Propeller nozzle for watercraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a propeller nozzle for watercraft, which comprises a tubular body (1) with a moveable portion (2) that can be moved with respect to the rest of the tubular body (1) between an open position and a closed position. The moveable portion (2) is hinged or is slidable with respect to the rest of the tubular body (1) and may also comprise an actuator (7) for moving the moveable portion (2) from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, providing a propeller nozzle for watercraft that allows the propeller blades to be easily replaced much more quickly than is currently possible.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] NOZZLE FOR BOAT PROPELLERS

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a nozzle for boat propellers, which allows removable propeller blades to be replaced quickly and easily without the need to remove the boat from the water and without having to dismantle the entire propeller with the nozzle due to a defective blade.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Propulsion systems for boats typically comprise fixed-pitch propellers with interchangeable blades. These boat propellers comprise a hub, a plurality of radial blades, and a series of fastening elements.

[0007] One type of propeller includes a nozzle, also known as a faired propeller, which is a marine propulsion system comprising a propeller placed inside a rigid nozzle. This nozzle-type propeller design increases thrust and improves efficiency compared to a propeller without a nozzle.

[0008] The hydrodynamic design of the nozzle duct, which has a wing profile, has certain advantages under certain operating conditions compared to propellers without nozzles.

[0009] The advantages include increased efficiency at low speeds, improved course stability, and reduced vulnerability to floating debris.

[0010] However, it also has disadvantages, such as lower efficiency at high speeds, course stability problems when cruising in reverse, and increased cavitation.

[0011] Furthermore, in the event of having to change the propeller blades, even if they are removable, it is necessary to remove the boat from the water and place it in a dry dock, making it necessary to dismantle the entire propeller-nozzle system due to the existence of a defective blade, with the cost involved in having a boat stopped for a considerable period of time. Description of the invention

[0012] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for boat propellers, which allows the propeller blades to be easily replaced in a much faster manner than at present.

[0013] With the nozzle for boat propellers of the invention, the aforementioned drawbacks are resolved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.

[0014] The nozzle for ship propellers according to the present invention is described in claim 1, and the dependent claims include additional features that are optional.

[0015] In particular, the nozzle for boat propellers comprises a tubular body, the tubular body comprising a movable portion that is movable relative to the rest of the tubular body between an open position and a closed position.

[0016] In this way, it is possible to open the nozzle to allow the removal of the propeller blades.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable portion is articulated with respect to the rest of the tubular body, and the articulation between the movable portion and the rest of the tubular body can be carried out by means of hinges or by means of connecting rods, in which case, in the closed position, they are housed in grooves in the rest of the tubular body.

[0018] According to another possible embodiment, the movable portion is slidable relative to the rest of the tubular body, in which case the movable portion or the rest of the tubular body comprises sliding guides.

[0019] Furthermore, if desired, the nozzle for boat propellers may comprise an actuator, for example, hydraulic, to actuate the movement of the movable portion from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.

[0020] The movable portion may also be connected to the rest of the tubular body by means of threaded rods, such that their rotation moves the movable portion relative to the rest of the tubular body in one direction or another.

[0021] The nozzle for boat propellers may also comprise screws for joining the movable portion to the rest of the tubular body, in which case the movable portion and / or the rest of the tubular body may comprise flanges with holes for said screws.

[0022] It should be noted that, if desired, the tubular body of the nozzle according to the present invention may comprise more than one movable portion.

[0023] Accordingly, the nozzle for boat propellers according to the present invention provides, among others, the following advantages:

[0024] - It allows the exchange of removable blades quickly and easily, without the need to remove the boat from the water (i.e., without the need for a dry dock), or having to dismantle the entire propeller-nozzle system due to a defective blade, the process being carried out by a qualified diver or by using the bow ballast.

[0025] - It is versatile, as it can be adapted to nozzles of different sizes and designs, with the possibility of adapting to conventional nozzles.

[0026] - The proposed opening, actuation, and mounting systems are combinable, generating a wide range of options depending on needs. This allows a functional nozzle to be designed regardless of its geometry, size, operating conditions, material, etc.

[0027] - It allows for standardization in fishing vessels, reducing their costs and maintenance.

[0028] - It can be applied to both conventional nozzles and those manufactured from a single, non-removable solid, as well as to vessels without nozzles, allowing for the sustainable use of conventional solutions and extending their useful life, reducing their economic impact and enabling a consolidated path toward the ecological transition.

[0029] - It also allows for installation on vessels that already have a fixed-geometry nozzle by adapting existing parts.

