Telescopic rotating marine t-hydrofoil

Abstract

This invention discloses a retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil, relating to the field of marine engineering technology. It includes a support rod and a transverse wing, the transverse wing being located at the lower end of the support rod, the upper end of the support rod being rotatably connected to the bottom of the hull, and the rotation axis of the support rod being set along the width direction of the hull. A rotary motor is installed on the hull. The support rod is a retractable rod structure, divided into a fixed rod and a sliding rod. The top of the fixed rod is connected to the rotary motor via a connecting seat, and the sliding rod is slidably embedded in the fixed rod and its bottom is connected to the transverse wing. A retraction assembly is also provided in the connecting seat. This hydrofoil can improve turning efficiency and reduce turning radius during turns through differential wingspan and differential angle of attack. In high sea states, it reduces hull turbulence and hydrofoil load impact through the coordinated adjustment of angle of attack, wingspan, spring extension / retraction, and immersion depth, thereby improving the maneuverability, comfort, safety, and adaptability to complex working conditions of the hydrofoil vessel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine engineering technology, and in particular to a retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrofoils utilize hydrofoils to generate hydrodynamic lift, lifting part or all of the hull above the water surface, thereby significantly reducing wave-making drag and viscous drag, and improving speed and propulsion efficiency. However, the support rod length, wingspan, angle of attack, and installation position of conventional fixed T-type hydrofoils remain unchanged after assembly, resulting in significant limitations in their adaptability to various operating conditions.

[0003] First, a fixed immersion depth cannot be actively adjusted according to speed, load, water depth, and sea state: shallow immersion in high sea states makes the vessel susceptible to wave disturbances, leading to lift fluctuations, localized slapping, ventilation, or even short-term surface exposure, which increases the vertical acceleration and rolling response of the hull, reducing comfort and safety; while simply increasing the length of the support rod will increase the risk of bottoming out and collision when navigating or berthing in low sea states or shallow waters.

[0004] Secondly, fixed hydrofoils extend downwards or laterally even when not in operation, occupying a large space and easily interfering with docks, the seabed, or obstacles, affecting their usability in near-shore and harbor environments. While existing angle-of-attack or flap adjustment mechanisms can improve adaptability to some extent, their adjustment freedom is limited, making it difficult to simultaneously change the effective force-bearing area, immersion depth, and overall load distribution. This limits their comprehensive adjustment capabilities for low-speed takeoff, high-sea-state vibration reduction, and turning assistance.

[0005] In turning operations, traditional hydrofoils primarily provide vertical lift and lack differential adjustment capabilities, making it difficult to actively establish a suitable roll towards the inside of the turn. The horizontal component of the hydrofoil's lift cannot effectively provide additional centripetal force, limiting small-radius maneuverability and heading response speed. At the same time, the rigid support structure directly transmits wave impact to the hull, lacking buffering and vibration isolation capabilities, resulting in poor comfort in high sea states. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To improve the adaptability of hydrofoils under different speed and attitude conditions, this application provides a retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil.

[0007] This application provides a retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil includes a support rod and a transverse wing body. The transverse wing body is located at the lower end of the support rod, and the upper end of the support rod is rotatably connected to the bottom of the hull. The rotation axis of the support rod is set along the width direction of the hull. A rotary motor for driving the support rod to rotate is provided on the hull.

[0009] The support rod is a telescopic rod structure, and its exterior is fitted with a telescopic rectifier shell. The support rod is divided into a fixed rod and a sliding rod. The top of the fixed rod is connected to the rotary motor through a connecting seat, and the sliding rod is slidably embedded in the fixed rod and its bottom is connected to the transverse wing. The connecting seat is also equipped with a retraction assembly for driving the sliding rod to slide to extend or retract the fixed rod.

[0010] Optionally, the take-up and release assembly includes a disc spring, a spool motor, a rotating spool, and a flexible traction member; the disc spring is disposed between the fixed rod and the sliding rod, and when the disc spring is in its natural state, the sliding rod extends out of the fixed rod; the rotating spool is disposed in the connecting seat, and its rotation axis is arranged in the horizontal direction; the flexible traction member is mounted on the rotating spool, and its end is connected to the sliding rod; the spool motor is used to drive the rotating spool to rotate.

[0011] Optionally, the support rod has a power compartment at its bottom, and transverse wings are installed on both sides of the power compartment. The transverse wings include an inner wing and an outer wing. The inner wing is connected to the power compartment, and the outer wing is slidably connected to the inner wing in the horizontal direction. The inner wing also has a telescopic component for driving the outer wing to slide.

[0012] Optionally, the telescopic assembly includes a lead screw and a telescopic motor. The lead screw is rotatably connected in the inner wing body, and its rotation axis is set in the horizontal direction. The outer wing body is connected to the lead screw through a lead screw nut. The telescopic motor is used to drive the lead screw to rotate.

[0013] Optionally, the inner wing body is rotatably connected to the power compartment, with its rotation axis set along the width direction of the hull. The power compartment is also equipped with an angle-of-attack adjustment motor for driving the rotation of the inner wing body.

