Thruster for a vessel

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a thrust booster and a propulsion thruster apparatus for a vessel. The thrust booster apparatus comprises a housing arranged to in part encompass a propulsion unit of the vessel. The housing comprises a first portion arranged to be connectable to a main body of the vessel, the first portion comprising a mesh screen having a plurality of water inlet openings. The housing further comprises a second portion arranged to be connectable to the first portion of the housing at a first side, the second portion comprising a water inlet opening formed at the first side and configured for drawing water from the first portion of the housing into the second portion; wherein the second portion is further arranged to circumvent the propeller module. The second portion further comprises a water outlet opening formed at a second side and configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Thruster for a vessel

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates a thrust booster and a propulsion thruster apparatus for a vessel. In particular, embodiments herein relate to the thrust booster and the propulsion thruster apparatus for providing effective propulsion for the vessel.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] The recent surge in development of devices for vessels such as vessels for fishing or short haul expeditions has been an indicative of popularity and practicality of using such vessels. To this end, boats or vessels are equipped with several communication and control equipment such as radio controllers for remotely conducting fishing expeditions. These unmanned vehicles may be remotely operated to perform various tasks such as navigation, sonar, radar, identification of school of fish, dispensing bait, etc. in a marine environment.

[0007] However, many of these vessels suffer from ineffective thruster and propulsion means, leading to poor performance in the aquatic environment they are deployed in.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the field of vessels for developing cost-efficient, versatile and effective propulsion thrusters.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a thrust booster and a propulsion thruster apparatus for a vessel, which alleviate all or at least some of the drawbacks of the presently known solutions.

[0011] These and other objects are achieved by various aspects of the present disclosure as defined in the appended independent claims. The term exemplary or example is in the present context to be understood as serving as an instance, example or illustration.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a thrust booster apparatus for a vessel. The thrust booster apparatus comprises a housing arranged to in part encompass a propulsion unit of the vessel, the propulsion unit comprising a propeller module configured for propelling the vessel. The housing comprises a first portion arranged to be connectable to a main body of the vessel, the first portion comprising a mesh screen having a plurality of water inlet openings configured for allowing a stream of water into the housing of the thrust booster apparatus. The housing further comprises a second portion arranged to be connectable to the first portion of the housing at a first side, the second portion comprising a water inlet opening formed at the first side and configured for drawing water from the first portion of the housing into the second portion; wherein the second portion is further arranged to circumvent the propeller module. The second portion further comprises a water outlet opening formed at a second side and configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion.

[0013] In several embodiments, the thrust booster apparatus may further comprise a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion being configured for providing an exhaust jet flow out of the water outlet opening. The nozzle portion may be formed by means of a nozzle ring being configured for providing an exhaust jet flow out of the water outlet opening.

[0014] In several embodiments and aspects, an accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings of the mesh screen of the first portion of the housing may be at least three times larger than the area of the water outlet opening of the second portion of the housing, thereby providing a propulsion thrust increase of at least between 5 to 10% compared to a default propulsion thrust provided by an engine of the vessel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second portion of the housing may have a conical profile extending from the first side to the second side, such that the water inlet opening of the second portion is larger than the water outlet opening of the second portion. In several embodiments, the second portion may further comprise one or more inverted aerofoils configured to produce lift.

[0016] In some embodiments, the water inlet opening formed at the first side may be configured for drawing water from the first portion of the housing into the second portion by means of the propeller module being arranged at the first side of the second portion. In some embodiments, the water outlet opening formed at a second side may be configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion by means of the propeller module.

[0017] In several embodiments, the first portion of the housing comprising the mesh screen may further be configured for protecting the propeller module of the vessel from external objects present in the water comprising debris, or vegetation. The present inventors have realized that the thrust booster apparatus according to several aspects and embodiments herein can be devised for effectively protecting the propeller unit of a vessel against external objects and vegetation. Furthermore, present inventors have realized that the devised thrust booster apparatus can also be adapted for providing an additional boost to the propulsion thrust of the vessel, overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a propulsion thruster apparatus for a vessel. The propulsion thruster apparatus comprises a propulsion unit comprising a propeller module, a shaft connected to the propeller module, and an engine connected to the shaft and configured for providing a propulsion thrust to the vessel. The propulsion thruster apparatus further comprises a thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect herein.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vessel comprising a thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect herein or a propulsion thruster apparatus according to the second aspect.

