Hydrofoil with variable lifting power

Abstract

To provide a hydrofoil capable of controlling a proceeding direction of a navigation body by increasing and decreasing the area of a blade surface.SOLUTION: A hydrofoil for controlling movement of a navigation body is capable of varying the area of a blade surface of a hydrofoil body. The hydrofoil has a configuration having a first plate-like body, a second plate-like body, and a third plate-like body laminated in three layers. Peripheral parts of the first plate-like body and the second plate-like body compose a box body and the third plate-like body is stored to be capable of moving in the direction perpendicular to the length direction of a slit inside the box body. A rotational shaft is connected to the box body. In addition, two resistance plates are provided on the front upper side of the third plate-like body to face upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrofoil with variable lift. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the progress and depth of a moving body (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle") traveling on or underwater have been controlled by changing the angle of the hydrofoils (including the rudder). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic depth-keeping device for a submarine that controls the depth by controlling the diving rudder and side rudder to apply a moment to the hull, and that detects the difference between the rudder control signal applied to the diving rudder and the rudder angle limit of the diving rudder, and if the rudder control signal exceeds the rudder angle limit, maintains the diving rudder at the rudder angle limit while correcting with the side rudder any diving rudder angle range that exceeds the rudder angle limit, thereby maintaining the set depth.

[0003] The automatic depth control device described in Patent Document 1 has improved depth control function, especially at low speeds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-110695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the automatic depth-keeping device described in Patent Document 1 is similar to the directional control of conventional vessels in that it controls the direction of the hull by changing the rudder angle, but it has the problem that it takes time for the rudder direction to change, making it impossible to control the direction of the hull in a short period of time.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrofoil capable of controlling the direction of travel of a vehicle by increasing or decreasing the area of ​​the wing surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A hydrofoil according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a hydrofoil that controls the motion of a vessel, and is a hydrofoil that can change the area of ​​the wing surface of the hydrofoil main body.

[0008] Generally, the lift generated by a hydrofoil is expressed by the following formula: F=CL 1 / 2ρU U S however F: Lift CL: Lift coefficient Determined by the shape of the hydrofoil, it is a function of the angle of attack of the hydrofoil. ρ: density of water U: Water inflow velocity S: wing surface area The hydrofoil according to the first embodiment of the present invention is designed to control the lift F by changing S in the above formula and the area of ​​the wing surface. Possible mechanisms for changing the wing surface area include a mechanism that opens and closes slits in the hydrofoil, and a mechanism that uses multiple rotatable fins arranged parallel to the hydrofoil's rotation axis.

[0009] The hydrofoil of the second form of the present invention is a hydrofoil of the first form, wherein the hydrofoil body is composed of a plurality of plate-like bodies, slits are formed in all of the plate-like bodies that penetrate all of the plate-like bodies, and the penetration area of ​​the slits changes depending on the change in the relative positions of the plurality of plate-like bodies. By changing the relative positions of the multiple plate-like bodies, the total area penetrating all the plate-like bodies changes, making it possible to change the lift even while keeping the angle of attack of the hydrofoil constant.

[0010] A hydrofoil according to a third aspect of the present invention is the hydrofoil according to the second aspect, The rotation axis and the longitudinal direction of the hydrofoil body are The hydrofoil has a plurality of parallel slits formed parallel to the rotation axis, and the plurality of plate-like bodies change their relative positions in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the slits. Since the axis of rotation of the hydrofoil is usually arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, the hydrofoil of the third form of the present invention can open and close the slit by adding a mechanism to the slit that converts the resistance caused by the water flow generated by the movement of the vehicle into force.

[0011] A hydrofoil according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the hydrofoil according to the third aspect, wherein the hydrofoil body is made up of two layers of plate-like bodies. One of the plate-like bodies is connected to the rotation axis of the hydrofoil, and the other is a hydrofoil that can move in a direction perpendicular to the length of the slit.

[0012] A hydrofoil according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the hydrofoil according to the third aspect, wherein the hydrofoil main body has a three-layer structure of a first plate-like body, a second plate-like body, and a third plate-like body, The first plate-shaped body and the second plate-shaped body are joined at both sides perpendicular to the rotation axis to form a box-shaped body, The aforementioned The hydrofoil is provided with a rotation axis, and the third plate-like body is provided in the box body so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the slit. The total area of ​​the slits penetrating the hydrofoils changes when the third plate-like body moves in a direction perpendicular to the length of the slits inside the box body.

