Wind-assisted vessel propulsion device

Abstract

The application discloses a wind power sailing aid for a ship. The wind power sailing aid comprises a deformable cylinder (1) and a rotating cylinder motor; the deformable cylinder comprises a rotating cylinder frame (11) and a plurality of wing sail plates (13); the rotating cylinder frame is rotatably installed on the ship, so that the deformable cylinder can rotate on the ship; the rotating cylinder motor is used for driving the deformable cylinder to rotate; the wing sail plates have circular arc surfaces and planes; all the wing sail plates are assembled on the rotating cylinder frame through an azimuth conversion mechanism, the wing sail plates can change a rotating angle and a moving position based on the azimuth conversion mechanism, and the deformable cylinder can change a configuration. When being changed into a gathered cylinder configuration, the wind power sailing aid can indirectly push the ship to move forward based on the Magnus effect; when being changed into a dispersed sail configuration, the wind power sailing aid can directly push the ship to move forward based on the wind power like a sail.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a wind energy collection and utilization technology, and particularly relates to a wind-assisted sailing device for a ship. BACKGROUND

[0002] In existing wind-assisted sailing technologies for ships, there are mainly two types of devices applied to utilize wind energy to assist ship sailing. The first type is a wing-type sail, which generates lift by adjusting the wind angle between the sail surface and the wind direction to push the ship forward. The second type is a rotating cylinder rotor sail, also known as a rotor sail or a Magnus effect sail, which utilizes the Magnus effect to generate a pressure difference on the surface of a rotating cylinder to obtain thrust. These technologies can reduce fuel consumption and environmental pollution of ships to some extent, especially when the wind direction conditions are suitable, they can significantly improve sailing efficiency.

[0003] Although the existing wind-assisted sailing technologies can provide effective auxiliary power in some cases, they also have some defects and shortcomings. The following are some major problems:

[0004] 1) Single function, existing sail devices can usually only adapt to specific wind direction conditions. For example, wing-type sails work better in downwind conditions, while rotating cylinder sails are more suitable for working in crosswind conditions;

[0005] 2) Limited adaptability, existing technologies often cannot effectively cope with variable wind direction and wind conditions, which limits their performance in different environments. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to provide a wind-assisted sailing device for a ship, which can be transformed into a converging cylinder configuration or a dispersing sail configuration to fully utilize natural wind power to push the ship forward.

[0007] In order to achieve the above technical purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The application discloses a wind power sailing device for a ship, which comprises a deformable cylinder and a rotating drum motor; the deformable cylinder comprises a rotating drum frame and a plurality of wing sails; the rotating drum frame is rotatably installed on the ship, so that the deformable cylinder can rotate on the ship; the rotating drum motor is used for driving the deformable cylinder to rotate; the wing sail has a circular arc surface and a plane; all the wing sails are assembled on the rotating drum frame through an azimuth conversion mechanism, the wing sails can change the rotating angle and the moving position based on the azimuth conversion mechanism, and the deformable cylinder can change the configuration; the configuration of the deformable cylinder that can be changed comprises a gathered cylinder configuration and a dispersed wind sail configuration; when the deformable cylinder changes into the gathered cylinder configuration, all the wing sails are gathered and combined together, and the circular arc surfaces of all the wing sails are spliced together to form a cylinder; when the deformable cylinder changes into the dispersed wind sail configuration, all the wing sails are dispersed.

[0009] Further, the rotating drum frame comprises an upper end plate, a lower end plate and a rotating drum shaft; the upper end plate is fixedly arranged at the upper end of the rotating drum shaft, and the lower end plate is fixedly arranged at the middle section of the rotating drum shaft.

[0010] Further, the azimuth conversion mechanism is specifically implemented in the following structure: the two ends of the wing sail are provided with protruding pivot ends, the upper end plate and the lower end plate are both provided with sliding grooves, and the pivot ends at the two ends of the wing sail are respectively assembled in the sliding grooves on the upper end plate and the lower end plate, so as to form the azimuth conversion mechanism.

