Device, such as a propeller, for ships which is independent of the main propeller propulsion system and can be used as an active maneuvering mechanism
US5632661A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H25/42
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Device which is independent of the main propulsion system of a ship, and which can be used selectively as a passive rudder or as an active maneuvering mechanism, and consists of one or more blades, a wheel body, a transmission and one or more control units. When the wheel body is stationary, in response to commands from the control unit or units, the blades can be oriented separately by means of the transmission and can be coupled or uncoupled to set the required angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ship. In that case, the device acts as a passive rudder. When the wheel body is rotating, the position of the eccentrically located blade or blades is varied during a rotation of the wheel body so that a resulting thrust is generated on account of the hydrodynamic forces which act on the blade or blades. The direction of the thrust can be set in any desired direction by means of the control unit or control units and the sun wheel or the sun wheels of the transmission. In that case, the device acts as an active maneuvering mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.