Marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system

Abstract

A marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion system that comprises: an intake section; an impeller / confusor / stator section; a discharge section; a passage extending from an intake opening of the intake section to an outlet of the discharge section, the passage having a length and an axial cross-sectional area, the passage capable of creating a flow path for a water stream on a volumetric basis; and a plurality of internal working parts, the plurality of internal working parts being at least partially accommodated within the passage, wherein the axial cross-sectional area of the passage is increased and decreased throughout the length of the passage to accommodate a volumetric mass of the plurality of the internal working parts while maintaining a constant water volume from the intake opening of the intake section to the outlet of the discharge section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. continuation in part application Ser. No. 15 / 854,437, filed on Dec. 26, 2017, which claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 776,989 filed on Sep. 15, 2015, now abandoned which is a U.S. National Stage Application of PCT / US2014 / 30864, filed on Mar. 17, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 61 / 799,274, filed on Mar. 15, 2013 entitled “MARINE DUCTED PROPELLER JET PROPULSION SYSTEM,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of a marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion apparatus, and more particularly, to exemplary embodiments of an impeller assembly and ducted design for a marine ducted propeller mass flux propulsion unit.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0003]The use of traditional jet propulsion devices for marine craft is well known...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In some implementations, a confusor / stator housing of the impeller stator section and an upper steering nozzle of the discharge section can form an exit radius at a transition point between the confusor / stator housing and the upper steering nozzle which allows for a reduction of turbulent flow for the water stream.

[0015]In another implementation, a mass flux propulsion unit for a marine vessel can comprise a confusor / stator; a steering control nozzle assembly; and a radius connection. The radius connection can be introduced at a transition point between the confusor / stator housing and the upper nozzle of the steering control nozzle assembly so that the flow exiting the confusor / stator housing continues into the upper nozzle of the steering control nozzle assembly without turbulence over flow differential presented by the range of operation of the apparatus required to provide varying vessel speeds, maneuvers in changing sea conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Jet propulsion has many advantages over the simple propeller, particularly in terms of shallow water navigation and maneuverability, though jet propulsion energy consumption is much less efficient than traditional propeller systems.

For example, marine jet propulsion can pose significant design application issues because of uncertain performance over a wide range of speeds, water depth, sea conditions, excess water pickup at the jet propulsion unit inlet that may cause balling and others, etc.

Cavitation is another common problem.

Cavitation can be produced by excessive radial acceleration of the fluid, excess swirl and aerated turbulence of the fluid column, and pressure changes that cause unintentional partial vaporization of the fluid throughput associated with a vacuum produced by impeller action.

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