Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
  • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
  • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
  • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
  • B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
  • B63H25/42—Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
  • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
  • B63H5/08—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers of more than one propeller
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
  • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
  • B63H5/14—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers characterised by being mounted in non-rotating ducts or rings, e.g. adjustable for steering purpose
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
  • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
  • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
  • B63H2005/1254—Podded azimuthing thrusters, i.e. podded thruster units arranged inboard for rotation about vertical axis

Definitions

• the invention relates to a water-displacement vessel comprising a hull with a longitudinal axis, comprising a bottom and comprising a pod drive arranged close to the bottom, said pod drive being provided with a housing containing a propeller shaft which protrudes through the housing and to which propeller shaft a propeller is attached at a propeller end, and a drive for said propeller shaft, which propeller shaft defines a first axis, which housing is rotatable with respect to the hull between a rearward position and a forward position about a rotation shaft which defines a second axis which is not vertical and forms an angle (a) of 40°-90°, preferably between 60°- 80°, with the first axis.
• the present invention relates to relatively large vessels, i.e. vessels having a length of more than 20 metres and in particular more than 50, or even more than 80, metres and having a water displacement of 500 tons or more.
• the invention also relates to a method for the propulsion of vessels of this type.
• a pod drive is a more attractive alternative to a conventional drive which uses a propeller shaft in a fixed position with respect to the vessel, to which propeller shaft a propeller is attached, and which uses a rudder for manoeuvring.
• electrically driven pods it is possible to provide diesel-electric propulsion which can be optimized depending on the operating conditions.
• By using a number of units to generate electricity it is possible to increase the operational reliability and also the efficiency. It is also possible, depending on the position, to comply with current regulations, such as environmental regulations.
• a water-displacement vessel according to the preamble of Claim 1 is described in GB 2 009 156, wherein two Voith-Schneider propellers are attached under respective hulls of a vessel designed as a catamaran, comprising a propeller and optionally a casing.
• the rotation shaft of the suspension of the propellers is at an angle with respect to the vertical.
• the propellers can be directed obliquely downwards and obliquely upwards in such a way that the resulting flow of the propeller on one hull does not disrupt the operation of the propeller of the other hull.
• the rotation shafts of the propellers are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
• the known vessel has a depth which is such that the propellers are at all times situated sufficiently far below the surface of the water to have a good propulsive effect.
• US 3,306,246 discloses a planing vessel, wherein a propeller arranged at an angle raises the hull out of the water in a rearward position and pulls the hull into the water in a forward position, without a hydrofoil being necessary for this purpose.
• the second axis i.e. the axis of rotation of the pod housing with respect to the vessel.
• the horizontal position of the first axis i.e. the axis of the propeller shaft, is always ensured when the housing is rotated with respect to the vessel. This position is optimum for driving the vessel over relatively great distances.
• a horizontally arranged propeller shaft offers the optimum thrust for propelling a ship
• the designer may choose to set the propeller shaft at a (slight) angle in sailing conditions, for example parallel to the flow along a hull shape.
• It is a further object of the invention to provide a water-displacement vessel comprising a rotatable pod which is suspended by means of a rotation shaft arranged at an angle with respect to the vertical, with it being possible to propel said vessel in an effective and efficient manner both with a large draught and a relatively small draught.
• annular jet pipe is arranged around the propeller, comprising a peripheral edge which is at a distance from the propeller shaft and is situated further below a predetermined waterline in the forward position than in the rearward position, wherein the direction of rotation of the propeller shaft in the forward position is adjustable in such a way that the jet pipe has a water-suction effect.
• the first axis i.e. the axis of the propeller shaft
• the second axis i.e. the axis of rotation of the pod.
• More complicated movements are also possible.
• This enables the position of the axis of the propeller shaft to be adjusted depending on the rotation position of the housing of the pod.
• said axis of the propeller shaft is preferably in the usual horizontal position.
• the axis of the propeller shaft will form a considerable angle with the horizontal.
• the depth of the inlet of the annular jet pipe under the surface of the water increases with respect to the vertical, since it receives a horizontal component.
• the upper side of the peripheral edge of the jet pipe therefore lies deeper in the water in the forward position and is able to suck in this water, without a disruptive amount of air being sucked in during the process. It has been found that this enables, inter alia, a vessel provided with little or no ballast ballast to be driven.
• the starting point is the position described above in which the propeller and the jet pipe are inclined with respect to the horizontal.
• the propeller and the inlet of the jet pipe are in a position in which they do not protrude above the surface of the water, which would risk the suction of air.
• the rotation of the propeller is then started and the vessel is driven.
• the propeller rotates "in reverse” in order to suck water into the jet pipe and to move the vessel forwards.
• the non-horizontal position means that the efficiency of the drive is less than when the propeller is in the horizontal position. However, this operation is temporary.