[0030] Brief description of the drawings

[0031] For a better understanding of what has been explained, some drawings are attached which, schematically and solely as a non-limiting example, represent a practical case of implementation.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the hinged movable portion in its open position;

[0033] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the movable sliding portion in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position;

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the movable portion articulated with connecting rods in its open position;

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the hydraulic actuator that drives the movement of the movable portion;

[0036] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the tubular body, showing the flanges and screws for fixing the movable portion to the rest of the tubular body;

[0037] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a part of the tubular body, showing the screws for fixing the movable portion to the rest of the tubular body;

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the movable portions hinged in their open position;

[0039] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the movable portions hinged in their open position;

[0040] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention in which threaded rods are used for the movement of the movable portion relative to the rest of the tubular body;

[0041] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with the movable portion hinged in its open position; and

[0042] Figure 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention with a holding flap with the movable portion hinged in its open position. Description of preferred embodiments

[0043] The figures show different embodiments of the nozzle for boat propellers according to the present invention.

[0044] In all these embodiments the nozzle comprises a tubular body (1) provided with at least one movable portion (2), which is movable from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa.

[0045] Below, different types of openings for moving the movable portion to the open position, different types of drives and different types of fixings for fixing the movable portion to the rest of the tubular body will be described with the help of drawings.

[0046] Although only a few non-limiting examples are shown, it should be noted that the features of the embodiments described below may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0047] In particular, the movement of the movable portion (2) can be carried out in different ways, for example, by means of hinges (3), as shown in Figure 1, which comprise two pieces articulated together by a common axis, and each piece is fixed on separate surfaces, generally one fixed and one movable. Their application and exchange is simple, and they can be welded or screwed.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the movable portion (2) can be sliding, in which case, the tubular body (1) comprises sliding guides (6) along which the movable portion (2) moves.

[0049] Figure 3 shows another embodiment, which in this case comprises connecting rods (4) to allow the articulation of the movable portion (2) with respect to the tubular body (1). In this case, in the closed position, the connecting rods (4) are housed in grooves (5) of the tubular body (1).

[0050] For its part, the movement of the movable portion (2) can be carried out with different elements, for example, by means of a hydraulic actuator (7), shown in figure 4, to exert a force on the movable portion (2) to produce its movement, allowing access to the propeller.

[0051] It should also be noted that the drive of the movable portion (2) can be manual, thus avoiding the use of hydraulic cylinders or other types of drive systems, or by means of threaded rods (8), shown in figure 9, whose operation consists of rotating them on themselves so that the threads produce the advance or retreat of the movable portion (2).

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in figure 5, the union between the tubular body (1) and the movable portion (2) can be made by means of flanges (10) with holes for the passage of screws (11), although the union can also be made directly by means of screws (11), as shown in figure 6.

[0053] It should be noted that there may be more than one movable portion (2) in the nozzle according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7, the nozzle comprises four movable portions (2) which are hinged around an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the propeller, while in Figure 8 the nozzle comprises two movable portions (2), in this case hinged around an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the propeller.

[0054] Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention, in which the movable portion (2) represents practically half of the tubular body (1), and its articulation is actuated by a hydraulic actuator (7).

[0055] Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention, which comprises a holding fin (9), although it could comprise more than one holding fin (9), and the articulation of the movable portion (2) is carried out at one of the ends defined by said holding fin (9).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Nozzle for boat propellers, comprising a tubular body (1), characterized in that the tubular body (1) comprises a movable portion (2) that is movable relative to the rest of the tubular body (1) between an open position and a closed position.

2. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 1, in which the movable portion (2) is articulated with respect to the rest of the tubular body (1).

3. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 1, in which the articulation between the movable portion (2) and the rest of the tubular body (1) is carried out by means of hinges (3).

4. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 1, in which the articulation between the movable portion (2) and the rest of the tubular body (1) is carried out by means of connecting rods (4), which in the closed position are housed in grooves (5) of the rest of the tubular body (1).

5. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 1, in which the movable portion (2) is sliding relative to the rest of the tubular body (1).

6. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 5, wherein the movable portion (2) or the rest of the tubular body (1) comprises sliding guides (6).

7. Nozzle for boat propellers according to any one of the preceding claims, which also comprises an actuator (7) for actuating the movement of the movable portion (2) from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.

8. Nozzle for boat propellers according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (7) is a hydraulic actuator.

9. Nozzle for boat propellers according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the movable portion (2) is connected to the rest of the tubular body (1) by means of threaded rods (8).

10. Nozzle for boat propellers according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising screws (11) for joining the movable portion (2) to the rest of the tubular body.

11. A nozzle for a boat propeller according to claim 10, wherein the movable portion (2) and / or the remainder of the tubular body (1) comprise flanges (10) with holes for said screws (11).

12. A nozzle for a boat propeller according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (1) comprises more than one movable portion (2).

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