Cycloid propeller blade folding device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a cycloid propeller blade folding device and method, and belongs to the technical field of underwater vehicles. The device comprises an upper blade system, a folding blade system and a blade supporting system; the upper paddle system is used for generating revolution and autorotation moments of paddles and generating thrust under the two working conditions of unfolding and folding the paddles; the folding paddle system is mainly used for achieving unfolding and folding of folding paddles, when the folding paddles are unfolded, the thrust of the whole cycloid propeller is increased, and when the folding paddles are folded, the draught of the cycloid propeller is reduced. The paddle supporting system is used for installing a supporting device of the foldable paddle. The length of the cycloid propeller can be adjusted, when a ship with the cycloid propeller drives into a shallow water area, the paddles are folded to reduce the draft, the paddles are prevented from making contact with the bottom to generate danger, and when the ship with the cycloid propeller drives into a deep water area, the paddles are unfolded to achieve high-thrust propelling.

Description

A cycloidal propeller blade folding device and method Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of underwater vehicle technology, specifically relating to a cycloidal propeller blade folding device and method. Background Technology

[0002] A cycloidal propeller is a novel propulsion device consisting of multiple vertically mounted blades. These blades revolve around a common axis while simultaneously rotating around their own axis. Because cycloidal propellers can generate maximum thrust at any angle within a plane, they are widely used in vessels requiring high maneuverability, such as tugboats and tugboats. Tugboats and tugboats, with their high power performance requirements, often necessitate increasing the blade span of cycloidal propellers to enhance thrust without compromising cavitation risks. However, these vessels typically operate in near-shore, shallow water environments, and increasing the blade span further restricts their operating area, impacting their flexibility in performing specific tasks. Therefore, developing a cycloidal propeller blade folding device would enable cycloidal propellers to balance high thrust with shallow-water operation, which is of great significance for expanding the navigable waters of cycloidal propeller vessels. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cycloidal propeller blade folding device and method, which can adjust the length of the cycloidal propeller. When the cycloidal propeller vessel enters shallow water, the blades are folded to reduce the draft and avoid the blades hitting the bottom and causing danger. When the cycloidal propeller vessel enters deep water, the blades are unfolded to achieve high thrust propulsion.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A cycloidal propeller blade folding device includes: an upper blade system, a folding blade system, and a blade support system;

[0006] The blade support system includes a rotating disk that rotates around a fixed axis. The rotating disk is connected to a fixed support via a vertical connecting cylinder, and the fixed support is connected to a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft.

[0007] The upper blade system includes a rotation drive device, an upper blade, an upper blade extension section, and fixing slots. The upper blade system is connected to the orbital disk through the rotation drive device. The upper end of the upper blade is connected to the rotation drive device, and the lower end of the upper blade is connected to the upper blade extension section. Multiple fixing slots are installed at the lower end of the upper blade extension section.

[0008] The folding blade system includes a lower blade, the upper end of which is connected to a swing shaft and a protruding latch, and a traction ring is installed at the lower end of the lower blade. The traction ring is connected to the traction cable through a traction cable buckle.

[0009] The upper blade system is connected to the blade support system via the self-rotation drive device, the folding blade system is connected to the blade support system via a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft, and the upper blade system and the folding blade system are connected via protruding tenons and fixing grooves.

[0010] Furthermore, the rotary table has a traction cable hole, through which the traction cable moves vertically.

[0011] Furthermore, the traction ring has a circular hole in the middle, and the traction ring is connected to the traction cable through the traction cable buckle. The other end of the traction cable passes through the traction cable hole. The traction cable pulls the lower blade to generate torque at the connection between the traction cable buckle and the traction ring, causing the lower blade to rotate around the folding axis of the two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft, generating a folding torque, causing the lower blade to fold inward.

[0012] Furthermore, the rotary disk has a rotation shaft hole, and the rotation drive device is installed in the rotation shaft hole.

