Light rotary drum sail with deformable sail surface

Abstract

The invention provides a light rotary drum sail with a deformable sail surface. Comprising a drum sail flexible sail surface, a sail rotor, a lower baffle, a sail lower end plate, a rotating motor, a guide rail and a moving motor, ratchets are arranged above and below the sail rotor and are coupled with the flexible sail surface of the drum sail to drive the flexible sail surface of the drum sail to rotate; the rotating motor is arranged at the lower end of the sail rotor; the moving motor is arranged at the bottom of the sail rotor; sliding grooves are formed in the sail lower end plate, the sail rotor penetrates through the sliding grooves, and the ratchets are located on the sail lower end plate. The guide rails are arranged at the bottom of the sail lower end plate and matched with the sliding grooves in the sail lower end plate in distribution. The lower baffle covers the guide rail and the bottom of the sail lower end plate; wherein the moving motor moves along the guide rail, the position of the sail rotor on the sail lower end plate is adjusted, and the shape of the section of the drum sail is controlled and formed; the ratchets are coupled with the flexible sail surface of the drum sail, and the rotating motor drives the sail rotor to rotate and drives the flexible sail surface of the drum sail to rotate along the section-shaped surface of the drum sail.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of rotating drum sails, in particular to a light rotating drum sail with a deformable sail surface. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, the demand for green energy, energy saving and emission reduction in international shipping has been increasing, and the uncertainty of international oil prices and oil-producing countries has also amplified the demand for reducing fuel consumption in the shipping industry. In the field of ship auxiliary propulsion, using wind energy to assist propulsion is an old and reliable method; wind energy is widely present in the routes of international shipping industry, although it cannot be used as the main energy for ship propulsion, but the comparison of the average output power of typical ships in the shipping industry and the auxiliary propulsion power of rotating drum sails shows that on a 5500DWT ordinary cargo ship, three rotating drum sails can provide more than 40% of the required power under typical slow sailing conditions. The rotating drum sail assists the propulsion of the ship by utilizing the Magnus effect.

[0003] However, the present inventors found at least the following technical problems in the process of implementing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application: The traditional rotating drum sail is usually a steel cylinder structure with upper and lower end plates, which is heavy and can only adjust the rotating speed, and has low propulsion efficiency under low wind speed and hinders normal ship navigation under extreme sea conditions. SUMMARY

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, in order to solve the problem that the traditional rotating drum sail is fixed and cannot adjust the shape of the sail section according to the sea conditions, the present application provides a light rotating drum sail with a deformable sail surface. The light rotating drum sail connects and supports the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail through the wind sail rotor, forms a more favorable shape under the current sea conditions, adapts to different sea conditions, ensures the propulsion efficiency of the rotating drum sail under different sea conditions, and solves the technical problem of low propulsion efficiency of the rotating drum sail.

[0005] The solution adopted by the embodiments of the present application to solve the technical problems is: A light rotating drum sail with a deformable sail surface includes a rotating drum sail flexible sail surface, a wind sail rotor, a lower baffle, a wind sail lower end plate, a rotating motor, a guide rail and a moving motor. The flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail is made of polyester fiber or nylon high-strength synthetic material; the wind sail rotor is a stepped shaft structure, and the wind sail rotor is provided with a ratchet on the upper and lower sides, the ratchet is coupled with the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail to drive the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail to rotate; the rotating motor is an AC speed regulating gear motor, which is arranged at the lower end of the wind sail rotor and is used to drive the wind sail rotor to rotate; the moving motor is a BCS110 slide rail motor module motor, which is arranged at the bottom of the wind sail rotor and is used to move the wind sail rotor, adjust the position of the wind sail rotor, and control the cross-sectional shape of the rotating drum sail; the lower end plate of the wind sail is a disc structure, and the lower end plate of the wind sail is arranged with a sliding groove, the wind sail rotor penetrates through the sliding groove, and the ratchet is located on the lower end plate of the wind sail, and the wind sail rotor slides along the sliding groove; the guide rail is arranged at the bottom of the lower end plate of the wind sail, the distribution of the guide rail is matched with the sliding groove on the lower end plate of the wind sail, and the moving motor is assembled in the guide rail; the lower baffle is a circular ring structure, which is used to cover the guide rail and the bottom of the lower end plate of the wind sail. The moving motor moves along the guide rail to adjust the position of the wind sail rotor on the lower end plate of the wind sail, and control the shape of the cross section of the rotating drum sail; the wind sail rotor supports the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail, and the ratchet is coupled with the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail, the rotating motor drives the wind sail rotor to rotate, and drives the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail to rotate along the surface of the cross section of the rotating drum sail controlled by the wind sail rotor, to form a flow velocity difference on the surface of the rotating drum sail, and provide a thrust.

