Retractable lift force type wind-assisted propulsion device for ship

Abstract

The retractable lift force type wind-assisted propulsion device comprises a sail assembly, a retractable device and a control system, and the sail assembly can rotate relative to a ship body; the sail assembly comprises a main wing sail, a first aileron sail, a second aileron sail and a lower end plate; wherein all the sails are wing-shaped sails, and the main wing sails are elliptical wing-shaped sails; each sail is rotatably connected with the lower end plate; and the rotating axes of the sails are parallel to each other and are not coplanar. Through the arrangement of the multi-body wing-shaped sail, the multi-body wing-shaped sail can adapt to different wind directions to change the attack angle, and the wind power boosting effect is improved; through the arrangement of the folding and unfolding device, the sail can be freely folded and unfolded in different working states.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a ship propulsion device, in particular to a retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device. Background Art

[0002] As the global climate change problem becomes increasingly serious, in order to cope with global climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, how to make ships more energy-efficient, reduce fuel consumption and fuel costs, and improve the economy of the equipment has become an important issue. Wind energy, as a relatively mature type of clean energy, has been used in the shipbuilding industry very early. Wind propulsion can reduce energy consumption and thus save ship operating costs.

[0003] At present, the wind-assisted propulsion methods of ships mainly include wind-assisted propulsion rotors and lift-type propulsion. The wind-assisted propulsion rotor uses the Magnus effect as the aerodynamic principle. By installing a cylinder on the ship, the cylinder is driven to rotate in the wind to generate a force perpendicular to the wind speed direction, thereby providing the ship with a forward propulsion force. However, the wind-assisted propulsion rotor has certain requirements on the wind direction, and the best wind direction for assisting is crosswind. Lift-type propulsion usually sets the sail shape to an airfoil, but currently most of them use a single airfoil, such as the patent CN 201737153U discloses a wing-shaped sail, in which the cross-section of the sail surface is wing-shaped, the mast is arranged at a symmetrical force position on the left and right sides of the sail surface, and a steering mechanism is installed at the lower end of the mast to rotate the sail surface to adjust the optimal windward angle to provide thrust. However, in order to maximize the use of wind energy, a ship with a single wing-shaped sail must adjust the windward angle of the sail in time according to the wind direction. When the wind direction changes significantly, the wing sail needs to be rotated at a large angle, which has certain disadvantages in terms of timeliness and energy saving. In addition, in severe sea conditions where the wind direction is not conducive to the passage of ships, the presence of the sail may cause wind resistance, increase fuel consumption, and even increase the risk of navigation.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a new type of ship wind-assisted propulsion device that can better adapt to different wind directions to provide thrust, is energy-efficient and efficient, and can be freely retracted and deployed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships, which can solve the problems that the existing lift-type wind-assisted propulsion devices cannot adapt to different wind directions to provide thrust, cannot freely retract sails, and have high energy consumption.

[0006] The embodiments of the present application can be implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship comprises a sail assembly, a retracting and releasing device and a control system, wherein the sail assembly can rotate relative to the hull; the sail assembly comprises a main wing sail, a first aileron sail, a second aileron sail and a lower end plate, wherein the lower end plate is located at the lower part of each sail and is rotatably connected to each sail; the cross-section of each sail is an airfoil; the rotation axis of each sail is perpendicular to the lower end plate, and the rotation axes of each sail are parallel to each other and are not coplanar; when the main wing sail rotates around its own rotation axis, there is a gap between its two ends and the two aileron sails; the retracting and releasing device is used to switch the sail assembly between an upright state and a stacked state.

[0008] Furthermore, when the sail assembly is in an upright state, the lower end plate is parallel to the deck of the ship and can rotate relative to the deck of the ship, and each of the main wing sail and the aileron sail rotates independently around its own rotation axis relative to the other sails.