[0013] Furthermore, the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft has rotational degrees of freedom in two directions, and the folding shaft of the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft is arranged along the tangential direction of the revolution disk. The folding shaft is coaxially nested with the folding shaft mounting hole of the fixed bracket.

[0014] Furthermore, the dual-degree-of-freedom shaft has a swing shaft hole located along the rotation direction of the upper blade, and the swing shaft of the lower blade is coaxially nested in the swing shaft hole.

[0015] Furthermore, a support plate is installed at the bottom of the fixed shaft. The support plate is connected to the revolution disk, the fixed bracket, and the vertical connecting cylinder through ball bearings, providing support for the entire cycloidal propeller and transmitting the thrust of the cycloidal propeller to the hull.

[0016] Furthermore, multiple protruding tenons are installed on the upper rear of the lower blade. When the lower blade is unfolded, it engages with the fixing groove of the upper blade. The lower blade is connected to the upper blade through the protruding tenons and fixing groove and rotates around the swing axis with the upper blade under the drive of the self-rotation drive device, thus realizing self-rotation.

[0017] Furthermore, the revolution motion of the lower blade is generated by a fixed bracket rigidly connected to the revolution disk and the vertical connecting cylinder, and the two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft mounted on the fixed bracket transmits the revolution motion to the lower blade.

[0018] The present invention may also include:

[0019] A folding method for the above-mentioned cycloidal propeller blade folding device, the method comprising:

[0020] When the blades are deployed, the cycloidal disk rotates around its axis under the action of external power, driving the self-rotation drive device, upper blade, lower blade, fixed bracket, traction cable, vertical connecting cylinder, and dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft to revolve around its axis. The fixed shaft does not rotate, providing support for the entire cycloidal propeller. Each upper blade rotates around its rotation axis under the drive of the corresponding self-rotation drive device. At this time, the traction cable is not under traction and hangs down naturally. The lower blade rotates around its folding axis to a vertical position under the action of gravity. The protruding tenon installed on its upper part is connected to the upper blade through the fixed groove. The lower blade rotates around the swing axis under the drive of the upper blade, realizing the cycloidal motion.

[0021] When entering shallow water, if it is necessary to fold the blades to reduce draft, the tow cable is pulled upwards, causing the lower blades and the dual-degree-of-freedom shaft to rotate around the folding axis. The protruding latches on the lower blades disengage from the fixing slots, at which point the lower blades lose their rotational power. Pulling the tow cable further will cause the lower blades and the dual-degree-of-freedom shaft to continue rotating around the folding axis, and the lower blades will fold inwards to reduce the blade draft and avoid hitting the bottom.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0023] This invention allows for adjustment of the cycloidal propeller's length. When a vessel using a cycloidal propeller enters shallow water, the blades fold to reduce draft and prevent the blades from hitting the bottom, thus avoiding danger. When the vessel enters deep water, the blades unfold to achieve high thrust. This enables the cycloidal propeller to switch between two modes: "high length, high thrust" and "low length, shallow draft," significantly improving its adaptability to different mission scenarios and operating environments, and promoting the application of cycloidal propellers in various types of vessels. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in the blade deployment state;

[0025] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in the folded blade state;

[0026] Figure 3 is a front view of the present invention in the blade deployment state;

[0027] Figure 4 is a front view of the present invention in the blade folded state;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the upper blade structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 is a front view of Figure 5;

[0030] Figure 7 is a top view of Figure 6;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the lower blade of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 is a left view of Figure 8;

[0033] Figure 10 is a top view of Figure 9;

[0034] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the traction cable of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing bracket of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 14 is a front view of Figure 13;

[0038] Figure 15 is a left view of Figure 14.

