Fin rudder for watercraft, especially ships, and watercraft with such a fin rudder

Abstract

A fin rudder (10) for watercraft (100), in particular ships (100'), comprising: a rudder blade (12) pivotable about an axis of rotation (D); a rudder fin (20) pivotably mounted on a rear rudder edge (18) of the rudder blade (12); and an adjustment device (24) which has a fixed pivot pin (26) that interacts with the rudder fin (20) and is configured to move the rudder fin (20) in a guided manner depending on the position of the rudder blade (12); characterized in that the adjustment device (24) has a guide element (28) arranged on the rudder fin (20) which has a slot-shaped recess (32) into which the pivot pin (26) engages; and wherein the adjustment device (24) is designed such that when the rudder blade (12) is moved, the pivot pin (26) and the guide element (28) are guided in a sliding and rotating manner relative to each other via the recess (32).

Description

The invention relates to a fin rudder for watercraft, in particular ships, comprising a rudder blade pivotable about an axis of rotation, a rudder fin pivotably mounted on a trailing edge of the rudder blade, and an adjustment device with a fixed pivot pin that interacts with the rudder fin and is configured to move the rudder fin in a guided manner depending on the position of the rudder blade. The invention further relates to a watercraft, in particular a ship, with a hull and a rudder system arranged on the hull for maneuvering the vessel. Fin rudders of the aforementioned type are well known in the prior art and are used on watercraft, especially ships, that require high maneuverability. High maneuverability means that a watercraft equipped with such a fin rudder can generate high rudder forces and perform any maneuver at low speed, such as docking, without additional assistance. The known fin rudders, often designed as fully suspended rudders, typically have a rudder blade that is movable, and in particular pivotable, about a pivot axis. A movable or pivotable rudder fin is mounted or arranged on the trailing edge of the rudder blade, that is, on the aft edge of the rudder blade as viewed in the direction of travel of the watercraft.The rudder fin is articulated in particular about a pivot axis running along the rear edge of the rudder blade, the pivot axis being essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rudder blade. The familiar fin rudders also feature an adjustment mechanism associated with the rudder fin, by means of which the rudder fin is moved in a guided manner depending on the position of the rudder blade on the watercraft. In particular, when the rudder is turned, i.e., when the rudder blade is rotated around its axis of rotation, the adjustment mechanism moves the rudder fin relative to the rudder blade at its trailing edge. With such fin rudders, larger propeller jet deflections and thus higher rudder forces can be achieved compared to conventional rudders, resulting in the desired maneuverability. In the prior art, adjustment devices are known that have at least one fixed pivot pin which interacts with the rudder fin to guide it. These devices also include a linkage mechanism as a coupling structure between the fixed pivot pin and the rudder fin. Such a linkage mechanism is known, for example, from EP 2 102 059 B1, by means of which the guide action of the rudder fin is implemented. The known solutions function satisfactorily, but have hydrodynamic disadvantages due to the linkage mechanism often being directly exposed to the flow. Particularly at higher speeds, turbulence can form at the linkage mechanism, which can lead to significant wear. Furthermore, contaminants such as algae often accumulate on the edges of the open linkage mechanisms, which in turn can lead to further increased wear.Furthermore, the known linkage mechanisms have a comparatively large number of components that move relative to each other for their implementation, which is associated with increased component complexity and may involve increased maintenance effort. Accordingly, the invention was based on the objective of further developing a fin rudder of the type described above in such a way as to overcome the disadvantages described above as far as possible. In particular, the invention was based on the objective of providing a fin rudder in which turbulence is reduced to a minimum and, moreover, wear occurring during operation of the fin rudder is reduced on the adjustment mechanism and the fin rudder as a whole. The invention solves the underlying problem in a fin rudder for watercraft, particularly ships, with the features of claim 1. In particular, it is provided that the adjustment device has a guide element arranged on the rudder fin, which has a slot-shaped recess into which the pivot pin engages, and wherein the adjustment device is designed such that, when the rudder blade is moved, the pivot pin and the guide element are guided slidably and rotatably relative to each other via the recess. With the embodiment according to the invention, the approach pursues the goal of implementing a simpler construction with fewer components that can move relative to each other, compared to the prior art. Furthermore, the embodiment according to the invention reduces the number of edges and gaps on the adjustment device directly exposed to the flow, in which dirt or algae can accumulate.By minimizing the likelihood of contamination on the moving components, the risk of increased wear on these components is also reduced. Furthermore, the design of the adjustment device according to the invention minimizes turbulence acting on the device, which has an additional beneficial effect on potential wear occurring on the adjustment device. