A pod propeller model cell thrust measurement device

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of pod propeller model unit thrust measuring device, comprising: fixed frame, fixed on the deck of ship model, for fixing the whole measuring device;Servo motor, fixed on fixed frame, provides power for propeller;Angle adjusting flange, connect fixed frame and force cell, for adjusting the angle of pod propeller model unit in horizontal plane;Force cell, connect pod transmission mechanism, for measuring the thrust and lateral force of pod propeller model unit;Pod transmission mechanism, for connecting servo motor and propeller in pod propeller model unit, servo motor power is transmitted to propeller;Universal flexible shaft, for connecting servo motor and pod transmission mechanism, servo motor power is transmitted to pod transmission mechanism.The device of the present application takes integrated force cell as core element, compared with combined force cell, later debugging cost is lower, with higher yield.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ship model testing device, and more particularly to a thrust measurement device for a podded propulsion model unit. Background Technology

[0002] The superior maneuverability and low vibration and noise levels of podded propulsion have led to its expanding application, with more and more ships adopting podded propulsion requiring initial tank model testing for verification. Compared to self-propulsion tests of conventional propeller-driven ship models, tests of podded propeller-driven ship models, in addition to measuring the force, propeller thrust, and torque, also require measuring the pod unit thrust. The pod unit thrust is the resultant force generated along the thrust direction by the pod and propeller during ship model navigation; it is also called the pod unit force.

[0003] Currently, the main testing devices for measuring the force of pod units are based on a combined measuring unit, supplemented by a frame structure, servo motors, and transmission devices. The most common combined measuring unit consists of three single-component force sensors positioned at 120° angles to each other, serving as sensing elements. These sensors are connected to the measuring and fixed surfaces via a hinged structure, similar in principle to the Stewart structure. This type of measuring unit can measure the unit thrust F. X lateral force F Y and steering torque M Z There is also a simplified version where the force measurement directions of the three individual force components are all along the X-direction (the direction of the ship model's navigation). This version can only measure the unit thrust F. X There are also other arrangements, such as a combined measuring unit consisting of two single force components forming a box-like structure, which can measure the unit's thrust F. X .

[0004] These modular designs have extremely high requirements for machining accuracy and balance adjustment at each hinge, and their strength and rigidity are relatively poor. They are prone to disrupting the original balance during later use and hoisting, leading to a decrease in accuracy and internal forces between the individual force sensors. At the same time, this design takes up a lot of space and is heavy, making it unsuitable for certain twin-propeller ships or self-propelled tests of multi-propeller ships.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of thrust measurement device for podded propulsion model units, which has high strength and stiffness, good stability, high accuracy, low weight, and small size, so as to accurately measure the thrust of podded propulsion model units in water tank ship model tests and provide reliable data for actual ship prediction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention proposes a thrust measurement device for a podded propulsion model unit, which can be used in ship model tests of podded propulsion to accurately measure the thrust of the podded propulsion model unit.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0008] A thrust measurement device for a podded propulsion model unit, comprising:

[0009] A fixed frame, secured to the deck of the ship model, is used to secure the entire measuring device.

[0010] The servo motor, fixed to a fixed frame, provides power to the propeller;

[0011] Angle adjustment flange, connecting the fixed frame and the force measuring unit, is used to adjust the angle of the pod propulsion model unit on the horizontal plane;

[0012] The force measuring unit, connected to the pod transmission mechanism, is used to measure the thrust and lateral force of the pod propulsion model unit;

[0013] The pod drive mechanism is used to connect the servo motor and the propeller in the pod propulsion model unit, and to transmit the power of the servo motor to the propeller.

[0014] The universal flexible shaft is used to connect the servo motor and the pod drive mechanism, transmitting the power of the servo motor to the pod drive mechanism.

[0015] Furthermore, the flatness error of the mounting surface of the fixed frame is ≤50μm, and the roughness is ≤1.6μm.

[0016] Furthermore, the fixed frame is provided with an angle scale and a kidney-shaped hole, and the angle adjustment flange is provided with a locking bolt and a pointer.