[0009] Furthermore, the airfoils of the first flap sail, the main wing sail and the second flap sail are mirror-symmetrical structures about their respective airfoil midlines.

[0010] Furthermore, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the airfoil of the main wing sail are mirror-symmetrical structures.

[0011] Furthermore, the front ends of the airfoils of the first aileron sail and the second aileron sail are smooth, and the rear ends are pointed.

[0012] Furthermore, the folding and unfolding device includes a rotating device and a deck base, the rotating device is located at the lower part of the lower end plate and is fixedly connected to the lower end plate, the deck base is fixedly connected to the deck of the ship, and the rotating device and the deck base are hinged.

[0013] Furthermore, the rotating device drives the sail assembly to rotate from an upright state to a stacked state in which the rotation axis of each sail is parallel to the ship deck.

[0014] Furthermore, the control system includes a wind speed and direction monitoring module and a driving module. The wind speed and direction monitoring module is used to monitor real-time wind direction and wind speed. The driving module includes a power component and a transmission component, which are used to control the sail component to switch between an upright state and a stacked state.

[0015] Furthermore, the sail assembly also includes an upper end plate, which is located on the upper part of each sail and is rotatably connected to each sail.

[0016] The embodiment of the present application provides a retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship, which has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. This application adopts the design of a multi-body wing-shaped sail, and the angle of each wing-shaped sail can be freely adjusted. Compared with the existing single-body wing-shaped sail, it will produce a larger lift-drag coefficient, can better adapt to different wind directions, improve wind energy utilization, and save energy;

[0018] 2. The sails of the present application can be folded and released freely. On the one hand, if you encounter severe sea conditions such as typhoons during sailing, you can stack the sails to protect yourself and reduce the danger; on the other hand, when mooring at the dock, stacking the sails can facilitate loading and unloading of goods;

[0019] 3. This application can realize functions such as sail folding and rotating through the setting of the control system, change the angle of attack according to the real-time wind conditions monitored by the wind speed and direction monitoring module, improve the propulsion efficiency, and enhance the adaptability and operating efficiency of the sail to the complex operating conditions of the ship. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sail assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a stacked state of a sail assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 A cross-sectional plan view of a sail assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a sail assembly in starboard wind working mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a sail assembly in port wind working mode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a sail assembly in a stern wind working mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a sail assembly in bow wind working mode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Fig. 9 A pressure cloud diagram in a starboard wind working mode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Fig.10 A vorticity cloud diagram in a starboard wind working mode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig.11is a lift-drag time history curve in a starboard wind working mode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Numbers in the figure

[0032] 1- sail assembly; 11- upper end plate; 12- first aileron sail; 121- first aileron sail rotation axis; 13- main wing sail; 131- main wing sail rotation axis; 14- second aileron sail; 141- second aileron sail rotation axis; 15- lower end plate; 2- retracting device; 21- rotating device; 22- deck base; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, the present application will be further described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In addition, various components in the drawings are enlarged or reduced in size for ease of understanding, but this practice is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0035] Words importing the singular also include the plural and vice versa.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate an orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the products of the embodiments of the present application are usually placed when in use, it is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, in the description of the present application, in order to distinguish different units, the words first, second, etc. are used in this specification, but these are not limited by the order of manufacture, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, and their names may be different in the detailed description and claims of the present application.

[0037] The vocabulary in this specification is used to illustrate the embodiments of the present application, but is not intended to limit the present application. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "disposed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection between the two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be specifically understood.

