Rotary water nozzle marine propulsion and steering

Abstract

RHP-WNPS: Rotary High Pressure Water Nuzzle Marine Propulsion and Steering System The rotary waterjet thruster consisted of a 360 degrees' rotary water nuzzle, that is to be installed at the bottom plating (keel plate) of Cutter Suction Dredger, fed by a high pressure water pump (dredge pump or similar) generating thrust force due to reaction of water jettison. The thrust force direction is then controlled by means of nuzzle rotating mechanism through a hydraulic or electric servomotor via driving shaft and pinion or a worm gear and bevel gear system in 360 degrees. With implementation of RHP-WNPS, all traditional propulsion and maneuvering / steering equipment and systems are no longer needed and will be omitted.

Description

[0001] Name of the invention:

[0002] ROTARY WATER NOZZLE MARINE PROPULSION AND STEERING .

[0003] Contents:

[0004] Description Page

[0005] - Cover page 1

[0006] - Contents 2

[0007] - The Concept General 3

[0008] - The concept technical 4

[0009] - The concept design 5

[0010] - Propulsion system on stationary dredgers using their dredge pump 5

[0011] - Options 6

[0012] - Properties and advantages 7

[0013] - Operation and performance 8 Drawings:

[0014] - Figure 1: Nozzle detail

[0015] - Figure 1-1: Schematic RHP-WNPS system on Tugboats

[0016] Figure 1-2: Schematic RHP-WNPS system on Cutter Suction Dredger

[0017] Figure 2: Bevel Gear on rotating piece

[0018] - Figure 3: 6 principal maneuvering Patterns of the system

[0019] - Figure 4&5: Schematic comparisons of RHP-WNPS to other thrusters on Tugboats

[0020] - Figure 6: Reversible RHP-WNPS Nuzzle

[0021] - Figure 7: Control Panel and effects (7,7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7)

[0022] - Figure 7-1: Control Desk

[0023] - Figure 7-2: Quarter Starboard move mode

[0024] - Figure 7-3: Starboard side move mode

[0025] - Figure 7-4: Port (Left) Turning on spot, mode

[0026] - Figure 7-5: Straight ahead move, mode

[0027] - Figure 7-6: Starboard turning mode

[0028] - Figure 7-7: Straight stern move, mode

[0029] *** All figures are uploaded separately **

[0030] The concept:

[0031] Rotary Water Nozzle Thruster for Tug Boats, Dredgers, Ships and Utility Floats

[0032] Applications:

[0033] - On cutter suction dredgers, using inboard dredge pump as propulsion power source.

[0034] - On harbor tugboats.

[0035] - On workboats and utility vessels

[0036] - On ocean going vessels

[0037] General:

[0038] The use of rotary water nozzle thruster consisted of a 360 Degrees rotary nozzle at the bottom (keel) plate of floats, feed by a high-pressure pump (dredge pump or similar) enabling propulsion thrust force direction in 360 degrees by a rotating nuzzle mechanism through a hydraulic or electric motor via driving shaft, pinion or worm gear and a bevel gear system. Water nozzle provides high pressure out-flowing water, fed by high pressure water pump, driven by a Diesel engine or an electric or a hydraulic motor via a reduction gearbox depending the float design and available machinery spaces. On vessels / floats, using this propulsion system, all traditional propulsion and maneuvering equipment and systems such as propeller / s and drive shafts, steering equipment and linkages (rudder / s, steering power generation, rudder stud, posts, links, spaces, etc.), extra propulsion engine / s and equipment (on Cutter Suction Dredgers in particular, benefiting dredge pump both for propulsion as well as for dredging purpose), will be omitted. Technical:

[0039] The most common machinery on a cutter suction dredger consisted of main diesel engine coupled to the dredge pump through a reduction gearbox, auxiliary engine / s for generating electric power and / or hydraulic power to drive cutter and control means such as sluice valves, winches, spud hoists, etc. water inlet to the dredge pump (vacuum side) is through steel piping and a suction mouth located in lower portion of the Cutter head dome. Dredge pump outlet is at the extreme aft of the hull through steel piping and ends to a connecting device or flange, for connection to floating discharge pipe-line. The foresaid is a standard water and slurry (soil Water mixture) routing. As it is illustrated in the schematic drawing, in order to use the dredge pump as a propulsion mean, it needs flow to the pump inlet to be maintained when the ladder is in upper position (at sea when sailing) hence a second inlet rout is to be provided. This is done by an extension pipe, with its inlet at the bottom keel plate or side plate but, well below the water line. Another extension is done to the discharge rout to feed the rotary propulsion nuzzle which is acting like a jet due to potential pressure at discharge line, causing a reaction thrust. The nozzle can rotate 360 Degrees hence, the thrust direction easily changes in all directions to steer the dredger in navigation and maneuvering mode.

[0040] Nuzzle rotation can be provided by a hydraulic or an electric servo motor via a shaft and pinion or, a worm gear and a horizontal bevel gear attached to the vertical pipe connected to the nozzle bellow and outlet pipe above it (as shown in the attached drawings).