[0011] Further, all the sliding grooves are arranged in a radial manner with the rotating drum shaft as the center.

[0012] Further, the two ends of the wing sail are provided with protruding pivot ends, which are specifically implemented in the following structure: a sail rotating shaft is arranged for the wing sail, the sail rotating shaft is arranged in the wing sail, and the two ends of the sail rotating shaft protrude from the end of the wing sail, so as to form the pivot ends at the two ends of the wing sail.

[0013] Further, a wing sail driving mechanism is arranged for the wing sail, and the wing sail driving mechanism is used for driving the wing sail to perform the conversion action based on the azimuth conversion mechanism.

[0014] Further, an automatic control system is arranged for the wing sail driving mechanism, and the automatic control system is used for automatically controlling the wing sail driving mechanism.

[0015] Further, a meteorological detection instrument is arranged on the ship to detect and acquire meteorological data; the meteorological detection instrument is in data signal connection with the automatic control system, the meteorological detection instrument can transmit the detected and acquired meteorological data to the automatic control system, and the automatic control system automatically controls the deformable cylinder to change the configuration according to the meteorological data.

[0016] Furthermore, an artificial intelligence decision-making module is provided in the automatic control system.

[0017] Furthermore, the deformable cylindrical body includes four wing panels.

[0018] The advantages of the wind-powered navigation aid device of the present invention compared with the prior art are as follows:

[0019] This wind-powered navigation device incorporates a deformable cylinder capable of changing configurations. It can transform into a converging cylindrical configuration or a dispersed sail configuration. When transformed into a converging cylindrical configuration, it indirectly propels the ship using wind power based on the Magnus effect. When transformed into a dispersed sail configuration, it directly propels the ship using wind power, much like a sail. This achieves a dual-function effect, maximizing the use of natural wind power to propel the ship, thereby improving the utilization rate of green energy and significantly saving fuel consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figures 1 to 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wind-powered navigation aid device for ships according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top view of a wind-powered navigation device, in which the deformable cylinder is transformed into a dispersed sail configuration;

[0022] Figure 2 Side view of a wind-powered navigation aid;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of a wind-powered navigation device, in which the deformable cylinder is transformed into a converging cylindrical configuration;

[0024] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wind-powered navigation aid device of the present invention installed on a ship, wherein, Figure 4 The deformable cylindrical body is transformed into a converging cylindrical configuration. Figure 5 The deformable cylinder is transformed into a dispersed sail configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be further illustrated below with specific embodiments:

[0026] This embodiment provides a wind-powered navigation aid for ships, which is installed on the deck of a large cargo ship and is used to propel the ship forward using natural wind power.

[0027] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,

[0028] Specifically, the wind-assisted device of the present embodiment has a main body in the form of a large deformable cylinder 1, and a base 2 and a rotating drum motor are additionally arranged for the deformable cylinder 1.

[0029] The deformable cylinder 1 comprises a rotating drum frame 11 and four wing panels 13.

[0030] The rotating drum frame 11 is in an upright state as a whole, and is composed of an upper end plate 111, a lower end plate 112 and an upright rotating drum shaft 113, the upper end plate 111 is fixedly arranged at the upper end of the rotating drum shaft 113, and the lower end plate 112 is fixedly arranged at the middle section of the rotating drum shaft 113, thereby forming the complete structure of the rotating drum frame 11.

[0031] In order to install the entire deformable cylinder 1 on a ship, a base 2 is arranged on the deck of the ship, a bearing is arranged in the base 2, and the rotating drum shaft 113 of the rotating drum frame 11 is installed on the base 2 through the bearing, that is, based on the base 2, so that the rotating drum frame 11 can rotate based on the base 2, or the entire deformable cylinder 1 can rotate based on the base 2.

[0032] In addition, a rotating drum motor is specially arranged in the ship body for the deformable cylinder 1, and the rotating drum shaft 113 of the rotating drum frame 11 is connected with the rotating drum motor, and the rotating drum motor can drive the rotating drum shaft 113 to rotate the rotating drum frame 11, or drive the entire deformable cylinder 1 to rotate.