[0014] Optionally, the flexible traction component is a wire rope, cable, timing belt, or chain.

[0015] Optionally, the support rod is provided with an anti-rotation guide structure, which may be a guide groove, a limit key, a square cross-section guide structure, or a polygonal sleeve structure.

[0016] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects:

[0017] This application possesses the capabilities of overall rotation and retraction, immersion depth adjustment, wingspan adjustment, angle of attack adjustment, and elastic support for vibration reduction. It can establish corresponding turning assistance control strategies and high sea state comfort control strategies for this structure, enabling the hydrofoil to improve turning efficiency and reduce turning radius during turns through differential wingspan and differential angle of attack. In high sea states, it can reduce hull pitching and hydrofoil load impact through coordinated adjustment of angle of attack, wingspan, spring extension and retraction, and immersion depth, thereby improving the maneuverability, comfort, safety, and adaptability to complex working conditions of the hydrofoil vessel. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of a retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to this application;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Partial structural diagram of the rotary motor and take-up / deployment assembly;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the support rod;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the transverse airfoil.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1. Support rod; 11. Fixed rod; 12. Sliding rod; 13. Connecting seat; 14. Rectifying shell; 2. Lateral wing body; 21. Inner wing body; 22. Outer wing body; 3. Power compartment; 31. Angle of attack adjustment motor; 4. Rotary motor; 5. Retraction assembly; 51. Disc spring; 52. Threaded reel motor; 53. Rotating threaded reel; 61. Lead screw; 62. Telescopic motor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 This application will be described in further detail.

[0025] This application discloses a retractable and rotatable marine T-shaped hydrofoil, including a support rod 1 and a transverse wing 2. The transverse wing 2 is disposed at the lower end of the support rod 1. The upper end of the support rod 1 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the hull via the support rod 1, and the rotation axis of the support rod 1 is arranged along the width direction of the hull. A rotary motor 4 is provided on the hull, and the rotary motor 4 drives the support rod 1 to rotate via a reducer, thereby causing the support rod 1 and the transverse wing 2 to switch between a vertical working state and a horizontally retracted state around the upper mounting axis.

[0026] Under normal navigation conditions, the hydrofoil remains vertical or nearly vertical, with the transverse wing 2 positioned below the water surface, generating hydrodynamic lift. In shallow water areas, when moored at shore, during transport and storage, or when obstacle avoidance is required, the rotary motor 4 drives the hydrofoil to rotate to a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, the telescopic motor 62 drives the hydrofoil to retract in the spanwise direction, and the reel motor 52 drives the support rod to retract. This reduces the depth to which the hydrofoil extends downward, preventing collisions between the hydrofoil and the seabed, docks, or other obstacles, and improving the hydrofoil's maneuverability and parking convenience in complex aquatic environments.

[0027] The support rod 1 is a telescopic rod structure, and a telescopic rectifier shell 14 is fitted on its outside. The rectifier shell can be slidably nested to form a telescopic structure.

[0028] The support rod 1 consists of a fixed rod 11 and a sliding rod 12. The top of the fixed rod 11 is connected to the support rod 1 via a connecting seat 13. The sliding rod 12 is slidably embedded in the fixed rod 11 and its bottom is connected to the transverse wing 2. The fixed rod 11 and the sliding rod 12 are connected by a sleeve, sliding fit, guide rail fit, or keyway guide fit. The support rod 1 is provided with an anti-rotation guide structure, which can be a guide groove, a limiting key, a square cross-section guide structure, or a polygonal sleeve structure to prevent the sliding rod 12 from rotating undesirably relative to the fixed rod 11.

[0029] This application achieves a change in the overall length of the support rod 1 through the sliding nesting cooperation of the fixed rod 11 and the sliding rod 12, thereby adjusting the vertical position of the transverse wing 2 relative to the hull, i.e., changing the hydrofoil immersion depth. The retractable rectifier shell 14 extends and retracts synchronously with the support rod 1, maintaining the continuity of the external streamline of the support rod 1 and reducing hydrodynamic interference and flow resistance.

[0030] The connecting seat 13 is equipped with a take-up and release assembly 5, which includes a disc spring 51, a wire reel motor 52, a rotating wire reel 53, and a flexible traction component. The disc spring 51 is positioned between the fixed rod 11 and the sliding rod 12. When the disc spring 51 is in its natural state, the sliding rod 12 extends out of the fixed rod 11. The rotating wire reel 53 is located in the connecting seat 13, with its rotation axis arranged horizontally. The flexible traction component is mounted on the rotating wire reel 53, and its end is connected to the sliding rod 12. The wire reel motor 52 drives the rotating wire reel 53 to rotate, changing the position of the sliding rod 12 relative to the fixed rod 11 by taking up or releasing wire. The flexible traction component can be made of wire rope, cable, synchronous belt, or chain.