[0039] In the attached diagram: 1. Revolutionary disk, 2. Rotation drive device, 3. Rotation shaft hole, 4. Upper blade, 5. Lower blade, 6. Fixed bracket, 7. Traction cable, 8. Upper blade extension section, 9. Fixed groove, 10. Swing shaft, 11. Protruding latch, 12. Traction ring, 13. Ball bearing, 14. Traction cable buckle, 15. Vertical connecting cylinder, 16. Fixed shaft, 17. Two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft, 18. Traction cable hole, 19. Support plate, 20. Folding shaft mounting hole, 21. Folding shaft, 22. Swing shaft hole. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The present invention provides a cycloidal propeller blade folding device, as shown in Figures 1-4, comprising: an upper blade system, a folding blade system, and a blade support system. The upper blade system is connected to the blade support system via a self-rotation drive device 2, and the folding blade system is connected to the blade support system via a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17. The upper blade system and the folding blade system are connected by a protruding latch 11 and a fixing groove 9.

[0042] The upper blade system is used to generate the revolution and rotation torque of the blades, producing thrust in both blade deployment and folding conditions; the folding blade system is mainly used to realize the deployment and folding of the foldable blades. When the foldable blades are deployed, the thrust of the entire cycloidal thruster is increased; when the foldable blades are folded, the draft of the cycloidal thruster is reduced; the blade support system is used to install the support device for the foldable blades.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5-7, the upper blade system includes a rotation drive device 2, an upper blade 4, an upper blade extension section 8, and a fixing groove 9. The upper blade system can generate thrust through revolution and rotation, and can drive the deployed lower blade 5 to rotate. The upper end of the upper blade 4 is connected to the rotation drive device 2, and the lower end is connected to the upper blade extension section 8. The lower end of the upper blade extension section 8 is equipped with a fixing groove 9.

[0044] Each upper blade is connected at its top to the rotation drive device 2 and rotates around the axis of the rotation drive device 2 when driven by the revolution disk 1, generating thrust. The lower part of each upper blade 4 is connected to the upper blade extension section 8, and the bottom of each upper blade extension section 8 is equipped with three fixing slots 9 for connecting with the lower blade when the lower blade is deployed.

[0045] As shown in Figures 8-10, the folding blade system consists of a lower blade 5, a swing shaft 10, a protruding latch 11, a traction ring 12, a traction cable 7, and a traction cable buckle 14. Each lower blade has a swing shaft 10 mounted on its upper part. The upper part of the swing shaft 10 is connected to the swing shaft hole 22 in the blade support system via a ball bearing 13, and can rotate freely around the swing shaft hole 22 of the two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17. Three protruding latches 11 are installed on the upper rear of each lower blade, which can engage with the fixing groove 9 of the upper blade 5 when the lower blade is unfolded.

[0046] In this embodiment, the revolution motion of the lower blade 5 is generated by the fixed bracket 6 which is rigidly connected to the revolution disk 1 and the vertical connecting cylinder 15, and the two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17 installed on the fixed bracket 6 transmits the revolution motion to the lower blade 5.

[0047] The lower blade 5 is connected to the upper blade 4 through the protruding latch 11 and the fixing groove 9, and rotates around the swing axis 10 under the drive of the upper blade 4, thereby achieving self-rotation.

[0048] As shown in Figure 11, the traction ring 12 has a round hole in the middle, which can be connected to the traction cable 7 through the traction cable buckle 14. The other end of the traction cable 7 passes through the traction cable hole 18 on the rotary table 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12, the blade support system mainly consists of a revolution disk 1, a rotation shaft hole 3, a fixed bracket 6, a vertical connecting cylinder 15, a fixed shaft 16, a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17, and a traction cable hole 18. The revolution disk and the fixed bracket 6 are rigidly connected by the vertical connecting cylinder 15. A support disk 19 is installed at the bottom of the fixed shaft, and ball bearings 13 are installed inside, so that the fixed bracket 6 can rotate around the fixed shaft 16. The fixed bracket 6 is equipped with three sets of folding shaft mounting holes 20.

