Bracket for a hydro generator of a boat

Abstract

A holder for a hydrogenerator (14) of a boat, comprising a propeller (18) which is located below the water surface (19) during operation and which can be moved out of the water when not in use, characterized in that the holder has a spindle (22) which is mounted on the hull (12) of a boat so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and on which a driver (24) is guided, which moves up or down about its longitudinal axis due to the rotary movement of the spindle (22), and in that a holding rod (26) is fastened to the driver (24), at the lower end of which the hydrogenerator (14) is held.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mount for a hydrogenerator of a boat, which comprises a propeller that is located below the water level during operation and can be moved out of the water when not in use. A boat is understood to be a watercraft. The boat can be designed, in particular, as a sailboat, a yacht, or a motorboat. In the following, the term "boat" will be used predominantly, without implying any restriction.

[0002] Even sailing yachts today are equipped with extensive on-board electrical systems, which lead to increased electricity and energy requirements. For longer sailing trips, a sufficiently large battery or accumulator must be provided to ensure that electrical devices such as navigation devices, depth gauges, radar, radios, entertainment electronics, or kitchen appliances are supplied with power for a sufficient period of time. However, the capacity of accumulators or batteries is limited. For this reason, so-called hydrogenerators are known. These comprise a propeller that submerges in the water during operation and is set in rotation by the forward movement of the boat. This drives the generator, which supplies the on-board electrical system with electricity or charges the accumulators. This keeps the boat or yacht independent of the mains supply on longer trips. One such hydrogenerator is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 100 485 A1.

[0003] It is necessary to be able to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water, at least temporarily. This can be useful in stormy seas or in harbor. SAS WATT & SEA, FR-17000 La Rochelle, offers hydrogenerators on its website that are attached to a support pole that can be swung into the water and vice versa as needed. The support pole is attached to the boat's hull with a joint and is swung using cables. Handling this requires considerable effort. The hydrogenerator must also be secured with cables when raised. Furthermore, swiveling it at the stern of the hull requires additional space. These cables also often interfere with operation.

[0004] The USD 917,393 S from Remoran Oy, FI-24130 Sulo, shows a hydrogenerator that can be lowered into the water and pulled back out again in a linear motion via a rail attached to the boat's hull. Locking in the respective end positions is achieved by a clamping mechanism. Lowering and pulling out are controlled by cables, so handling requires considerable effort.

[0005] A common feature of all known hydrogenerators is that they must be moved and secured manually. This requires a person to be near the mounting bracket to operate the appropriate cables and secure the raised hydrogenerator. Especially on yachts with a central cockpit, the cockpit must be left to raise and secure the hydrogenerator or to lower it. This therefore represents a risky maneuver.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of creating a mount for hydrogenerators that is easier to handle. It should also be operable from a central cockpit.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the holder has a spindle which is mounted on the hull of a boat so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and on which a driver is guided which moves up or down as a result of the rotational movement of the spindle about its longitudinal axis, and in that a holding rod is attached to the driver, at the lower end of which the hydrogenerator is held. This design of the holder makes it possible to move the hydrogenerator up and down by simply turning the spindle. This is possible without great expenditure of force. There is also no need for the otherwise annoying cables. The spindle can, for example, have a trapezoidal thread or a self-locking trapezoidal thread.

[0008] It is possible for the spindle to be manually driven. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spindle is motor-driven. Then the hydrogenerator can be lowered or raised from the water from the cockpit. This can also be done, in particular, with a remote control from the cockpit. The boat operator therefore no longer needs to leave the helm to lower or raise the hydrogenerator into the water.

[0009] It is advisable for the spindle to have an external or internal polygon, and especially an octagon, at its upper end, which interacts with a motor or winch handle. The spindle can then be driven both by motor and manually. This makes it possible to move the hydrogenerator independently of the on-board power supply.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support rod is designed as a support tube through which the electrical cable from the hydrogenerator to the on-board electrical system runs. This protects the cable from external influences, particularly preventing it from becoming caught in the propeller and being damaged. Furthermore, a tube offers high flexural rigidity while simultaneously reducing weight.