[0033] The upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112 are two circular plates with the same configuration, the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112 are parallel to each other, and both are perpendicular to the rotating drum shaft 113, and the central axes of the upper end plate 111, the lower end plate 112 and the rotating drum shaft 113 are coaxial. There is a large space between the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112, which can be used to accommodate the installation of the four wing panels 13.

[0034] For the convenience of description, this space between the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112 is referred to as a peripheral installation space.

[0035] The four wing panels 13 are of the same configuration, and the wing panel 13 is in the form of a long strip wing, that is, similar to an airplane wing, one side is a circular arc surface, and the other side is a flat surface; the four wing panels 13 are gathered and combined together, and the circular arc surfaces are seamlessly spliced together to form a cylindrical configuration; the cylindrical configuration can be used to realize the Magnus effect (described in detail below).

[0036] The four wing sails 13 are all installed based on the rotary drum frame 11, specifically assembled at the peripheral mounting space of the rotary drum frame 11, and in an upright state. And the four wing sails 13 are evenly and discretely arranged along the circumference of the rotary drum frame 11.

[0037] Most importantly, all four wing sails 13 are assembled on the rotary drum frame 11 through a specially designed azimuth transformation mechanism (the specific structure is described later) The wing sails 13 can transform the rotation angle and movement position on the rotary drum frame 11 based on the azimuth transformation mechanism. That is, the transformable cylinder 1 composed of the rotary drum frame 11 and the four wing sails 13 is capable of transforming the configuration.

[0038] More specifically, the transformable cylinder 1 can transform into two configurations:

[0039] The gathered cylinder configuration,

[0040] The four wing sails 13 move and transform the azimuth based on the azimuth transformation mechanism, the four wing sails 13 are gathered and combined together, the circular arc surfaces of the four wing sails 13 are seamlessly spliced together, forming a cylinder configuration (as shown in Figure 3 The axis of the cylinder configuration is coaxial with the rotary drum shaft 113; the gathered cylinder configuration is used to realize the Magnus effect.

[0041] The dispersed sail configuration,

[0042] The four wing sails 13 move and transform the azimuth based on the azimuth transformation mechanism, the four wing sails 13 are dispersed (as shown in Figure 1 Then the plane of the wing sail 13 can be controlled as a windward surface to face the wind direction.

[0043] The transformable cylinder 1 can be converted back and forth between the gathered cylinder configuration and the dispersed sail configuration.

[0044] The previously mentioned "all four wing sails 13 are assembled on the rotary drum frame 11 through a specially designed azimuth transformation mechanism", the specific implementation structure is as follows:

[0045] Each wing sail 13 is provided with a swivel shaft 131, which passes through the wing sail 13 along the length of the wing sail 13. The two ends of the swivel shaft 131 protrude from the ends of the wing sail 13, thus forming the pivot ends at both ends of the wing sail 13. For each wing sail 13 with the swivel shaft 131, a groove 132 is provided on the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112. The two ends of the swivel shaft 131, that is, the pivot ends at both ends of the wing sail 13, are respectively assembled into the grooves 132 on the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112. The swivel shaft 131 and the grooves 132 on the upper end plate 111 and the lower end plate 112 are assembled together to form an orientation change mechanism.

[0046] The wing sail 13 is based on the sail shaft 131. On the one hand, it can rotate to change direction, and on the other hand, it can move along the slide 132 to change position, thereby achieving the effect of "orientation change".

[0047] It should be noted that the extension line of the axis of the groove 132 on which each wingplate 13 is based passes through the rotating shaft 113 of the rotating frame 11. All grooves 132 are arranged radially with the rotating shaft 113 as the center. In this way, when the wingplate 13 moves along the groove 132, it can move closer to or further away from the rotating shaft 113, that is, closer to or further away from the center of the rotating frame 11. When all the wingplates 13 are close to the center of the rotating frame 11, all the wingplates 13 converge and combine in the center of the rotating frame 11, thereby forming a converged cylindrical configuration; when all the wingplates 13 are far away from the center of the rotating frame 11, all the wingplates 13 disperse, thereby forming a dispersed sail configuration.

