System and method for underwater propulsion through elastic-inertial transformation

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for underwater propulsion providing the locomotion of a vehicle underwater or at its surface, consisting of a driving motor (1), a longitudinal assembly (2) and a control and command unit (3), wherein the motor (1) is secured to the vehicle and connected to the longitudinal assembly (2) by means of an axle (1b) provided with a bearing (1a), the longitudinal assembly (2) being made up from an oscillating telescopic rod (2a) rigidly secured to 90 degrees at an end to the axle (1b) of the motor (1), this continuing with an elastic longitudinal element (2b), made up from bending deformable elements, ending up with a blade (2c) having a deformable membrane (2e) secured to an extensible frame (2d), the command and control unit (3) being made up from several communication and logic operation modules.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNDERWATER PROPULSION THROUGH ELASTIC- INERTIAE TRANSFORMATION

[0002] The invention relates to a system and method for underwater propulsion providing the locomotion of a vehicle underwater or at its surface.

[0003] The scope of the invention is that of the watercraft.

[0004] There are known underwater propulsion systems employing propeller motors. The downside of these consists in their generating turbulences and a high level of noise adversely affecting the underwater environment.

[0005] 'The technical issue the invention aims to work out consists in completing an underwater propulsion system providing a water advancement without adversely affecting the environment,

[0006] The propulsion system works out the technical issue by employing a method based on transforming the inertia of an oscillating longitudinal assembly Into elastic energy and then into propulsion, leading to a water advancement without generating significant turbulences.

[0007] The upsides of the propulsion system are:

[0008] - a low working energy consumption

[0009] - a straightforward, easy to build and maintain system

[0010] ~ it is noiseless

[0011] There is shown an implementing method of the underwater propulsion system relating to the figures 1, 2 and 3:

[0012] Fig. 1 ■ a general isometric view' of the propulsion system

[0013] Fig. 2 - a side view of the propulsion system

[0014] Fig. 3 -• an upper view7of the propulsion system

[0015] The propulsion system consists of a driving motor 1, an oscillating longitudinal assembly 2 and a control and command unit 3. The motor 1 is secured in an upright position to the body of a water advancing vehicle and outputting an intermittent oscillatory rotation at a given angle. It is connected to the telescopic rod 2a of the longitudinal assembly 2 by means of an axle lb under an angle of 90 degrees. The axle lb is secured to the underwater vehicle by means of a bearing la providing the taking in and the distribution to the vehicle of the propulsion force.

[0016] The oscillating assembly 2 consists in a telescopic rod 2a, a longitudinal elastic element 2b and a blade 2e having a deformable membrane. The telescopic rod 2a is rigidly secured on one side to ths axle lb of the motor and on the other side to the longitudinal elastic element 2b, having a sliding length to transmit the intermittent oscillatory rotation, over a given distance, from the motor 1 to the elastic element 2b. The longitudinal elastic element 2b comprises a structure having to cope with consecutive left-right bowings and consists in bending deformable components which can be: elastic bars, longitudinal leaves of metallic springs.

[0017] The blade 2c having a deformable membrane is secured to the elastic element 2b arid bears a double function; on one hand contributes to the bending of the elastic element 2b and on the other hand to the blocking of the rearward motion along with the unbending of the elastic element 2b, that leading by default to the vehicle propulsion. The blade 2c has a symmetric geometry towards the longitudinal axis determined by the rod 2a and the elastic element 2bsbeing made from a deformable membrane 2e secured to an extensible frame 2d.

[0018] The control and command unit 3 consists in several command and communication modules providing an optimal operation regarding the operator determined advancement events as well as the external communication in case the remote control of the system is needed. The unit 3 mainly controls the revving and the rotation angle of the motor 1, as well as the length of the telescopic rod 2a.

