Maritime Drone Wing Sail Retractable Slewing Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maritime drones with wing sails are prone to tipping over or damage in strong winds due to complex and exposed movement mechanisms, which are costly and susceptible to breakage.
Innovation Solution
A maritime drone with a wing sail that can be moved between operative and non-operative positions, retractable into a containment volume, using simplified movement means comprising a motorized slewing bearing and translation mechanism to rotate and adjust the wing sail's angle, ensuring protection and efficient wind utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wing sail is made retractable into a containment volume to protect against strong winds, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to movement means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tilting function and rotation function into a single integrated motorized sleving bearing structure. The sleving bearing simultaneously performs both movements (tilting and rotation) through a unified mechanical design, eliminating the need for separate actuators and linkages for each function, thus reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized sleving bearing is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both tilting and rotation operations. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized mechanisms, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving the desired reliability in strong wind conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex movement means are used to enable both tilting and rotation of the wing sail, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges tilting and rotation functions into a single motorized sleving bearing assembly, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration significantly lowers assembly costs and manufacturing complexity while preserving full adaptability for both tilting and rotation operations
3Ease of operation
If the electric motor is mounted on the support base outside the hull, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to exposed electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric motor from the external support base and relocates it inside the hull where electrical connections are protected from environmental damage. The motorized sleving bearing is designed so that the motor housing is positioned within the hull, while the sleving mechanism itself extends outward to perform the tilting and rotation functions, thus separating the sensitive electrical components from exposed areas
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
The solution provides a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective maritime drone that can withstand strong winds without risking damage, maintaining operational efficiency and reducing aerodynamic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
allows the drone itself to navigate by exploiting the thrust exerted by the wind
Implementation Method 2
wing sail extended projecting from the aforesaid hull, which allows the drone itself to navigate by exploiting the thrust exerted by the wind
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Maritime drone (1) comprising a hull (2), which is provided with an upper face (3) and defines a containment volume (5) at its interior, a wing sail (6), which is extended along a main extension direction (X) transverse to the upper face (3), is provided with a wing profile (7) susceptible of intercepting the wind and is movable between an operative position, in which the wing profile (7) projects from the upper face (3), and a non-operative position, in which the wing profile (7) is housed in the containment volume (5), first movement means (8), which are arranged for moving the wing sail (6) between the operative position and the non-operative position, and second movement means (9), which are arranged, at least with the wing sail (6) in operative position, for rotating the wing sail (6) around a rotation axis (Y) parallel to the main extension direction (X). In addition, the first movement means (8) are arranged for moving the wing sail (6) along a translation axis (Z) parallel to the main extension direction (X). The second movement means (9) also comprise a motorized slewing bearing (11) provided with a stator ring (12), which is fixed to the hull (2), with a rotatable support (13), which is rotatably and coaxially mounted on the stator ring (12) around the rotation axis (Y), is rotatably integral with the wing profile (7), and is provided with a through guide channel (14). Such guide channel (14) is extended axially parallel to the translation axis (Z), communicates with the containment volume (5) and carries, slidably inserted, the wing sail (6) along the translation axis (Z). In addition, the motorized slewing bearing (11) is provided with motor means (15) mechanically connected to the rotatable support (13) and arranged for making it rotate around the rotation axis (Y).