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation for the pivoting rudder blade is defined by a rudder tube fixed to the hull of the watercraft, within which a rudder shaft of the fin rudder, rigidly connected to the rudder blade, is rotatably mounted. In this embodiment, the pivot pin is preferably fixed to the hull of the watercraft. In one embodiment, the fixed pivot pin is attached to or in the area around the rudder tube of the fin rudder. The adjustment mechanism is configured such that, when the rudder blade is moved, the guide element with its recess slides along the fixed pivot pin. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot pin and guide element together form a pivot bearing, by means of which the pivot pin and guide element are guided relative to each other in a sliding and rotating manner. In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is arranged on the upper surface of the rudder fin, preferably welded or bolted to it. The guide element is preferably rigidly connected to the rudder fin, with welding the guide element to the rudder fin creating a permanently fixed connection. Instead of being exposed to the rudder fin, the guide element is now integrated into the upper surface of the rudder fin or defines parts of it. Particularly when the rudder is deployed, the medium now flows past the fin without creating adverse turbulence at the guide element itself. The guide element covers, in particular, the entire upper surface of the rudder fin.In one embodiment, the guide element has a section extending over the trailing edge of the rudder blade towards its shaft, which is arranged in a step-like recess formed on the upper surface of the rudder blade in the rear region. The guide element does not come into contact with the rudder blade. The rudder blade has a region forward of the step-like recess that defines an upper surface of the rudder blade, the upper surface of which is essentially at the same level as the upper surface of the guide element attached to the rudder fin.Preferably, the adjustment device, with its guide element and the fixed pivot pin engaging in the recess on the guide element, is located in a streamlined area, particularly in the wake of the rudder tube and parts of the rudder blade, which are positioned upstream of the adjustment device in the direction of travel of the watercraft. In one embodiment of the invention, the rudder tube is located directly above the adjustment device on the fin rudder. The design of the adjustment device largely prevents turbulence, both at smaller and larger rudder angles to be set on the fin rudder. According to a preferred embodiment of the fin rudder, the guide element is designed as a guide plate with an outer contour that is at least partially adapted to the outer shape of the rudder fin. This design as a guide plate allows for a structurally simple implementation of the guide element on the rudder fin, which interacts with the fixed pivot pin and together preferably defines a pivot bearing. Preferably, the outer contour of the guide element, which is at least partially adapted to the outer shape of the rudder fin, ensures that the flow is almost unimpeded by the rest of the rudder fin, and any flow turbulence is reduced to a minimum. The guide element designed according to the invention generates a significantly reduced flow resistance overall, which also has a beneficial effect on the wear occurring on the fin rudder according to the invention.The guide element, with its outer contour, is preferably adapted to the outer shape of the rudder fin or identical to it in those areas of the rudder fin where the rudder fin defines the outer shape of the rudder fin. Preferably, the guide element has a central axis, and the recess has a longitudinal axis that runs parallel to, and in particular coincides with, the central axis of the guide element. The particularly symmetrical arrangement of the recess in the guide element, which interacts with the fixed pivot pin, ensures that when the rudder is deployed, i.e., when the rudder blade is adjusted, the rudder fin deflects uniformly to both sides. Preferably, the recess and the pivot pin interacting with it define a pivot bearing that provides both sliding and rotational guidance, with the guide element moving along the pivot pin engaging in the recess when the rudder is deployed. Preferably, the recess is formed in the section of the guide element that interacts with, or is located in, the shoulder-like depression on the rudder blade. Preferably, the recess has guide surfaces that run parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the recess. These parallel guide surfaces ensure, in particular, that the guide element with its recess slides smoothly and without jamming along the pivot pin. Furthermore, the guide surfaces on the guide element are designed to reliably transmit the rudder forces resulting from the flow to the rudder fin via the guide element attached to its upper surface, and then to the pivot pin connected to the ship's structure. Specifically, the recess with its guide surfaces extends over the entire height of the guide element arranged on the rudder fin, and preferably, the pivot pin engaging in the recess also extends over this height. According to a preferred embodiment, a bearing element is arranged on the pivot pin, which interacts directly with the recess in the guide element. With the aid of the bearing element, which is preferably made of a material with improved sliding properties, improved sliding of the guide element along the stationary pivot pin, and thus within the pivot bearing defined by the guide element and pivot pin, is achieved without the use of any additional lubricants other than the surrounding seawater. Preferably, the bearing element is designed as a type of one-piece bearing bushing, which extends at least along the section of the pivot pin that engages in the recess on the guide element. The bearing element is particularly located at the lower end of the pivot pin, which, with respect to the hull of the watercraft, preferably extends vertically and parallel to the axis of rotation for the rudder blade.The bearing part at the lower end of the pivot pin is secured by a locking element, in particular a locking washer that can be attached to the lower end of the pivot pin. In a preferred embodiment of the fin rudder, the bearing element has a cylindrical opening that surrounds a section of the pivot pin on the outside and at least one outer surface guided within the recess. The pivot pin is preferably fully enclosed by the cylindrical opening in the bearing element. The dimensions of the opening are adapted to the outer diameter of the pivot pin such that there is little to no play between the pivot pin and the bearing element. This further improves the force transmission during rudder movement, particularly from the rudder blade and surface via the guide element to the stationary pivot pin, and minimizes any rattling or clattering of the guide element against the pivot pin. The bearing element is preferably brought into contact with the recess, and in particular at least one of its guide surfaces, or guided along it, with at least one section of its outer surface. A further development of the fin rudder according to the invention provides that at least two flat sliding surfaces corresponding to the recess, in particular its guide surfaces, are formed on opposite surface areas of the bearing part. Compared to providing a cylindrical outer contour of the bearing part, these flat sliding surfaces create a significantly larger contact area on the bearing part, which, firstly, facilitates the sliding of the bearing part within the recess. Secondly, when the rudder blade is adjusted, in particular pivoted, about its axis of rotation, the rudder force emanating from the movable rudder fin is transmitted over a larger area to the stationary pivot pin. The enlarged sliding surfaces on the bearing part surrounding the pivot pin result in a significantly reduced surface load, which minimizes wear on the adjustment mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment, the bearing element has two stop surfaces that limit the movement of the recess. These stop surfaces are each curved, preferably convexly curved, and preferably connect the sliding surfaces to each other at their ends. The stop surfaces on the bearing element and corresponding stop surfaces formed on the recess interacting with the bearing element primarily limit the sliding movement of the guide element relative to the fixed pivot pin of the adjustment device for the rudder fin. In addition to the sliding movement primarily performed by the guide element along the pivot pin, the guide element also performs a pivoting movement relative to the fixed pivot pin. Preferably, the guide element also changes its angular orientation relative to the pivot pin, which is particularly cylindrical, during its movement along the pivot pin.The pivoting of the guide element is made possible in particular by the pivot bearing defined between the pivot pin and the opening in the bearing element. To ensure, in particular, a smooth engagement of the contact surfaces of the recess in the guide element against the respective contact surfaces on the bearing element, the contact surfaces that come into contact with each other in the respective end positions of the rudder are correspondingly curved. Specifically, the contact surfaces on the bearing element are convex, and the contact surfaces at the opposing ends of the recess are concave. In a preferred embodiment, the guide element has a rounded leading edge, a trailing edge defined by two angled run-off surfaces, and a transition section of approximately