[0006] In order to further solve the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present application, in the wind sail rotor provided by the embodiments of the present application, the wind sail rotor is eight, which supports the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail, and forms the most favorable cross-sectional shape of the rotating drum sail under the current sea conditions and wind direction.

[0007] Further, the distance between the two ratchets corresponds to the height of the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail, and the upper and lower ends of the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail are coupled with the ratchets synchronously.

[0008] Further, the guide rail is a structure connected in horizontal direction and vertical direction, one of the guide rails is arranged in horizontal direction, and three of the guide rails are arranged in vertical direction and are vertically staggered.

[0009] Further, the sliding groove of the lower end plate of the wind sail is a groove corresponding to the guide rail, one of the sliding grooves is arranged in horizontal direction, and three of the sliding grooves are arranged in vertical direction and are vertically staggered, and one-to-one corresponding to the guide rails.

[0010] Further, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating drum sail is approximately elliptical, when the lateral wind is weak and the propulsion efficiency is insufficient, the wind sail rotor is moved along the guide rail and the sliding groove on the lower end plate of the wind sail by the moving motor, the shape of the cross section of the rotating drum sail is formed, and the corresponding flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating drum sail is replaced, so that the cross section of the rotating drum sail becomes a more favorable shape under the current sea conditions, and the propulsion efficiency is always in an optimal range.

[0011] Further, in severe sea conditions, the wind sail rotor is concentrated to the center of the lower end plate of the wind sail by the moving motor, and the flexible sail surface of the rotating drum sail is removed.

[0012] Positive effects: The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects or advantages: 1. Because the embodiments of this application adopt the technical means of setting a moving motor at the bottom of the sail rotor, the sail rotor passes through the groove on the lower end plate of the sail and sits on the guide rail, the moving motor moves along the guide rail, which can adjust the position of the sail rotor on the lower end plate of the sail, control the shape of the rotary sail cross section, and create a velocity difference on both sides of the rotary sail to provide thrust, it effectively solves the technical problem of unsatisfactory propulsion efficiency in the prior art. The resulting rotary sail cross section shape ensures that the propulsion efficiency is always in a better range under different sea conditions, thereby achieving the technical effect of providing thrust.

[0013] 2. Because the embodiments of this application adopt the technical means of setting a rotating motor at the lower end of the sail rotor and setting a ratchet at the upper end, the rotating motor drives the sail rotor to rotate, and the ratchet couples with the flexible sail surface of the rotary sail, which effectively solves the technical problem of unsatisfactory propulsion efficiency in the prior art. The flexible sail surface of the rotary sail rotates along the cross-sectional shape surface of the rotary sail controlled by the sail rotor, driving the air on the surface of the rotary sail to move at high speed, creating a velocity difference on both sides of the rotary sail, thereby achieving the technical effect of providing thrust.