[0011] It is advantageous to have a drag chain connected to the upper end of the support rod or support tube, through which the electrical cable runs at least as far as the hull of the boat. This drag chain, or energy chain, or energy guide chain secures the electrical cables to the hydrogenerator particularly well and prevents them from twisting after repeated travel up and down the support tube. The cable is also guided securely and cannot become jammed.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the support rod or support tube, the spindle with the carrier, and the tow chain are at least partially enclosed by a mounting tube. This simplifies installation. The entire bracket can be pre-assembled. The thus equipped mounting tube then only needs to be attached to the hull using appropriate fasteners, such as pipe clamps. The mounting tube can then also be easily mounted to a mooring platform at the stern of a boat, as is often found on larger yachts.

[0013] Generally, from a fluid dynamics perspective, it's best if the propeller is aligned essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow. This isn't a problem for boats with a straight transom, as the hydrogenerator's drive shaft usually runs perpendicular to the vertical support rod or mounting tube. With a transom that slopes toward the water surface, the generator must be mounted at an angle to the support rod or mounting tube relative to the linear direction of motion. In this case, it would have to be pre-assembled at the factory and could only be used for boats with the same transom angle.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spindle or mounting tube, and thus the holding rod or holding tube, is held on the hull so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis. With a transom that is tilted downwards and forwards, the axis is located at the upper end of the holding tube, the mounting tube, or the spindle. With a transom that is tilted downwards and backwards, the axis is located at the lower end of the holding tube, the mounting tube, or the spindle. The spindle, the holding tube, or the mounting tube can then be individually adjusted to the inclination of the transom using a support or strut. It is also possible to align the bracket parallel to the transom when not in use. This means that the bracket does not get in the way when mooring or getting on or off the boat.

[0015] It is also advantageous to have a support at the lower end of the spindle, which supports the spindle and through which the support rod or tube runs. This also securely supports the spindle at its lower end. The support tube or rod runs parallel to the spindle's rotation axis, ensuring that the support rod or tube is guided securely and prevents it from pivoting. This keeps the propeller aligned perpendicular to the boat's longitudinal axis.

[0016] It can also be provided that the hydrogenerator is mounted on the support rod or support tube so that it can pivot about an axis that is essentially vertical during operation. This pivoting movement is limited by stops. This allows the propeller to align perpendicular to the flow direction. The stops prevent excessive deflection of the hydrogenerator. It can also be useful to dampen the pivoting movements with damping devices. This prevents excessively rapid or jerky deflections of the hydrogenerator.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, a downwardly open hood is arranged at the lower end of the mounting tube, which at least partially covers the hydrogenerator and the propeller in the raised position. This covers and protects the hydrogenerator and, in particular, its propeller in the raised position. This prevents injuries to the propeller and damage to the propeller. With a two-bladed propeller, the hydrogenerator can have a stop position in which the blades are aligned vertically. The hood can then be relatively narrow.

[0018] Furthermore, it is useful for the carrier to interact with limit switches to stop the motor drive at the respective end positions. This further simplifies operation, as the boat operator only needs to operate one switch to lower or raise the boat.

[0019] The motor can also be equipped with a speed sensor to detect the boat's speed, allowing the hydrogenerator to be lifted out of the water when the speed is below a minimum or above a maximum. Furthermore, it is advisable for the motor to be equipped with a temperature sensor to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water in the event of an overload. Furthermore, the motor can be equipped with a voltmeter in the onboard network to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water when the onboard battery is charged. These measures can prevent incorrect operation or operation under unfavorable conditions. The boat operator then does not need to pay attention to this.

