Ships

Abstract

To provide a ship capable of effectively using resistance accompanied with power generation in a power generation section.SOLUTION: A ship 1 comprises power generation parts 40A, 40B provided at separated positions in a lateral direction D2 with respect to a center position CL in the lateral direction D2 of a hull 11 and generating electricity by a flow of water. For this reason, the power generation parts 40A, 40B generate resistance at the position accompanied with power generation. In response to this, an adjustment part 41 adjusts a moment acting on the hull 11 by the power generation parts 40A, 40B. Hence, the resistance accompanied with power generation by the power generation parts 40A, 40B can be used to adjust the moment acting on the hull.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for ships to reduce GHG gases such as CO2. For example, the ship described in Patent Document 1 generates electricity by rotating the propeller while the hull is propelled, and the generated electricity is effectively used on the ship. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-45018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned vessel, when generating electricity by rotating impellers or the like while the hull is being propelled, resistance that impedes propulsion is generated in the impellers. There has been a demand for a way to effectively utilize the resistance that accompanies power generation in such a power generating unit.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a ship that can effectively utilize the resistance associated with power generation in the power generation section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vessel of the present invention comprises a hull, a power generation unit located laterally spaced apart from the central position of the hull in the lateral direction and generating electricity using the flow of water, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the moment acting on the hull by the power generation unit.

[0007] The vessel according to the present invention includes a power generation unit that is located laterally spaced from the transverse center of the hull and generates electricity using the flow of water. Therefore, the power generation unit generates resistance at that position as it generates electricity. In response to this, the adjustment unit adjusts the moment acting on the hull by the power generation unit. Therefore, the resistance associated with power generation by the power generation unit can be used to adjust the moment acting on the hull. As described above, the resistance associated with power generation by the power generation unit can be effectively used.

[0008] The adjustment unit may adjust the moment by adjusting the distance of the power generation unit from the center position. In this case, the adjustment unit can adjust the moment with a simple configuration that only adjusts the distance of the power generation unit.

[0009] The adjustment unit may adjust the moment by adjusting the resistance of the power generation unit, in which case the moment can be adjusted without adjusting the distance of the power generation unit from the hull.

[0010] The power generation units may be provided on both sides of the hull in the lateral direction. In this case, the adjustment unit can adjust the moments of the power generation units on the left and right.

[0011] The vessel may further include a wind propulsion unit that propels the hull by wind power. In this case, power can be generated by the power generation unit while the vessel is sailing using the wind propulsion unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a ship can be provided that can effectively utilize the resistance caused by power generation in the power generation section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a diagram explaining the principle of the rotor sail, and (b) is a plan view of the ship. [Figure 3]1(a) to 1(c) are schematic plan views of a ship. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a control system for a vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic plan views of a ship. [Figure 6] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic plan views of a ship. [Figure 7] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic plan views of a ship. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the wind propulsion unit; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "forward" and "aft" refer to the direction of travel of the hull, the term "lateral" refers to the left-right (width) direction of the hull, and the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the up-down direction of the hull.

[0015] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ship 1 is a ship that transports petroleum-based liquid cargo such as crude oil or liquid gas, and is, for example, an oil tanker. Note that the ship is not limited to an oil tanker, and may be, for example, a bulk carrier or various other types of ships.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the ship 1 comprises a hull 11, a propeller 12, and a plurality of wind-propulsion units 10. The hull 11 has a bow section 2, a stern section 3, an engine room 4, and a cargo room 6. An upper deck 19 is provided on top of (or inside) the hull 11. The bow section 2 is located on the front side of the hull 11. The stern section 3 is located on the rear side of the hull 11.

[0017] The bow 2 has a shape designed to reduce wave-making resistance, for example, when the ship is at full load. The propeller 12 mechanically generates thrust for the hull 11, and is, for example, a screw propeller. The propeller 12 is installed below the waterline (the water surface of the sea W) at the stern 3 during propulsion. A rudder 15 is also installed below the waterline at the stern 3 to adjust the direction of propulsion.

[0018] The engine room 4 is located adjacent to the bow side of the stern section 3. The engine room 4 is a compartment for arranging the main engine 16 that provides driving force to the propellers 12. An accommodation area 22 and an exhaust chimney 23 are provided above the engine room 4 on the upper deck 19. The cargo room 6 is located between the bow section 2 and the engine room 4. The cargo room 6 is a compartment for storing cargo. The cargo room 6 is divided into multiple tanks 26 and multiple ballast tanks 27 by adopting a double hull structure of an outer plating 20 and an inner bottom plating 21. The tanks 26 are used to store cargo to be transported by the ship 1. The ballast tanks 27 store ballast water in an amount appropriate to the size of the ship, etc.

