Air diffuser intended to be installed in a cooling rotary interface of a propulsion guide device

Abstract

An air diffuser (8) intended to be mounted in a cooling rotary interface (2) of a propulsion guide device pivotable about a rotation axis (4) relative to a ship, the air diffuser (8) intended to be attached to the propulsion guide device. The air diffuser comprises a main portion (38) intended to be surrounded by an air box (6) attached to the ship so as to delimit a first fluid path for a cold fluid flow and a second fluid path for a warm fluid flow from each other within a volume delimited by the air box (6). The main portion (38) is a solid of revolution about the rotation axis (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of propulsion guidance devices for ships, and more specifically, to a cooling rotary interface and an air diffuser intended to be mounted in such a cooling rotary interface. Background Technology

[0002] Propulsion guidance devices (also known as the abbreviation "POD") are used to propel boats, vessels, etc. Propulsion guidance devices typically consist of pods attached to a part of the vessel (e.g., to the hull). The pods are mechanically connected to the vessel so that it can pivot about a substantially vertical axis.

[0003] The pod houses and supports a propulsion shaft, such as a propeller. The rotation of the propulsion shaft causes the propeller to rotate and propel the ship.

[0004] To ensure the rotation of the propulsion shaft, some propulsion guidance devices include an electric motor housed inside the pod. For example, the electric motor may include a stator attached to the pod and a rotor attached to the propulsion shaft.

[0005] A drawback of this arrangement is that the electric motor may generate a significant amount of heat. To compensate for this, a cooling system has been proposed, comprising: an airflow generator mounted on the vessel; a cooler capable of cooling the airflow generated by the airflow generator; ducts for conveying the cold airflow from the cooler to the electric motor; and ducts for conveying the warm airflow from the electric motor to the cooler. Since the airflow needs to be partially within the vessel and partially within the pod, a cooling rotary interface is anticipated to allow the airflow to cross the boundary between the vessels to reach the pod. Therefore, in the vessel reference, the cooling rotary interface generally comprises a static airbox and a rotating air diffuser. A dynamic seal is achieved between the airbox and the air diffuser, thereby isolating the cold and warm airflows from each other.

[0006] Although these cooling systems are generally considered satisfactory, it can sometimes appear that the pressure drop within the cooling system's piping depends on the steering angle. Therefore, the cooling performance of the electric motor depends on the steering angle of the propulsion guide. For vessels equipped with more than one propulsion guide, the angular orientation of some of these guides can lead to performance-power imbalances and / or derating. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings mentioned above.

[0008] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling rotary interface that allows for the flow rates of warm and cold fluids to be independent of the steering angle position of the propulsion guide device.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, an air diffuser is provided intended to be mounted in a cooling rotary interface of a propulsion guide device, the propulsion guide device being pivotable relative to a ship about a rotation axis, the air diffuser being intended to be attached to the propulsion guide device, and the air diffuser comprising a main portion intended to be surrounded by an air box attached to the ship, so as to demarcate a first fluid path for a cold fluid flow and a second fluid path for a warm fluid flow within a volume defined by the air box.

[0010] Based on the overall characteristics of an air diffuser, the main part is a rotating body around a rotation axis.

[0011] The main component is a rotating body around a rotation axis, which allows for the same cooling efficiency regardless of the orientation of the propulsion guide relative to the ship.

[0012] Preferably, the main part includes an inner cylindrical portion that rotates about the axis of rotation.

[0013] In one embodiment, the inner cylindrical portion has a circular axial cross-section, and the air box has a circular axial cross-section, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the inner cylindrical portion's axial cross-section multiplied by a coefficient in the range of 1.3 to 1.5.

[0014] Considering the presence of elements typically found in the cooling rotary interface of the propulsion guide device, such as crossbars or grilles, which partially obstruct fluid flow within the inner column section, this arrangement allows the area of ​​the cold airflow to be substantially equal to the area of ​​the warm airflow.

[0015] In one embodiment, the main portion includes a truncated cone having a first circular end with a smaller diameter and a second circular end with a larger diameter, the first circular end being designed to be closer to the ship than the second circular end.

[0016] This arrangement allows for a specially adapted transition between the cooling rotary interface and the internal volume of the propulsion guide device in metalworking components.

[0017] In an advantageous manner, the truncated tapered portion includes an inner protrusion extending radially inward from the second circular end.

[0018] The inner protrusion allows support for a ring used to seal the first and second fluid paths to each other.