[0020] Further embodiments of the different aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0021] It is to be noted that all the embodiments, elements, features and advantages associated with the first aspect also analogously apply to the second, and third aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will in the following be further clarified in the following detailed description.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will appear from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to scale.

[0025] Fig. la shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a thrust booster apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

[0026] Fig. lb shows a cross-sectional side view of the thrust booster apparatus and fluid flow in the thrust booster apparatus in accordance with several embodiments.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a graph in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 3 shows, a schematic side view illustration of a vessel comprising a propulsion thruster apparatus comprising the thrust booster apparatus in accordance with various embodiments.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the following detailed description, some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that features of different embodiments are exchangeable among the embodiments and may be combined in various other ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. The basics and conventional techniques in mechanics, electronics, sensor systems, signal processing, data communication systems, telecommunication systems, and other components to carry out the disclosure are considered to be readily available to the person skilled in the art. The terms "first", "second" and the like as used herein, do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0030] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0031] Figs, la and lb show a schematic drawing of a thrust booster apparatus 200 for a vessel 1 according to several embodiments herein. The thrust booster apparatus 200 comprises a housing 300 arranged to in part encompass a propulsion unit 201 of the vessel 1. The propulsion unit 201 may comprise a propeller module 201a configured for propelling the vessel 1 in the water. The housing 300 comprises a first portion 301 arranged to be removably connectable to a main body la of the vessel by any means known in the art such as soldering, screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, hinges, adhesive bonding, welding, snap-fitting, etc. at e.g. two connection points 300a and 300b shown in Fig. la. The main body of the vessel may be a first portion of the main body of the vessel 1 such as a hull la of the vessel 1. The first portion 301 of the housing 300 comprises a mesh screen 301a having a plurality of water inlet openings 302 configured for allowing a stream of water 400 from the surrounding environment of the booster apparatus 200, e.g., from the sea water in which the booster apparatus is submerged, into the housing 300 of the thrust booster apparatus 200 as shown in Fig. lb. The housing 300 further comprises a second portion 303 arranged to be connectable to the first portion 301 of the housing 300 at a first side 303a. In several embodiments and aspects, the second portion 303 is arranged to be fixedly or removably connected to the first portion 301 of the housing 300 at the first side 303a. The second portion 303 may be connectable to the first portion 301 of the housing 300 by any means known in the art such as soldering, screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, hinges, adhesive bonding, welding, snap-fitting, etc. at e.g. two connection points 300c and 300d shown in Fig. la. The first and / or second portions 301, 303 may be made of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, Nylon, wires, etc. The second portion 303 comprises a water inlet opening 305 formed at the first side 303a. The water inlet opening 305 formed at the first side 303a is configured for drawing water from the first portion 301 of the housing 300 into the second portion 303. The second portion 303 is further arranged to circumvent the propeller module 201a. In some exemplary embodiments, the second portion 303 may be arranged to entirely circumvent the propeller module 201a. The second portion 303 further comprises a water outlet opening 306 formed at a second side 303b and configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion 303.

[0032] In several embodiments, the water inlet opening 305 formed at the first side 303a is configured for drawing water from the first portion 301 of the housing 300 into the second portion 303 by means of the propeller module 201a being arranged at the first side 303a of the second portion 303. In other words, water may be drawn actively into the second portion 303 by means of the propeller module 201a. Similarly, in some embodiments, the water may be exhausted out of the second portion 303 actively and by means of the propeller module 201a.