• a stern wave will arise and the propeller can once again be positioned such that the propeller shaft is substantially horizontal.
• the propeller then rotates "forwards" again in order to move the vessel forwards.
• the design of the pod is not relevant to the present invention. That is to say that the pod may either have an engine located in the vessel which drives the propeller shaft in the housing by means of a shaft and gear wheels, a thruster, or may be provided with an (electric) motor arranged in the housing which drives the propeller shaft optionally by means of reduction gearing which may be configured in any conceivable manner.
• the jet pipe according to the invention which is arranged at an angle demonstrates a very good propulsive effect, even if the peripheral edge of the inlet is only slightly below the surface of the water. Air which flows in is pressed against the inner wall of the jet pipe by means of the centrifugal effect of the propeller, without the air bubbles which flow in entering the propeller and greatly reducing the efficiency of the propulsion.
• water-displacement according to the invention is intended to refer to
• F r V/(g.L) ⁇ 1 , where V is the velocity in m/s, g is the gravitational acceleration and L is the length of the vessel in m.
• An embodiment of a water-displacement vessel comprises an elongate hull which is provided with a front end and a rear end, wherein the pod is attached close to the rear end, wherein, in the case of a low degree of loading, the peripheral edge is situated close to or above the waterline in the rearward position and is situated a distance of at least in the order of 10% of the propeller diameter below the waterline in the forward position.
• the peripheral edge of the jet pipe is situated far enough below the surface of the water to realize effective propulsion. This enables sailing with a low draught without ballast.
• the pod can be rotated about the rotation shaft into the rearward position after a predetermined speed has been reached, with reversal of the direction of rotation of the propeller.
• the first axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis in the rearward position.
• the second axis i.e. the axis of rotation of the housing of the pod with respect to the vessel, extends at an angle of 5-30 ° to the vertical.
• the propeller which is optionally provided with a jet pipe can be considerably limited in terms of height (depth).
• the pod is arranged at the rear side of the hull of the vessel, which rear side is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal. In this case, it is possible to arrange the rotation shaft, i.e. the second axis, perpendicularly to said inclined plane, as a result of which the above-described deviation from the vertical is realized.
• the displacement of the second axis with respect to the vertical is effected preferably at least in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the vessel, which vertical central longitudinal plane of the vessel comprises the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
• the second axis is preferably arranged at an incline with respect to the vertical in the forward or rearward direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
• an annular jet pipe is arranged around the propeller, said jet pipe being provided at the top side with a (detachable) projection which extends in the direction away from the housing and functions as a flow guide. The propeller is able to suck in water as soon as this projection is submerged under water in the downwardly tilted position.
• the rotational movement of the second axis is more complex.
• the second axis i.e. the axis of rotation of the pod with respect to the vessel, is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the vessel.
• this position of the second axis is varied depending on the rotation position with respect to the vessel.
• This may be realized by providing a bush in the vessel in which the pod may rotate about the second axis in the manner described above.
• said bush is itself rotatable about a third axis which deviates from the second axis.
• the present invention also relates to a method for driving a vessel, which vessel comprises a hull, a pod, or thruster, which is rotatable with respect to the hull and attached to the rear side under said hull, which pod comprises a housing which is rotatably attached to said hull and a driven propeller shaft arranged in said housing, which propeller shaft protrudes through the housing and to which a propeller is attached outside the housing, wherein said pod serves to propel said vessel in both sailing conditions and manoeuvring conditions, wherein said pod is rotated out of a sailing condition, in which the axis of said propeller shaft is substantially horizontal, into a manoeuvring position, in which the axis of said propeller shaft forms an angle of 25-80° with respect to the horizontal.
• At least one pod drive may be in the forward position, and the other in the rearward position.
• the propeller of the pod in the rearward position may not be driven and the pod in the forward position can provide the propulsion by means of water suction.
• the rotation of the propeller of the pod in the forward position may be ended and the pod in the rearward position may assume the propulsion.
• the second pod may then also be rotated into the rearward position in order to assist with the propulsion. This permits an efficient transfer of the propulsion from the pod in the forward position, without interruptions.
• the construction according to the present invention may also optimally cover other operating conditions.
• the invention may be used for pontoons and other maritime structures which must remain in an accurately defined location.
• the rearward position should be understood to mean the main thrust direction in the case of a sufficient draught and the forward position in the case of a low draught.
• the same approach should be used in the case of structures comprising a plurality of pods, possibly at the corners of the installation.
• Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a side view of a vessel in the loaded state provided with the pod according to the invention in the rearward position;
• Fig. 2 shows the vessel according to Fig. 1 in an entirely or partially empty state
• Fig. 3 shows the vessel according to Fig. 2 in an entirely or partially empty state, with the pod in the forward position
• Fig. 4 shows the vessel according to the present invention in an entirely or partially empty state once it has gained speed, with the pod in the rearward position;
• Fig. 5 shows details of the pod structure in the rearward position
