a trigger cable 18, which is connected to an electrical trigger head 19. If the active cylinder 5 is activated, the release head 19 is activated simultaneously or with a time shift, so that the blockage is canceled on the gas spring 6c. When stopping the active cylinder 5 and the trigger head 19 is stopped, respectively. released. This higher holding forces can be achieved and it can also be used with non-self-locking spindle 5 Wirkzylinder. In addition, waves are not fully transmitted to the spindle and spindle nut. Trim tabs 1 have the advantage of a watercraft in a cheap

Trim position, on the other hand, they have the disadvantage that the wetted surface of the flaps 3 leads to friction due to the flow, which is harmful. The widespread opinion that by raising the flap 3, the problem is solved, so does not work, the studies show, as here the Coanda effect acts and thus the flow does not rupture, but even with raised flap 3, the flow S is applied thus generates friction and thus affects the performance. This effect is further enhanced by the longer trim flap 1 and the advantage of the longer trim flap 1, with a lower swing H of the angle of attack of the flap 3, so that the vessel can trim properly, this is nullified at a smaller flow resistance, as at higher Driving speeds of the vessel at the same time the friction of the flow is negatively noticeable by for a given speed more speed is needed and thus increases the fuel consumption.

The Coanda effect is outfitted by means of gradations 2 on the flap 3 by the individual gradations 2 have a trailing edge 8, so that the flow S separates clean at this point and the overlying gradation 2 is no longer flowed, except for splashing, which is not has measurable consequences in terms of performance on the vessel.

The vessel now has the considerable advantage that at low speeds the hull is extended due to the trim flap 1 and thus also a higher stability of the vehicle is generated and the faster the

Watercraft is on the way, the shorter is the total body length again, by means of the replacement of the flow S to the respective spoiler edge 8 at the gradations 2 and thus the harmful friction of the flow S is ineffective. The individual phases, from rest or displacement drive of the

Watercraft is indicated by the waterline WL 1, while

speed-saving glide of the vessel is the waterline at WL 2 and at high speed the vessel is the waterline at WL 3.

It is ideal if even at the rear of the vessel 4 a spoiler 8a exists, which already anticipates a positive effect on the trim door 1 at this point. This can be advantageous directly on the console 20, which on

Rear 4 is strengthened, integrate by means of the edge strip 21, thus simplifying the assembly of trim trim flap 1 and the flap 3 is also raised and thus acts as a gradation 2. The tear-off edge 8,8a is characterized in that it is sharp-edged, i. has no curves around the water so there is no way to pursue a corresponding rounding.

The side cheeks 9 serve that at moderate speeds of the watercraft, the trim flap 1 gets more effective buoyancy faster and as little or better no water flows to the flap 3, which in turn generates friction and weight. The side cheeks 9 also have the effect of artificially extending the hull by the flow only further merges behind the rear 4 and thus the risk of harmful

Turbulence or suction effects on the tail 4 fail. The side cheeks 9, should be at least 50 mm high to achieve a measurable result and should be attached as possible at 90 ° angle or a larger angle to the flap 3. It is advantageous that the side cheeks 8 are folded up on both sides of the flap, so that as little as possible water collects on the flap 3. A mechanical connection of the side cheeks 9 with the bulb holder 14 shown in FIG. 2, has the advantage that the Bulb holder 14 resp. the underwater lights 16 can not vibrate while driving, which is for the

Life of the light source is advantageous and the stiffening of the entire trim flap 1 is useful. Not shown are slots or the like laterally or downstream of the trim flap 1, so that water, which is located on the

Trim flap 1 is located, can drain as quickly as possible.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic 3D view of a trim flap 1 with the steps 2 on the flap 3 and attachment 10 for the active cylinder 5 with an emergency bolt 1 which is passed through the opening 12 of the side wall 9 and the stiffeners 13 on the flap 2, which also has a bulb holder 14, are mounted in the lamp holders 15, the underwater lamps 16 record.

