Systems and methods to generate propulsor side forces
US8376694B1 · kind B1 · utility
0Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H5/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for maneuvering an underwater vehicle by generating vehicle maneuvering forces from a propulsor of the vehicle are provided. A ducted, pre-swirl propulsor is configured such that the pitch angles of the stator blades of the upstream stator row can be varied. By varying the pitch angles of the stator blades about the circumference, a mean stator side force is generated. Subsequently, the axial velocity and swirl that is ingested into the inflow is varied. The rotor of the propulsor then generates a side force in response to the inflow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.