[0019] The wind propulsion unit 10 is a mechanism that propels the hull 11 using wind power. In this embodiment, a rotor-type wind propulsion mechanism is used as the wind propulsion unit 10. Multiple wind propulsion units 10 (four in this example) are provided on the upper deck 19 of the hull 11, aligned in the fore-and-aft direction. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the wind propulsion unit 10 includes a cylindrical rotor sail 31 extending vertically and an electric motor 32 that rotates the rotor sail 31. When wind WD blows into the rotor sail 31 from the side, the rotation direction of the rotor sail 31 and the wind WD are opposite to each other at the rear, but are aligned with the wind WD at the front. This creates a pressure difference between the front and rear of the rotor sail 31, generating a forward thrust force PF (the Magnus effect). As shown in FIG. 2(b), when wind WD blows from the side of the hull 11, the thrust force PF of each wind propulsion unit 10 propels the hull 11 forward.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the vessel 1 is equipped with power generation units 40A and 40B (see also FIG. 1). The power generation units 40A and 40B are located at positions spaced apart in the transverse direction D2 from a central position CL of the hull 11 in the transverse direction D2, and are devices that generate electricity using the flow of water. The central position CL of the hull 11 corresponds to a centerline extending in the fore-and-aft direction D1. The power generation units 40A and 40B are located on both sides of the hull 11 in the transverse direction D2. The power generation unit 40A is located on the right side of the hull 11, and the power generation unit 40B is located on the left side. The power generation units 40A and 40B are located at the front side of the hull 11. The power generation units 40A and 40B are composed of impellers that rotate freely due to the flow of water. When the vessel 1 propels forward, the impellers are subjected to a flow of water that is relatively directed from the front to the rear. As a result, the power generation units 40A and 40B generate electricity due to the rotation of the impellers. When the power generation units 40A, 40B generate electricity, resistances RA, RB are generated at the positions of the power generation units 40A, 40B. Note that, for convenience of illustration, in Fig. 1, the power generation units 40A, 40B are depicted as protruding from the bottom of the vessel, but because Fig. 1 is a schematic view, there are no limitations on how the power generation units 40A, 40B are mounted relative to the vessel. The power generation units 40A, 40B may be mounted on the side of the vessel 11, so as not to protrude from the bottom of the vessel.

[0021] The vessel 1 is equipped with an adjustment unit 41 that adjusts the moment acting on the hull 11 by the power generation units 40A and 40B. The adjustment unit 41 adjusts the distance of the power generation units 40A and 40B from a center position CL to adjust the moment acting on the hull 11. The adjustment unit 41 includes a support member 42A that supports the power generation unit 40A on the right side of the vessel 1, and a support member 42B that supports the power generation unit 40B on the left side of the vessel 1. The support members 42A and 42B have a first portion 42a that extends in the lateral direction D2 and a second portion 42b that extends forward from the tip of the first portion 42a. The adjustment unit 41 also includes a drive mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the amount of protrusion of the first portions 42a of the support members 42A and 42B in the lateral direction D2.

[0022] The adjustment unit 41 can increase the distance of the power generation unit 40A from the central position CL by increasing the amount by which the first portion 42a of the support member 42A protrudes to the right (see FIG. 3(c)), and can shorten the distance of the power generation unit 40A from the central position CL by decreasing the amount by which the first portion 42a of the support member 42A protrudes to the right (see FIG. 3(b)). The adjustment unit 41 can increase the distance of the power generation unit 40B from the central position CL by increasing the amount by which the first portion 42a of the support member 42B protrudes to the left (see FIG. 3(b)), and can shorten the distance of the power generation unit 40B from the central position CL by decreasing the amount by which the first portion 42a of the support member 42B protrudes to the left (see FIG. 3(c)).

[0023] A control system 100 for the vessel 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The control device 50 of the control system 100 is a device that controls the vessel 1 having the above-mentioned multiple wind-powered propulsion units. Specifically, the control system 100 includes the above-mentioned multiple wind-powered propulsion units 10, a propeller 12, a rudder 15, and power generation units 40A and 40B. The control system 100 also includes the control device 50 that controls these devices, and an information detection unit 51.

[0024] The control device 50 includes a processor, memory, storage, and a communication interface, and is configured as a general computer. The processor is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage is a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The communication interface is a communication device that realizes data communication. The processor controls the memory, storage, and communication interface, and realizes the functions of the control device 50. The control device 50 realizes various functions, for example, by loading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program loaded into the RAM by the CPU. The control device 50 may be configured from multiple computers.