uniform width connecting the leading edge and the run-off surfaces. The particularly rounded leading edge, which preferably has a gradually changing outer radius, ensures that, despite the rudder blade pivoting and the guide element moving out of the rudder tube's flow shadow, the flow around the guide element remains relatively turbulence-free, at least partially behind the directly flowing leading edge of the rudder blade.The run-off surfaces, which are angled to each other, particularly in the area of ​​the trailing edge of the corresponding rudder fin, also ensure a turbulence-reduced flow around the rear section of the guide element, which is essentially congruent to the rudder surface on the rudder fin. The run-off surfaces can be flat or slightly convex. The transition section between the rounded leading edge and the run-off surfaces on the guide element has convex outer surfaces, especially perpendicular to the flow direction of the guide element. The radius of these surfaces increases from the rounded leading edge towards the run-off surfaces on the rear section. The recess in the guide element has a length whose ratio to the length of the guide element in the direction of its central axis is at least 0.2, preferably in the range of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.45. Above the specified minimum ratio of 0.2, a sufficiently large adjustment movement, i.e., a sufficiently large rudder angle, is achieved, resulting in the rudder fin relative to the rudder blade of the fin rudder. In a preferred embodiment, the recess's longitudinal length is less than half the total length of the guide element. For a sufficiently large adjustment range of the guide element along the fixed pivot pin, it is sufficient if the length of the recess to the total length of the guide element has a ratio preferably in the range of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.45. In one embodiment of the invention, the recess terminates at a distance from the leading edge of the guide element, with this distance being between approximately 1% and approximately 20% of the total length of the guide element. The distance between the leading edge of the guide element and the front stop surface of the recess requires a preferably minimum dimension to ensure sufficiently high strength in the area of ​​the leading edge of the guide element during any hard rudder position implemented by the fin rudder, and thus to guarantee reliable long-term operation of the adjustment device according to the invention as a whole. In a preferred embodiment of the fin rudder, the recess on the guide element has a width that is in the range of 0.2 to approximately 0.5 relative to the width of the guide element, particularly the width in the transition section of the guide element and thus transverse to the central axis of the guide element. In a preferred embodiment of the fin rudder according to the invention, the guide element arranged on the upper surface of the rudder fin has a length in the direction of its central axis that bears a ratio of approximately 1.5 to approximately 3.0 to the length of the rudder fin connected to it. With the guide element being approximately twice as long as the rudder fin, and the recess being formed in the area of ​​the guide element shifted forward relative to the axis of rotation of the rudder fin, an increasing leverage effect is achieved with increasing adjustment angle between the rudder blade and the rudder fin. At a rudder angle of 0 degrees, the rudder blade and the rudder fin pivotally attached to it are aligned one behind the other, with the guide element lying in the slipstream of a material section of the main rudder located in front of it. At a rudder angle of 0 degrees, the pivot pin is in a rear end position within the recess.In each of the two hard rudder positions, in which the rudder blade can assume a rudder angle in the range of approximately 35° to approximately 55°, the fixed pivot pin is in a forward end position within the recess on the guide part, spaced away from the pivot axis of the rudder fin. A further development of the invention provides that the rudder fin is arranged on the trailing edge of the rudder blade via at least two fin bearings spaced apart from each other. This ensures a structurally secure connection between the rudder fin and the rudder blade. The two spaced-apart fin bearings result in a preferably uniform force transmission along the trailing edge of the rudder blade when the rudder forces are generated. Preferably, the fin bearings are arranged at approximately identical distances from the upper and lower ends of the rudder blade. According to the invention, the fin rudder comprises a rudder shaft connected to the rudder blade and at least one rudder tube connecting the fin rudder to the hull of the watercraft and receiving the rudder shaft, wherein a ship structural component surrounding at least a section of the rudder tube and connected to the rudder tube is arranged above the rudder blade, and wherein the pivot pin is preferably fixed to the ship structural component. The adjustment movement of the fin rudder according to the