[0020] During operation, the hydrogenerator is immersed in water. It is known to cool the hydrogenerator using seawater by channeling it through appropriate cooling channels. Therefore, there is a risk that contaminated seawater could clog the cooling channels and prevent cooling. This could lead to thermal overload of the hydrogenerator.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided that oil lines are provided on the support rod or on or in the support tube, through which oil is pumped to cool the hydrogenerator by an oil pump driven by the propeller. The support tube can have openings in its outer surface so that seawater flows through it. Cleaning the support tube is easier than cleaning the cooling channels otherwise present, which are traversed by seawater.

[0022] To ensure safe operation, a rope cutter can also be installed between the hydrogenerator housing and the propeller. Such rope cutters are well known and require no further explanation. For particularly effective cutting of ropes, seaweed, or kelp caught on the generator shaft, the hydrogenerator can also be operated in reverse, i.e., as a motor, so that the propeller temporarily rotates in the opposite direction. This effectively cuts the tangled threads or ropes.

[0023] It's clear that this design significantly simplifies the handling of a hydrogenerator. In particular, the hydrogenerator can be lowered or raised safely while underway, even by single-handed sailors. The motor drive of the spindle can be controlled from the cockpit or via a radio remote control. The operator doesn't need to leave the cockpit.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 the side view of a boat stern with a bracket and a hydrogenerator in the rest position according to the invention, Fig. 2 the holder for a hydrogenerator according to the invention with cut-open mounting tube, Fig. 3 in cross-section a rotation angle limitation for the holding tube, and Fig. 4 the scheme of an oil cooling system for the hydrogenerator.

[0025] The Fig. The boat stern 11 shown in Figure 1 has a transom 12 oriented diagonally downwards and rearwards. A bracket 13 for a hydrogenerator 14 is arranged on the transom 12. Specifically, the arrangement is such that the bracket is pivotably mounted about a horizontal pivot axis 15 running perpendicular to the boat's longitudinal axis. The pivoting movement of the bracket 13 in the direction of the double arrow 16 is effected by a length-adjustable strut 17, which in the embodiment shown is hinged higher up on the bracket 13 and on the transom 12. The strut 17 can also be designed as a motor-driven actuating cylinder. The terms "top," "bottom," "rear," and "front" refer to the drawing and to a boat that is essentially horizontally oriented in the water.

[0026] In the Fig. In the rest position shown in Figure 1, the hydrogenerator 14 with its propeller 18 is located above the water surface 19. It is therefore not driven. In the operating position, the strut 17 is extended so that the essentially elongated support assumes a substantially vertical orientation corresponding to the dashed line 20. However, the tilt is generally not sufficient to allow the propeller 18 to submerge sufficiently deep into the water.

[0027] To ensure that the hydrogenerator can be lowered sufficiently deep into the water, the bracket 13 has a mounting tube 21 that is pivotally connected to the transom 12 about the pivot axis 15. A spindle 22 is mounted in the mounting tube 21 on a lower abutment 23 so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis. The abutment 23 is firmly connected to the mounting tube 21, at least in the axial direction. Furthermore, a driver 24 is rotatably mounted on the spindle 22 such that it moves downwards when the spindle 22 rotates about its longitudinal axis and upwards when it rotates in the opposite direction, as indicated by the double arrow 25. The spindle 22 can have a trapezoidal thread for this purpose. To prevent noise from being transmitted to the boat, the mounting tube 21 can be connected to the hull or transom via conventional damping elements.

[0028] The spindle 22 can have a cable pulley 30 at its upper end, with which it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. In the mounted position, the cable pulley lies outside the mounting tube 21 and is thus freely accessible. Alternatively or additionally, a polygonal receptacle 31, for example a conventional octagon, can be provided at the upper end of the spindle 22, into which a corresponding polygonal socket 32 ​​of a drive motor 33 or a winch handle (not shown) or a cordless screwdriver (also not shown) fits. With these measures, the spindle can be rotated about its longitudinal axis by motor, manually, or semi-manually.