[0014] It is suitable for use as a lightweight swivel with a deformable sail surface. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of this embodiment; Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the removal of the flexible sail surface and lower baffle of the rotary sail; Figure 3 This is the front view of the sail rotor; Figure 4 This is a top view of the guide rail; Figure 5 This is a top view of a lightweight rotary sail with a deformable sail surface after deformation.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Flexible sail surface, 2. Sail rotor, 3. Lower baffle, 4. Lower end plate of sail, 5. Rotating motor, 6. Guide rail, 7. Moving motor, 8. Ratchet, 9. Slide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in the figure, a lightweight rotary sail with deformable sail surface includes a rotary sail flexible sail surface 1, a sail rotor 2, a lower baffle 3, a sail lower end plate 4, a rotating motor 5, a guide rail 6, and a moving motor 7. The flexible sail surface of the rotary sail 1 is usually made of high-strength synthetic materials such as polyester fiber or nylon, which has excellent wear resistance and weather resistance and can maintain stable performance during long-term use; The sail rotor 2 has a stepped shaft structure, and ratchet 8 is provided on the upper and lower parts of the sail rotor 2. The ratchet 8 is coupled with the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail and drives the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail to rotate. The rotating motor 5 is an AC speed-regulating gear motor, which is located at the lower end of the sail rotor 2. The rotor of the rotating motor 5 is connected to the sail rotor 2. The rotating motor 5 rotates to make the connected sail rotor 2 rotate. The moving motor 7 is a BCS110 slide rail motor module motor, which is set at the bottom of the sail rotor 2 and is used to move the sail rotor 2, adjust the position of the sail rotor 2, and control the cross-sectional shape of the rotating sail. The lower end plate 4 of the sail has a disc structure. Slots 9 are arranged on the lower end plate 4 of the sail. The sail rotor 2 passes through the slots 9, and the ratchet 8 is located on the lower end plate 4 of the sail. The sail rotor 2 slides along the slots 9, thereby adjusting the position of the sail rotor 2 and controlling the cross-sectional shape of the rotating sail. The guide rail 6 is set at the bottom of the lower end plate 4 of the sail. The distribution of the guide rail 6 matches the sliding groove 9 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail. The moving motor 7 is assembled in the guide rail 6. The moving motor 7 is installed in the guide rail 6 through the upper and lower limiters and slots of the module accessories. The specific fixing method varies depending on the commercial motor solution. When the rotating motor 5 is working, the rotor of the moving motor 7 contacts the guide rail 6, driving the moving motor 7 to move in the guide rail 6. In this embodiment, the guide rail 6 is installed on the deck of the ship, so that the entire spinning sail is perpendicular to the deck and centered along the centerline of the ship. The lower baffle 3 is a circular structure used to cover the bottom of the guide rail 6 and the lower end plate 4 of the sail; The mobile motor 7 moves along the guide rail 6 to adjust the position of the sail rotor 2 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail, controlling the shape of the rotating sail cross section. The sail rotor 2 supports the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating sail, and the ratchet 8 is coupled with the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating sail. The rotating motor 5 drives the sail rotor 2 to rotate, which in turn drives the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating sail to move. The flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating sail rotates along the surface of the rotating sail cross section shape controlled by the sail rotor 2, which drives the air on the surface of the rotating sail to move at high speed. Combined with the side wind, a velocity difference is formed on the surface of the rotating sail, providing thrust for the ship. The thrust is generated by the Magnus effect to assist the ship in propulsion.

[0020] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages: Because the bottom of the sail rotor 2 is equipped with a moving motor 7, and the sail rotor 2 passes through the groove 9 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail and sits on the guide rail 6, the moving motor 7 can move along the guide rail 6 to adjust the position of the sail rotor 2 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail, control the shape of the sail cross section, and create a velocity difference on both sides of the sail to provide thrust; the resulting sail cross section shape ensures that the propulsion efficiency is always in the optimal range under different sea conditions.

[0021] Since the lower end of the sail rotor 2 is equipped with a rotating motor 5 and the upper end is equipped with a ratchet 8, the rotating motor 5 drives the sail rotor 2 to rotate. The ratchet 8 is coupled with the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail. The flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail rotates along the cross-sectional shape surface of the rotary sail controlled by the sail rotor 2, which drives the air on the surface of the rotary sail to move at high speed, creating a velocity difference on both sides of the rotary sail and providing thrust.

[0022] To ensure the stability of the structure in this embodiment, the sail rotor 2 consists of eight parts, which support the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail to form the most favorable cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail under the current sea conditions and wind direction, creating a velocity difference between the front and rear surfaces of the rotary sail to provide thrust for the ship.

[0023] To further ensure the stability of the structure in this embodiment, the distance between the two ratchet teeth 8 corresponds to the height of the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail. The upper and lower ends of the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail are synchronously coupled with the ratchet teeth 8. In this embodiment, the distance between the two ratchet teeth 8 is slightly less than the height of the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail, so that the ratchet teeth 8 are coupled with the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail to drive its rotation.

[0024] To optimize the structure of this embodiment, the guide rail 6 is a structure that connects the horizontal and vertical directions. One guide rail 6 is placed in the horizontal direction, and the other is placed in the vertical direction, and they are perpendicularly intersecting.