[0048] In other embodiments, it is not necessary to pass the swivel shaft 131 through the wingplate 13; it is sufficient to provide pivot ends at both ends of the wingplate 13 that can be matched and assembled with the slide groove 132.

[0049] In addition, a wing sail drive mechanism is required for the wing sail 13 to drive the wing sail 13 to perform transformation actions based on the orientation transformation mechanism. On the one hand, it is necessary to realize the convergence and dispersion of the wing sail 13, and on the other hand, it is necessary to realize the rotation angle of the wing sail 13.

[0050] Specifically

[0051] In the embodiment, the wing sail driving mechanism includes a hydraulic telescopic cylinder for driving the wing sail plates 13 to perform a "displacement action" based on the azimuth conversion mechanism, and a rotating sail motor for driving the wing sail plates 13 to perform a "rotation angle action" based on the azimuth conversion mechanism. In this way, by driving the "displacement" and "angle conversion" of the wing sail plates 13, the transformable cylinder 1 can realize the transform effect of the "gathered cylinder configuration" and the "dispersed sail configuration" mentioned above.

[0052] It should be noted that the specific structure of the wing sail driving mechanism is designed for the wing sail plates 13 and the azimuth conversion mechanism, which is easy for those skilled in the art to achieve, and there are a large number of ready-made wing sail driving mechanisms in the prior art to realize the driving of the azimuth conversion mechanism. In other embodiments, the wing sail driving mechanism can be set according to specific needs, and the present application does not limit this.

[0053] The rotating drum frame 11 and the wing sail plates 13 are made of high-strength and corrosion-resistant materials, which can ensure the long service life of the wind-assisted navigation device under harsh weather conditions, and is also conducive to simplifying the azimuth conversion mechanism, which can reduce the cost and maintenance difficulty.

[0054] The wind-assisted navigation device of the embodiment has the following working principle:

[0055] During the navigation of the ship, the transformable cylinder 1 is controlled to transform the configuration according to the wind direction,

[0056] When the wind direction is crosswind, the transformable cylinder 1 is controlled to transform into a gathered cylinder configuration, and all the wing sail plates 13 are gathered and combined together to form a seamless cylinder configuration. The transformable cylinder 1 is driven to rotate by the rotating drum motor, and based on the Magnus effect, the wind power can be indirectly used to push the ship forward.

[0057] When the wind direction changes or a larger thrust is needed, the transformable cylinder 1 is controlled to transform into a dispersed sail configuration, and all the wing sail plates 13 are dispersed. Then the plane of the wing sail plate 13 is controlled to face or be inclined to the wind direction, and the entire transformable cylinder 1 can directly use the wind power to push the ship forward like a sail.

[0058] In addition, in order to realize intelligent automatic control, an automatic control system can also be provided on the ship for the wing sail driving mechanism, and the automatic control system is used for automatically controlling the wing sail driving mechanism.

[0059] An artificial intelligence decision module is also provided in the automatic control system to realize intelligent control of the "transformable cylinder 1 transform configuration".

[0060] The wind measuring instrument and other environmental detecting instrument are arranged at a proper position on the ship. The wind measuring instrument can detect and acquire various wind related data, such as wind speed, wind direction, wind force, etc. The environmental detecting instrument can detect and acquire atmospheric environmental data, such as air temperature, air pressure, air humidity, etc.

[0061] If the wind measuring instrument and the environmental detecting instrument are collectively referred to as the weather detecting instrument, the following generalization can be made:

[0062] The weather detecting instrument is arranged at a proper position on the ship to detect and acquire weather data, such as wind speed, wind direction, wind force, air temperature, air pressure, air humidity, etc.

