Liftable pod propeller

Abstract

The invention particularly relates to a liftable pod propeller, which belongs to the technical field of ship engineering and comprises a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket is arranged in the bottom end of a ship, a positioning column is arranged on the mounting bracket, and a steering mechanism is rotatably arranged on the positioning column. A part of the steering mechanism downwards penetrates out of the mounting support to be connected with a connecting disc, the lower end of the connecting disc is connected with a lifting mechanism, the lower end of the lifting mechanism is connected with the upper end of a davit, and the lower end of the davit is connected with a pod propeller body. According to the device, the mode that a plurality of rotating shafts are matched with one steering wheel is adopted, compared with a traditional single-large-motor driving mode, larger instantaneous torque can be provided, the frequent steering requirement of ship navigation in the ice area can be met, meanwhile, the device is provided with the lifting mechanism, height lifting can be conducted on the pod propeller body, and the lifting efficiency is improved. Therefore, the pod propeller is prevented from being collided with ice blocks or being subjected to adaptive height adjustment when the pod propeller is parked in a harbor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of podded thrusters, and particularly relates to a liftable podded thruster. Background Art

[0002] The davit is a structure connecting the hull and the podded thruster body, which is mainly used to bear the thrust of the propeller, water flow impact and its own weight to ensure the stability of the overall structure. At the same time, the davit is also responsible for transmitting the thrust generated by the propeller to the hull to push the ship forward or turn. Therefore, the davit needs to have high strength to cope with dynamic loads.

[0003] Conventional podded thrusters generally can perform full rotation in the horizontal plane. The rotation method generally uses a high-power motor to directly drive the davit to rotate at any angle in the horizontal plane. When sailing in ice areas, due to the existence of a large number of floating ice or underwater reefs, etc., compared with conventional sea voyages, it is necessary to frequently adjust the angle of the podded thruster by driving a high-power motor to adjust the sailing direction to ensure the safety of navigation. However, in the conventional high-power motor direct drive method, during the frequent angle adjustment process, a large torque is often required, and there will be a situation where the instantaneous torque cannot meet the requirements. At the same time, high-power motors often need to be equipped with complex cooling systems to cope with the large amount of heat generated during the operation of high-power motors. The overall structure is complex and the maintenance cost is high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems in the prior art, and provide a liftable podded thruster, which adopts a multi-motor drive method, so as to provide a large instantaneous torque, can cope with the relatively complex sailing conditions in ice areas, and at the same time can achieve the purpose of accurately adjusting the propulsion angle.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions to achieve:

[0006] A liftable podded thruster, comprising a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket is arranged inside the bottom end of the ship, a positioning column is arranged on the mounting bracket, a steering mechanism is rotatably arranged on the positioning column, a part of the steering mechanism passes through the mounting bracket downward and is connected to a connecting disc, the lower end of the connecting disc is connected to a lifting mechanism, the lower end of the lifting mechanism is connected to the upper end of the davit, and the lower end of the davit is connected to the podded thruster body.

[0007] To optimize the above technical solution, the specific measures taken also include:

[0008] Further, the steering mechanism includes a steering member and a plurality of driving members. The steering member is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column. The lower end of the steering member passes through the mounting bracket and is connected to the connecting disk. The plurality of driving members are arranged on the mounting bracket and are located around the steering member. The plurality of driving members are all drivingly connected to the steering member.

[0009] Further, the steering member includes a steering wheel and a connecting column. The steering wheel is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column and is located above the mounting bracket. The connecting column is arranged on the lower surface of the steering wheel and is coaxially arranged with the steering wheel. The connecting column passes downward through the mounting bracket and is connected to the connecting disk. The steering wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The lower end of the positioning column passes through the mounting bracket and is rotatably arranged inside the connecting column. The upper end of the positioning column is provided with a U-shaped bracket. Both ends of the U-shaped bracket are connected to the upper surface of the mounting bracket. The side wall of the steering wheel is drivingly connected to the driving member.