[0019] It is also foreseeable that the peripheral portion will radially surround the main portion, and include an outer cylindrical portion that rotates radially outward relative to the axis of rotation, intended to be located outside the air box.

[0020] The peripheral portion, including the rotating cylindrical section, allows the area of ​​the warm airflow to be substantially equal to the area of ​​the cold airflow, although the latter is increased in the truncated cone section, while reducing the volume of the enclosed space designed to contain oil for lubricating the steering components. The same advantage can be obtained when the central channel is used for warm airflow.

[0021] Preferably, the outer cylindrical portion has a circular axial cross-section, and the diameter of the outer cylindrical portion is equal to the diameter of the axial cross-section of the second circular end multiplied by a coefficient in the range of 1.2 to 1.6.

[0022] This arrangement allows for an increase in diameter at the same level as the truncated cone, while avoiding interference with the fluid flow due to excessive velocity variations over short distances.

[0023] It is also foreseeable that the peripheral portion will be attached to multiple radially extending joints of the main portion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the joint has a thickness in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm along the tangential direction.

[0025] Preferably, the joint has a thickness in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm along the tangential direction.

[0026] In another embodiment, a plurality of joints are regularly distributed on the outer periphery of the main portion, such that the angle between two adjacent joints in the plurality of joints is within 30° and 50°.

[0027] These multiple joints attach the main part and the peripheral part to each other without excessively interfering with the fluid flow between the air diffuser and the air box.

[0028] In one embodiment, the peripheral portion includes a crown that projects radially outward from the outer cylindrical portion.

[0029] The crown allows an air diffuser to be attached to an end cap, which is then attached to a steering mechanism of a slewing bearing or propulsion guide.

[0030] It is also foreseeable that at least one static sealing ring may be selected from a first static sealing ring that is in axial contact with the crown and a second static sealing ring that is in radial contact with the outer cylindrical portion.

[0031] The static sealing ring allows for a seal at the contact point between the peripheral portion and the end cap, particularly for sealing enclosed spaces intended to contain oil for lubricating the steering components.

[0032] In another embodiment, the peripheral portion includes a first ring extending radially inward from a first end of the outer cylindrical portion, the first end being intended to be close to the vessel, and the peripheral portion includes a cylindrical protrusion extending axially from the inner edge of the first ring and on the side of the first ring opposite to the side where the outer cylindrical portion is located.

[0033] The cylindrical protrusion allows for a dynamic sealing ring between the peripheral portion and the steering top cover, in particular to seal the enclosed space intended to contain oil for lubricating the steering components.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, a cooling rotary interface for a propulsion guide device pivotable relative to a ship about a rotation axis is provided. The cooling rotary interface includes an air box for attachment to the ship, a first fluid path for a cold fluid flow, a second fluid path for a warm fluid flow, and an air diffuser as defined above, wherein the air diffuser demarcates the first and second fluid paths from each other.

[0035] Preferably, the air box includes a rotating part coaxial with the main part, and the cooling rotary interface includes a labyrinth seal axially located between the air diffuser and the rotating part.

[0036] Labyrinth seals allow for dynamic sealing, enabling airflow to be isolated from each other. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of specific embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a cooling rotary interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the air chamber with the cooling rotary interface. - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top view of the air chamber. - Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the air chamber. - Figure 5 yes Figures 2 to 4 Another cross-sectional view of the air chamber. - Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the air diffuser with a cooling rotary interface. - Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Top view of the air diffuser - Figure 8yes Figure 6 and Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of an air diffuser. - Figure 9 yes Figures 6 to 8 Another cross-sectional view of the air diffuser. - Figure 10 yes Figure 1 The cooling rotary interface along with Figure 9 Cross-sectional views taken from the same plane, - Figure 11 It is a detailed view of the sealing device between the air diffuser and the air box, and - Figure 12 This is a detailed view of the sealing device between the air diffuser and the end cap of the propulsion guide device. Detailed Implementation

[0038] refer to Figure 1 The diagram schematically depicts a cooling rotary interface 2. The cooling rotary interface 2 is intended to be installed between a propulsion guide device (not shown) and a portion of the vessel, such as the hull (not shown). The vessel is positioned above the cooling rotary interface 2, while the propulsion guide device is positioned below it. The propulsion guide device is pivotable relative to the vessel about a rotation axis 4.

