A rudder system for marine vessels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rudder system for marine vessel having separate sets of rudders—at the bow and aft section of the marine vessel. Each set includes at least one rudder on the starboard side and one on the port side, capable of being adjusted for manoeuvring the marine vessel.

Description

A RUDDER SYSTEM FOR MARINE VESSELSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to marine vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to marine vessels equipped with extendable rudders.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The maritime industry has long faced challenges in optimizing vessel performance at sea, particularly when navigating diverse ocean conditions. Marine vessels and marine floating objects, such as barges, traditionally rely on fixed bow structures that are designed to minimize water resistance and enable efficient forward movement. However, these static designs fall short when it comes to adapting to different sea states, speeds, and draft conditions. The need to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance the overall operational capabilities of marine vessels has become increasingly critical, driving the motivation to develop more advanced solutions.

[0003] Rudders play a critical role in steering and manoeuvring marine vessels, especially when navigating through tight spaces or performing complex manoeuvres in varying environmental conditions such as strong currents or high winds. Conventional marine vessels typically have rudders positioned at the aft portion to provide directional control. However, when attempting to achieve precise manoeuvrability, particularly at low speeds or when docking, traditional rudder systems often fall short of providing the necessary responsiveness.

[0004] In an effort to address these limitations, some advanced vessels have incorporated multiple rudders, while others have used complex propulsion systems to aid in manoeuvrability. However, these solutions either add significant complexity or fail to provide adequate control in certain situations. Therefore, there exists a need for a simple yet effective system that enhances the manoeuvrability of a marine vessel without substantially increasing its mechanical or operational complexity.

[0005] The present invention addresses this need by providing a marine vessel equipped with extendable rudders, which are independently adjustable to improve manoeuvrability in a variety of conditions.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary may or may not be intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter’s scope.

[0007] Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing summary and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.

[0008] The various objectives and embodiments of present invention as presented herein are understood to be illustrative and not restrictive and are non-limiting with respect to the scope of the invention.

[0009] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a marine vessel with enhanced manoeuvrability through the use of extendable rudders.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a marine vessel where the rudders are independently extendable, allowing for precise control over the vessel’s movements.

[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a marine vessel where the rudders are capable of being extended or retracted in a telescopic manner, facilitating control in varying environmental conditions.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a marine vessel with a system of rudders that can be extended asymmetrically to allow for fine-tuned manoeuvring during complex navigational tasks.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSFIG. 1 illustrates a general schematic view of the marine vessel (1000), illustrating the rudders at bow portion (100) and aft portion (200).FIG. 2 illustrates an operational view where rudder from bow section (110) and aft section (210) are in extended portion.FIG. 3 illustrates an operational view where rudder from bow section (120) and aft section (220) are in extended portion.FIG. 4 illustrates an operational view where rudder from aft section (210,220) are in extended portion.FIG. 5 illustrates an operational view where the manoeuvrability of the marine vessel (1000) during extension of rudders 120 and 220.FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment where the rudders at aft section are arranged in a skeg shaped configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.

[0014] The marine vessel (1000) as described in this invention comprises a standard hull configuration, including a bow portion at the front and an aft portion at the rear. Thebow section is fitted with a first set of rudders (200, 210) and the aft section is equipped with a second set of rudders (100, 110). These rudders are strategically placed on the port side and starboard side of the vessel. This configuration ensures balanced steering forces during navigation, allowing for optimal control in both forward and reverse directions.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rudders at the bow section (100, 100) are designed to be independently extendable, providing a dynamic response to various steering and manoeuvring needs. The rudders at the aft section (200, 200) are non-extendable but conventional. Traditional rudders are generally fixed in length and position, limiting their ability to adapt to different water conditions or maneuvering requirements. However, in the present invention, each rudder (100, 200) can be independently adjusted in length using a telescopic mechanism. This adjustability enables the vessel (1000) to customize its hydrodynamic profile depending on operational demands, which can significantly enhance the vessel’s control during navigation.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vessel (1000) incorporates rotor sail technology in conjunction with the four-rudder system to enhance maneuverability and optimize the vessel’s response to wind forces. Rotor sails are strategically positioned to create a slight lateral angle, allowing the vessel to adjust its orientation. The rotor sails work in conjunction with the bow rudders (100, 100) and aft rudders (200, 200) to maximize the vessel’s stability and propulsion efficiency.

[0017] The rotor sails generate additional lateral forces that help turn the vessel (1000) slightly to the side, creating a beneficial alignment for harnessing wind energy across the side hull. This integration significantly enhances the vessel’s handling in crosswind conditions or when enhanced lateral maneuvering is required.

[0018] The control system of the vessel (1000) is adapted to manage both the rotor sail adjustments and the extension or retraction of each rudder (110, 120, 210, 220). By synchronizing rudder movements with rotor sails, the system creates a highly responsive navigation method.

[0019] Notably, one of the stem rudders (120) is configured to perform countersteering, where slight adjustments between 1 to 10 degrees can be made, allowing the vessel (1000) to twist slightly while maintaining a forward heading.

[0020] The rudder system also provides stabilization. All four rudders are positioned at an almost vertical angle (85-95 degrees), significantly enhancing the vessel’s stability by reducing rolling and pitching. This arrangement improves the comfort of crew and passengers, even in rough waters.

[0021] The rudders (100, 100) at the bow section are equipped with a telescopic extension mechanism, allowing them to increase or decrease in length. In a fully extended state, the bow rudders (200, 200) provide maximum surface area for turning, improving manoeuvrability during docking or tight turns. Conversely, in a retracted state, the bow rudders reduce drag, enhancing fuel efficiency during cruising operations.