[0050] The rotary table 1 is designed with a traction cable hole 18, and the traction cable 7 can pass through the traction cable hole 18 under the action of traction force to move vertically.

[0051] A support plate 19 is installed at the bottom of the fixed shaft 16. It is connected to the revolution plate 1, the fixed bracket 6, and the vertical connecting cylinder 15 through ball bearings, providing support for the entire cycloidal thruster and transmitting the thrust of the cycloidal thruster to the hull.

[0052] As shown in Figures 13-15, the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17 is designed with a folding shaft 21 and a swing shaft 22. The folding shaft 21 rotates around the folding shaft mounting hole 20 of the fixed bracket 6, while the swing shaft 22 is connected to the swing shaft 10 on the lower blade 5. The revolution disk 1 is equipped with a traction cable hole 18 for the traction cable 7 to pass through, and the revolution disk is also equipped with a rotation shaft hole 3 for the rotation drive device 2 to pass through.

[0053] The dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17 has rotational degrees of freedom in two directions. Its folding shaft 21 is coaxially nested with the folding shaft mounting hole 20 of the fixed bracket 6 along the tangential direction of the revolution disk. Its swing shaft hole 22 is coaxially nested with the swing shaft 10 of the lower blade 5 along the rotation direction of the blade.

[0054] The traction cable 7 pulls the lower blade 5, which generates a torque at the connection between the traction cable buckle 14 and the traction ring 12, causing the lower blade 5 to rotate around the folding axis 21 of the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17, generating a folding torque, and causing the lower blade 5 to fold inward.

[0055] This embodiment also provides a folding method for the cycloidal propeller blade folding device described above, the method comprising:

[0056] When the blades are deployed, the cycloidal disk 1 rotates around its axis under the action of external power, driving the self-rotation drive device 2, upper blade 4, lower blade 5, fixed bracket 6, traction cable 7, vertical connecting cylinder 15, and dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft 17 to revolve around its axis. The fixed shaft 16 does not rotate, providing support for the entire cycloidal propeller. Each upper blade 4 rotates around its self-rotation axis under the drive of the corresponding self-rotation drive device 2. At this time, the traction cable 7 is not under traction and hangs down naturally. The lower blade 5 rotates around its folding axis 21 to a vertical position under the action of gravity. The protruding latch 11 installed on its upper part is connected to the upper blade 4 through the fixing groove 9. The lower blade 5 rotates around the swing axis 10 under the drive of the upper blade 4, realizing cycloidal motion.

[0057] When entering shallow water, if it is necessary to fold the blades to reduce draft, the tow cable 7 is pulled upward, causing the lower blade 5 and the dual-degree-of-freedom shaft 17 to rotate around the folding shaft 21. The protruding latch 11 on the lower blade 5 disengages from the fixing groove 9. At this time, the lower blade 5 loses its rotational power. Further pulling the tow cable 7 can make the lower blade 5 and the dual-degree-of-freedom shaft 17 continue to rotate around the folding shaft 21. The lower blade folds inward, reducing the blade draft and avoiding hitting the bottom.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cycloidal propeller blade folding device, characterized in that, include: The upper blade system, the folding blade system, and the blade support system are described. The blade support system includes a rotating disk (1), which rotates around a fixed axis (16). The rotating disk (1) is connected to a fixed bracket (6) via a vertical connecting cylinder (15). The fixed bracket (6) is connected to a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17). The upper blade system includes a rotation drive device (2), an upper blade (4), an upper blade extension section (8), and a fixed groove (9). The upper blade system is connected to the rotating disk (1) via the rotation drive device (2). The upper end of the upper blade (4) is connected to the rotation drive device (2), and the lower end of the upper blade (4) is connected to the upper blade extension section. (8) Connection: The lower end of the upper blade extension section (8) is equipped with multiple fixing slots (9); the folding blade system includes a lower blade (5), the upper end of the lower blade (5) is connected to a swing shaft (10) and a protruding tenon (11), the lower end of the lower blade (5) is equipped with a traction ring (12), the traction ring (12) is connected to a traction cable (7) through a traction cable buckle (14); the upper blade system is connected to the blade support system through the self-rotation drive device (2), the folding blade system is connected to the blade support system through a two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17), and the upper blade system and the folding blade system are connected through a protruding tenon (11) and fixing slots (9).

2. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotunda (1) has a traction cable hole (18), through which the traction cable (7) moves vertically.

3. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The traction ring (12) has a round hole in the middle. The traction ring (12) is connected to the traction cable (7) through the traction cable buckle (14). The other end of the traction cable (7) passes through the traction cable hole (18). The traction cable (7) pulls the lower blade (5) to generate torque at the connection between the traction cable buckle (14) and the traction ring (12), causing the lower blade (5) to rotate around the folding axis (21) of the double-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17), generating a folding torque, causing the lower blade (5) to fold inward.

4. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating disk (1) has a rotation shaft hole (3), and the rotation drive device (2) is installed in the rotation shaft hole (3).

5. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) has rotational degrees of freedom in two directions. The folding shaft (21) of the dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) is arranged along the tangential direction of the revolution disk. The folding shaft (21) is coaxially nested with the folding shaft mounting hole (20) of the fixed bracket (6).

6. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) has a swing shaft hole (22) located along the rotation direction of the upper blade, and the swing shaft (10) of the lower blade (5) is coaxially nested in the swing shaft hole (22).

7. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the fixed shaft (16) is equipped with a support plate (19), which is connected to the revolution plate (1), the fixed bracket (6) and the vertical connecting cylinder (15) through ball bearings, providing support for the entire cycloidal propeller and transmitting the thrust of the cycloidal propeller to the hull.

8. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple protruding tenons (11) are installed on the upper rear of the lower blade. When the lower blade is unfolded, it engages with the fixing groove (9) of the upper blade (5). The lower blade (5) is connected to the upper blade (4) through the protruding tenons (11) and the fixing groove (9) and rotates around the swing shaft (10) with the upper blade (4) under the drive of the self-rotation drive device (2) to achieve self-rotation.

9. The cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The revolution motion of the lower blade (5) is generated by the fixed bracket (6) which is rigidly connected to the revolution disk (1) and the vertical connecting cylinder (15). The two-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) installed on the fixed bracket (6) transmits the revolution motion to the lower blade (5).

10. A folding method for a cycloidal propeller blade folding device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method includes: in the blade unfolded state, the orbital disk (1) rotates around its axis under the action of external power, driving the self-rotation drive device (2), upper blade (4), lower blade (5), fixed bracket (6), traction cable (7), vertical connecting cylinder (15), and dual-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) to revolve around its rotating axis. The fixed shaft (16) does not rotate, providing support for the entire cycloidal propeller. Each upper blade (4) rotates around its self-rotation axis under the drive of the corresponding self-rotation drive device (2). At this time, the traction cable (7) is not under traction and hangs down naturally. The lower blade (5) rotates around its folding axis (2) under the action of gravity. 1) Rotate to the vertical position. The protruding tenon (11) installed on the upper part is connected to the upper blade (4) through the fixing groove (9). The lower blade (5) rotates around the swing axis (10) under the drive of the upper blade (4) to realize cycloidal motion. When entering the shallow water area, it is necessary to fold the blade to reduce the draft. The traction cable (7) is pulled upward to make the lower blade (5) and the double-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) rotate around the folding axis (21). The protruding tenon (11) on the lower blade (5) is disengaged from the fixing groove (9). At this time, the lower blade (5) loses its self-rotation power. Further pulling the traction cable (7) can make the lower blade (5) and the double-degree-of-freedom rotating shaft (17) continue to rotate around the folding axis (21). The lower blade (5) folds inward to reduce the draft of the blade and avoid touching the bottom.

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