A low-speed helicoid power propeller, an unmanned submersible vehicle, and an electric energy conversion method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low-speed spiral body power propeller, an unmanned submersible, and an electric energy conversion method, belonging to the technical field of underwater unmanned submersibles. It includes a propeller body, spiral blades installed on the outer surface of the propeller body, and a power conversion device installed inside the propeller body. The propeller body is designed as a conical structure with a pointed left end in cross-section. There is a concave cavity inward at the right end of the propeller body. The spiral blades are installed on the outer surface of the propeller body in a spiral curve shape. One end of the spiral blade starts from the right end of the propeller body, and the other end ends at the pointed left end of the propeller body, aiming to solve the technical problem of inconvenient power supply for long-range equipment or deep-sea sensors of underwater unmanned submersibles in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a low-speed spiral power propeller, an unmanned submersible, and an electric energy conversion method, belonging to the technical field of underwater unmanned submersibles. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of unmanned underwater technology, under the demand of zero casualties of personnel in modern warfare, as an important part of the unmanned combat system, unmanned submersibles have become a research and development hotspot for military equipment in various countries around the world. Unmanned submersibles can perform various tasks such as anti-mine, port security, search and rescue operations, hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring, and scientific sampling and mapping, and will play an inestimable role in future wars. Currently, unmanned submersibles mainly use batteries as the power source and must return to the nearest friendly port or naval ship for charging before the power runs out, which not only restricts the ability to perform tasks but also increases the probability of being captured by the enemy. To solve the above problems, some countries have equipped unmanned submersibles with fuel cell systems, and some countries have set up logistics stations on the seabed for unmanned aerial vehicles to charge, and at the same time use broadband transmission technology for the submersible to upload the captured data and download new mission instructions to improve the independent operation ability of the unmanned submersible. Some countries have also proposed the concept of underwater gliders, but the above solutions are not yet mature and the achieved effects are not ideal, and they cannot better solve the problem of power supply for long-range equipment or deep-sea sensors of unmanned submersibles. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aiming at the deficiencies of the existing technology, the present invention provides a low-speed spiral power propeller, an unmanned submersible, and an electric energy conversion method to solve the technical problem of inconvenient power supply for long-range equipment or deep-sea sensors of unmanned submersibles in the existing technology.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is as follows: A low-speed spiral power propeller includes a propeller body, spiral blades installed on the outer surface of the propeller body, and a power conversion device installed inside the propeller body. The propeller body is set as a conical structure with a pointed end at the left end of the cross-section. A concave cavity is provided inward at the right end of the propeller body. The spiral blades are installed on the outer surface of the propeller body in a spiral curve shape. One end of the spiral blade starts from the right end of the propeller body, and the other end ends at the pointed end of the left end of the propeller body.

[0005] The power conversion device includes a coupling, a reducer, a motor, a fixed shaft, and a motor end cover. The motor includes a motor left housing, a motor right housing, a motor shaft, a motor disc, and a printed circuit board. The motor shaft is rotatably mounted on the motor left housing and the motor right housing respectively through motor bearings. The printed circuit board is installed between the motor left housing and the motor right housing and has a through hole in the center for the motor shaft to pass through. The motor discs are installed on both sides of the printed circuit board and fixedly installed with the motor shaft. The motor end cover is fixedly installed on the right end face of the thruster body. The fixed shaft is coaxially and rotatably mounted on the motor end cover through an end cover bearing. A sealing structure is installed between the fixed shaft and the motor end cover. The left end of the fixed shaft is fixedly installed on the motor right housing of the motor. The left side of the motor shaft of the motor is coaxially and fixedly installed with the reducer. The left side of the reducer is fixedly connected to a power connection disc installed inside the thruster body through a coupling. The printed circuit board is connected to a cable, and the cable passes through the central cavity of the fixed shaft.

[0006] A fillet is provided at the junction of the helical blade and the thruster body.

[0007] Connection ears are provided on the fixed shaft, and long strip through holes are provided on the connection ears.

[0008] A coupling buffer pad is provided between the power connection disc and the coupling.

[0009] The sealing structure includes an outer sealing cover installed outside the motor end cover and an inner sealing cover installed inside the motor end cover. Sealing rings are installed between the outer sealing cover and the inner sealing cover and the fixed shaft.

[0010] A sealing rubber ring is also installed between the motor end cover and the fixed shaft.

[0011] An unmanned underwater vehicle includes the above-mentioned low-speed helical body power thruster and also includes a vehicle body. The vehicle body is detachably installed on the connection ears on the fixed shaft of the power thruster. The energy storage device inside the vehicle body is electrically connected to the cable of the power thruster.

