Ship Propeller Nozzle Recessed Anode Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ship propeller nozzles suffer from electrolytic corrosion when used in seawater, leading to premature wear and reduced efficiency due to the presence of sacrificial anodes which increase drag and disrupt fluid flow.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle design featuring recessed receptacles on the outer surface to house sacrificial anodes, allowing for a large number of anodes to be arranged without protruding, thus minimizing flow disruption and enabling easy replacement, with an electrically conductive carrier plate for effective corrosion protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sacrificial anodes are mounted on the outer surface of the nozzle shroud for corrosion protection, then corrosion resistance is improved, but nozzle drag increases and thrust is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidnozzle drag
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sacrificial anodes are nested within a recessed receptacle in the nozzle jacket, allowing them to be housed inside the nozzle structure rather than protruding from the outer surface. This nesting approach provides corrosion protection while minimizing disruption to the fluid flow and reducing drag losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple sacrificial anodes are arranged on the nozzle surface, then corrosion protection is improved, but the disruption to fluid flow and drag increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidnozzle thrust
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sacrificial anodes are nested within the recessed receptacle, allowing sufficient corrosion protection volume while maintaining a streamlined outer surface that minimizes flow disruption and preserves nozzle thrust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is positioned in the rear region of the nozzle, utilizing the axial dimension to house the anodes away from the critical flow regions, thereby reducing their impact on fluid flow and thrust generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If sacrificial anodes are attached to the nozzle for corrosion protection, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and replacement difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidnozzle manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle system is segmented into the nozzle jacket with an integrated receptacle and separate sacrificial anodes. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be manufactured as a complete unit with the receptacle already formed, while the anodes can be independently replaced when consumed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is preliminarily formed as an integral part of the nozzle jacket during nozzle manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies both the manufacturing process and future anode replacement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design maintains nozzle thrust and efficiency while providing effective corrosion protection, allowing for easy anode exchange and reduced drag, enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the propulsion system.

Implementation Method 1

the nozzle shroud is usually made of metal and must be protected against electrolytic corrosion. Otherwise, particularly when the ship's propeller is used in seawater, there is a risk of severe electrolytic corrosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolytic corrosion: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

there is a risk of severe electrolytic corrosion and the resulting premature wear of components of the propulsion system comprising the ship's propeller, including the associated nozzle, due to the high conductivity of seawater and its suitability as an electrolyte and galvanic cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic cell: Galvanometer

Data Source

PatentEP3544887B1Nozzle of a ship propeller
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SCHOTTEL
  • EP3544887B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3544887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3544887B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle (1) of a ship propeller (19) that can rotate about an axis of rotation (A), comprising a nozzle casing (10) extending along the axis of rotation (A) and surrounding the ship propeller (19), and having inner and outer surfaces (11, 12), which together form a flow profile, and having at least one sacrificial anode (2) arranged on the outer surface (12) of the nozzle casing (10), wherein the outer surface (12) of the nozzle casing (10) has at least one recess (13) that is deepened in relation to the flow profile and the at least one sacrificial anode (2) is correspondingly designed such that it can be introduced into the recess (13) such that it substantially fills the recess (13).