Adjustable Skeg Steering Assembly for V-Keel Watercraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nautical variable-trim steering and propulsion assemblies face inefficiencies due to a directional skeg that forms an angle with the watercraft's symmetry plane, reducing steering efficiency and increasing hydrodynamic lift, and require structural changes for installation, making retrofitting and re-powering costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A nautical variable steering and propulsion assembly with a directional skeg that can be modified in inclination relative to the propeller axis, using releasable constraint means and multiple skeg variants with preset angles, allowing for optimal orientation and installation on existing hulls without compromising directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the directional skeg is fixed at an angle to the watercraft's symmetry plane to adapt to V-keel hulls, then the assembly can be installed on existing hulls without structural changes, but the steering efficiency is reduced and hydrodynamic lift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skeg is made adjustable in inclination angle through a releasable constraint mechanism, allowing it to adapt dynamically to different operational requirements. The skeg can be positioned at different angles relative to the torpedo-shaped element, enabling optimization between adaptability to V-keel hulls and steering efficiency based on specific operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the skeg is changed as a variable parameter. By modifying the angle parameter through the releasable constraint means, the system can optimize performance for different hull types and operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed-angle adaptability and variable steering efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the directional skeg is fixed at an angle to accommodate V-keel hulls, then installation on existing hulls is simplified, but the equivalent length of the skeg is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The skeg's inclination angle is made variable through the releasable constraint mechanism, allowing the equivalent length to be adjusted dynamically. This enables the skeg to achieve optimal effective length for different hull configurations without compromising installation simplicity on existing V-keel hulls.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint mechanism is segmented into releasable components that allow independent adjustment of the skeg angle. This segmentation enables the skeg to be positioned at optimal angles for different operational requirements while maintaining ease of installation on existing hulls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple skeg variants with preset angles are provided, then optimal orientation can be achieved for different conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint mechanism is divided into modular, releasable components that enable angle adjustment. Instead of providing multiple complete skeg variants, the system segments the constraint system to allow a single skeg to be adjusted to multiple angles, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having multiple fixed-angle skegs, the system implements a dynamic constraint mechanism that allows a single skeg to be repositioned to optimal angles for different operating conditions, reducing the number of parts needed while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A nautical variable-trim (10) steering and propulsion assembly that can be associated to the underside of the bottom (11) of a watercraft and in communication with a motor unit (12) located within said watercraft, said assembly (10) comprising a widened base (13) of resting on said watercraft, a shaft element (14) connected on one side to said base (13) and on another side to a supporting torpedo-shaped element (15) defining the axis of rotation (16) of at least one propeller (17) set at at least one end of said torpedo- shaped element (15), moreover being provided a directional fin-shaped skeg (18, 18') associated to said torpedo-shaped element (15) rotating about the axis of said shaft element (14) for controlling the directionality of said watercraft, characterised in that said directional fin-shaped skeg (18, 18') is in addition rotating about an axis parallel to said axis (16) of said at least one propeller (17) defined by said torpedo-shaped element (15), being provided with releasable constraining means to constrain at least temporarily said directional fin-shaped skeg (18, 18') in an inclined position with respect to said torpedo-shaped element (15).