[0012] Furthermore, balance wings are provided outside the unmanned underwater vehicle body.

[0013] A method for electrical energy conversion of an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a power generation and energy storage method and a power discharge and driving method. The power generation and energy storage method is to use the helical blades outside the thruster body to absorb ocean wave energy, make the power thruster and the vehicle body move relative to each other, convert the turbulent wave energy into mechanical energy, drive the rotation of the motor shaft of the motor, and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy for power generation. The power discharge and driving method is to use the power generation of the motor to drive the rotation of the thruster body and drive the thruster body to perform low-speed and high-thrust movement.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: ① By combining the concepts of an engine and an electric motor, absorbing the energy of ocean waves, and utilizing the relative motion between the power propeller and the submersible body, the turbulent wave energy is converted into mechanical energy, which then drives the rotation of the motor shaft of the electric motor. Subsequently, electricity is generated through the relative rotation between the motor disk of the electric motor and the printed circuit board, enabling the recovery, conversion, and storage of electrical energy to charge the equipment and solve the endurance problem, that is, the power propeller has an energy storage function; ② When it is required to be used as a power drive, the electric motor is energized to drive the rotation of the motor shaft. Through a speed reducer, the propeller body rotates at a low speed. Combining with the thrust generated when the spiral blades on the outer surface of the propeller body rotate, the power conversion device realizes a power drive with a low rotational speed and a large thrust on the submersible body. Since the low-speed rotation can solve the noise problems of the submersible and mines, and at the same time, the low-speed large torque can also solve the speed problem, that is, the power propeller has a power function; ③ The power has a wide range of applications. It can generate relative motion with the fluid whether moving upward or downward in water. The conical propeller body has low requirements for the flow velocity of the fluid and can adapt to different flow velocities of water. It is applicable not only to the shallow sea but also to work at a depth of 500 meters underwater, effectively solving the problem of electrical energy self-sufficiency for long-range equipment of unmanned submersibles or deep-sea sensors; ④ Although the turbulent flow velocity in the deep sea is slow and the direction consistency is poor, due to the high density of seawater, the energy density of its wave energy is large. This converter can convert such wave energy into rotational mechanical energy, is small in size, and the single efficiency of the differential, speed reducer, and electric motor is high, improving the overall working efficiency of the equipment; ⑤ By setting spiral blades installed in a spiral curve shape, different from the traditional root welding of a limiting piece at the connection of the propeller blade sleeve of a propeller to limit the flipping angle of the flipping blade not to exceed 45°, the flipping blades on the support rod can freely rotate within a range of 45° radially around the support rod. Moreover, the traditional propeller is only suitable for high-speed rotation, while this power propeller can fully adapt to low flow velocities, support the spiral blades to withstand the kinetic energy generated by ocean currents on them, discard the traditional technical prejudice of only being able to be used as a discharge drive device, effectively solve the problem of insufficient power supply during the operation of the submersible, improve the endurance ability, meet the power supply requirements of the submersible in military and civilian applications, and at the same time facilitate the replacement of the existing propeller, saving time and effort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the power propeller of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a left view of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged schematic diagram of the sectional structure along A-A in

[0018] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the unmanned submersible of the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 1. Submersible vehicle body; 2. Power propeller; 3. Balancing fin; 21. Spiral blade; 22. Propeller body; 23. Fixed shaft; 24. Mounting platform; 25. Power connection disk; 26. Coupling buffer pad; 27. Coupling; 28. Reducer; 29. Left motor housing; 210. Motor bearing; 211. Motor disk; 212. Motor shaft; 213. Cable; 214. Sealing rubber ring; 215. End cover bearing; 216. Hole-type circlip; 217. Outer sealing cover; 218. Shaft-type circlip; 219. Sealing ring; 220. Motor end cover; 221. Inner sealing cover; 222. Right motor housing; 223. Connecting ear. Detailed implementation mode

[0020] The principles and features of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0021] A low-speed spiral power propeller includes a propeller body 22, a spiral blade 21 installed on the outer surface of the propeller body 22, and a power conversion device installed inside the propeller body 22. The propeller body 22 is designed as a conical structure with a pointed left end in cross-section. A concave cavity is provided inward at the right end of the propeller body 22. The spiral blade 21 is installed on the outer surface of the propeller body 22 in a spiral curve shape. One end of the spiral blade 21 starts from the right end of the propeller body 22, and the other end ends at the pointed left end of the propeller body 22. A fillet is provided at the junction of the spiral blade 21 and the propeller body 22. By setting the fillet, the resistance between the spiral blade 21 and the water flow during rotation can be effectively reduced, thereby improving the working efficiency.