[0063] The weather detecting instrument described above is in data signal connection with the automatic control system, and the weather detecting instrument can transmit the detected and acquired weather data to the automatic control system. The automatic control system can automatically control the transformation of the deformable barrel 1 according to the weather data and according to the pre-set control algorithm, so that the entire wind-assisted navigation device can achieve the best performance under different wind conditions.

[0064] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the wind-assisted navigation device of the present embodiment is arranged on the deck of the ship. When the wind direction is crosswind, the deformable barrel 1 is transformed into the gathered cylinder configuration, and based on the Magnus effect, the ship can be indirectly propelled by the wind, as shown in Figure 4 . When the wind direction changes or greater thrust is needed, the deformable barrel 1 is transformed into the dispersed sail configuration, and the entire deformable barrel 1 can be directly propelled by the wind like a sail, as shown in Figure 5 .

[0065] The process of the automatic control system controlling the operation of the wind-assisted navigation device is as follows:

[0066] 1) System initialization: start the automatic control system, perform self-checking, and ensure that all weather detecting instruments and wing sail driving mechanisms are working properly.

[0067] 2) Wind direction and speed monitoring: the automatic control system monitors the current wind environment in real time through the wind measuring instrument.

[0068] 3) Mode selection:

[0069] If the detected wind direction is crosswind and the wind force is suitable, the automatic control system sends a command to the wing sail driving mechanism to make all wing sail plates 13 gather and combine to form a cylinder configuration, and the entire deformable barrel 1 is transformed into the gathered cylinder configuration to form the Magnus wind cylinder effect.

[0070] If the wind direction changes or more thrust is needed, the automatic control system sends instructions to the wing sail drive mechanism, causing the entire deformable barrel 1 to transform into a dispersed sail configuration, with all the wing sail panels 13 dispersed and the control wing sail panels 13' s plane facing the wind direction as a windward surface or obliquely to the wind direction, and the entire deformable barrel 1 as a sail.

[0071] 4) Wing sail panel 13 angle adjustment:

[0072] After the wing sail panels 13 are dispersed, the automatic control system controls the wing sail drive mechanism to adjust the direction angle of the wing sail panels 13 according to changes in the wind environment to obtain the best attack angle.

[0073] 5) Deformable barrel 1 rotation control:

[0074] In the Magnus effect mode, the automatic control system controls the rotating barrel motor to control the rotation of the deformable barrel 1, and uses the airflow changes generated by rotation to push the ship.

[0075] 6) Safety monitoring:

[0076] During the entire operation process, the automatic control system continuously monitors the dynamic state of the ship and the wind conditions, and automatically adjusts the angle of the wing sail panels 13 or retracts the wing sail panels 13 as needed to ensure the safety of the ship.

[0077] 7) System shutdown:

[0078] When wind power assistance is not needed or adverse weather is encountered, the automatic control system sends instructions to the wing sail drive mechanism to retract the wing sail panels 13, causing the wind power assistance device to enter standby state.

[0079] Through the above structure and operation steps, the wind power assistance device of the present application, wherein the deformable barrel 1 can flexibly transform the configuration according to the actual wind conditions, both utilizes the Magnus effect and can be used as a sail, improving the sailing efficiency and adaptability of the ship.

[0080] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, four wing sail panels 13 are provided on the deformable barrel 1, however in other embodiments, the specific number of wing sail panels 13 used can be determined according to actual conditions, and the present application does not limit this.

[0081] It should be noted that the wind power assistance device of the present application is not limited to being used for large cargo ships, but can also be used for other types of ships, as long as it is needed.

[0082] The wind power assistance device of the present embodiment has the following advantages:

[0083] 1) Functional diversity: In this wind-assisted device, a deformable cylinder 1 is provided, which can be transformed into a converging cylinder configuration or a diverging sail configuration,

[0084] When transformed into a converging cylinder configuration, the ship can be indirectly propelled by wind power based on the Magnus effect;

[0085] When transformed into a diverging sail configuration, the ship can be directly propelled by wind power like a sail;

[0086] The dual-purpose effect achieved can maximize the use of natural wind power to propel the ship, thereby improving the utilization of green energy and greatly saving fuel consumption.