[0033] In several embodiments, the second portion 303 of the housing 300 of the thrust booster apparatus 200 may further comprise a nozzle portion 307. The nozzle portion 307 is configured for providing an exhaust jet flow 308 out of the water outlet opening 306 formed at the second side 303b of the second portion 303 of the housing 300. In several embodiments, the nozzle portion 307 may comprise or may be formed and implemented by means of a nozzle ring 307. In several embodiments, the second portion 303 of the housing 300 may have a conical profile extending from the first side to the second side, such that the water inlet opening 305 of the second portion may be larger than the water outlet opening 306 of the second portion. In several embodiments, the second portion 303, e.g., the nozzle ring 307 may comprise one or more inverted aerofoils 307c formed at one or more certain angles and configured to produce lift and reduce drag or turbulence when moving through water. This feature advantageously provides greater efficiency and effectiveness for maneuvering the vessel 1 in water. In several embodiments and aspects, the nozzle portion 307 may comprise the conical profile and the one or more aerofoils 307c.

[0034] In several embodiments, the nozzle portion 307 or the nozzle ring 307 may constitute the entire second portion 303 of the housing 300. According to several aspects and embodiments, when the nozzle portion 307 is accordingly arranged, the inflow velocity of the water through the nozzle portion 307 advantageously generates an additional thrust, and thus contributes to boosting the thrust for the vessel 1. Inside the nozzle portion 307, velocity of water may be increased by the propeller unit 201a, according to Bernoulli principle. This in turn, reduces the inner pressure and by factoring in the wall forces 307b per unit volume of water (shown as arrows 307b in Fig. la) exerted by the inner walls 307a of the nozzle portion 307 on the water, positive thrust is generated in the direction of the arrow 309. Naturally, the direction of generated thrust 309 applied to the vessel 1, is opposite the direction of the jet flow of water 308 exiting the water outlet 306 of the nozzle ring 307. Further, the nozzle portion 307 is arranged to protect the perimeter of the propeller unit 201a from external objects such as debris or vegetation.

[0035] In several embodiments, an accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings 302 of the mesh screen 301a of the first portion 301 of the housing 300 may be at least three times larger than the area of the water outlet opening 306 of the second portion 303 of the housing 300. The present inventors have realized and experimentally demonstrated, e.g., as shown in graph 500 of Fig. 2, that the accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings 302 relative the area of the water outlet opening 306 of the second portion 303 of the housing 300, has a noticeable impact on obtaining additional thrust from the thrust booster 200.

[0036] Accordingly, configuring the mesh screen 301a for having the accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings 302 at least three times larger than the area of the water outlet opening 306 of the second portion 303 of the housing 300, and including the nozzle portion 307 in the second portion 303 of the housing 300, is shown to provide a thrust increase of at least between 5 to 10% (graph 500b) compared to a default propulsion thrust (graph 500a) provided by an engine (not shown) of the vessel 1. Stated differently, a thrust increase of at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, or at least 10% may be provided.

[0037] In some embodiments, the accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings 302 of the mesh screen 301a of the first portion 301 of the housing 300 may be at least four times larger than the area of the water outlet opening 306 of the second portion 303 of the housing 300, delivering the mentioned advantages. The inventors have accordingly realized that by increasing the ratio of the water inlet holes 302 to the area of the outlet 306, the volume of water under the mesh screen 301a increases significantly, which in turn leads to slowing down the velocity of inlet water. This could reduce Eddie currents and therefore only marginally affect the default thrust compared to the setup without the mesh screen 301. Addition of the nozzle portion 307 in combination with the devised mesh screen 301 ultimately provides a minimum of 5-10% thrust increase as mentioned earlier.