[0038] Combination Figures 1 to 3The present application provides a retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship, comprising a sail assembly 1, a retracting device 2 and a control system, wherein the sail assembly 1 can rotate relative to the hull, and the sail assembly 1 comprises a first flap sail 12, a main flap sail 13, a second flap sail 14 and a lower end plate 15, each sail being located at the lower part of the lower end plate 15 and rotatably connected thereto;

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the sail assembly 1 further comprises an upper end plate 11 rotatably connected to each sail;

[0040] Specifically, the folding and unfolding device 2 includes a rotating device 21 and a deck base 22, wherein the rotating device 21 is located at the lower part of the lower end plate and is fixedly connected thereto, and the deck base 22 is fixedly connected to the deck of the ship, and the rotating device 21 is hinged to the deck base 22; when the retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device of the present application is in a working state, the sail assembly 1 is in an upright state, that is, the rotation axis of each sail is perpendicular to the lower end plate 15, and the lower end plate 15 is parallel to the deck of the ship, and the rotating device 21 can drive the sail assembly 1 to rotate relative to the deck of the ship, and each main wing sail and aileron sail can rotate independently around their respective rotation axes relative to other sails; when in a non-working state, the rotating device 21 can drive the sail assembly 1 to rotate from its original upright state to a state such as Figure 3 The sails are shown in a stacked state with their rotation axes parallel to the ship's deck;

[0041] Specifically, the control system includes a wind speed and direction monitoring module and a driving module. The driving module includes a power component and a transmission component. The wind speed and direction data can be collected through the wind speed and direction monitoring system, and the sail assembly 1 can be controlled to switch between an upright state and a stacked state according to the data of wind speed, wind direction, sailing direction, etc.;

[0042] Furthermore, the first flap sail 12, the main wing sail 13, and the second flap sail 14 are all airfoil sail structures. The "airfoil" refers to the wing profile having an aerodynamic shape when observed in a cross section in the front-to-back direction (i.e., from the leading edge to the trailing edge). The aerodynamic airfoil shape facilitates air to pass through the wing sail more easily. Figure 4 The illustrated sail airfoil structures are symmetrical airfoils (i.e., mirror-symmetrical structures about their respective airfoil midlines). It should be noted that the airfoil structure of the present application is not limited to symmetrical airfoils, and the airfoil shape can be defined according to the NACA standardized series, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] Furthermore, the main wing sail 13 is located between the first aileron sail 12 and the second aileron sail 14, and the rotation axes are parallel to each other and not coplanar, that is, the main wing sail rotation axis 131 is offset in a vertical direction relative to the plane where the first aileron sail rotation axis 121 and the second aileron sail rotation axis 141 are located, and the rotation axis of each sail is located between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the airfoil, and each sail can rotate independently around its own rotation axis relative to other sails;

[0044] Combination Figure 4 To further explain the working principle of the device of the present application, in the working state, when the sail assembly 1 is in an upright state, when the wind direction changes, the lower end plate 15 and each sail rotate around its own axis to the optimal angle of attack position, such as Figure 4 As shown, when facing a certain wind direction, the main wing sail 13, the first aileron sail 12 and the second aileron sail 14 rotate to the angle of attack position shown in the figure, and the three sails form an arc structure as a whole. At this time, there is a certain gap between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the main wing sail 13 and the leading edge or the trailing edge of the two aileron sails, which helps to weaken the flow separation phenomenon and maintain a high lift-to-drag ratio; when encountering an incoming wind with a certain angle of attack, a high pressure area is generated on the windward side (concave side) and a low pressure area is generated on the leeward side (convex side), thereby generating a lift F. At this time, the lift F can be decomposed to generate a larger thrust pointing in the direction of the ship's travel, thereby achieving a better wind-assisted propulsion effect.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments, the airfoil of the main wing sail 13 is an elliptical airfoil, that is, its leading edge and trailing edge are mirror-symmetrical structures. When the wind direction changes, the arc-shaped structural arrangement with the best angle of attack can be achieved by mainly rotating the two aileron sails. The rotation adjustment angle of the main wing sail 13 is smaller, which can further simplify the operation and save energy.

[0046] In some preferred embodiments, when the main wing sail 13 rotates around its own rotation axis 131, there is a certain gap between its two ends and the two aileron sails. The existence of a certain gap helps to reduce the flow separation phenomenon and is beneficial to further improve the performance of the device.