• Fig. 6 shows the details according to Figure 5, with the pod in the forward position;
• Figs 7a-d diagrammatically show top views and rear views of various positions of a variant comprising two pods;
• Fig. 8 shows a variant of the pod according to the invention.
• a vessel is designated overall by 1. According to the present invention, this is a relatively large vessel, such as an inland vessel, coaster or larger vessel.
• the length of the vessel is preferably greater than 20 or 40 metres.
• the driving power used for such vessels may, for example, be in the range of many kilowatts to several megawatts.
• the vessel is designated overall by 1 and is provided with a pod 2 at the rear side which is designated by 3.
• the pod 2 comprises a jet pipe 17 with an inlet delimited by a peripheral edge 1 1.
• the waterline in Fig. 1 is indicated by 10 and the longitudinal axis of the hull is indicated by 15.
• Fig. 1 illustrates the loaded state in which the propeller is entirely under the waterline.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the same vessel 1 in an unladen state, in which the pod is attached in the manner customary in the prior art. It can be seen that the pod, and in particular its propeller, and the inlet of the jet pipe 17 are above the waterline 10, as a result of which sailing is not readily possible.
• the present invention proposes to tilt the pod and in particular the axis of the propeller shaft and thus the propeller in the manner described below, as a result of which the same vessel as illustrated in Fig. 2, in the same loading state, can in fact now set sail, because the propeller is below the waterline level 10. This is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the pod has been rotated through 180° and, as a result of the particular positioning thereof, the propeller and associated casing are below the waterline 10. In order to move forwards, the direction of rotation of the propeller in the pod is of course reversed, and the vessel can be set in motion.
• a stern wave will arise and as a result the propeller may be moved back into the usual position, i.e. with a substantially horizontal propeller shaft and a substantially vertical propeller plane. This is illustrated in Fig. 4, in which the pod once again has the usual direction of rotation.
• Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which it is possible to realize the tilting of the propeller illustrated in Figs 1-4 and more particularly in Fig. 3.
• a bearing bush 8 is arranged in the rear side 3 of the vessel.
• the bearing bush 8 contains a pin 9 comprising an axis of rotation (second axis) 12.
• said second axis 12 is not vertical, but deviates from the vertical, for example by an angle ⁇ of 5- 30°. In the present example, this deviation occurs solely in the vertical central longitudinal plane which constitutes the longitudinal axis 15 of the vessel.
• the other end of the pin 9 is connected to the housing 4 of the pod 2.
• Said housing contains a propeller shaft 5 which protrudes through the housing 4 to the exterior and is connected to the propeller 6.
• the axis of the propeller shaft is indicated by 7 and is designated as the first axis.
• the jet pipe 17 comprising the inlet delimited by the peripheral edge 11 is arranged around the propeller.
• Said jet pipe 17 may be provided at the top side with a (detachable) projection 13 which extends away from the housing.
• the pod 2 may be provided with a drive which is situated in the ship's hull, in which case a drive shaft will extend through the pin 9. It is also possible to provide the pod 2 with an electrical drive which is situated in the housing 4. In that case, cabling will extend through the hollow pin 9.
• Other variants are also possible which are not illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of emphasizing these different variant embodiments.
• the first axis 7 forms an angle, indicated by a, with the second axis 12, said angle being unequal to 90° and more particularly between 60-80°.
• the propeller shaft i.e. the first axis 7
• the first axis 7 is substantially horizontal, i.e. is in an optimum position for driving the vessel over long periods of time.
• Fig. 5 further illustrates the intersection X between the propeller arc and the propeller shaft (or 1 st axis) and the intersection Y between the propeller shaft and the oblique rotation shaft (or 2nd axis).
• This selection for A applies in particular to ships which sail in shallow water (including inland vessels). If a greater value is chosen for A, for example values in the order of 50- and move vertically downwards in the tilted position. This selection for A applies in particular to ships which sail with a low draught (including seagoing vessels).
• Fig. 7 illustrates various operating states brought about by adjusting the pod 2.
• Fig. 7a illustrates a top view of a vessel, in which a pod is arranged on either side of a central longitudinal axis 15. It is possible to rotate these pods into a position of 90° as illustrated in Fig. 7b or even to rotate them further into a position of, for example, 120° as illustrated in Fig. 7c. In these positions, it is possible to carry out manoeuvres in slow sailing conditions or, in the case of fast sailing, to additionally achieve a braking effect.
• Fig. 7d illustrates a rear view of a vessel which shows that the second axes 12 are tilted with respect to the vertical in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15. This tilting can be combined with the above-described tilting as illustrated in Figs 5 and 6.
• Fig. 8 illustrates a further variant of Figs 5 and 6, wherein as far as possible the same reference numerals have been used.
• the pin which is connected to the housing 4 of the pod is designated by 29 and defines a second axis 32.
• Said pin is accommodated in a sleeve 30 which is rotatable along a third axis 31 with respect to the stern of a ship and for this purpose is mounted in a bearing bush 28.
• the second and third axes diverge by an angle ⁇ , as can be seen from the drawing.

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

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Citations (5)

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• 2012
  • 2012-07-09 NL NL2009156A patent/NL2009156C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
  • 2013-07-09 US US14/413,490 patent/US20150158568A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-07-09 EP EP13759828.0A patent/EP2870064B1/en active Active
  • 2013-07-09 WO PCT/NL2013/050515 patent/WO2014011036A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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