[0038] In several embodiments and aspects, the first portion of the housing 301 comprising the mesh screen 301a may further be configured for protecting the propeller module 201a of the vessel 1 from external objects present in the water comprising debris, or vegetation. The present inventors have devised the thruster booster such that the propulsion unit 201 of the vessel 1 and more specifically the propeller unit 201a can be protracted from seaweed and any other external object, which may be present in the water and in the environment in which the vessel 1 will be maneuvered. This feature and aspect is specifically advantageous for small or medium sized vessels 1 such as small radio-controlled boats, which may be operated remotely for various application such as bait dispensing for fish. Protecting the propeller unit 201a of these boats against seaweed is essential since these boats typically use small propellers e.g. propellers with up to 50 mm in diameter and even medium-sized seaweed could negatively affect and reduce the propeller unit 201a or bring it to a full stop. Conventionally, dense mesh has been used to protect the propeller from external debris and seaweed and vegetation. However, such conventional solutions negatively affect the performance of the propeller unit 201a in a significant manner, reduce thrust and increase overall power and fuel consumption by the vessel. Thus, the present inventors have devised the thrust booster apparatus 200 according to several embodiments and aspects herein, which not only effectively protects the propeller unit 201a against external objects and vegetation but also provides an additional boost to the propulsion thrust of the vessel 1 as explained in the foregoing.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary vessel 1. The vessel 1 in this example is a small vessel 1 configured for fishing applications. The fishing applications may comprise Identification of fish in water as well as dispensing fish bait to attract fish. The vessel 1 may be an unmanned remotely controlled vessel 1. However, it should be appreciated that the vessel 1 within the boundaries of the present disclosure is to be construed as any kind of watercraft suitable for and used for catching fish- or transporting cargo, such a boat, a fishing boat, any kind of inflatable boat, belly-boats, low-powered boats, etc. utilizing a propulsion system. The vessel according to several embodiments maybe a remotely controlled vessel by a user by means of a wireless device e.g., a remote radio controller, and by wireless communication signals. The vessel 1, in several embodiments may additionally or alternatively be a semi- or fully-autonomous vessel. The vessel is configured for moving in water. By water, it is meant any one of fresh water or any aquatic environment such as seawater, ocean water, lake water, river water etc. that could be the habitat for aquatic life.

[0040] The vessel 1 comprises a propulsion thruster apparatus 202. The propulsion thruster apparatus 202 comprises a propulsion unit 201 comprising a propeller module 201a, a shaft 201b connected to the propeller module, and an engine (not shown) connected to the shaft 201b and configured for providing a propulsion thrust to the vessel 1. The propulsion thruster apparatus 202 further comprises a thrust booster apparatus 200 as explained in detail previously.

[0041] The vessel 1 may further comprise a sonar apparatus 2 for scanning a body of water by a fishing sonar module 3 comprised in the vessel 1. The fishing sonar apparatus 2 comprises a control unit 4. The sonar module 3 may comprise at least one sonar transducer element 31 for producing and receiving reflected the sonar signals. The sonar module 3 is configured to generate ultra-sound signals 101 to be emitted to the body of water and to receive reflected ultrasound signals 103 as they are reflected from obstacles, bed of the waterbody such as bottom of sea or lake, objects such as fishes or vegetation.

[0042] The vessel 1 may further comprise a perception system 8 and a localization system 7. A perception system 8 is in the present context to be understood as a system responsible for acquiring raw sensor data from sensors 8a, 8b such as cameras, RADARs, temperature sensors, water sensors, PH sensors, etc. and converting this raw data into scene understanding. This way, the control unit 4, may acquire further information regarding the temperature, salinity, PH, or other characteristics of the pool of water, hence providing a broader understanding of the underwater conditions. The perception system 8 may be further configured to obtain raw sonar scan data directly or via a dedicated sensor control circuitry 13 in the vessel 1 from the sonar module 3.

[0043] The localization system 7 is configured to monitor a geographical position and heading (compass orientation) of the vessel 1, and may be in the form of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), such as a GPS. However, the localization system may alternatively be realized as a Real Time Kinematics (RTK) GPS in order to improve accuracy.

[0044] The control unit 4 may comprise a memory 12 that can include one or more (non-transitory) computer- readable storage mediums, for storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by one or more computer processors 11 of the control unit 4.

[0045] Cellular communication technologies may be used by the vessel 1 for long range communication with external networks. Examples of cellular radio technologies are GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G, 5G NR, and so on, also including future cellular solutions. However, in some solutions mid to short-range communication technologies may be used such as Wireless Local Area (LAN), e.g. IEEE 802.11 based solutions. Local communication solutions within the vessel may also be used and include a wireless type with protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or similar mid / short range technologies.