[0022] The power conversion device includes a coupling 27, a speed reducer 28, a motor, a fixed shaft 23, and a motor end cover 220. The motor includes a motor left housing 29, a motor right housing 222, a motor shaft 212, motor discs 211, and a printed circuit board. The motor shaft 212 is rotatably mounted on the motor left housing 29 and the motor right housing 222 respectively through motor bearings 210. The printed circuit board is installed between the motor left housing 29 and the motor right housing 222 and is provided with a through hole at the center for the motor shaft 212 to pass through. The motor discs 211 are respectively installed on both sides of the printed circuit board and are fixedly installed with the motor shaft 212. The motor end cover 220 is fixedly installed on the right end face of the thruster body 22. A sealing rubber ring 214 is also installed between the motor end cover 220 and the fixed shaft 23. The fixed shaft 23 is coaxially rotatably mounted on the motor end cover 220 through an end cover bearing 215. A hole-type snap ring 216 is installed on the inner hole of the motor end cover 220, and a shaft-type snap ring 218 is installed on the fixed shaft 23. The stability of the end cover bearing 215 is improved by the hole-type snap ring 216 and the shaft-type snap ring 218. A sealing structure is installed between the fixed shaft 23 and the motor end cover 220. The sealing structure includes an outer sealing cover 217 installed outside the motor end cover 220 and an inner sealing cover 221 installed inside the motor end cover 220. Sealing rings 219 are installed between the outer sealing cover 217 and the inner sealing cover 221 and the fixed shaft 23. By setting the sealing structure, the sealing performance and waterproof performance of the device are improved. The left end of the fixed shaft 23 is fixedly installed on the motor right housing 222 of the motor. The left side of the motor shaft 212 of the motor is coaxially and fixedly installed with the speed reducer 28. The left side of the speed reducer 28 is fixedly connected to a power connection disc 25 installed inside the thruster body 22 through a coupling 27. The power connection disc 25 is installed on an installation table 24 inside the thruster body 22. A coupling buffer pad 26 is provided between the power connection disc 25 and the coupling 27. By setting the coupling buffer pad 26, the torque between the coupling and the power connection disc 25 is effectively buffered, and the service life of the equipment is prolonged. The printed circuit board is connected to a cable 213, and the cable 213 passes through the central cavity of the fixed shaft 23. A connection ear 223 is provided on the fixed shaft 23, and a long strip through hole is provided on the connection ear 223.

[0023] An unmanned submersible includes the above-mentioned low-speed spiral body power thruster 2, and also includes a submersible body 1. The submersible body 1 is detachably installed on a connection ear 223 on the fixed shaft 23 of the power thruster 2. The energy storage device in the submersible body 1 is electrically connected to the cable 213 of the power thruster 2. A balance wing 3 is provided outside the unmanned submersible body 1. By setting the balance wing 3, the stability of the submersible body 1 during navigation is improved.

[0024] A method for converting electrical energy of an unmanned submersible, the method comprising a power generation and energy storage method and a discharge driving method. The power generation and energy storage method is to utilize the spiral blades 21 outside the thruster body 22 to absorb the ocean wave energy, cause relative movement between the power thruster 2 and the submersible body 1, convert the turbulent wave energy into mechanical energy, drive the rotation of the motor shaft 212 of the motor, and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy for power generation. The discharge driving method is to utilize the power generation of the motor to drive the rotation of the thruster body 22 and drive the thruster body 22 to perform low-speed and high-thrust movement.