[0025] To further optimize the structure of this embodiment, the groove 9 of the lower end plate 4 of the sail is a slot corresponding to the guide rail 6, one of which is placed in the horizontal direction and the other three are placed in the vertical direction and intersected vertically, corresponding one-to-one with the guide rail 6.

[0026] To further optimize the structure of this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail is such that when sea conditions change, such as when the lateral wind is weak and the propulsion efficiency is insufficient, the motor 7 is moved to make the sail rotor 2 move along the guide rail 7 and the groove 9 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail, and the corresponding flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail is replaced to ensure propulsion efficiency and make the cross-section of the rotary sail more favorable for the current sea conditions. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail is preferably approximately elliptical, which can provide greater auxiliary thrust with the same power when the wind speed is low, so that the propulsion efficiency is always in a better range.

[0027] As a conventional technical option, in adverse sea conditions, the mobile motor 7 is used to concentrate the sail rotor 2 to the center of the lower end plate 4 of the sail, and the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotating sail is removed, thereby reducing resistance and reducing the impact of severe weather on navigation.

[0028] To verify the optimization of propulsion efficiency under the condition of changing the shape of the rotary sail in this embodiment, simulation was performed using the commercial software STAR-CCM+. A flow field and sail structure model were established, and an elliptical cylinder was used to approximate the irregular sail surface after the change in the cross-sectional shape of the sail. Simulations were conducted at different Reynolds numbers and speed ratios. The calculations showed that after the change in the cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail, the propulsion efficiency was improved by about 15% at the same power and a relatively low speed. Under calm sea conditions and low wind speeds, the propulsion efficiency can be significantly improved.

[0029] The working process of this embodiment: Includes the following steps: Step 1. Based on the average statistical data of ship routes, statistically analyze several typical wind conditions during navigation. Step 2. Based on the statistical results of typical wind conditions, calculate the ideal cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail for propulsion efficiency; Step 3. During navigation, according to the changes in wind force and wind speed, the position of the sail rotor 2 is changed by the mobile motor 7 to form the most favorable cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail under the current sea conditions and wind direction. The flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail, which has higher propulsion efficiency under the current sea conditions, is installed to optimize the propulsion efficiency of the rotary sail. For extreme sea conditions, the sail rotor 2 is concentrated in the center of the lower end plate 4 of the sail by using the mobile motor 7, and the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail is removed to reduce the resistance generated by extreme sea conditions.

[0030] Features of this embodiment: In this embodiment, the steel cylinder fixed on the traditional rotary sail is replaced with a lightweight structure in which the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail is supported by eight sail rotors 2. The upper and lower parts of the sail rotors 2 and the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail are coupled by ratchet teeth 8. The lower end of the sail rotors 2 is connected in sequence to a rotary motor 5 and a moving motor 7. The moving motor 7 moves along the guide rail 6 to control the position of the sail rotors 2 on the lower end plate 4 of the sail, thereby controlling the cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail. The rotary motor 5 drives the sail rotors 2, causing the flexible sail surface 1 of the rotary sail to rotate along the cross-sectional shape surface of the rotary sail formed by the sail rotors 2, which causes the air to combine with the side wind, forming a velocity difference on the surface of the rotary sail and generating thrust.

[0031] Compared to the traditional steel structure of a rotary sail, this embodiment utilizes a sail rotor 2 and a flexible sail surface 1 to reduce the weight of the rotary sail and the power required to drive it. In the case of low wind speeds at sea, unlike the reduced propulsion efficiency of traditional rotary sails, this embodiment can change the cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail. By changing the shape of the rotary sail, the energy loss of thrust on both sides during the process of the rotary sail providing thrust to the ship can be reduced, ensuring that the propulsion efficiency is at an optimal level.