[0010] Further, a circular slide rail is arranged on the upper surface of the mounting bracket, and a circular chute is arranged on the lower surface of the steering wheel. The circular chute is slidably clamped in the circular slide rail. The upper surface of the mounting bracket is connected to the bottom end of the hull.

[0011] Further, a toothed ring is arranged on the side wall of the steering wheel. Each driving member includes a rotating shaft and a motor. A thread is arranged on the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is in gear engagement with the toothed ring. The rotating shaft is horizontally rotatably arranged on the fixing bracket. The fixing bracket is horizontally arranged on the mounting bracket. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the motor. The motor is arranged on the fixing bracket.

[0012] Further, the connecting disk includes a first connecting disk and a second connecting disk. The first connecting disk is connected to the connecting column. A support plate is arranged on the outer circle of the first connecting disk. There is a gap between the upper surface of the support plate and the mounting bracket. The lower surface of the support plate is rotatably connected to the bottom end inside the hull. One end of the second connecting disk is connected to the first connecting disk, and the other end of the second connecting disk is connected to the lifting mechanism.

[0013] Further, the lifting mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder. The fixed end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the second connecting disk. The output end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the suspension column. A sealing mechanism is arranged outside the hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the sealing mechanism is connected to the second connecting disk. The lower end of the sealing mechanism is slidably connected to the suspension column.

[0014] Further, the sealing mechanism includes a sleeve. The sleeve wraps around the outside of the lifting mechanism and the suspension column. The upper end of the sleeve is arranged on the lower surface of the second connecting disk. The lower end of the sleeve is slidably connected to the side wall of the suspension column.

[0015] Advantages of the present invention:

[0016] This device adopts a method of cooperating multiple rotating shafts with a steering wheel. Compared with the traditional single large motor drive method, it can provide greater instantaneous torque and can meet the frequent steering needs of ice area ships. At the same time, this device is provided with a lifting mechanism that can lift the pod thruster body up and down, so as to avoid collisions with ice blocks or make adaptive height adjustments to the pod thruster when berthing in a harbor to meet the needs of berthing correction.

[0017] This device is also provided with a sealing mechanism. By the mutual cooperation of the sealing mechanism and the lifting mechanism, when the rotating shaft drives the steering wheel, the relatively high-temperature air generated around it can be guided into the sealing mechanism to increase the temperature of the sealing mechanism that is directly in contact with ice water. On the one hand, the relatively high-temperature air around the steering wheel can be circulated to cool the steering wheel and the rotating shaft. On the other hand, the high-temperature air can be guided into the sealing mechanism to increase the temperature of the sealing mechanism and reduce the possibility of the sealing mechanism icing. Thus, the service life of the overall device is improved. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a part of

[0021] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a partial cross-sectional view of

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the installation structure of this device.

[0023] Reference numerals: mounting bracket 10, connection hole 11, circular slide rail 12, positioning column 20, steering mechanism 30, steering member 31, steering wheel 311, connecting column 312, U-shaped frame 313, circular chute 314, gear ring 315, driving member 32, rotating shaft 321, motor 322, fixing frame 323, connecting plate 40, first connecting plate 41, second connecting plate 42, support plate 43, first ventilation hole 44, lifting mechanism 50, sealing mechanism 60, sleeve 61, annular plate 62, lifting column 63, second ventilation hole 631, sealing plate 64, hanging column 70, annular slide rail 71, pod thruster body 80, cabin body 90. Detailed Embodiments

[0024] To clarify the technical solution and working principle of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that many specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 - 5 As shown, a liftable pod thruster includes a mounting bracket 10, the mounting bracket 10 is arranged inside the bottom end of the ship, a positioning column 20 is arranged on the mounting bracket 10, a steering mechanism 30 is rotatably arranged on the positioning column 20, a part of the steering mechanism 30 passes through the mounting bracket 10 downward and is connected to a connection disk 40, the lower end of the connection disk 40 is connected to a lifting mechanism 50, the lower end of the lifting mechanism 50 is connected to the upper end of a suspension column 70, and the lower end of the suspension column 70 is connected to a pod thruster body 80.