invention relative to the hull of the watercraft, in particular the ship, is enabled by means of the rudder tube to be connected to the hull of the watercraft and the rudder shaft movably received within the rudder tube.Preferably, the rudder tube, which preferably extends vertically downwards along the hull of the watercraft, is surrounded by a structural component consisting of several plate bodies. This component serves to integrate the rudder tube into the hull and may optionally also form a flow-stabilized area above the rudder blade. The fixed pivot pin is arranged on the structural component surrounding the rudder tube, thereby creating a rigid connection between the pivot pin and the hull of the watercraft. The fixed pivot pin is preferably integrated into a support structure consisting of several plate sections, formed within the ship's structural component, and in particular welded to it. Rudder forces acting on the pivot pin, originating from the rudder blade or rudder fin, can be reliably transferred to the pivot pin and further into the ship's structural component surrounding the rudder tube. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed pivot pin projects from the underside of the ship's structural component by a predetermined minimum amount to enable interaction with the guide element on the adjustment mechanism of the fin rudder according to the invention, in particular engagement with the recess on the guide element. The guide element on the rudder fin is preferably directly connected to the rudder fin itself, but has a distance of at least a few millimeters from the step-like recess on the rudder blade, which is arranged particularly below the guide element, and from the ship's structural component formed above it, in order to achieve the necessary freedom of movement of the guide element, in particular the sliding and pivoting of the guide element relative to the fixed pivot pin. A preferred embodiment of the fin rudder according to the invention provides that bearing components for the rudder fin and parts of the adjustment mechanism are made of seawater-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or plastic. By making the bearing components of the rudder fin and other parts of the adjustment mechanism from seawater-resistant materials, reliable long-term operation of the fin rudder according to the invention is ensured. Parts that are repeatedly subjected to extremely high forces, such as the guide element, the pivot pin, and the bearing bolts for the rudder fin, are preferably made of a metallic material, in particular stainless steel. Components of the fin rudder that are subject to comparatively high forces but are also subject to increased friction are preferably made of a synthetic material, such as plastic.In particular, the bearing component surrounding the pivot pin and guided in the recess, as well as any bearing bushings arranged in the fin bearings for the rudder fin, which define parts of the fin bearing, are made of the aforementioned plastic. Within the fin bearing, as well as in the pivot bearing between the pivot pin and the guide part, seawater-lubricated movement, in particular displacement and / or rotation of the components in contact with each other, is implemented. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a watercraft, in particular a ship, with a hull and a rudder system arranged on the hull for maneuvering the watercraft. The invention also solves the problem underlying the fin rudder according to the invention, in that the rudder system for maneuvering the watercraft comprises a fin rudder according to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention described above. Maneuvering is always simple with a watercraft designed according to the invention, whereby the recess serving as a guide slot for the pivot pin is automatically cleaned by the pivot pin engaging therein, in particular by the bearing part surrounding the pivot pin, simply by the pivoting movement of the rudder.To prevent the accumulation of dirt in the mechanism when the vessel is moored in port for extended periods, it is sufficient to move the rudder from one hard rudder position to the other once a day. This results in improved long-term functionality of the vessel according to the invention in the area of ​​its rudder system. The preferred embodiments and further developments described for the fin rudder according to the invention are also preferred embodiments of the watercraft according to the invention, which is why reference is made to the above descriptions of the fin rudder according to the invention in order to avoid unnecessary repetition. The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a fin rudder according to the invention; Fig. 2: a front view of the fin rudder according to Fig. 1 in section; Fig. 3: a view of the fin rudder from above along a section line BB; Fig. 4: a view from below of the fin rudder according to Fig. 1; Fig. 5: an enlarged view of the frame II shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 6a, b: views of a bearing part according to the invention; and Fig. 7 and Fig. 8: views of the fin rudder according to the