Watercraft Stabilizing Fin Drive System with Toroidal Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft stabilizing systems face challenges in effectively reducing roll motion during navigation and at anchor, particularly due to the limitations of actuation surface and efficiency when using stabilizing fins, which require high torques and complex cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizing system for watercraft featuring a driving system with an electric motor and reduction gear, where the motor is cooled naturally by water contact, and includes encoders for precise control and a modular design for simplified installation and maintenance, allowing for efficient anti-roll stabilization both during navigation and at anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stabilizing fins are used to reduce roll motion, then on-board comfort is improved, but the axial space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is positioned inside the reduction gear, which is itself integrated into the toroidal casing. This nested arrangement allows the motor-reduction gear assembly to occupy minimal axial space while still providing the necessary torque multiplication and cooling surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) casing that extends radially rather than axially. By distributing the cooling surface area and structural components in the radial dimension, the design achieves effective water cooling and structural integrity without increasing axial encumbrance.
2Force
If high torque is generated for fin actuation, then stabilizing effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the cooling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction gear outer body serves dual purposes: it provides structural support for the gear mechanism and simultaneously acts as a heat sink for water cooling. The water flow that would otherwise require separate cooling channels directly contacts the outer body surface, eliminating the need for complex internal cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer body of the reduction gear performs multiple functions: it houses the gear mechanism, provides structural support, and serves as the primary cooling surface. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating dedicated cooling components.
3Ease of repair
If modular design is implemented for simplified maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct modular components: the toroidal casing with integrated cooling, the reduction gear assembly, the electric motor, and the fin mechanism. Each module can be independently serviced or replaced, simplifying maintenance while the standardized interfaces minimize the complexity increase.
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 provides effective anti-roll stabilization with reduced axial encumbrance, enabling improved on-board comfort and reduced maintenance complexity, while utilizing natural water cooling to enhance motor efficiency and reduce the need for complex cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal portion (1C) that is open on one side. This toroidal portion is configured for being inserted in an opening in the hull (15) of a watercraft... The system utilizes natural water cooling to enhance motor efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a reduction gear (2) with hollow shaft... the outer body (1B) of which is fixed, on the opposite side, to the motor flange (3A)... the output of the reduction gear (2) is connected to the shaft (11) of a stabilizing fin (16)
Implementation Method 3
during navigation the stabilising fins 16 exploit the phenomenon of the lift to generate high stabilising momenta with a relatively exiguous actuation surface
Implementation Method 4
at anchor it is not possible to exploit the lift but it is necessary to exploit the inertial forces (acceleration and deceleration) and the forces of viscous resistance
Implementation Method 5
it is necessary to exploit the inertial forces (acceleration and deceleration) and the forces of viscous resistance (linked to the velocity of actuation of the fin 16) to generate the stabilising momentum
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a system for stabilising a watercraft with a hull. The stabilising system comprises a stabilising fin fixed with respect to a shaft of the fin, a driving system comprising an electric motor with hollow shaft and a reduction gear with hollow shaft for turning the shaft of the fin, and a control system configured for receiving identification data on the roll of the watercraft and for driving the electric motor as a function of the roll. In particular, the casing of the driving system comprises a toroidal portion configured for being inserted in an opening of the hull, wherein the toroidal portion comprises features for fixing the casing to the hull. The reduction gear comprises an output connected to the shaft of the fin and an input. The electric motor is arranged in the toroidal portion and comprises a stator fixed with respect to the casing and a rotor connected to the input of the reduction gear, wherein the shaft of the fin passes through the electric motor and the reduction gear, and the electric motor is arranged between the reduction gear and the stabilising fin.