[0025] The control device 50 rotates the rotor sail 31 at a desired rotation speed by outputting a control signal to the electric motor 32 of the wind propulsion unit 10. The control device 50 operates the propeller 12 by outputting a control signal to the drive unit (main engine 16, etc.) of the propeller 12. The control device 50 operates the rudder 15 to a desired angle by outputting a control signal to the drive unit. The information detection unit 51 detects various information required for the calculations of the control device 50. The information detection unit 51 includes a wind direction and speed indicator, a rudder angle indicator, a measuring instrument for measuring the attitude and rolling of the hull 11, a measuring instrument capable of detecting the position of the hull 11, such as a GPS, etc.

[0026] The control device 50 controls the power generation units 40A, 40B to switch ON / OFF power generation by the power generation units 40A, 40B. When the vessel 1 is sailing using the wind propulsion unit 10, the control device 50 turns ON power generation by the power generation units 40A, 40B. This causes the impellers of the power generation units 40A, 40B to rotate freely, generating power. The power generated by the power generation units 40A, 40B is supplied to the electric motor 32 of the wind propulsion unit 10. Alternatively, the power generated by the power generation units 40A, 40B may be stored in a battery or the like. When the vessel 1 is propelled using the propeller 12, the control device 50 turns OFF power generation by the power generation units 40A, 40B. This stops the impellers of the power generation units 40A, 40B from rotating freely. Note that the power generation units 40A, 40B may have a mechanism that allows them to be housed inside the hull 11 when power generation is OFF. The power generation units 40A and 40B may have a mechanism that adjusts the angle of the main body or blades to reduce resistance when power generation is turned off.

[0027] The control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41. Based on the detection results detected by the information detection unit 51, the control device 50 detects the direction in which the hull 11 should travel and the turning moment acting on the hull 11. For example, when the hull 11 is in a straight line, it is preferable that the moment generated by the power generation unit 40A and the moment generated by the power generation unit 40B balance each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 so that the distance from the center position CL of the power generation unit 40A and the distance from the center position CL of the power generation unit 40B are equal. This balances the moment due to the resistance RA in the power generation unit 40A and the moment due to the resistance RB in the power generation unit 40B.

[0028] For example, a case will be described in which it is preferable that a turning moment MT1 acts counterclockwise on the hull 11. The turning moment is a moment for controlling the course of the ship. In this embodiment, the turning moment is adjusted, but adjustable moments are not limited to turning moments. In this case, it is preferable that the moment generated by the power generation unit 40B is greater than the moment generated by the power generation unit 40A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 to decrease the distance of the power generation unit 40A from the center position CL and increase the distance of the power generation unit 40B from the center position CL. As a result, the moment caused by the resistance RB at the power generation unit 40B becomes greater than the moment caused by the resistance RA at the power generation unit 40A, and this balances out with the turning moment counterclockwise with respect to the hull 11.

[0029] For example, a case will be described where it is preferable that a clockwise turning moment MT2 acts on the hull 11. In this case, it is preferable that the moment generated by the power generation unit 40A is greater than the moment generated by the power generation unit 40B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 to decrease the distance of the power generation unit 40B from the center position CL and increase the distance of the power generation unit 40A from the center position CL. As a result, the moment due to the resistance RA at the power generation unit 40A becomes greater than the moment due to the resistance RB at the power generation unit 40B, and this balances out with the clockwise turning moment relative to the hull 11.

[0030] As a result, the adjustment unit 41 can generate a turning moment that tries to turn the hull 11 in a desired direction, making it possible to suppress steering such as counter steering that generates additional resistance.

[0031] Next, the functions and effects of the boat 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0032] The vessel 1 according to this embodiment includes power generation units 40A, 40B that are located at positions spaced apart in the transverse direction D2 from a central position CL in the transverse direction D2 of the hull 11 and generate electricity using the flow of water. As a result, the power generation units 40A, 40B generate resistance at these positions as they generate electricity. In response to this, the adjustment unit 41 adjusts the moment acting on the hull 11 by the power generation units 40A, 40B. Therefore, the resistance associated with power generation by the power generation units 40A, 40B can be used to adjust the moment acting on the hull. As described above, the resistance associated with power generation by the power generation units 40A, 40B can be effectively used.

[0033] The adjustment unit 41 may adjust the moment by adjusting the distance from the center position of the power generation units 40A and 40B. In this case, the adjustment unit 41 can adjust the moment with a simple configuration that simply adjusts the distance between the power generation units 40A and 40B.

[0034] The power generation units 40A, 40B may be provided on both sides in the lateral direction D2 of the hull 11. In this case, the adjustment unit 41 can adjust the moments of the left and right power generation units 40A, 40B.