[0031] Driven by a reel motor 52, the rotating reel 53 extends and retracts the flexible traction component, actively adjusting the extension length of the sliding rod 12 to precisely control the hydrofoil's immersion depth. This allows the hydrofoil to be positioned appropriately based on changes in water depth, speed, load, and sea state. The disc spring 51 releases its elastic potential energy when the rotating reel 53 releases line, propelling the sliding rod 12 downwards rapidly, improving the response speed of immersion depth adjustment. In low sea states or when retracted, the disc spring 51 can be compressed to a predetermined state, working in conjunction with the mechanical limiting structure to form a high-rigidity support, ensuring structural stability. In high sea states, the disc spring 51 retains its elastic deformation stroke, undergoing elastic deformation when the hydrofoil is impacted by waves or experiences sudden changes in hydrodynamic loads. This absorbs some of the impact energy, reducing the transmission of peak loads to the hull and thus improving navigation comfort.

[0032] Furthermore, a power compartment 3 is located at the bottom of the support rod 1, and transverse wing bodies 2 are installed on both sides of the power compartment 3. The transverse wing body 2 includes an inner wing body 21 and an outer wing body 22. The inner wing body 21 is connected to the power compartment 3, and the outer wing body 22 is slidably connected to the inner wing body 21 in the horizontal direction. The inner wing body 21 is also provided with a telescopic assembly for driving the outer wing body 22 to slide. The telescopic assembly includes a lead screw 61 and a telescopic motor 62. The lead screw 61 is rotatably connected in the inner wing body 21, and its rotation axis is set in the horizontal direction. The outer wing body 22 is connected to the lead screw 61 through a nut on the lead screw 61.

[0033] Through the above technical solution, the telescopic motor 62 drives the lead screw 61 to rotate, causing the outer wing body 22 to extend or retract relative to the inner wing body 21 along the wingspan direction, thereby changing the effective wingspan length of the hydrofoil. During navigation, the effective lift area can be adjusted according to speed and load requirements, thereby adjusting the lift and drag of the hydrofoil; during berthing and storage, the wingspan can be shortened to reduce the lateral space occupied by the hydrofoil and improve the convenience of berthing and parking.

[0034] Furthermore, the inner wing 21 is rotatably connected to the power compartment 3, with its rotation axis set along its own length. The power compartment 3 also houses an angle-of-attack adjustment motor 31 for driving the rotation of the inner wing 21. By driving the inner wing 21 to rotate around its length axis through the angle-of-attack adjustment motor 31, the angle of attack of the transverse wing 2 relative to the incoming flow direction is changed, thereby altering the hydrofoil lift coefficient and achieving active adjustment of hydrofoil lift and drag, as well as hull attitude. During turning, the left and right hydrofoils can generate differential lift through differential angle-of-attack adjustment, causing the hull to actively tilt inwards towards the turning side. The horizontal component of the hydrofoil lift effectively contributes to providing additional centripetal force, improving turning efficiency and reducing the turning radius.

[0035] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil, characterized in that: It includes a support rod and a transverse wing. The transverse wing is located at the lower end of the support rod, and the upper end of the support rod is rotatably connected to the bottom of the hull. The rotation axis of the support rod is set along the width direction of the hull. A rotary motor for driving the rotation of the support rod is provided on the hull. The support rod is a telescopic rod structure, and its exterior is fitted with a telescopic rectifier shell. The support rod is divided into a fixed rod and a sliding rod. The top of the fixed rod is connected to the rotary motor through a connecting seat, and the sliding rod is slidably embedded in the fixed rod and its bottom is connected to the transverse wing. The connecting seat is also equipped with a retraction assembly for driving the sliding rod to slide to extend or retract the fixed rod.

2. The retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 1, characterized in that: The take-up and release assembly includes a disc spring, a spool motor, a rotating spool, and a flexible traction component. The disc spring is disposed between the fixed rod and the sliding rod. When the disc spring is in its natural state, the sliding rod extends out of the fixed rod. The rotating spool is disposed in the connecting seat, and its rotation axis is arranged in the horizontal direction. The flexible traction component is mounted on the rotating spool, and its end is connected to the sliding rod. The spool motor is used to drive the rotating spool to rotate.

3. The retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod has a power compartment at its bottom, and transverse wings are installed on both sides of the power compartment. The transverse wings include an inner wing and an outer wing. The inner wing is connected to the power compartment, and the outer wing is slidably connected to the inner wing in the horizontal direction. The inner wing also has a telescopic component for driving the outer wing to slide.

4. The retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 3, characterized in that: The telescopic assembly includes a lead screw and a telescopic motor. The lead screw is rotatably connected in the inner wing body, and its rotation axis is set in the horizontal direction. The outer wing body is connected to the lead screw through a lead screw nut. The telescopic motor is used to drive the lead screw to rotate.

5. A retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner wing is rotatably connected to the power compartment, and its rotation axis is set along the width direction of the hull. The power compartment is also equipped with an angle-of-attack adjustment motor for driving the rotation of the inner wing.

6. A retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible traction component is a wire rope, cable, timing belt, or chain.

7. A retractable and rotatable marine T-type hydrofoil according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod is equipped with an anti-rotation guide structure, which can be a guide groove, a limit key, a square cross-section guide structure, or a polygonal sleeve structure.

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