[0029] Particularly in the case of a motor-driven spindle 22, it is expedient to have a limit switch 34, 35 at its upper and lower ends to deactivate the motor 33 when the respective end position of the driver 24 is reached. This enables simple automatic operation.

[0030] A downward-facing support tube 26 is attached to the driver 24, which is also guided in a corresponding opening 28 in the abutment 23. The hydrogenerator 14 is mounted below the abutment 23 at the lower end of the support tube 26. The driver 24 and the abutment 23 securely support the support tube 26 at two superimposed points.

[0031] In the Fig. 2 and the retracted position of the hydrogenerator 14, the driver 24 is in the upper end position. The holding tube 26 is then almost completely enclosed by the mounting tube 21. The hydrogenerator 14 with the propeller 18 as well as the cable pulley 30 and / or the octagonal 31 are located outside the mounting tube 21. Usually, at least the propeller 18 will not be able to be covered by the mounting tube 21 in the plan view. Therefore, a downwardly open and downwardly widening hood 29 can be provided at the lower end of the mounting tube 21, which hood 29 protects the hydrogenerator 14 and the propeller 18 in the Fig. 2. This protects the propeller 18 from external influences.

[0032] To bring the hydrogenerator 14 into the operating position in which the propeller 18 is sufficiently below the water surface 19, the spindle 22 is rotated, and the driver 24 moves downward. This causes the support tube 26 to also lower, so that the hydrogenerator is submerged in the water until the propeller 18 is at least completely submerged. For this purpose, the mounting tube 21 is held in a vertical position by means of the strut 17. The spindle 22 can have a length of, for example, 800 mm to 1,500 mm, ensuring that the propeller is fully submerged even if the mounting tube 21 is mounted higher on the hull.

[0033] For trouble-free operation, the electrical cables 36 between the on-board electrical system (not shown) and the hydrogenerator 14 are routed through the support tube 26 to its upper end. From there, a sufficiently long drag chain 37 extends between the support tube 26 and the mounting tube 21, allowing the cables 36 to follow the lifting movement of the hydrogenerator 14 safely and securely.

[0034] For good efficiency of the hydrogenerator 14, it is beneficial if the propeller 18 can align itself in the flow. Therefore, the support tube 26 can be guided in the driver 24 and the abutment 23 so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis. This allows the hydrogenerator 14 to align itself well in the flow. On the other hand, excessively rapid, jerky, or excessively wide deflections must be avoided to prevent flow separation.

[0035] It can therefore be provided that the holding tube 26 is provided with stops 38, which interact with a projection 39 on the driver 24. A possible embodiment is shown in Fig. 3. In the area of ​​the driver 24, the holding tube 26 has a recess 40 extending over a predeterminable angle along the circumference, into which the radially inwardly pointing projection 39 engages in the receiving opening of the driver 24 for the holding tube 26. The resulting angle of rotation can be, for example, 75° to 150° and in particular 90° to 120°. Spring or damping elements 43 can be present between the stops 38 and the projection 39, which automatically hold the holding tube 26 and thus the hydrogenerator 14 in the central position and thus aligned parallel to the boat. The spring or damping elements 43 also prevent the hydrogenerator 14 from fluttering during operation. Such an arrangement with a rotatable linkage is also possible between the hydrogenerator housing and the holding tube.

[0036] During operation of the hydrogenerator 14, heat is generated that must be dissipated. Hydrogenerators are typically cooled by the seawater flowing around them. During colder seasons and when the hydrogenerator is raised, there is a risk that the residual water in the cooling channels will freeze and damage the hydrogenerator.