If the active cylinder 5, in particular an electrical fail with self-locking spindle, it is difficult to bring the flap 3 back into the superscript position, in the case of the active cylinder 5 does not have an emergency crank, which should also be reached accordingly. The solution is an emergency bolt 11, which serves primarily as a bearing element 7 and also serves to decouple the action cylinder 5 of the flap 3, which is performed through the opening 12 in one of the two side walls 7 and advantageously a tab or an angled Has end to pull the emergency bolt 11 by hand, thereby separating the active cylinder 5 of the attachment 10. The emergency bolt 11 is at the same time prevented from being released axially by means of holding means not shown here, such as e.g. by means of a clamping disc or snap ring or supported spring. The emergency bolt 11 can also be built shorter and not by the

Opening 12 are guided, in the event no visual cover on the trim flap 1 is attached. The emergency bolt 11 may also be attached to the upper bearing element 7, which supports the active cylinder 5 at the rear 4. The demand for more and more intense underwater lights 16 unfortunately contributes to the general light pollution. Instead of behind the rear 4 increasingly intense lighting to mount, by means of this invention, a certain cone of light, which is usually between 12 ° and 35 °, the underwater lamp 16 is mounted in a defined separate angle to the next underwater lamp 16. If three underwater lamp 16 are mounted, they are at a lamp spread angle a to b to c each other and thus also give a wide-spread light, but with three beams of light bundled. Thus, a sufficient illumination at the rear 4 is secured to ensure a good underwater view in port maneuvers and the spread light cone also make an independent photograph by each two underwater lamps 16 to each other produce a V-shaped light beam in the water, ie in addition to the known parameters of an underwater lamp 16th , such as lumens, beam angle, here is the spread angle a to b to c an underwater lamp 16 to the other indicated. The individual underwater lamps 16 can emit different colors in the following. The underwater lamp 16 also has a metallic portion which is connected to the lamp holder 15 and this in turn has a metallic contact with the flap 3, so that the surface of the flap 3 as

Heat abstraction, i. Cooler for the underwater lamp 16 is used, the underwater lamp 16 advantageously also has a temperature controller which limits the current, thereby decreasing the light intensity and the underwater lamp 16 is never overheated.

Of course, the invention is not limited to those shown and described

Embodiments limited.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I trim flap

2 grading

3 flap

4 stern

5 active cylinders

6 gas spring

6a throttle cable spring

6b gas spring

6c lockable gas spring

7 bearing element

8 tear-off edge

9 side cheek

10 attachment

I I emergency bolt

12 opening

13 stiffening

14 bulb holder

15 lamp socket

16 underwater lamp

17 check valve

18 trigger cable

19 trigger head

20 console

21 edge strips

H swing stroke

S flow

WL waterline

a, b, c Lamp spread angle

Claims

claims

Trim flap (1)

characterized,

that the trim flap (1) has a movable flap (3) on which one or more steps (2) with tear-off edges (8) are attached or and

Side cheeks (9) has or and

the trim flap (1) has a gas spring (6) or and

at the rear (4) an edge strip (21) with a tear-off edge (8a) is mounted which lies in front of the trim flap (1) and and

the trim flap (1) has at least two underwater lamps (16) which have an angle of spread (a-b) relative to each other.

Trim flap (1) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the side cheeks (9) are mounted on both sides of the flap (3) .The flapping flap (1) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the flap (3) has an active cylinder (5) and a gas spring (6) and the gas spring (6) constitutes a gas tension spring (6a) and thus the active cylinder (5) must apply a force against it when lowering the trim flap (1) or the gas spring (6) is a gas pressure spring (6b) and supports the active cylinder (5) when lowering the trim flap (1) or and the gas spring (6) is a blockable gas spring (6c) and a check valve (17) which by means of a trigger cable (18) to which the trigger head (19) is attached so that the gas spring (6c) can release or block the stroke.

Trim flap (1) according to claim 1

characterized,

that the blockable gas spring (6c) by means of the release head (19) is unlocked together with the activation of the active cylinder (5) and at stop of

Effective cylinder (5) the lockable gas spring (6c) is locked again.

5. trim flap (1) according to claim 1

characterized,

that the active cylinder (5) is a fluid cylinder or an electric spindle drive and the spindle drive self-locking or in combination with the

Blockable gas spring (6c) can not be self-locking.

6. trim flap (1) according to claim 1

characterized,

that the underwater lamp (16) wholly or partially comprises a metallic housing, which is heat dissipated with the flap (3), or and the underwater lamp (16) has a temperature sensor which reduces the current at a temperature setpoint.

7. trim flap (1) according to claim 7

characterized,

that on the flap (3) side cheeks (9) are mounted, which are at least 50 mm high or at least have a height which are virtually identical to the outer diameter of the underwater lamps (16) and water on the flap (3) can drain.