[0046] The thrust booster apparatus 200 is configured to protect the propulsion unit 201 of the vessel 1 and more specifically the propeller module 201a, and the shaft 201b from the external underwater objects, vegetation, sea animals, fish etc. that may be present in the vicinity of or may come in contact with an unprotected propulsion unit 201. The thrust booster apparatus 200 is also advantageously configured to provide a thrust boost to the vessel 1 while navigating the water as also previously explained.

[0047] The vessel 1 typically comprises a propelling source, such as an engine (not shown). The engine could e.g. be operable by electricity or be a combustion engine. The electrical engine could be operable by direct current (DC) provided by a battery module and power management system (not shown) comprised in the vessel. The control unit 4 and / or a wireless device may be configured to operate the engine based on the specific requirements of the voyages of the vessel. As mentioned earlier, the engine can be operated in a complete autonomous mode by the control unit and based on the instructions stored in the memory 12 of the control unit 4. The engine can also be operated remotely by the wireless device by receiving control instructions from the wireless device either in real time or by activating certain operation or route plans stored in the memory 12 of the vessel by a user. The engine can also be operated partly autonomously and also partly by receiving instructions from the wireless device. Alternatively or additionally the engine can also be operated and the vessel be steered by an on-board user or passenger of the vessel. The battery module comprised in the vessel can be used as a power source to supply electric power to various modules and components on board of the vessel. The battery module may be chargeable battery module.

[0048] The present disclosure has been presented above with reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than the above described are possible and within the scope of the disclosure. The term "obtaining" is herein to be interpreted broadly and encompasses receiving, retrieving, collecting, acquiring, and so forth. It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the disclosure may be at least in part implemented by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means" or "units" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A thrust booster apparatus for a vessel, the thrust booster apparatus comprising: a housing arranged to in part encompass a propulsion unit of the vessel, the propulsion unit comprising a propeller module configured for propelling the vessel; wherein the housing comprises a first portion arranged to be connectable to a main body of the vessel, the first portion comprising a mesh screen having a plurality of water inlet openings configured for allowing a stream of water into the housing of the thrust booster apparatus; wherein the housing further comprises a second portion arranged to be connectable to the first portion of the housing at a first side, the second portion comprising a water inlet opening formed at the first side and configured for drawing water from the first portion of the housing into the second portion; wherein the second portion is further arranged to circumvent the propeller module; the second portion further comprising a water outlet opening formed at a second side and configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion.

2. The thrust booster apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thrust booster apparatus further comprises a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion being configured for providing an exhaust jet flow out of the water outlet opening.

3. The thrust booster apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle portion is formed by means of a nozzle ring being configured for providing an exhaust jet flow out of the water outlet opening.

4. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein an accumulated area of the plurality of water inlet openings of the mesh screen of the first portion of the housing is at least three times larger than the area of the water outlet opening of the second portion of the housing, thereby providing a propulsion thrust increase of at least between 5 to 10% compared to a default propulsion thrust provided by an engine of the vessel.

5. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the second portion of the housing has a conical profile extending from the first side to the second side, such that the water inlet opening of the second portion is larger than the water outlet opening of the second portion.

6. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion comprises one or more inverted aerofoils configured to produce lift.

7. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water inlet opening formed at the first side is configured for drawing water from the first portion of the housing into the second portion by means of the propeller module being arranged at the first side of the second portion.

8. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water outlet opening formed at a second side is configured for exhausting the water out of the second portion by means of the propeller module.

9. The thrust booster apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion of the housing comprising the mesh screen is further configured for protecting the propeller module of the vessel from external objects present in the water comprising debris, or vegetation.

10. A propulsion thruster apparatus for a vessel, the propulsion thruster apparatus comprising: a propulsion unit comprising a propeller module, a shaft connected to the propeller module, and an engine connected to the shaft and configured for providing a propulsion thrust to the vessel; and a thrust booster apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 9.

11. A vessel comprising a thrust booster apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 9 or a propulsion thruster apparatus according to claim 10.

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