[0026] The upper part of this device is arranged inside the cabin at the bottom of the ship, and the lower part of this device is arranged below the ship and directly contacts the water flow. The mounting bracket 10 is of a rectangular structure, the mounting bracket 10 is arranged inside the cabin 90 of the ship, the mounting bracket 10 is connected to the inner upper side wall of the cabin, connection holes 11 are arranged around the mounting bracket 10, and when installing and fixing, connection and fixing are carried out by means such as bolt connection. The specific connection method can be selected according to the actual situation and is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0027] The steering mechanism 30 includes a steering member 31 and a plurality of driving members 32. The steering member 31 is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column 20, the lower end of the steering member 31 passes through the mounting bracket 10 and is connected to the connection disk 40, and the plurality of driving members 32 are arranged on the mounting bracket 10 and are located around the steering member 31, and the plurality of driving members 32 are all in transmission connection with the steering member 31.

[0028] The steering member 31 includes a steering wheel 311 and a connecting column 312. The steering wheel 311 is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column 20 and is located above the mounting bracket 10. The connecting column 312 is arranged on the lower surface of the steering wheel 311 and is coaxially arranged with the steering wheel 311. The connecting column 312 passes downward through the mounting bracket 10 and is connected to the connecting disc 40. The steering wheel 311 is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket 10. The lower end of the positioning column 20 passes through the mounting bracket 10 and is rotatably arranged inside the connecting column 312. The upper end of the positioning column 20 is provided with a U-shaped frame 313. Both ends of the U-shaped frame 313 are connected to the upper surface of the mounting bracket 10. The side wall of the steering wheel 311 is in transmission connection with the driving member 32. The positioning column 20 is used to provide steering support force. At the same time, the U-shaped frame 313 connects the positioning column 20 and the mounting bracket 10 together, and the mounting bracket 10 is fixedly arranged inside the hull 90 of the ship, ultimately ensuring the stability of the steering wheel 311 and the connecting column 312 during rotation.

[0029] The principle of the steering drive process is as follows:

[0030] When it is necessary to adjust the propulsion direction of the pod thruster body 80, multiple motors 322 are synchronously driven to drive the steering wheel 311 to rotate. The steering wheel 311 drives the connecting column 312 to rotate synchronously. The connecting column 312 drives the connecting disc 40 to rotate. The connecting disc 40 drives the hanging column 70 to rotate. The hanging column 70 drives the pod thruster body 80 to rotate, thereby realizing the course adjustment at any horizontal angle.

[0031] In order to limit the displacement of the steering wheel 311 in the vertical height direction during rotation, a circular slide rail 12 is provided on the upper surface of the mounting bracket 10, and a circular chute 314 is provided on the lower surface of the steering wheel 311. The circular chute 314 is slidably clamped inside the circular slide rail 12, thereby restricting the vertical jump of the steering wheel 311. A gear ring 315 is provided on the side wall of the steering wheel 311. Each driving member 32 includes a rotating shaft 321 and a motor 322. A thread is provided on the rotating shaft 321. The rotating shaft 321 is in gear engagement with the gear ring 315. The rotating shaft 321 is horizontally rotatably arranged on the fixing frame 323. The fixing frame 323 is horizontally arranged on the mounting bracket 10. One end of the rotating shaft 321 is connected to the motor 322. The motor 322 is arranged on the fixing frame 323. The number of driving members 32 arranged around the steering wheel 311 can be selected and set according to actual needs. In this embodiment, two are adopted and symmetrically arranged.