[0013] The hydrofoil according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a hydrofoil according to the fifth aspect, which has a resistance plate erected on the third plate-like body in a manner that protrudes from the box body and is parallel to the rotation axis. The resistance plate, which is erected on the third plate-like body parallel to the rotation axis, protrudes from the box body, so as the vessel moves, it experiences water resistance in the opposite direction to the vessel's direction of travel. This causes the third plate-like body, which is integrated with the resistance plate, to move in the opposite direction to the vessel's direction of travel. If the total area of ​​the slits penetrating the hydrofoil is reduced, the lift applied to the hydrofoil increases; if the total area of ​​the slits is increased, the lift applied to the hydrofoil decreases. In addition to the resistance plate, hydraulic or mechanical power can also be used as a means for moving the third plate-like body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the hydrofoil of the present invention, the lift can be controlled without changing the angle of attack of the hydrofoil. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a hydrofoil 10 (closed state). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the hydrofoil 10 (open state). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the self-positioning marine buoy 92. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Embodiment) [Structure of Hydrofoil 10] The structure of the slit 30 of the hydrofoil 10 in the closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the slit 30 of the hydrofoil 10 in the closed state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the slit 30 of the hydrofoil 10 in the open state. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2.

[0017] In this specification, directions are defined as follows: The box body 50 of the hydrofoil 10 extends in the fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the fore-and-aft axis, the left-right axis, and the up-and-down axis are perpendicular to one another. Note that the upward, downward, leftward, rightward, forward, and rearward directions are directions defined for the convenience of explanation. Therefore, these directions do not have to match the directions when the hydrofoil 10 is in use. Furthermore, the upward and downward directions may be interchanged, the leftward and rightward directions may be interchanged, and the forward and rearward directions may be interchanged.

[0018] In this specification, "extending in the front-rear direction" includes extending in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction and extending in a direction slightly tilted from the front-rear direction. "extending in the left-right direction" includes extending in a direction parallel to the left-right direction and extending in a direction slightly tilted from the left-right direction. "extending in the up-down direction" includes extending in a direction parallel to the up-down direction and extending in a direction slightly tilted from the up-down direction.

[0019] In this specification, for example, "a first member is connected to a second member" includes a case where the first member is directly connected to the second member and a case where the first member is connected to the second member via a third member. Also, for example, "a first member is supported by a second member" includes a case where the first member is directly supported by the second member and a case where the first member is supported by the second member via a third member.

[0020] The disclosure is merely an example, and any appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily make while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the drawings may be more schematic than the actual embodiment for the purpose of clarifying the explanation, but they are merely an example and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0021] In each figure, the reference numerals may be omitted for identical or similar elements that are arranged consecutively. Furthermore, in this specification and each figure, the same reference numerals may be used for components that perform the same or similar functions as those described above with respect to the previous figures, and duplicate detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hydrofoil 10 comprises a hydrofoil main body 20 and a rotation shaft 60. The hydrofoil main body 20 has a three-layer structure consisting of a first plate-like body 21, a second plate-like body 22, and a third plate-like body 23. The peripheral edges of the first plate-like body 21 and the second plate-like body 22 are connected to form a box body 50, and the third plate-like body 23 is housed inside the box body 50 so that it can move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 60. The rotation shaft 60 is connected to the box body 50. Two resistance plates 40 are provided on the front and upper side of the third plate-like body 23, facing upward. It is desirable that the sliding points between the peripheral edge of the box body 50 and the third plate-like body 23 be made of a material with low friction resistance, or that a sliding resistance reduction mechanism such as a roller bearing or ball bearing be provided.

[0023] A plurality of slits 30 of the same shape are provided in the first plate-like body 21, the second plate-like body 22, and the third plate-like body 23, and in the state shown in Fig. 1, the slits 30 in the first plate-like body 21 and the second plate-like body 22 are blocked by the third plate-like body 23. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the third plate-like body 23 has moved forward from the state shown in Fig. 1, so that the slits 30 in the first plate-like body 21 and the second plate-like body 22 and the slits 30 in the third plate-like body are in the same position, and all of the slits 30 penetrate in the vertical direction.