[0087] 2) Improve efficiency: Optimize structural design to improve wind energy utilization efficiency, so that the equipment can effectively operate under different wind conditions.

[0088] 3) Reduce complexity: Through integrated design, simplify the structure, reduce the cost, and improve the intelligent degree of the control system.

[0089] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, not for limiting the protection scope of the present application, therefore, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A wind-powered navigation aid for ships, characterized in that: The wind-powered navigation aid includes a deformable cylinder (1) and a rotary drum motor; The deformable cylinder (1) includes a rotating frame (11) and several wing panels (13). The rotating drum frame (11) is rotatably mounted on the ship, so that the deformable cylinder (1) can rotate on the ship. The rotating drum motor is used to drive the deformable cylinder (1) to rotate. The wing sail (13) has an arc surface and a flat surface; All the wing panels (13) are mounted on the rotating cylinder frame (11) through the orientation transformation mechanism. The wing panels (13) can change their rotation angle and moving position based on the orientation transformation mechanism, while the deformable cylinder (1) can change its configuration. The deformable cylinder (1) can be configured in two ways: a convergent cylindrical configuration and a dispersed sail configuration. When the deformable cylinder (1) is transformed into a converging cylindrical configuration, all the wing panels (13) are gathered together, and the arc surfaces of all the wing panels (13) are spliced ​​together to form a cylinder. The deformable cylinder (1) is driven to rotate by a rotary cylinder motor. Based on the Magnus effect, it can indirectly use wind power to propel the ship forward. When the deformable cylinder (1) is transformed into a dispersed sail configuration, all the wing plates (13) are dispersed, and the arc surfaces and planes of all the wing plates (13) face the same direction. The plane of the wing plate (13) faces the windward direction as the windward surface. The entire deformable cylinder (1) is transformed into a sail, so that the ship can be directly propelled forward by wind power.

2. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating drum frame (11) includes an upper end plate (111), a lower end plate (112), and a rotating drum shaft (113). The upper end plate (111) is fixedly installed at the upper end of the rotating drum shaft (113), and the lower end plate (112) is fixedly installed at the middle section of the rotating drum shaft (113).

3. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 2, characterized in that: The orientation transformation mechanism is specifically implemented in the following structural form: The wing sail (13) has protruding pivot ends at both ends. The upper end plate (111) and the lower end plate (112) are both provided with sliding grooves (132). The pivot ends at both ends of the wing sail (13) are respectively assembled in the sliding grooves (132) on the upper end plate (111) and the lower end plate (112), thereby forming the orientation transformation mechanism.

4. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 3, characterized in that: All the chutes (132) are arranged radially around the rotating drum shaft (113).

5. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wing sail (13) has protruding pivot ends at both ends, and its specific structural form is as follows: A sail shaft (131) is provided for the wing sail (13). The sail shaft (131) passes through the wing sail (13), and the two ends of the sail shaft (131) protrude from the ends of the wing sail (13), thus forming the pivot ends at both ends of the wing sail (13).

6. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: A wing sail drive mechanism is provided for the wing sail plate (13), which is used to drive the wing sail plate (13) to perform a transformation action based on the orientation transformation mechanism.

7. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 6, characterized in that: An automatic control system is provided for the wing sail drive mechanism, which is used to automatically control the wing sail drive mechanism.

8. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 7, characterized in that: Meteorological instruments are installed on the ship to detect and acquire meteorological data; The meteorological instrument is connected to the automatic control system via data signals. The meteorological instrument can transmit the meteorological data it detects to the automatic control system, which then automatically controls the deformable cylinder (1) to change its configuration based on the meteorological data.

9. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 7, characterized in that: The automatic control system is equipped with an artificial intelligence decision-making module.

10. The wind-powered navigation aid for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deformable cylinder (1) includes four wing panels (13).

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