[0022] The aft rudders (200, 200) remain fixed but are configured to complement the operation of the bow rudders (100, 100). Together, the rudders enable the vessel (1000) to operate efficiently in a variety of environmental and navigational conditions.

[0023] During specific maneuvers, such as docking or navigating strong currents, the rudders may be asymmetrically extended. For example, the rudders on one side of the vessel can extend, while the corresponding rudders on the opposite side remain retracted. This asymmetrical configuration allows the vessel (1000) to pivot, side-slip, or make sharper turns as needed.

[0024] The telescopic extension mechanism of the bow rudders includes nested sliding sections made from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or composite polymers. The extension is powered by hydraulic or electric systems, depending on the vessel size. A locking mechanism ensures secure positioning of the rudders during operation.

[0025] Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the vessel (1000) may include only bow rudders or aft rudders, depending on hull design and operational requirements. The rudders can also be synchronized with thruster systems for improved lateral control.

[0026] In another embodiment, the extendable rudders may also act as stabilizing fins, reducing roll and improving stability in rough seas. This dual-function capability makes the system particularly advantageous for large vessels such as cargo ships or cruise liners.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vessel incorporates rotor sail technology in conjunction with the four-rudder system to enhance manoeuvrability and optimize the vessel’s response to wind forces. Rotor sails, such as those developed by BOUND4BLUE or AMONOI, are traditionally used to generate forward thrust by capturing wind. However, in the present invention, these rotor sails are strategically positioned and utilized to create a slight lateral angle, allowing the vessel to adjust its orientation by a few degrees. This controlled adjustment maximizes the surface area of the hull exposed to the wind, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the vessel and enabling more precise navigational control.

[0028] Rotor sails in the present invention are configured to work synergistically with the independently extendable rudder system. By integrating rotor sails with the four-rudder arrangement, the vessel can achieve angular adjustments that improve both stability and propulsion efficiency. The rotor sails generate additional lateral forces that help turn the vessel slightly to the side, creating a beneficial alignment for harnessing wind energy across the side hull. This feature is particularly advantageous when the vessel is navigating in conditions with strong crosswinds or when enhanced lateral manoeuvring is required.

[0029] The control system of the vessel is adapted to manage both the rotor sail adjustments and the extension or retraction of each rudder. This integrated control allows the operator to synchronize rudder movements with the rotor sails, creating a highly responsive navigational system. By slightly tilting the rotor sails, the operator can induce a small lateral angle, thereby using wind forces to assist in turning the vessel. This manoeuvre, in combination with the rudder adjustments, provides a refined level of control over the vessel’s heading and stability, significantly enhancing performance in various environmental conditions.

[0030] The combined use of rotor sails and rudders as described herein represents a novel approach to maritime manoeuvrability. While rotor sails are commonly limited toforward propulsion, their application in this design allows them to contribute to small lateral adjustments that complement the rudder system’s control. This synergy enables the vessel to utilize wind more effectively, especially in circumstances where maintaining a slightly angled position is beneficial. This integration with the rudder system not only enhances steering control but also aids in reducing the vessel’s fuel consumption by optimizing wind-assisted navigation.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the rotor sails may also be configured to control the angle of the accommodation section. This configuration enables the vessel to adjust the position of the accommodation angle slightly, further contributing to the vessel’s navigational control. Such an arrangement would allow for fine adjustments, enabling the vessel to align with the prevailing wind direction and gain additional efficiency. This capability provides enhanced operational flexibility, allowing the vessel to adapt its orientation in response to changing wind conditions dynamically.

[0032] The sail area of commercial ships is substantial, particularly during ballast and non-ballast sailing conditions, due to the large exposed side area of the hull. Even when fully laden, the vessel's side sail area remains considerable, enabling it to interact effectively with wind forces.

[0033] In still another embodiment, in an alternative embodiment, the vessel may be equipped with one or more vertical sails to enhance manoeuvrability in conjunction with the extendable rudders. The vertical sails may include, but are not limited to, rotor sails, suction sails, kite sails or other vertical sails designed to utilize wind energy efficiently.

[0034] The inclusion of vertical sails is particularly advantageous in environments where wind energy can supplement traditional propulsion systems. When combined with the extendable rudders, these sails enhancing the vessel's performance, particularly in terms of manoeuvrability and energy efficiency.

[0035] Additionally, the rudders in this regard could be constructed from reinforced materials, such as high-strength alloys or impact-resistant composites, capable of withstanding the forces encountered while breaking through ice. This would allow thevessel to maintain greater control while navigating through frozen waters and enhance its ability to manoeuvre in icy conditions.

[0036] The rudder system of the present invention provides control and flexibility for the marine vessel. By enabling independent extension and retraction of rudders, the system improves navigation, stability, and fuel efficiency across a variety of operational conditions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A marine vessel comprising: a bow portion and an aft portion; a first set of rudders disposed at the bow portion, and a second set of rudders disposed at the aft portion, wherein one of the stem rudders is operable for countersteering; wherein each of said first and second sets of rudders includes at least one rudder positioned on the starboard side and at least one rudder positioned on the port side of the vessel; wherein each of the rudders is independently extendable to adjust its length.

2. The marine vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rudders are extended telescopically.

3. The marine vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rudders wherein the rudders are operable to extend fully or retract completely.

4. The marine vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rudders are extended asymmetrically.

5. The marine vessel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vertical sail configured to enhance manoeuvrability of the vessel.

6. The marine vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the vertical sail is selected from a group of rotor sails, suction sails or kite sails.

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