[0019] The system tor underwater propulsion through elastic-inertial transformation operates as follows: PCI7RO 2025 / 000006

[0020] From the control and command unit 3 is induced the starting of the motor 1 which starts to rotate oscillatory and intermittently at a given angle. This rotating motion is transmitted to the telescopic rod 2a having a predetermined length. We assume the initial motion being a clockwise one. The motion of the end opposed to the secured one of the rod 2a is transmitted to the longitudinal elastic element 2b which, as opposed to the motion of the membrane blade 2c, bends and builds up a given amount of elastic energy. When the action of the rod 2a comes to an end the elastic element triggers on spot a rebounding to the initial shape leading to the rearward motion of the blade, deformation of the membrane 2s and the blocking of its movement while generating a propulsion force for the underwater vehicle respectively. The movement iterates counterclockwise, carrying on periodically. The system thus employs the inertia of the kinetic assembly to offset the generation of the elastic energy. Even if the angle between the propulsion force and the movement direction differs from zero, because of the high frequency oscillatory movement the lateral components of the force cancel themselves out and lead to a propulsion on the movement direction.

[0021] According to the propulsion requirements, the revving, the oscillation angle of the motor 1 as well as the length of the rod 2a can be altered through commands input by means of the control and comm and unit 3.

[0022] The method for underwater propulsion through elastic-inertial transformation is based on the law of transformation and conservation of energy, wherein a mechanical energy corresponding to the rotation of a motor is transformed into elastic energy by bending a deformable element, while the energy in its turn triggered by the rebounding to the initial shape of the deformable element is transformed into propulsion energy for the watercraft.

[0023] In this case, in a first step, the motor 1 actuates on the rod 2a which it rotates under a given angle and along with the braking done by the deformable membrane blade 2c bends the elastic element 2b. In the second step, once die actuation on the rod 2a ceases the built up energy triggers the rebounding of the elastic dement 2b to its initial shape, situation leading to the generation of a propulsion motion from the blade 2e, which goes blocked because of the sudden rearward motion to the secured end of the rod 2a, propulsion conveyed to the vehicle by means of the bearing la, The motion carries on similarly in the reverse and the process resumes periodically.

Claims

1. The underwater propulsion system, characterized is that it is made up from an actuation motor (1), a longitudinal assembly (2) and a command and control unit (3), wherein the motor (1) is secured to the vehicle and connected to the longitudinal assembly (2) by means of an axle (lb) provided with a bearing (la), the longitudinal assembly (2) being made up from an oscillating telescopic rod (2a) rigidly secured to 90 degrees at an end to the axle (lb) of the motor (1), this continuing with an elastic longitudinal element (2b), made up from bending deformable elements, ending up with a blade (2c) having a deformable membrane (2e) secured to an extensible frame (2d), the command and control unit (3) being made up from several communication and logic operation modules.

2. Method for underwater propulsion through elastic-inertial transformation, characterized in that it determines the means whereby the oscillating mechanical energy' applied to a longitudinal assembly transforms itself into elastic energy by bending a deformable element, this elastic energy transforming itself in its turn into propulsion energy for the vehicle the system is connected to, and which comprises the following steps:- in the first step an elastic longitudinal element (2b) is bent through actuation at an end of a rod (2a) rotated clockwise by a motor up to a given angle, concurrently with the braking of the other end by a deformable membrane blade (2e);- in the second step, the veiy moment the rod (2a) ceases to be actuated the built up energy triggers the rebounding of the elastic element (2b) to its initial shape and generates a propulsion motion from the blade (2c) which goes blocked because of the sudden rearward motion to the secured end of the rod (2a), and by default the movement of the vehicle the sy stem is connected to;~ in the third step, the elastic longitudinal element (2b) is bent through actuation at an end of the rod (2a) rotated counterclockwise by the motor up to a given angle, concurrently with the braking of the other end by the membrane blade (2e);- in the fourth step, the built up energy triggers the rebounding of the elastic element to its initial shape and generates a new propulsion motion from the blade (2e) to the secured end of the rod (2a) performing the rotation.

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