Contoured Boat Propeller Shield with Dynamic Gates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Propeller blades are prone to damage from underwater objects and pose a risk to people, and existing propeller guards often impede water flow, leading to performance issues such as cavitation and loss of thrust.
Innovation Solution
A propeller shield with automatically opening and closing gates, designed to align with the propeller's rotation axis, uses a biasing element like a spring-loaded hinge to manage gate movement, allowing water flow and minimizing resistance while protecting the propeller from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a propeller guard is used to protect the propeller from underwater objects, then the propeller is protected from damage, but water flow is impeded causing cavitation and loss of thrust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable gates that can dynamically change position between open and closed states. The gates are mounted on a rotation axis and can be positioned to either block or allow water flow through the propeller area, enabling the system to adapt between protection mode and performance mode based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller guard is divided into multiple separate gates rather than a solid continuous shield. Each gate can be independently positioned on the rotation axis, allowing selective opening and closing of different segments to optimize both protection and water flow characteristics.
2Reliability
If a solid propeller guard is used to prevent damage, then protection is maximized, but resistance to water flow increases reducing boat performance
Solution Approach 1:
The gates are designed to rotate dynamically between closed (protection) and open (performance) positions. During operation, the gates can be rotated to align with water flow, minimizing resistance while maintaining protection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the propeller perimeter can have gates in different positions - some gates closed for protection while others remain open for water flow, allowing localized optimization of both protection and performance characteristics.
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 shield effectively prevents propeller damage and maintains boat performance by allowing water flow, improving control characteristics like planing, speed, and steering while safeguarding against underwater hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element such as a spring-loaded hinge may be coupled to each of the gates to automatically close the gate in response to cessation of the forward movement
Implementation Method 2
the water flow generated by the propeller may exert a force on a portion of the shield element surrounding the apertures to open the gates
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller shield to selectively shield rotating blades of a propeller. The propeller shield may include a shield element for placement adjacent to the propeller blades. The shield element may include multiple gates configured to open in response to water flow generated by the propeller. The gates may be configured to open away from the propeller in response to a forward movement of the boat, and to close towards the propeller in response to cessation of the forward movement.