[0039] The cooling rotary interface 2 is designed to guide cold airflow from a cooler located inside the ship to an electric motor located inside the propulsion guide device, and to guide warm airflow from the electric motor to the cooler. For this purpose, the cooling rotary interface 2 includes an air box 6 and an air diffuser 8. The air box 6 is attached to the ship, while the air diffuser 8 is attached to the propulsion guide device. Therefore, the air diffuser 8 is capable of rotating about a rotation axis 4 relative to the air box 6.

[0040] An orthogonal direct vector reference 10 is defined in relation to the air chamber 6. Reference 10 consists of vectors X, Y, and Z. Vector Z is parallel to the rotation axis 4.

[0041] In this application, the terms "axial," "radial," "tangential," and their variations will be understood as referring to the axis of rotation 4. The terms "cylindrical" and "cylindrical" will be understood according to their common definition, that is, a cylindrical surface is a surface composed of all points on all straight lines parallel to a given line and through a fixed planar curve in a plane not parallel to the given line. When the cooling rotary interface 2 is substantially mounted on a ship, the terms "upward," "downward," "downward," and their variations will be understood as referring to reference datum 10, assuming that vector Z is oriented substantially vertically upward.

[0042] refer to Figures 1 to 5 The air box 6 includes an upper plate 12 perpendicular to vector Z.

[0043] The air chamber 6 also includes a rotating cylindrical portion 14 at the upper part and a rotating cylindrical portion 16 at the lower part. The cylindrical portions 14 and 16 have a circular axial cross-section around axis 4 and a corresponding diameter d. 14 d 16 Diameter d 16 Strictly larger than diameter d 14 More specifically, the diameter d 14 Within the range of 1700 mm to 1900 mm, and with a diameter d 16 Within the range of 2500 mm to 2750 mm, the lower end of the cylindrical portion 14 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 16 via a flat, positive surface 18 perpendicular to vector Z. The upper plate 12 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 14.

[0044] At the lower end of the cylindrical portion 16, the air box 6 includes a collar 20. The collar 20 extends radially outward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 16.

[0045] The air box 6 includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 22, for example eleven (11). These reinforcing ribs 22 are used to reinforce the fastening of the collar 20 to the cylindrical portion 16. The air box 6 also includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 24, for example four (4). The reinforcing ribs 24 extend radially outward from the cylindrical portion 14. The reinforcing ribs 24 extend axially between the upper plate 12 and the front surface 18.

[0046] The air box 6 includes a rectangular hatch 26 arranged on the columnar section 14. The hatch 26 is designed to allow technicians to access the internal volume of the propulsion guidance device from the ship.

[0047] The air box 6 also includes a hatch 28 disposed on the column section 16 near the collar 20. The hatch 28 is designed to allow for maintenance of the sealing rings mounted near the collar 20, such as the dynamic oil seal of the air diffuser-steering top cover.

[0048] The air chamber 6 also includes an upper conduit 30 with an upper port 32 and a lower conduit 34 with a lower port 36. Conduits 30 and 34 are intended to be fluidly connected via their respective ports 32 and 36 to flexible conduits of the cooling system of the propulsion guide device. More specifically, the upper conduit 30 is intended to be fluidly connected to a flexible conduit that is fluidly connected to the outlet of a cooler (not shown) in the cooling system, while the lower conduit 34 is intended to be fluidly connected to a flexible conduit that is fluidly connected to the inlet of the cooler. An airflow generator, such as a fan (not shown), is mounted on one of these flexible conduits.

[0049] Therefore, through the air box 6, the cold airflow from the cooler passes through the upper pipe 30, while the warm airflow oriented towards the cooler passes through the lower pipe 34.

[0050] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the upper pipe 30 can be connected to the inlet of the cooler, and the lower pipe 34 can be connected to the outlet of the cooler. In this case, the cold airflow passes through the lower pipe 34, while the warm airflow passes through the upper pipe 30.

[0051] Now for reference Figures 6 to 9 The air diffuser 8 includes a main portion 38 and a peripheral portion 40. The peripheral portion 40 radially surrounds the main portion 38. More specifically, the peripheral portion 40 is radially positioned outside the radial position of the cylindrical portion 16 of the air chamber 6, and axially positioned directly below the cylindrical portion 16. The main portion 38 is radially located inside the cylindrical portion 16. The main portion 38 includes a top end 39 axially positioned directly below the cylindrical portion 14. The cylindrical portion 14 includes a seal 41 and / or a labyrinth seal (not shown) that achieves a dynamic seal between the cylindrical portion 14 and the top end 39.