[0017] Furthermore, the locking bolts on the angle adjustment flange engage with the kidney holes on the fixed frame, and the pointer engages with the angle scale, enabling convenient adjustment and control of the rudder angle.

[0018] Furthermore, the force measuring unit adopts a circular, spoke-shaped, symmetrical structure with a central opening. The outer ring of the spokes serves as the fixing surface, and the inner ring serves as the measuring surface. A four-beam structure is used between the inner and outer rings, and the X and Y direction sensitive units are respectively fixed on the beams of the spokes.

[0019] Furthermore, the force measuring unit adopts a high-quality alloy steel structure, with the fixed surface connected to the angle adjustment flange and the measuring surface connected to the flange of the pod transmission structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the pod transmission mechanism consists of a flange, an outer wall, and an inner shaft. The outer wall bears all the load, the flange of the outer wall is connected to the measuring surface of the force measuring unit, and the inner shaft is connected to the servo motor through a universal flexible shaft.

[0021] Furthermore, the interface of the pod transmission mechanism matches the interface of the pod propulsion model unit.

[0022] Furthermore, the servo motor provides power to the propeller mold and can precisely control the rotation speed.

[0023] Furthermore, the servo motor drives the propeller to rotate at a predetermined speed and direction via a universal flexible shaft and transmission mechanism.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention due to the adoption of the above technical solution are as follows:

[0025] (1) The device of the present invention uses an integral force measuring unit as the core component, adopts a symmetrical four-beam structure overall design, selects high-quality alloy steel structure, and is formed by electric machining in one step after quenching. Compared with the combined force measuring unit, it has good strength and rigidity, higher accuracy, more stable performance, and significantly reduced volume and weight.

[0026] (2) The device of the present invention uses an integral force measuring unit as the core component. Compared with the combined force measuring unit, the later debugging cost is lower and the yield rate is higher.

[0027] (3) In this invention, a universal flexible shaft is used instead of a universal joint. The universal flexible shaft is flexible and has a certain degree of elasticity, which has a higher tolerance for installation accuracy.

[0028] (4) In this invention, the mounting surface of the frame and the deck surface of the ship model are both machined surfaces, which lays a good foundation for the installation of the test equipment. It has its own pod angle adjustment and control function, which facilitates test preparation and improves test efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the application of the pod propulsion model unit thrust measurement device of the present invention mounted on the model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the force measuring unit of the thrust measuring device for the pod propulsion model unit of the present invention;

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Fixed frame; 2. Servo motor; 3. Angle adjustment flange; 4. Force measuring unit; 41. Fixed surface; 42. Measuring surface; 43. Sensing unit; 5. Cabin transmission mechanism; 51. Flange; 52. Outer wall; 53. Inner shaft; 6. Universal flexible shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in Figure 2, a novel podded thruster model unit thrust measurement device of the present invention includes:

[0034] Fixed frame 1 is fixed on the deck of the ship model and is used to fix the entire device. The mounting surfaces of the fixed frame must be machined to meet the requirements that the surface flatness error is not greater than 50μm and the roughness is not greater than 1.6μm.

[0035] Servo motor 2, which is fixed on frame 1, provides power to the propeller;

[0036] Angle adjustment flange 3 is used to adjust the angle of the pod on the horizontal plane;

[0037] Force measuring unit 4 is used to measure the thrust and lateral force of the model unit. Force measuring unit 4 adopts a circular, spoked, symmetrical structure. It has a central opening through which the inner shaft 53 of the pod can pass in series with the motor 2. The outer ring serves as the fixing surface 41, and the inner ring as the measuring surface 42. A four-beam structure is used between the outer ring 41 and the inner ring 42, with X and Y direction sensitive units 43 fixed on the beams respectively. This force measuring unit 4 adopts an integral structure, using high-quality alloy steel, and is formed in one piece by electrical discharge machining after quenching. Its symmetrical design provides good strength and rigidity, high precision, and stable performance. Finite element strength calculations are performed before construction, improving the product yield. Simultaneously, due to the integrated design, the volume and weight of force measuring unit 4 are significantly reduced. The fixing surface 41 of force measuring unit 4 is connected to the angle adjustment flange 3, and the measuring surface 42 is connected to the flange 51 of the pod transmission structure 5.

