Aquatic propulsion by means of oscillating fins

Abstract

The aquatic propulsion proposed uses oscillating blades provided with independent, mutually parallel vertical shafts affixed, at the upper end thereof, to a single horizontal oar of planar profile. The blades or fins being of different length on the basis of the distance between the fastening point of the actual oscillation shaft thereof and the shaft on which the oar rocks. Propulsion is achieved when the user applies a force in traction or thrust on any of the two grips provided at either end of the handlebars, or in opposite directions on both at one and the same time. The movement is transmitted to the rotary shaft and then to the profile section on which the fins are arranged, which causes the fins to move transversely and alternately in both directions, causing displacement of the water and the propulsion of the swimmer or floating object or vehicle, in the intended direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention relates to high-performance aquatic propulsion means using oscillating fins, intended specifically to propel small aquatic vehicles and floating surface objects, although it may also be used as underwater propulsion for divers and submarines.PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION[0002]As suggested by the title of the present description, the subject matter of the invention is aquatic propulsion means that use oscillating blades or fins transverse to the direction of travel to propel a floating object or vehicle, the novel features of which substantially reduce the stroke length of the surface of the blade at a neutral or negative angle, resulting in fewer oscillations about the longitudinal axis transverse to the waterline because they enable the propelling element to be as close as possible to the parallel lower plane of the vehicle, and for the axis of rotation of the oscillating arm or oar to be located in front of the keels of the axis of maneuver, improving...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an invention that allows for synchronized movement of blades or fins on a device. The fins are designed to move in an oscillating motion, where the length of each fin is different and proportional to the previous one. This design ensures that the blades move in unison with the stroke of the device. Additionally, the invention also allows for a mechanism that can limit the movement of the fins to a specific angle, which can be adjusted as needed. This mechanism does not affect the stroke of the device, making it easy for users to achieve maximum propulsion capacity. The actuating handlebar can also be rotated in any direction without limiting the position of the fins.

Problems solved by technology

However, to date human beings have been unable to achieve even barely acceptable propulsion coefficients using alternating oscillating devices fitted with submerged fins, which may be partially flexible or rigid and shaped vertically or horizontally in relation to the vehicle.

A conventional oar with a stroke perpendicular to the longitudinal waterline can only achieve propulsion in one direction, which involves an unnecessary loss as it moves out of the water to return to the initial position.

However, the “accompanying” movement with no propulsion capacity until the stops are reached involves wasting a large percentage of the total stroke.

Furthermore, it requires the angle of actuation to be kept constant, because the angle of the fin remains with an invariable stroke of 90°, which means that each degree that we reduce increases the “accompanying percentage”, but what usually happens is that, when attempting to increase the speed of the vehicle, the user increases the actuating rhythm, usually reducing the angle proportionately, on account of which the increased frequency in fact reduces the propulsion capacity.

On account of this, there have been many attempts to try to use fins with a rigid frame and a flexible part in the central surface, with very poor results.

Consequently, in practice, there are no known aquatic vehicles that are currently propelled using oscillating mechanisms of this type.

In ordinary propulsion using an oscillating fin or blade positioned vertically and moving transversely to the direction of travel, the oscillating shaft of the mechanism is located to the stern, behind the keel of the vehicle, which causes significant oscillations in course, contrary to the stroke of the blade in both directions of actuation, significantly worsening the actual hydrodynamic coefficient.

The use of a fin oscillating across the direction of travel and positioned in front of a central keel arranged to the stern is known, which coincides with the fin at an angle very close to the line parallel to the direction of travel, however small it is on both sides of the stroke, which results in a significant loss of propulsion in the positive propulsion zone, without resolving the “accompanying” percentage and although the impact on the course is less than if the fin were oscillating behind the keel, it causes constant oscillations in the transverse waterline, on account of which it is not very stable in addition to providing substandard propulsion.

There are also no known practical applications of this system at this time.

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