[0052] The main part 38 includes a rotating cylindrical portion 42 at the top and a truncated conical portion 44 at the bottom. The rotation axes of the cylindrical portion 42 and the truncated conical portion 44 are the same as the rotation axis 4. The angle α of the truncated conical portion 44 relative to the direction of vector Z is between 25° and 30°.

[0053] The axial cross-section of the cylindrical portion 42 is a circle around the axis of rotation 4 and has a diameter equal to d. 14 diameter d 42 The truncated conical portion 44 includes an upper end 46 and a lower end 48. The truncated conical portion 44 is joined to the cylindrical portion 42 via its upper end 46. The ends 46 and 48 are two circles about the axis of rotation 4, each having a corresponding diameter d. 46 and d 48 Diameter d 46 equal to diameter d 42 Diameter d 48 Strictly larger than diameter d 46 In the described embodiment, the diameter d 48 Within the range of 2150 mm to 2350 mm.

[0054] Therefore, the main part 38 is a rotating body about the axis of rotation 4. The main part 38 defines: a first fluid path, inside the cylindrical part 42 and the conical part 44, for the flow of cold air delivered by the upper pipe 30; and a second fluid path, between the cylindrical part 42 and the cylindrical part 16, for the flow of warm fluid collected by the lower pipe 34.

[0055] The main portion 38 includes a radially protruding portion 50 extending radially inward from the lower end 48 of the truncated tapered portion 44. The main portion includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 52, such as ten (10), which reinforce the attachment of the protruding portion 50 to the truncated tapered portion 44. The protruding portion 50 is designed to allow attachment of a static sealing ring (not shown) located within the internal volume of the propulsion guide.

[0056] The peripheral portion 40 includes a rotating cylindrical portion 54. The cylindrical portion 54 has a circular axial cross-section about the axis of rotation 4, and has a diameter d in the range of 2600 mm to 3400 mm. 54 The cylindrical portion 54 includes a lower end 56 and an upper end 58. The peripheral portion 40 includes a lower collar 60 extending radially inward from the lower end 56 of the cylindrical portion 54.

[0057] The peripheral portion 40 includes a crown 62 extending radially outward from the columnar portion 54. The crown 62 includes a plurality of through holes 64 designed to allow the air diffuser 8 to be secured to a component, such as a steering end cap of a propulsion guide.

[0058] refer to Figure 11 The diagram depicts a sealing device 76 between the peripheral portion 40 and the end cap 74 of the propulsion guide. The end cap 74 can be attached to the moving part of the steering mechanism of the propulsion guide. The sealing device 76 includes a static sealing ring 78 received in a recess 79 of the end cap 74 and a static sealing ring 80 received in a recess 82 of the cylindrical portion 54. The sealing ring 78 is in static axial contact with the crown portion 62, while the sealing ring 80 is in static radial contact with the cylindrical surface of the end cap 74. A plurality of threaded elements 84 attach the end cap 74 and the crown portion 62 to each other.

[0059] The peripheral portion 40 includes an upper collar 66 extending radially inward from the cylindrical portion 54 at its upper end 58. The upper collar 66 includes a radially inner edge 68 having a circular shape around the axis of rotation 4 and a diameter d. 68 In the described embodiment, the diameter d 68 In the range of 2350 mm to 2550 mm.

[0060] The peripheral portion 40 includes a cylindrical protrusion 70 extending axially upward from the edge 68.

[0061] Therefore, collar 20, collar 66, and cylindrical protrusion 70 allow for the fixation of a dynamic sealing device between the steering top cover and the air diffuser 8.

[0062] The air diffuser 8 also includes a plurality of attachment ribs 72, for example, ten (10). These attachment ribs 72 extend radially outward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 42 and from the truncated conical portion 44. The attachment ribs 72 extend radially inward from the cylindrical portion 54 and axially downward from the upper collar 66. Thus, the attachment ribs 72 allow the attachment of the main portion 38 and the peripheral portion 40.

[0063] Multiple attachment ribs 72 are regularly distributed on the outer periphery of the truncated cone portion 44. Therefore, the angle β between two adjacent ribs 72 is in the range of 30° to 50°. In the depicted embodiment, the angle between two adjacent ribs 72 is 36°.

[0064] In the depicted embodiment, the rib 72 has a thickness in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm, and more specifically, a thickness equal to 16 mm.