[0037] The Fig.4 therefore has an oil cooling system. In detail, the arrangement is such that the cooling oil flows by means of an oil pump 44 in the internal cooling channels 45 on and in the generator 46 of the hydrogenerator 14. The oil pump 44 is located on the generator shaft 47 and is driven by it. The cooling channels 45 are connected to external cooling channels 48, which together form the cooling oil circuit. The external cooling channels 48 are arranged at least partially in the support tube 26. The support tube 26 has an inlet opening 49 located at the front in the flow direction and an outlet opening 50 located at the rear in the flow direction for the seawater, which, due to the movement of the boat, flows through the support tube 26 perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. As a result, the external cooling channels 48 are supplied with seawater, so that the oil is cooled.When the support tube is raised, most of the seawater in the support tube 26 can drain through openings 49, 50. A lower drain opening can also be provided near the connection point between the support tube and the hydrogenerator, allowing almost all of the seawater to drain away when the support tube is raised. This prevents frost damage to the hydrogenerator.

[0038] Furthermore, a rope cutter (not shown) can be provided on the generator shaft between the propeller and the generator housing, which is known per se, to cut and remove seaweed or ropes caught and tangled on the shaft. For this purpose, the hydrogenerator can be switched over briefly and driven in the opposite direction as a motor. Specifically, the arrangement can be such that a first cutting blade is mounted on the generator housing, which interacts with a second shearing blade mounted on the generator shaft 47 to cut the ropes or threads or the seaweed. This enables trouble-free operation. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 100 485 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Support for a hydrogenerator (14) of a boat, which comprises a propeller (18) which is located below the water surface (19) during operation and which can be moved out of the water when not in use, characterized by that the holder has a spindle (22) which is mounted on the hull (12) of a boat so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and on which a driver (24) is guided which moves up or down about its longitudinal axis due to the rotary movement of the spindle (22), and that a holding rod (26) is fastened to the driver (24), at the lower end of which the hydrogenerator (14) is held. [2] Holder according to claim 1, characterized by that the spindle (22) can be driven by motor or manually. [3] Holder according to claim 2, characterized by that the spindle (22) has at its upper end an external or internal polygon (31) and in particular an octagon, which cooperates with a motor (33) or a winch handle. [4] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the holding rod is designed as a holding tube (26) through which the electrical line (36) runs from the hydrogenerator (14) to the on-board electrical system. [5] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a drag chain (37) is connected to the upper end of the support rod or the support tube (26), through which the electrical cable (36) runs at least as far as the hull (11) of the boat. [6] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the holding rod or the holding tube (26) and the spindle (22) with the driver (24) and the drag chain (37) are at least partially surrounded by a mounting tube (21). [7] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the spindle (22) or the mounting tube (21) and thus the holding rod or the holding tube (26) is held on the fuselage (11) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (15). [8] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the spindle (22) has a trapezoidal thread. [9] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that at the lower end of the spindle (22) there is an abutment (23) which supports the spindle and through which the holding rod or the holding tube (26) runs. [10] Holder according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that a downwardly open hood (29) is arranged at the lower end of the mounting tube (21), which at least partially covers the hydrogenerator (14) and the propeller (18) in the raised position. [11] Holder according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized by that the driver (24) interacts with limit switches (34, 35) to stop the motor drive in the respective end positions. [12] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized bythat the motor (33) cooperates with a speed sensor for detecting the boat speed in order to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water below a minimum speed or above a maximum speed. [13] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the motor (33) is provided with a temperature sensor to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water in case of overload. [14] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the motor (33) cooperates with a voltmeter of the on-board network to lift the hydrogenerator out of the water when the on-board battery is charged. [15] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that oil lines (48) are provided on the support rod or on or in the support tube (26), through which oil is pumped to cool the hydrogenerator by an oil pump (44) driven by the propeller. [16] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the hydrogenerator (14) is mounted on the support rod or on the support tube (26) so as to be pivotable about an axis which is essentially vertical during operation, which pivoting movement is limited by stops (38). [17] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the holding rod or the holding tube (26) is mounted on the driver (24) and / or on the abutment (23) so as to be pivotable about an axis which is essentially vertical during operation, which pivoting movement is limited by stops (38). [18] Holder according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by that the pivoting movements are dampened by damping means. [19] Holder according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized by that a rope cutter is arranged between the hydrogenerator housing and the propeller.

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