[0024] The structure of the hydrofoil 10 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 1. Portions of the third plate-like body 23 where there are no slits 33a to 33g are located between the slits 31a to 31g of the first plate-like body 21 and the slits 32a to 32g of the second plate-like body, thereby blocking the slits 31a to 31g of the first plate-like body 21 and the slits 32a to 32g of the second plate-like body.

[0025] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2. In Figure 6, the third plate-like body 23 has moved forward compared to Figure 4. The slits 31a to 31g of the first plate-like body 21 and the slits 32a to 32g of the second plate-like body overlap with the slits 33a to 33g of the third plate-like body 23, thereby forming slits that penetrate the hydrofoil 10 in the vertical direction. As a result, the area of ​​the wing surface of the hydrofoil 10 is reduced compared to the state in Figure 1.

[0026] [Hydrofoil 10 Operation] Next, the operation of the hydrofoil 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a state in which the third plate-like body 23 is located at the rear end of the box body 50. In this state, when a force due to the water flow is applied to the resistance plate 40 in the forward direction, the third plate-like body 23, which is integrated with the resistance plate 40, moves forward and stops at the front end of the box body 50. In the state of Figure 2, when a force due to the water flow is applied to the resistance plate 40 in the rearward direction, the third plate-like body 23, which is integrated with the resistance plate 40, moves rearward and stops at the rear end of the box body 50. In this way, the area of ​​the wing surface of the hydrofoil 10 changes depending on the direction of the force applied to the resistance plate 40.

[0027] [Effects of the hydrofoil 10] When a vehicle equipped with hydrofoil 10 moves on or underwater, in addition to controlling the direction of motion of the vehicle by changing the angle of attack of the hydrofoil, it is also possible to control the direction of motion of the vehicle by changing the area of ​​the wing surface while keeping the angle of attack of the hydrofoil constant.

[0028] (First Example) [Structure of the Automatic Floating and Sinking Ocean Buoy 90] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of an automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 equipped with a hydrofoil 10 of the present invention. The automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 is equipped with a buoyancy adjustment device that adjusts the amount of water inside the buoy, and is a type that can adjust its buoyancy and repeatedly float and sink. The automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 is equipped with two pairs of hydrofoils 10a and 10c, and 10b and 10d (not shown) of the present invention on top of a cylindrical body. Note that the hydrofoils 10a to 10d have resistance plates (not shown) similar to the hydrofoils shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the slits are closed when sinking and open when rising.

[0029] [Movement of the Automatic Floating and Sinking Ocean Buoy 90] The angle of attack of the hydrofoils 10a to 10d of the automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 can be changed, but in this embodiment, movement will be described by changing the area of ​​the blade surface while keeping the angle of attack constant. In Figure 7, the automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 automatically repeats rising and sinking ((a) to (e)) from the sea surface 100. When sinking from (a) to (c), the slits of the hydrofoils 10a to 10d are in a closed state, and the automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 sinks to the lower left of Figure 7 along the sinking flow line DL1.

[0030] Next, when the hydrofoils 10a to 10d ascend from (c) to (e), the slits of the hydrofoils 10a to 10d are open, and the surface area of ​​the hydrofoils 10a to 10d is reduced. As a result, the lift of the hydrofoils 10a to 10d is reduced when the hydrofoils 10a to 10d ascend compared to when the hydrofoils descend, so the direction of the automatic floating and sinking marine buoy 90 changes more gradually, and the buoy rises along the ascending flow line UL1 to a position different from when it started to sink.

[0031] (Second Example) [Structure of Automatic Position-Maintaining Ocean Buoy 92] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of a self-positioning marine buoy 92 equipped with a hydrofoil 10 of the present invention. The self-positioning marine buoy 92 floats on the sea surface, but is equipped with hydrofoils 10s, 10t, 10u, and 10v (not shown) of the present invention in an area below the sea surface that is not affected by waves. The hydrofoils 10s, 10t, 10u, and 10v can change their angle of attack and wing surface area. The self-positioning marine buoy 92 moves on the sea surface by utilizing the lift generated on the hydrofoils 10s, 10t, 10u, and 10v by the up and down motion caused by waves. The hydrofoils 10s to 10v each have a resistance plate (not shown), similar to the hydrofoils shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The slits are closed when the hydrofoil sinks and open when the hydrofoil surfaces rise, reducing the surface area of ​​the wing surfaces.