[0032] It is worth noting that all contents not described in detail in the specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art, and the model parameters of the rotating motor 5 and the moving motor 7 are not specifically limited and can be determined using conventional equipment. Electrical control components not mentioned in this technical solution are not shown in the figure because they are existing technologies, and will not be described here.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that: The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightweight rotary sail with a deformable sail surface, characterized in that: It includes a rotary sail flexible sail surface (1), a sail rotor (2), a lower baffle (3), a sail lower end plate (4), a rotating motor (5), a guide rail (6), and a moving motor (7); The flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail is made of polyester fiber or nylon high-strength synthetic material; The sail rotor (2) has a stepped shaft structure, and ratchet teeth (8) are provided on the upper and lower parts of the sail rotor (2). The ratchet teeth (8) are coupled with the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail to drive the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail to rotate. The rotating motor (5) is an AC speed-regulating gear motor, which is located at the lower end of the sail rotor (2) and is used to drive the sail rotor (2) to rotate. The moving motor (7) is a BCS110 slide rail motor module motor, which is set at the bottom of the sail rotor (2) and is used to move the sail rotor (2), adjust the position of the sail rotor (2), and control the cross-sectional shape of the rotating sail. The lower end plate (4) of the sail is a disc structure. Slots (9) are arranged on the lower end plate (4). The sail rotor (2) passes through the slots (9), and the ratchet (8) is located on the lower end plate (4). The sail rotor (2) slides along the slots (9). The guide rail (6) is set at the bottom of the lower end plate (4) of the sail. The distribution of the guide rail (6) matches the slide groove (9) on the lower end plate (4) of the sail. The moving motor (7) is assembled in the guide rail (6). The lower baffle (3) is a circular structure used to cover the bottom of the guide rail (6) and the lower end plate (4) of the sail; Among them, the moving motor (7) moves along the guide rail (6) to adjust the position of the sail rotor (2) on the lower end plate (4) of the sail and control the shape of the rotating sail cross section; the sail rotor (2) supports the rotating sail flexible sail surface (1), and the ratchet (8) is coupled with the rotating sail flexible sail surface (1). The rotating motor (5) drives the sail rotor (2) to rotate, which drives the rotating sail flexible sail surface (1) to rotate along the rotating sail cross section shape surface controlled by the sail rotor (2), forming a velocity difference on the rotating sail surface and providing thrust.

2. The lightweight rotary sail with deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sail rotor (2) consists of eight parts, which support the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail to form the most favorable cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail under the current sea conditions and wind direction.

3. A lightweight rotary sail with a deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the two ratchet teeth (8) corresponds to the height of the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail, and the upper and lower ends of the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail are simultaneously coupled with the ratchet teeth (8).

4. A lightweight rotary sail with deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail (6) is a structure that connects the horizontal and vertical directions. One of the guide rails (6) is placed in the horizontal direction and the other is placed in the vertical direction, and they are perpendicularly intersecting.

5. A lightweight rotary sail with a deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove (9) of the lower end plate (4) of the sail is a groove corresponding to the guide rail (6). One of them is placed in the horizontal direction, and the other three are placed in the vertical direction and are perpendicularly intersecting, corresponding one-to-one with the guide rail (6).

6. A lightweight rotary sail with deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail is approximately elliptical. When the sea conditions change, such as when the lateral wind is weak and the propulsion efficiency is insufficient, the motor (7) is moved to make the sail rotor (2) move along the guide rail 7 and the groove (9) on the lower end plate (4) of the sail to form the shape of the rotary sail cross-section. The corresponding rotary sail flexible sail surface (1) is replaced to make the rotary sail cross-section become a more favorable shape under the current sea conditions, so that the propulsion efficiency is always in a better range.

7. A lightweight rotary sail with deformable sail surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: In adverse sea conditions, the sail rotor (2) is concentrated in the center of the lower end plate (4) of the sail by a moving motor (7), and the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotating drum sail is removed.

8. The method of using a lightweight rotary sail with a deformable sail surface as described in claim 1, Its characteristics are: Includes the following steps: Step 1. Based on the average statistical data of ship routes, statistically analyze several typical wind conditions during navigation. Step 2. Based on the statistical results of typical wind conditions, calculate the ideal cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail for propulsion efficiency; Step 3. During navigation, according to the changes in wind force and wind speed, the position of the sail rotor (2) is changed by using the mobile motor (7) to form the most favorable cross-sectional shape of the rotary sail under the current sea conditions and wind direction, and is installed on the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail with higher propulsion efficiency under the current sea conditions to optimize the propulsion efficiency of the rotary sail. For extreme sea conditions, the sail rotor (2) is concentrated in the center of the lower end plate (4) of the sail by using a mobile motor (7), and the flexible sail surface (1) of the rotary sail is removed to reduce the resistance generated by extreme sea conditions.

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