invention in its hard-rudder positions. Figures 1 and 2 show a fin rudder 10 for a watercraft 100, in particular a ship 100', which is part of a rudder system 104, schematically depicted, arranged on the hull 102 of the watercraft 100. The watercraft 100 is maneuvered by means of the fin rudder 10, which is controlled by the rudder system 104. The fin rudder has a rudder blade 12 that is pivotable about a pivot axis D. In the embodiment shown here, the fin rudder 10 has a rudder shaft 14 connected to the rudder blade 12 and at least one rudder tube 16 connecting the fin rudder 10 to the hull 102 of the watercraft 100. The rudder shaft 14 is rotatably mounted or supported within the rudder tube 16. In the embodiment shown here, the fin rudder 10, viewed in the direction of travel FR of the watercraft 100, has a rudder fin 20 pivotably mounted on a rear rudder edge 18 of the rudder blade 12. The rudder fin 20 is pivotally connected to the rudder blade 12 via two fin bearings 22. The fin rudder 10 further comprises an adjustment device 24, which is configured to move the rudder fin 20 in a guided manner depending on the position of the rudder blade 12. The adjustment device 24 includes at least one fixed pivot pin 26 and a guide element 28 arranged on the rudder fin. "Fixed" in the context of the invention refers to the fixed arrangement of the pivot pin 26 relative to the hull 102 of the watercraft 100. In a preferred embodiment, the fin rudder 10 has a structural component 30 connected to the rudder tube 16, to which the pivot pin 26 is attached. In the present embodiment, the structural component 30 is arranged above the rudder blade 12, which is movably mounted on the rudder tube 16. As can be seen by way of example in Fig. 2, the pivot pin 26 projects from the underside of the ship structure part 30 by a predetermined amount and interacts with the guide element 28 arranged on the rudder fin 20 for the positive guidance of the rudder fin 20. The guide element 28 includes a slot-shaped recess 32 into which the pivot pin 26 engages. In this case, the pivot pin 26 and the guide element 28 together form a pivot bearing 48. When the rudder blade 12 is moved about its axis of rotation D, a relative movement occurs between the stationary pivot pin 26 and the guide element 28, which is movably guided relative to it. The guide element 28 is guided relative to the pivot pin 26 by means of the recess 32, in particular in a sliding and rotational manner, with the guide element 28 preferably sliding along the stationary pivot pin 26 with its recess 32. As can be seen further from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the guide element 28 is designed as a guide plate 34 and has an outer contour that is adapted, at least in part, to the outer shape of the rudder fin 20. The guide element 28, in particular the guide plate 34, is arranged on the upper surface O of the rudder fin 20. In one possible embodiment, the guide element 28 is welded or screwed to the rudder fin 20. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the guide element 28 has a central axis MF, and the recess 32 has a longitudinal axis LA, which in the embodiment shown here run parallel to each other, in particular congruently to each other. The recess 32 also has guide surfaces 36, 36', which are aligned parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis LA of the recess 32. As further shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, the guide element 28 has a rounded leading edge 38. The guide element 28 also comprises two mutually angularly extending run-off surfaces 40, 40', by means of which a trailing edge 42 is defined on the guide element 28, corresponding to the trailing edge 42' of the rudder fin 20. In addition, a transition section 44 of approximately uniform width is provided, connecting the rounded leading edge 38 and the run-off surfaces 40, 40'. The transition section 44 has, on both sides of the central axis MF, a connecting surface 46, 46', in particular a convexly curved one, connecting the leading edge 38 and the run-off surfaces 40, 40'. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the guide element 28 has a length of 1F along its central axis, and the rudder fin 20 has a length of 1RF along its central axis, with the length 1F of the guide element 28 to the length 1RF of the rudder fin 20 (Figure 2) having a ratio of approximately 1.5 to approximately 3.0. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fin rudder 10 has a rudder angle of 0° with respect to the longitudinal axis LS of the watercraft 100. Thus, a longitudinal axis LR of the rudder blade 12 and a central axis MRF of the rudder fin 20 are aligned at least parallel to the longitudinal axis LS of the watercraft 100. In particular, the rudder blade 12 and the rudder fin 20 on the fin rudder 10 are aligned with each other at a rudder angle of 0°. As can be seen from Figures 1, 3, and 5, in one embodiment, the rudder blade 12 has a stepped recess 47 between its axis of rotation D and its trailing edge 18 for a section of the guide element 28 extending over the trailing edge 18 towards its rudder shaft 14. Furthermore, a bearing element 49 is arranged on the pivot pin 26, which interacts directly with the recess 32 on the guide element 28 and, among other things, minimizes adjustment movement in the pivot bearing 48. In the embodiment shown here, the bearing element 49 is fastened at the lower end of the pivot pin 26 by a locking element 50, in particular a locking washer. As further shown in Figs. 6a, b, the bearing part 49 has a cylindrical opening 52 surrounding the pivot pin 26 on the outside and an outer surface 54 which is guided within the recess 32 and bears against it. The rotary movement of the guide part 28 towards the pivot pin 26 is achieved via the opening 52 of the bearing part 49 and the pivot pin 26. In particular, at least two planar sliding surfaces 56, 56' corresponding to the recess 32, especially its guide surfaces 36, 36', are formed on opposite surface areas of the outer surface 54. The sliding movement of the guide part 28 towards the pivot pin 26 is implemented by means of the guide surfaces 36, 36' of the recess 34 and the corresponding planar sliding surfaces 56, 56' of the bearing part. Furthermore, the bearing element 49 has two stop surfaces 58, 58' that limit the movement of the recess 32 to the stationary pivot pin 26. In the present embodiment, the stop surfaces 58, 58' are each curved, preferably convexly curved, and connect the sliding surfaces 56, 56' to each other at their ends. The recess 32 has stop surfaces 59, 59' (Figs. 7 and 8) that are complementary to the stop surfaces 58, 58' and are correspondingly concavely curved. Figures 7 and 8 show the fin rudder 10 according to the invention in its respective hard rudder positions. In each hard rudder position, the longitudinal axis LR of the rudder blade 12 has an adjustment angle α of +40° or -40° relative to the longitudinal axis LS of the watercraft 100. In the hard rudder position, the central axis MRF of the rudder fin 20 has an adjustment angle β of approximately 85° relative to the longitudinal axis LS of the watercraft 100 or approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis LR of the rudder blade 12. In other embodiments, the rudder blade 12 can assume a maximum rudder angle in the range of approximately 35° to approximately 55° in each hard rudder position. The adjustment angle β of the rudder fin 20 relative to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft LS can also vary in a range of 50° to 120°. The maximum adjustable rudder angle depends on the distance A1 (Fig. 7) of the fin bearings 22, 22' to the axis of rotation D of the rudder shaft 14, and also on the distance A2 (Fig. 8) between the fixed pivot pin 26 and the axis of rotation D of the rudder shaft 14. In the embodiment shown here, the length IF of the guide element 28 has a ratio to the distance A1 that is in the range of approximately 1.1 to approximately 1.9. Furthermore, the length IF of the guide element 28 can have a ratio to the distance A2 that is in the range of approximately 1.6 to approximately 2.8. As can also be seen from Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 8, the recess 32 has a length IA which is in a ratio to the length IF of the guide part 28 in the direction of its central axis MF, a ratio that lies in the range of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.45. The recess 32 is therefore preferably smaller than half the length IF of the guide part 28. In the embodiment shown here, the recess 32 has a distance AF to the front edge 38 on the guide part 28, wherein the distance AF is in the range of about 1% to approximately 20% of the total length IF of the guide part 28. As can be seen from Figs. 2 and 5, each fin bearing 22, 22' is formed by means of a bearing lug 60 projecting from the trailing edge 18 of the rudder blade 12 and a bearing bolt 62 arranged on the rudder fin 20. A bearing bushing 64 is arranged between the bearing lug 60 and the bearing bolt 62 to allow for low-friction movement relative to each other. Horizontally extending slots 66 are provided between the rudder fin 20 and the bearing lug 62, in which thrust washers 68 are arranged. The bearing parts of the rudder fin 20 and parts of the adjustment device 24 are made of seawater-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or plastic. Reference symbol list 10 Fin rudder 12 Rudder blade 14 Rudder shaft 16 Rudder tube 18 Rear rudder edge 20 Rudder fin 22, 22' Fin bearing 24 Adjustment device 26 Linkage pin 28 Guide part 30 Structural part 32 Recess 34 Guide plate 36, 36' Guide surface 38 Leading edge 40, 40' Runout surface 42 Trailing edge of guide part 42' Trailing edge of rudder fin 44 Transition section 46, 46' Connecting surface 48 Linkage bearing 49 Bearing part 50 Locking element 52 Opening 54 Outer surface 56, 56' Sliding surface 58, 58' Stop surface 59, 59' Stop surface 60 Bearing tab 62 Bearing bolt 64 Bearing bushing 66 Gap 68 Thrust washer 100 Watercraft 100' Ship 102 Hull 104 Rudder system A1 Distance A2 Distance AF Distance AK Outer contour D Axis of rotation FR Direction of travel LA Longitudinal axis Recess LR Longitudinal axis Rudder blade LSL Longitudinal axis Watercraft IA Length Recess IF Length Guide part IRF Length Rudder fin MFM Center axis Guide part MFM Center axis Rudder fin O Top surface α, β Adjustment angle QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature EP 2 102 059 B1