[0025] ① Combine the concepts of the engine and the motor. By absorbing the ocean wave energy, utilize the relative movement between the power thruster 2 and the submersible body 1 to convert the turbulent wave energy into mechanical energy, and then drive the rotation of the motor shaft 212 of the motor. Thus, generate electricity through the relative rotation between the motor disk 211 of the motor and the printed circuit board, recover, convert and store electrical energy, charge the equipment, and solve the endurance problem, that is, this power thruster has an energy storage function; ② When it is needed as a power drive, the motor is powered on to drive the rotation of the motor shaft, and the thruster body 22 rotates at a low speed through the speed reducer 28. Combine with the thrust generated when the spiral blades 21 on the outer surface of the thruster body 22 rotate, and realize the power drive of the power conversion device to generate low-speed and high-thrust power for the submersible body 1. Since low-speed rotation can solve the noise problems of the submersible and the mine, and at the same time, low-speed and high torque can also solve the speed problem, that is, this power thruster has a power function; ③ It has a wide range of applications. It can generate relative movement with the fluid whether moving upward or downward in water. The thruster body with a conical structure has low requirements for the flow rate of the fluid and can adapt to different flow rates of water. It is not only applicable to the shallow sea, but also can work at a depth of 500 meters underwater, effectively solving the problem of electrical energy self-sufficiency for long-range equipment of unmanned submersibles or deep-sea and far-sea sensors; ④ Although the deep-sea turbulent flow rate is slow and the direction consistency is poor, due to the high density of seawater, the energy density of its wave energy is large. This converter can convert such wave energy into rotational mechanical energy, with a small size, high single efficiency of the differential, speed reducer and motor, and improve the overall working efficiency of the equipment; ⑤ By setting the spiral blades 21 installed in a spiral curve shape, different from the traditional root welding of the limiting piece at the connection of the propeller blade sleeve, it is used to limit the flipping angle of the flipping blade not to exceed 45°, so that the flipping blade on the support rod can freely rotate within a range of 45° radially around the support rod. And the traditional propeller is only applicable to high-speed rotation, while this power thruster 2 can fully adapt to low flow rates, support the spiral blades 21 to withstand the kinetic energy generated by the ocean current on it, abandon the traditional technical prejudice of only being used as a discharge driving device, effectively solve the problem of insufficient power supply during the operation of the submersible, improve the endurance ability, meet the power supply requirements of the submersible in military and civilian applications, and at the same time facilitate the replacement of the existing propeller, saving time and effort.

[0026] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-speed spiral body power propeller, characterized in that: It includes a thruster body, a spiral blade installed on the outer surface of the thruster body, and a power conversion device installed inside the thruster body. The thruster body is designed as a conical structure with a pointed left end in cross-section. A concave cavity is provided inward at the right end of the thruster body. The spiral blade is installed on the outer surface of the thruster body in a spiral curve shape. One end of the spiral blade starts from the right end of the thruster body, and the other end ends at the pointed left end of the thruster body. A fillet is provided at the junction of the spiral blade and the thruster body; The power conversion device includes a coupling, a reducer, a motor, a fixed shaft, and a motor end cover. The motor includes a motor left shell, a motor right shell, a motor shaft, a motor disc, and a printed circuit board. The motor shaft is rotatably installed on the motor left shell and the motor right shell respectively through motor bearings. The printed circuit board is installed between the motor left shell and the motor right shell and has a through hole in the center for the motor shaft to pass through. The motor discs are installed on both sides of the printed circuit board and fixedly installed with the motor shaft. The motor end cover is fixedly installed on the right end face of the thruster body. The fixed shaft is coaxially rotatably installed on the motor end cover through an end cover bearing. A sealing structure is installed between the fixed shaft and the motor end cover. The left end of the fixed shaft is fixedly installed on the motor right shell of the motor. The left side of the motor shaft of the motor is coaxially fixedly installed with the reducer. The left side of the reducer is fixedly connected to a power connection disc installed inside the thruster body through a coupling. The printed circuit board is connected to a cable, and the cable passes through the central cavity of the fixed shaft.

2. A low-speed helicoid power propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: Connection ears are provided on the fixed shaft, and long strip through holes are provided on the connection ears.

3. A low-speed spiral body power propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: A coupling buffer pad is provided between the power connection disc and the coupling.

4. A low-speed spiral body power propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing structure includes an outer sealing cover installed outside the motor end cover and an inner sealing cover installed inside the motor end cover. Sealing rings are installed between the outer sealing cover and the inner sealing cover and the fixed shaft.

5. A low-speed helical body power propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing rubber ring is also installed between the motor end cover and the fixed shaft.

6. An unmanned underwater vehicle, comprising a low-speed spiral body power propulsion device according to any one of the above claims 1-5, characterized in that: It also includes an underwater vehicle body. The underwater vehicle body is detachably installed on the connection ear on the fixed shaft of the power thruster. The energy storage device inside the underwater vehicle body is electrically connected to the cable of the power thruster.

7. An unmanned submersible vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that: Balance wings are provided outside the underwater vehicle body.

8. A method for electric energy conversion of an unmanned underwater vehicle, based on the unmanned underwater vehicle described in claim 7, characterized in that: This method includes a power generation and energy storage method and a discharge drive method. The power generation and energy storage method is to use the spiral blade outside the thruster body to absorb the energy of ocean waves, make the power thruster and the underwater vehicle body move relative to each other, convert the turbulent wave energy into mechanical energy, drive the rotation of the motor shaft of the motor, and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy for power generation; the discharge drive method is to use the power generation of the motor to drive the rotation of the thruster body and drive the thruster body to perform low-speed and high-thrust movement.

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