[0032] [Movement of the Automatic Position-Keeping Ocean Buoy 92] Figure 8 shows the movement of the self-positioning marine buoy 92 at a wave crest 102, a wave trough 104, and a point 103 between the crest and the trough. The hydrofoils 10t and 10v are set to a constant angle of attack, and as described above, are designed so that the area of ​​the wing surface decreases when the buoy rises. The self-positioning marine buoy 92 moves up and down depending on the wave height, and accordingly, the hydrofoils 10s, 10t, 10u, and 10v in the water also move up and down. The self-positioning marine buoy 92 repeatedly rises and sinks ((a) to (e)) from the wave crest 102 to the wave trough 104. And, in conjunction with this movement, the hydrofoils 10s, 10t, 10u, and 10v also repeatedly rise and sink.

[0033] Because the hydrofoils 10t and 10v are set at a constant angle of attack, the self-position-keeping marine buoy 92 sinks to the lower left in Figure 8 when it sinks from (a) to (c). Next, when it surfaces from (c) to (e), the slits in the hydrofoils 10a to 10d are open, and the surface area of ​​the hydrofoils 10a to 10d is reduced. As a result, the lift of the hydrofoils 10a to 10d is less when it surfaces than when it sinks, so the direction of the self-position-keeping marine buoy 92 changes more gradually, and it surfaces in a different position than when it started to sink.

[0034] The automatic position-maintaining marine buoy 92 has the function of controlling the angle of attack of the hydrofoils 10a-10d when its position changes due to ocean currents, and returning it to its original position by utilizing the up-and-down movement of waves. To move using this function, it is necessary to change the angle of attack and lift when sinking and surfacing, but it is usually difficult to instantly change the angle of attack in accordance with the up-and-down movement of waves. According to the present invention, the lift can be changed without changing the angle of attack by changing the area of ​​the wing surface.

[0035] (Other embodiments) The hydrofoil according to the present invention is not limited to the hydrofoil 10, and can be modified within the scope of the invention. For example, a hydrofoil having a streamlined cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation may be divided into two, upper and lower, so that their relative positions can be changed, giving it a two-layer structure, with slits provided in each. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10 Hydrofoil 10a hydrofoil 10b hydrofoil 10c hydrofoil 10d hydrofoil 10s hydrofoil 10t hydrofoil 10u hydrofoil 10v hydrofoil 20 Hydrofoil body 21 First plate-shaped body 22 Second plate-shaped body 23 Third plate-like body 30 slits 31a Slit 31b Slit 31c slit 31d slit 31e Slit 31f Slit 31g slit 32a Slit 32b slit 32c slit 32d slit 32e slit 32f slit 32g slit 33a Slit 33b Slit 33c slit 33d slit 33e Slit 33f Slit 33g slit 40 Resistance plate 50 box body 60 Rotational Axis 90 Automatic floating and sinking ocean buoy 92 Automatic Position-Maintaining Marine Buoy 100 sea level 102 Wave Peak 103 Between the peak and the trough of the wave 104 Valley of the Waves UL1 Floating flow line DL1 Sedimentation flow line

Claims

1. A hydrofoil that controls the motion of a vessel and can change the area of ​​the wing surface of the hydrofoil body.

2. The hydrofoil described in claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil body is composed of a plurality of plate-like bodies, and slits are formed in all of the plate-like bodies that penetrate all of the plate-like bodies, and the penetration area of ​​the slits changes depending on the change in the relative positions of the plurality of plate-like bodies.

3. A hydrofoil as described in claim 2, wherein a plurality of slits whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the rotation axis are formed parallel to the rotation axis, and the relative positions of the plurality of plate-like bodies change in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slits.

4. The hydrofoil according to claim 3, wherein the hydrofoil body is made up of two layers of plate-like bodies.

5. The hydrofoil body has a three-layer structure of a first plate-like body, a second plate-like body, and a third plate-like body, The hydrofoil described in claim 3, wherein the first plate-like body and the second plate-like body form a box body joined at both sides perpendicular to the rotation axis, the rotation axis of the hydrofoil main body is provided in the box body, and the third plate-like body is provided within the box body so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the slit.

6. The hydrofoil according to claim 5, wherein the third plate-like body has a resistance plate provided upright in parallel to the rotation axis and protruding from the box body.

Images