[0065] Now for reference Figure 12 The diagram depicts a dynamic sealing device 86 between the steering top cover 88 and the air diffuser 8. Specifically, the top cover 88 can be attached to the static portion of the steering unit, and the air box 6 can be attached to the top cover 88. The sealing device 86 may include a first lip seal 90 and a second lip seal 92 attached to the cylindrical protrusion 70. The use of two lip seals to achieve a dynamic seal between the cylindrical protrusion 70 and the top cover 88 allows for improved sealing relative to airflow through the cooling rotary interface and relative to lubricating oil within the steering unit.

[0066] like Figure 10 As depicted, when the peripheral portion 40 is directly below the cylindrical portion 16, the main portion 38 is directly below the cylindrical portion 14. Therefore, the main portion 38 can seal the first fluid path and the second fluid path from each other. Because the main portion 38 is a rotating body, the pressure drop in the first and second fluid paths remains the same, regardless of the angular orientation of the propulsion guide device. Furthermore, due to the small thickness of the attachment rib 52, there is minimal interference with the warm airflow circulating through the second fluid path.

Claims

1. An air diffuser (8) intended to be installed in a cooling rotary interface (2) of a propulsion guide device, the propulsion guide device being pivotable relative to a ship about a rotation axis (4), the air diffuser (8) intended to be attached to the propulsion guide device, and the air diffuser comprising a main portion (38) intended to be surrounded by an air box (6) attached to the ship to demarcate a first fluid path for a cold fluid flow and a second fluid path for a warm fluid flow within a volume defined by the air box (6), characterized in that, The main part (38) is a rotating body about the axis of rotation (4), the main part (38) includes a truncated cone (44) having a first circular end (46) with a smaller diameter and a second circular end (48) with a larger diameter, the first circular end (46) being designed to be closer to the vessel than the second circular end (48).

2. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 1, wherein, The main part (38) includes an inner cylindrical part (42) that rotates about the axis of rotation (4).

3. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 2, wherein, The inner cylindrical part (42) has a circular axial cross section, and the air box (6) has a circular axial cross section. The diameter of the axial cross section of the air box (6) is equal to the diameter of the axial cross section of the inner cylindrical part (42) multiplied by a coefficient in the range of 1.3 to 1.

5.

4. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 3, wherein, The truncated conical portion (44) includes an inner protrusion (50) extending radially inward from the second circular end (48).

5. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 3 further includes a peripheral portion (40) that radially surrounds the main portion (38) and includes an outer cylindrical portion (54) that rotates relative to the axis of rotation and is intended to be located radially outside the air chamber (6).

6. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 5, wherein, The outer cylindrical portion (54) has a circular axial cross-section, and the diameter of the outer cylindrical portion (54) is equal to the diameter of the axial cross-section of the second circular end (48) multiplied by a coefficient in the range of 1.2 to 1.

6.

7. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 5 or 6 further includes a plurality of radially extending joints (72) for attaching the peripheral portion (40) to the main portion (38).

8. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 7, wherein, The thickness of the joint (72) along the tangential direction is in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

9. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 7, wherein, The plurality of said joints (72) are regularly distributed on the outer periphery of the main part (38) such that the angle (β) between two adjacent joints (72) among the plurality of said joints (72) is between 30° and 50°.

10. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 6, wherein, The peripheral portion (40) includes a crown (62) that protrudes radially outward from the outer columnar portion (54).

11. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 10, further comprising at least one static sealing ring selected from a first static sealing ring (78) axially contacting the crown (62) and a second static sealing ring (80) radially contacting the outer cylindrical portion (54).

12. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 6, wherein, The peripheral portion (40) includes a first collar (66) extending radially inward from a first end (58) of the outer cylindrical portion (54), the first end (58) being intended to be close to the vessel, and the peripheral portion (40) includes a cylindrical protrusion (70) extending axially from the inner edge (68) of the first collar (66) and on the side of the first collar (66) opposite to the side where the outer cylindrical portion (54) is located.

13. The air diffuser (8) according to claim 7, wherein, The thickness of the joint (72) along the tangential direction is in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm.

14. A cooling rotary interface (2) for a propulsion guiding device, the propulsion guiding device being pivotable relative to a ship about a rotation axis (4), the cooling rotary interface (2) comprising an air box (6) intended to be attached to the ship, a first fluid path for a cold fluid flow, a second fluid path for a warm fluid flow, and an air diffuser (8) according to claim 1, wherein, The air diffuser (8) demarcates the first fluid path and the second fluid path from each other.

15. The cooling rotary interface (2) according to claim 14, wherein, The air box (6) includes a rotating part coaxial with the main part (38), and the cooling rotary interface (2) includes a labyrinth seal (90) located axially between the air diffuser (8) and the rotating part.

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