[0038] The pod transmission mechanism 5 is responsible for transmitting the power of the motor 2 to the propeller. It mainly consists of a flange 51, an outer wall 52, and an inner shaft 53. The outer wall 52 bears all the load. The flange 51 of the outer wall 52 is connected to the measuring surface 42 of the force measuring unit 4. The inner shaft 53 is connected in series with the motor 2 through a universal flexible shaft 6.

[0039] Universal flexible shaft 6: Universal flexible shaft 6 connects motor 2 and pod transmission mechanism 5. The advantage of using universal flexible shaft 6 compared to universal joint is that it has a certain degree of elasticity.

[0040] There are mature products available for propeller force measurement units, which are not within the scope of this design. The interface of the pod transmission mechanism 5 must be compatible with the interface of the propeller force measurement unit.

[0041] Regarding ship models, the upper deck surface of the ship model with pod propulsion needs to be precision machined by a cutting machine to serve as the installation surface for the pod equipment. A process hole is pre-set above the pod, which is generally filled with a PVC pipe to ensure that the pod transmission mechanism 5 can pass through smoothly while also considering waterproofing.

[0042] Preferably, the servo motor 2 provides power to the propeller and can precisely control the speed.

[0043] Preferably, the angle adjusting flange 3 has an angle scale and a kidney-shaped hole on the fixed frame 1, and the angle flange 2 has locking bolts and a pointer, which can control the angle of the pod on the horizontal plane.

[0044] Preferably, the force measuring unit 4 is used to measure the thrust generated by the pod unit, and can also measure the lateral force.

[0045] Preferably, the transmission mechanism 5 and the universal flexible shaft 6 are used to drive the propeller to rotate at a predetermined speed and direction via the universal flexible shaft 6 and the transmission mechanism 5.

[0046] In summary, the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the implementation methods and protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that any equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus, characterized by, It comprises: a fixed frame fixed on the deck of a ship model for fixing the whole measuring device; a servo motor fixed on the fixed frame for providing power for the propeller; an angle adjusting flange connecting the fixed frame and the force measuring unit for adjusting the angle of the podded propulsor model unit in the horizontal plane; a force measuring unit connected with the podded transmission mechanism for measuring the thrust and lateral force of the podded propulsor model unit; the force measuring unit adopts a circular, spoke and symmetrical structure, has a hole in the middle, the outer ring of the spoke is used as a fixed surface, the inner ring is used as a measuring surface, a four-beam structure is adopted between the inner ring and the outer ring, and X and Y direction sensitive units are fixed on the beams of the spoke respectively; the force measuring unit adopts a high-quality alloy steel structure, the fixed surface is connected with the angle adjusting flange, and the measuring surface is connected with the flange of the podded transmission mechanism; a podded transmission mechanism for connecting the servo motor and the propeller in the podded propulsor model unit and transmitting the power of the servo motor to the propeller; the podded transmission mechanism is composed of a flange, an outer wall and an inner shaft, the outer wall bears all loads, the flange of the outer wall is connected with the measuring surface of the force measuring unit, and the inner shaft is connected with the servo motor through a universal flexible shaft; a universal flexible shaft for connecting the servo motor and the podded transmission mechanism and transmitting the power of the servo motor to the podded transmission mechanism.

2. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flatness error of the mounting surface of the fixed frame is ≤50μm, and the roughness is ≤1.6μm.

3. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed frame is provided with an angle scale and a waist hole, and the angle adjusting flange is provided with locking bolts and a pointer.

4. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking bolts on the angle adjusting flange cooperate with the waist hole on the fixed frame, and the pointer cooperates with the angle scale, so that the rudder angle can be conveniently adjusted and controlled.

5. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The interface of the podded transmission mechanism matches the interface of the podded propulsor model unit.

6. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The servo motor provides power for the propeller model and can accurately control the rotating speed.

7. The pod propeller model unit thrust measurement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by: The servo motor drives the propeller to rotate at a predetermined speed and direction through the universal flexible shaft and the transmission mechanism.

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