[0035] The boat 1 may further include a wind propulsion unit 10 that uses wind power to propel the hull 11. In this case, while the boat 1 is sailing using the wind propulsion unit 10, power can be generated by the power generation units 40A and 40B.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the adjustment unit 41 may adjust the moment by adjusting the resistance of the power generation units 40A and 40B. In this case, the moment can be adjusted without adjusting the distance of the power generation units 40A and 40B from the hull 11. In this case, the adjustment unit 41 corresponds to a mechanism that controls the resistance of the free rotation of the impellers of the power generation units 40A and 40B. The adjustment unit 41 increases the resistance by adjusting the free rotation speed of the impellers. Note that in FIG. 5, the distances of the power generation units 40A and 40B from the center position CL are the same. However, the mechanism for adjusting the distance in FIG. 3 and the mechanism for adjusting the resistance in FIG. 5 may be used together.

[0038] For example, when the hull 11 is in a straight line, it is preferable that the moment generated in the power generation unit 40A and the moment generated in the power generation unit 40B balance each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(a), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 so that the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A and the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B are equal. This balances the moment due to the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A and the moment due to the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B.

[0039] For example, a case will be described where it is preferable that a counterclockwise turning moment MT1 acts on the hull 11. In this case, it is preferable that the moment generated by the power generation unit 40B is greater than the moment generated by the power generation unit 40A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 to reduce the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A and increase the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B. As a result, the moment due to the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B becomes greater than the moment due to the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A, and this balances out the counterclockwise turning moment with respect to the hull 11.

[0040] For example, a case will be described in which it is preferable that a clockwise turning moment MT2 acts on the hull 11. In this case, it is preferable that the moment generated by the power generation unit 40A is greater than the moment generated by the power generation unit 40B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the control device 50 controls the adjustment unit 41 to increase the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A and decrease the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B. As a result, the moment due to the resistance RB of the power generation unit 40B becomes smaller than the moment due to the resistance RA of the power generation unit 40A, and the clockwise turning moment with respect to the hull 11 is balanced.

[0041] Although the power generation units 40A, 40B shown in Figure 3 are provided at the front of the hull 11 where the current velocity is high, the locations of the power generation units 40A, 40B are not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the power generation units 40A, 40B may be provided at the rear of the hull. If they are installed at the rear of the hull 11, far from the center of gravity of the vessel, the first section 42a can be made relatively short. Although Figure 6 shows the power generation units 40A, 40B as being installed outside the maximum overall width of the hull 11, they may also be installed so that they do not extend outside the overall width of the hull 11.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, the power generation units 40A, 40B may be provided at approximately the center of the hull 11 in the longitudinal direction D1. In this case, it is possible to balance the advantages of the position shown in Figure 3 with the advantages of the position shown in Figure 6.

[0043] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the number and arrangement of the wind propulsion units 10 and how they are provided relative to the hull 11. For example, the wind propulsion units 10 may be provided so as to be offset in the lateral direction D2.

[0044] The power generation units 40A, 40B may be any device that generates electricity using not only impellers but also vibration power generation, for example. The impellers of the power generation units 40A, 40B may also function as propellers. When the ship is stopped, the shafts of the impellers can be rotated vertically to generate electricity using the up and down motion of the hull 11 and waves.

[0045] Although the power generation units 40A, 40B are provided on both sides of the hull 11, they may be provided on only one side in the lateral direction D2. Alternatively, multiple sets of power generation units 40A, 40B may be provided in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0046] The wind propulsion unit 10 is not limited to a rotor sail, and may be any sail that can propel the hull using wind power, such as a regular sail or a kite. For example, the wind propulsion unit 10 may be a cloth sail as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), a steel sail as shown in Figure 8(c), or a kite as shown in Figure 8(d).

[0047] The structure of the hull 11 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and may be modified as appropriate depending on the intended use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...ship, 11...hull, 10...wind propulsion unit, 40A, 40B...power generation unit, 41...adjustment unit

Claims

1. The hull and a power generation unit that is provided at a position spaced apart in the transverse direction from a central position in the transverse direction of the hull and generates electricity using a flow of water; an adjustment unit that adjusts the moment acting on the hull by the power generation unit, The adjustment unit adjusts the moment by adjusting the distance of the power generation unit from the center position.

2. A hull, a wind propulsion unit that propels the hull using wind power; a power generation unit that is provided at a position spaced apart in the transverse direction from a central position in the transverse direction of the hull and generates electricity using a flow of water; and an adjustment unit that cancels a moment acting on the hull by the power generation unit while generating electricity using the power generation unit during sailing using the wind propulsion unit.

3. The vessel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the moment by adjusting a resistance of the power generation unit.

4. The watercraft according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power generation units are provided on both sides of the hull in the lateral direction.

5. The watercraft according to claim 1 , further comprising a wind propulsion unit that propels the hull by wind force.

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