Segmented Ship Steering Rudder Plates for Reduced Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large rudder plates on ships can lead to increased resistance and inefficient travel, as well as excessively large steering shaft diameters, compromising propulsion and turning performance.
Innovation Solution
The steering device features port and starboard rudder plates with specific geometric configurations, including vertical and inclined portions, supported by steering shafts that extend vertically and are positioned to minimize resistance and interference with the propeller, allowing for efficient water flow and reduced shaft diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the left rudder plate and the right rudder plate are made large to improve turning performance, then the turning performance is improved, but the resistance increases and the ship cannot travel efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The rudder plate is divided into multiple segments (left rudder plate with left front and left rear portions, right rudder plate with right front and right rear portions) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the rudder to achieve effective turning control without requiring each plate to be excessively large, thereby reducing resistance while maintaining turning performance.
2Ease of operation
If the left rudder plate and the right rudder plate are made large to improve turning performance, then the turning performance is improved, but the shaft diameters become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rudder plates into multiple controllable portions, the patent reduces the size requirement for each individual plate while maintaining overall turning effectiveness. This consequently reduces the shaft diameters needed to support and rotate these smaller rudder segments, simplifying the steering mechanism.
3Loss of energy
If the lower end portions of the rudder plates are positioned at the lower end portion of the propeller to reduce resistance, then the travel efficiency is improved, but the turning performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented rudder plate structure allows different portions to serve different functions. The lower end portions are positioned to minimize resistance and improve travel efficiency, while the upper portions and inclined portions can be optimized for generating turning force. The independent control of each segment enables simultaneous optimization of both travel efficiency and turning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates inclined portions that extend diagonally, adding a dimensional aspect to the rudder plate geometry. This inclined configuration allows the rudder to effectively interact with water flow at multiple angles, enhancing turning capability while maintaining the lower end position optimization for reduced resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device allows a ship to travel efficiently. A port side rudder plate has a left front rudder plate fixed to a lower portion of a stern and a left rear rudder plate. A starboard side rudder plate has a right front rudder plate fixed to the lower portion of the stern and a right rear rudder plate. The left rear rudder plate is supported by a rear portion of the left front rudder plate and a left steering shaft fixed to the left rear rudder plate. The right rear rudder plate is supported by a rear portion of the right front rudder plate. A right steering shaft fixed to the right rear rudder plate. In a rear view, lower end portions of the port side rudder plate and the starboard side rudder plate are at a lower end portion of an outer peripheral portion of the propeller.