[0004]

Claims

A fin rudder (10) for watercraft (100), in particular ships (100'), comprising: - a rudder blade (12) pivotable about an axis of rotation (D), - a rudder fin (20) pivotably mounted on a rear rudder edge (18) of the rudder blade (12), and - an adjustment device (24) which has a fixed pivot pin (26) that interacts with the rudder fin (20) and is configured to move the rudder fin (20) in a guided manner depending on the position of the rudder blade (12), characterized in that the adjustment device (24) has a guide element (28) arranged on the rudder fin (20) which has a slot-shaped recess (32) into which the pivot pin (26) engages, and wherein the adjustment device (24) is designed such that when the rudder blade (12) is moved, the pivot pin (26) and the guide element (28) are guided in a sliding and rotating manner relative to each other via the recess (32). Fin rudder (10) according to claim 1, wherein the guide part (28) is arranged on the upper side (O) of the rudder fin (20), preferably welded or screwed to the rudder fin (20). fin rudder (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide part (28) is designed as a guide plate (34) with an outer contour (AK) adapted at least partially to the outer shape of the rudder fin (20). fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide part (28) has a central axis (MF) and the recess (32) has a longitudinal axis (LA) which runs parallel, in particular congruent with, the central axis (MF) of the guide part (28). fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (32) has guide surfaces (36, 36') which are aligned parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the recess (32). fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bearing part (49) is arranged on the pivot pin (26) which interacts directly with the recess (32) on the guide part (28). fin rudder (10) according to claim 6, wherein the bearing part (49) has a cylindrical opening (52) surrounding the pivot pin (26) on the outside and at least one outer surface (54) guided within the recess (32). Fin rudder (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least two planar sliding surfaces (56, 56') corresponding to the recess (32), in particular its guide surfaces (36, 36'), are formed on the bearing part (49) on opposite surface areas. Fin rudder (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the bearing part (49) has two stop surfaces (58, 58') limiting the movement of the recess (32), which are each curved, preferably convexly curved, and preferably connect the sliding surfaces (56, 56') to each other at their ends. Fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide part (28) has a rounded leading edge (38), a trailing edge (42) defined by two run-out surfaces (40, 40') extending at an angle to each other and a transition section (44) of approximately uniform width connecting the leading edge (38) and the run-out surfaces (40, 40'). Fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (32) has a length (lA) which has a ratio to the length (lF) of the guide part (28) in the direction of its central axis (MF) which is at least 0.2, preferably in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.

45. fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (32) terminates at a distance (AF) from the leading edge of the guide part (28), wherein the distance (AF) is preferably between about 1% and about 20% of the length (lF) of the guide part (28). fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide part (28) has a length (lF) in the direction of its central axis (MF) which has a ratio to the length (lRF) of the rudder fin (20) that is approximately 1.5 to approximately 3.

0. fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rudder fin (20) is arranged on the rear rudder edge (18) of the rudder blade (12) via at least two fin bearings (22, 22') arranged at a distance from each other. A fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a rudder shaft (14) connected to the rudder blade (12) and at least one rudder tube (16) connecting the fin rudder (10) to a hull (102) of the watercraft (100) and receiving the rudder shaft (14), wherein a ship structure part (30) surrounding at least a section of the rudder tube (16) and connected to the rudder tube (16) is arranged above the rudder blade (12), and wherein the pivot pin (26) is preferably fixedly arranged on the ship structure part (30). Fin rudder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein bearing parts for the rudder fin (20) and parts of the adjustment device (24) are made of seawater-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or plastic. Watercraft (100), in particular ship (100'), with a hull (102) and a rudder system (104) arranged on the hull (102), wherein the rudder system (104) has at least one fin rudder (10) for maneuvering the watercraft (100), which is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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