[0032] The mechanism above the connecting disc 40 is located inside the ship, and the mechanism below the connecting disc 40 is located in the water flow. The connecting disc 40 includes a first connecting disc 41 and a second connecting disc 42. The first connecting disc 41 is connected to the connecting column 312. A support plate 43 is provided on the outer circle of the first connecting disc 41. There is a gap between the upper surface of the support plate 43 and the mounting bracket 10. The lower surface of the support plate 43 is rotatably connected to the bottom end inside the hull. One end of the second connecting disc 42 is connected to the first connecting disc 41, and the other end of the second connecting disc 42 is connected to the lifting mechanism 50. A waterproof and sealing adhesive layer is coated on both the first connecting disc 41 and the second connecting disc 42, and a sealing gasket is provided between the first connecting disc 41 and the second connecting disc 42. The lower surface of the support plate 43 is connected to the upper surface of the lower side wall inside the cabin. The mounting bracket 10 is combined with the lower surface of the upper side wall inside the cabin, thus forming a double-up and down fixing method, improving the stability of the overall installation of the device.

[0033] The lifting mechanism 50 includes a hydraulic cylinder. The fixed end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the second connecting disc 42, the output end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the hanging column 70, and a sealing mechanism 60 is provided outside the hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the sealing mechanism 60 is connected to the second connecting disc 42, and the lower end of the sealing mechanism 60 is slidably connected to the hanging column 70.

[0034] The sealing mechanism 60 includes a sleeve 61. The sleeve 61 wraps outside the lifting mechanism 50 and the hanging column 70. The upper end of the sleeve 61 is provided on the lower surface of the second connecting disc 42, and the lower end of the sleeve 61 is slidably connected to the side wall of the hanging column 70. An annular plate 62 is provided at the lower end of the sleeve 61, and an annular slide rail 71 is provided on the side wall of the hanging column 70. The side of the annular plate 62 close to the hanging column 70 slides up and down inside the annular slide rail 71.

[0035] A hollow lifting column 63 and a sealing plate 64 are also provided inside the sleeve 61. The lifting column 63 is provided between the sleeve 61 and the hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the lifting column 63 is connected to the second connecting disc 42, the lower end of the lifting column 63 passes through the sealing plate 64 and is connected to the hanging column 70. The sealing plate 64 is provided between the hydraulic cylinder and the hanging column 70. Both the sealing plate 64 and the hanging column 70 are slidably connected to the inner wall of the sleeve 61. A first space is formed between the lifting column 63, the hydraulic cylinder and the sealing plate 64, and a second space is formed between the lifting column 63, the sleeve 61 and the sealing plate 64. First ventilation holes 44 are provided on the first connecting disc 41 and the second connecting disc 42. The first ventilation holes 44 penetrate through the first connecting disc 41, the second connecting disc 42 and are communicated with the first space. A plurality of second ventilation holes 631 are circumferentially provided at one end of the lifting column 63 close to the second connecting disc 42. One end of the second ventilation holes 631 is communicated with the first space, and the other end of the second ventilation holes 631 is communicated with the second space.

[0036] The working principles of the lifting mechanism 50 and the sealing mechanism 60 are as follows:

[0037] When it is necessary to adjust the height of the pod thruster, the height is raised and lowered by driving the hydraulic cylinder. When the hydraulic cylinder drives the boom 70 to move downward, the second space becomes larger at this time, and the internal pressure becomes smaller. Air enters the first space from the first vent hole 44 and enters the second space from the second vent hole 631. During the air flow process, the high-temperature air in the area of the rotating shaft 321 and the steering wheel 311 will be diverted to the first space and the second space, thereby increasing the ambient temperature around the sleeve 61 and reducing the rate and possibility of icing of the sleeve 61.

[0038] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included in the present invention. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claims involved.

[0039] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the idea of the present invention belong to the protection scope of this application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, several improvements and refinements made without departing from the principle of this application should be regarded as the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A liftable pod thruster, characterized in that: It includes a mounting bracket which is arranged inside the bottom end of the ship. A positioning column is provided on the mounting bracket. A steering mechanism is rotatably arranged on the positioning column. A part of the steering mechanism extends downward through the mounting bracket and is connected to a connecting disc. The lower end of the connecting disc is connected to a lifting mechanism. The lower end of the lifting mechanism is connected to the upper end of a hanging post. The lower end of the hanging post is connected to the pod thruster body.

2. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 1, wherein: The steering mechanism includes a steering member and a plurality of driving members. The steering member is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column. The lower end of the steering member extends through the mounting bracket and is connected to the connecting disc. The plurality of driving members are arranged on the mounting bracket and are located around the steering member. The plurality of driving members are all drivingly connected to the steering member.

3. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 2, characterized in that: The steering member includes a steering wheel and a connecting column. The steering wheel is horizontally rotatably arranged on the positioning column and is located above the mounting bracket. The connecting column is arranged on the lower surface of the steering wheel and is coaxially arranged with the steering wheel. The connecting column extends downward through the mounting bracket and is connected to the connecting disc. The steering wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The lower end of the positioning column passes through the mounting bracket and is rotatably arranged inside the connecting column. A U-shaped frame is arranged at the upper end of the positioning column. The two ends of the U-shaped frame are connected to the upper surface of the mounting bracket. The side wall of the steering wheel is drivingly connected to the driving member.

4. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 3, characterized in that: A circular slide rail is arranged on the upper surface of the mounting bracket. A circular chute is arranged on the lower surface of the steering wheel. The circular chute is slidably clamped inside the circular slide rail. The upper surface of the mounting bracket is connected to the bottom end of the hull.

5. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 4, characterized in that: A toothed ring is arranged on the side wall of the steering wheel. Each driving member includes a rotating shaft and a motor. A thread is arranged on the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is in gear engagement with the toothed ring. The rotating shaft is horizontally rotatably arranged on a fixed frame. The fixed frame is horizontally arranged on the mounting bracket. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the motor. The motor is arranged on the fixed frame.

6. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 5, wherein: The connecting disc includes a first connecting disc and a second connecting disc. The first connecting disc is connected to the connecting column. A support plate is arranged on the outer circle of the first connecting disc. There is a gap between the upper surface of the support plate and the mounting bracket. The lower surface of the support plate is rotatably connected to the inner bottom end of the hull. One end of the second connecting disc is connected to the first connecting disc. The other end of the second connecting disc is connected to the lifting mechanism.

7. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder. The fixed end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the second connecting disc. The output end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the hanging post. A sealing mechanism is arranged outside the hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the sealing mechanism is connected to the second connecting disc. The lower end of the sealing mechanism is slidably connected to the hanging post.

8. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sealing mechanism includes a sleeve. The sleeve wraps outside the lifting mechanism and the hanging post. The upper end of the sleeve is arranged on the lower surface of the second connecting disc. The lower end of the sleeve is slidably connected to the side wall of the hanging post.

9. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 8, wherein: An annular plate is arranged at the lower end of the sleeve. An annular slide rail is arranged on the side wall of the hanging post. The side of the annular plate close to the hanging post slides up and down inside the annular slide rail.

10. The liftable pod thruster according to claim 9, wherein: A hollow lifting column and a sealing plate are further arranged inside the sleeve. The lifting column is arranged between the sleeve and the hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the lifting column is connected to the second connection plate. The lower end of the lifting column passes through the sealing plate and is connected to the hanging column. The sealing plate is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder and the hanging column. Both the sealing plate and the hanging column are slidably connected to the inner wall of the sleeve. A first space is formed among the lifting column, the hydraulic cylinder and the sealing plate. A second space is formed among the lifting column, the sleeve and the sealing plate. First ventilation holes are arranged on the first connection plate and the second connection plate. The first ventilation holes penetrate through the first connection plate and the second connection plate and are communicated with the first space. A plurality of second ventilation holes are circumferentially arranged at one end of the lifting column close to the second connection plate. One end of the second ventilation hole is communicated with the first space, and the other end of the second ventilation hole is communicated with the second space.

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