Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydrophilic Hydraulics for Leak Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship drives with variable pitch propellers face issues such as immediate repair needs due to minor leaks, environmental pollution from mineral oil hydraulic fluids, and maintenance challenges, particularly when operating under unfavorable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A ship drive system utilizing a hydrophilic hydraulic fluid like water or glycerin, which is easily available and non-polluting, allowing for fault-tolerant operation and reduced maintenance, with a self-lubricating design to prevent mineral oil contamination and minimize steam and cavitation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mineral oil is used as hydraulic fluid, then the hydraulic system provides sufficient pressure and lubrication, but leaks cause environmental pollution and require immediate repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of hydraulic fluid from mineral oil to water-glycerin mixture. This substitution eliminates environmental pollution from leaks while maintaining sufficient hydraulic pressure and lubrication properties through careful formulation of the alternative fluid composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful aspect of hydraulic fluid leaks into a beneficial feature. By using water-glycerin mixture, what was once a severe environmental hazard (mineral oil pollution) becomes a non-problematic issue, allowing continued operation after leaks without environmental damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water is used as hydraulic fluid, then environmental impact is reduced and replacement is easier, but response time may become insufficient under unfavorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite hydraulic fluid consisting of water and glycerin in specific proportions. The glycerin component enhances the fluid's viscosity and lubricating properties, ensuring sufficient response speed and hydraulic performance while maintaining the environmental benefits of water-based fluid.
3Strength
If mineral oil-based lubricants are used in self-lubricating components, then wear is reduced, but contamination of hydraulic fluid and environmental pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes mineral oil-based lubricants from the self-lubricating components. This elimination prevents contamination of the water-glycerin hydraulic fluid and eliminates environmental pollution from lubricant leakage, while alternative lubrication methods maintain adequate wear protection.
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 system enhances operational safety and availability by allowing continued operation during leaks, reducing environmental impact, and simplifying maintenance, while preventing steam and cavitation-related wear.
Implementation Method 1
A ship drive system utilizing a hydrophilic hydraulic fluid like water or glycerin
Implementation Method 2
with a self-lubricating design to prevent mineral oil contamination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a variable-pitch propeller having a hub (18), at least one propeller blade (20) and a hydraulic adjusting device (22) for adjusting the pitch of the at least one propeller blade (20) by means of a hydraulic fluid (29). The invention is characterized in that the hydraulic fluid (29) is hydrophilic.