[0041] A well detailed technical design and calculations needed to bring the concept into actual use of the system.

[0042] In addition to the main propulsion nuzzle, narrow outlet extensions at port and starboard forward of the dredge hull can work as bow-thruster for precise maneuvering of the dredge. Outlet water flow and pressure of these two water outlets can be controlled by control valves.

[0043] Illustrations schematically show the water routing and system working patterns (Figure 1) Design:

[0044] Cutter Suction Dredgers:

[0045] Most cutter suction dredgers are built non-propelled as they work as a stationary floating machines when in operation, some are dismountable and being transported by road, railroad or on ships but, those with heavier weight and bigger dimensions, must be towed at sea from one location to another by tugboats. While they are at operating area, they need smaller utility floats for short disposition ing and maneuvering. Few high- power Cutter Suction Dredgers are built as self-propelled vessels because of their heavy displacement and larger dimensions using their own propulsion diesel engines and propulsion line as similar to ordinary self-propelled vessels rising their total price dramatically high, due to additional machinery installation.

[0046] The concept is to use the main engine and dredge pump which are the standard machinery installation for such floats, both for the main vessel's task which is obviously dredging, and also for propulsion by a few minor changes and installing a little extra device such as navigational aids and control tools. No independent propulsion line, diesel engines and traditional steering system installations is needed, this conceptual additional tool can make significant changes in future stationary dredgers, changing from a disabled float to a self-propelled independent vessel enabling them to sale to new working locations after finished job in one location, using their own power.

[0047] In figure 4, the conceptual design shows the schematic of the system. Propulsion system on stationary dredgers using their dredge pump.

[0048] Options:

[0049] A quick reversible rotary nuzzle can be used as option. But a bit complicated in comparison to the non-reversible one.

[0050] The only advantage of this optional design is that changing over to reverse mode is quicker, in shorter time and does not need the reversing process as the main design needs.

[0051] In non-reversible nozzle, the pump has to be disengaged from the engine via coupled clutch and nozzle rotates 180 Degrees, then pump being engaged again causing opposite thrust force (if nuzzle rotation is done without the pump being dis-engaged from the engine, the variation in thrust direction will affect the vessel's head way heading stability, unless there are two units of nuzzles rotating in opposite directions).

[0052] In quick reverse type, the water flow direction all of a sudden reverses and changes 180 Degrees without any interruption in engine power and the propulsion thrust and is very effective only when the vessel needs to be stopped in emergency situation (crush stop action). In figure 1-2, two types of those systems are schematically displayed, one with spherical valve, and the other with flap valve.

[0053] Properties and Advantages:

[0054] • More agility and more maneuverability (on tugs, comparing to traditional, Z-Drive and tractor tugs).

[0055] • Less finished propulsion / maneuvering and Fi-Fi machinery and equipment.

[0056] • Significant reduction of vessel / float draft comparing to water tractor tugs.

[0057] • Less vulnerable against obstacles interring / wrapping around propulsion moving parts (propellers, propeller shafts, blades, etc.).

[0058] • Less vulnerable when stranding or touching seabed,

[0059] • Easier to duck the floats equipped with the system.

[0060] • Multi-usage of the main propulsion engine as propulsion, dredge pump drive (cutter suction dredges in particular), firefighting system feed, simultaneously.

[0061] • On non-propelled cutter suction dredgers, making them self-propelled and maneuverable, using dredge pump as both propulsion and dredging tool.

[0062] • Less price upon more gaining.

[0063] • More void space in the engine compartment due to significantly less machinery.

[0064] • Simple and less maintenance job during the vessel's life time.

[0065] • Less maintenance costs.

[0066] • Gaining more space in the engine room (Tugboats and other floats in particular) resulting more buoyancy hence lesser draft in comparison to traditional designs with shaft / s, propeller propulsion system and rudder installations (figure 4).

[0067] Operation and performance:

[0068] As it is shown in figure 3, the tugboat maneuvering capability is unique in all aspects.

[0069] Any float and in particular, tugboat, which is equipped with the "RHP-WIXIPS" system, will possess High and precise maneuverability, agility, safety and, economically lower expenses both, in construction and maintenance during the life-time, lower draft, and overall technical simplicity.

Claims

ClaimRotary High Pressure Water Nuzzle Marine Propulsion and Steering System (RHP- WNPS) is a modular propulsion and navigation system for Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSDs), designed to enable independent movement and navigation without reliance on external utility floats such as Multi-cats and tugboats, wherein the system comprises: a. an inboard dredge pump configured to serve a dual function of dredging and propulsion, thereby eliminating the need for a separate propulsion system; b. a control unit configured to manage the operation of the inboard dredge pump for both dredging and propulsion tasks; c. a steering mechanism integrated with the inboard dredge pump, allowing for directional control without the need for traditional steering systems including rudders; d. a modular unit design enabling installation in a variety of CSD sizes and capacities without the requirement for additional propulsion and steering machinery, such as extra engines, gearboxes, propeller shafts, propellers, and rudder installations.

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