[0047] Figure 5-Figure 8 In some preferred embodiments, several main working modes of a ship according to different wind directions when it is sailing normally are shown:

[0048] Figure 5 In the starboard wind working mode, when the wind direction is mainly from the starboard side, the main wing sail 13 rotates so that the trailing edge faces the stern in the southwest direction, and the two aileron sails also rotate to Figure 5 As shown, the lift directed toward the bow can be generated at this time, which can achieve a better wind-assisted propulsion effect;

[0049] Figure 6In the port wind working mode, when the wind direction is mainly from the port side, the main wing sail 13 rotates so that the trailing edge faces the stern in the southeast direction, and the two aileron sails also rotate to Figure 6 As shown, the lift directed toward the bow can be generated at this time, achieving a better wind-assisted propulsion effect;

[0050] Figure 7 In the stern wind working mode, when the wind direction is mainly from the stern, the main wing sail 13 rotates to turn the trailing edge to the port or starboard side of the ship, and the corresponding two aileron sails also rotate to the port or starboard side respectively. At this time, the thrust directed to the bow can be generated, achieving a better wind-assisted thrust effect;

[0051] Figure 8 In the bow wind working mode, when the wind direction is mainly from the bow, the main wing sail 13 rotates so that the leading edge faces the bow, and the corresponding two aileron sails also rotate so that the leading edges face the bow. At this time, the wind resistance of the device is low and will not have a significant impact on the ship's driving.

[0052] Figure 9-11 This is a simulation calculation result for an embodiment of the present application in a starboard wind working mode. It can be seen that when the device model form is adopted, a larger lift-to-drag ratio can be generated.

[0053] The above is a detailed introduction to the specific implementation methods of the present application. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications may be made to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship, comprising a sail assembly (1), a retractable device (2) and a control system, wherein the sail assembly (1) can rotate relative to the hull; characterized in that: The sail assembly (1) comprises a main wing sail (13), a first flap sail (12), a second flap sail (14) and a lower end plate (15), wherein the lower end plate (15) is located at the lower part of each sail and is rotatably connected to each sail; Each sail is a wing-shaped sail, wherein the main wing sail (13) is an elliptical wing; The rotation axes of the sails are perpendicular to the lower end plate (15), parallel to each other and not coplanar; The retracting and unfolding device (2) is used to switch the sail assembly between an upright state and a folded state.

2. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the sail assembly (1) is in an upright state, the lower end plate (15) is parallel to the deck of the ship and can rotate relative to the deck of the ship, and each sail rotates independently around its own rotation axis relative to other sails.

3. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the main wing sail (13) rotates around its own rotation axis (131), gaps exist between its two ends and the two aileron sails respectively.

4. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airfoils of the first flap sail (12) and the second flap sail (14) are mirror-symmetrical structures about their respective airfoil midlines.

5. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front ends of the airfoils of the first flap sail (12) and the second flap sail (14) are smooth, and the rear ends are pointed.

6. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retractable device (2) comprises a rotating device (21) and a deck base (22); the rotating device (21) is located at the lower part of the lower end plate (15) and is fixedly connected to the lower end plate (15); the deck base (22) is fixedly connected to the deck of the ship; the rotating device (21) and the deck base (22) are hinged.

7. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rotating device (21) drives the sail assembly (1) to rotate from an upright state to a stacked state in which the rotation axis of each sail is parallel to the ship deck.

8. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for a ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system comprises a wind speed and direction monitoring module and a driving module. The wind speed and direction monitoring module is used to monitor the real-time wind direction and wind speed. The driving module comprises a power component and a transmission component, which are used to control the sail component (1) to switch between an upright state and a stacked state.

9. The retractable lift-type wind-assisted propulsion device for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sail assembly (1) further comprises an upper end plate (11) which is located on the upper part of each sail and is rotatably connected to each sail.

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