Gearless Pod Propulsor Counter-Rotating Propellers Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating vessels with traditional propulsion systems face inefficiencies due to gear losses and the inability to effectively recapture swirling energy, leading to increased energy costs, reduced maneuverability, and higher emissions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of gearless pod propulsors with counter-rotating propellers, where a trailing propeller recovers energy from a lead propeller by turning in the opposite direction, enhancing propulsive efficiency and eliminating the need for gears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional propulsion systems with gears are used, then power transmission is achieved, but gear losses reduce propulsive efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear transmission system entirely from the pod propulsor, extracting the problematic gear losses from the propulsion system. The gearless design eliminates mechanical gear components that cause energy loss through friction and inefficiency, directly addressing the contradiction by removing the source of energy loss rather than attempting to mitigate it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear transmission system with a direct-drive configuration where the motor shaft is directly connected to the propeller shaft. This substitution eliminates the need for gear mechanisms and their associated losses, achieving higher propulsive efficiency through a simplified mechanical architecture.
2Loss of energy
If a single propeller is used, then propulsion is achieved, but swirling energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a second trailing propeller that recovers the swirling kinetic energy that would otherwise be discarded by the lead propeller. The trailing propeller is positioned to capture the rotational energy in the wake of the lead propeller and convert it into useful thrust, directly addressing the energy loss issue by recovering what would be wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a second propeller in the axial direction behind the first propeller, utilizing the space in the wake region. This dimensional arrangement allows the trailing propeller to operate in the swirling flow field created by the lead propeller, converting the three-dimensional swirling energy into useful linear thrust in the fourth dimension of propulsion efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If counter-rotating propellers are used, then swirling energy is recovered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lead and trailing propellers into a single integrated pod propulsor unit, where both propellers share a common mounting structure and control system. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate propulsion systems, while still achieving swirling energy recovery through the counter-rotating configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves propulsive efficiency, reduces energy consumption and emissions, enhances maneuverability, and minimizes harm to sailors and the environment by enabling better vessel control and reducing fossil fuel usage.
Implementation Method 1
the trailing propeller turns in an opposite direction from the lead propeller simultaneously generating thrust for the floating vessel along a thrust vector using the counter rotation of the trailing propeller to recover swirling energy from the lead propeller
Data Source
AI summary
A floating vessel with gearless pod propulsor and counter rotating propellers is secured to a hull, each pod having a lead propeller and a trailing propeller, each propeller connected to a shaft connected to either a stator and rotor or a hydraulic motor. A lead propeller turns in a first direction and a trailing propeller turns in an opposite direction simultaneously, generating thrust for the floating vessel along a thrust vector using the counter rotation of the trailing propeller to recover swirling energy from the lead propeller improving propulsive efficiency of the floating vessel. The pod is positioned below a water line of the floating vessel providing propulsion for the floating vessel without gears.