Active roll stabilisation system for ships

• US 20050145151A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neenam Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Neenam Ltd.
• Inventors: Koop, Mattheus Theodorus, Dinnissen, Lambertus Johannes Maria
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/126
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2039/066 the lift generating devices using the Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/06 to decrease vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water constructional aspects of bilge keels B63B3/44 ; foils mounted on the housing of outboard motors B63H20/34

Abstract

The invention relates to an active roll stabilisation system for ships, comprising at least one rotatable stabilisation element extending below the water line, sensor means for sensing the ship'"'"'s movements and delivering control signals on the basis thereof to driving means for rotating the stabilisation element for the purpose of damping the ship'"'"'s movements that are being sensed. The object of the invention is to provide an active roll stabilisation system for ships that can be used both while the ship is sailing and while the ship is at anchor. According to the invention, the active roll stabilisation system is to that end characterized in that the system furthermore comprises displacement means for moving the stabilisation element with respect to the ship. This makes it possible to create a relative movement of the rotating stabilisation element with respect to the water both while the ship is sailing and while the ship is at anchor, so that the Magnus effect will occur at all times and the correction force thus being generated can be utilised for damping the ship'"'"'s movements that are being sensed.

Claims

1. An active roll stabilization system for ships, comprising:

at least one rotatable stabilization element extending below the water line;

driving means for rotating the stabilization element for the purpose of damping the ship'"'"'s movements that are being sensed; and

sensor means for sensing the ship'"'"'s movements and delivers control signals on the basis thereof to said driving means, wherein the system furthermore comprises displacement means for moving the stabilization element with respect to the hull of a ship.

2. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the ship has a longitudinal direction and the moving stabilization element comprises a motion component in the longitudinal direction of the ship.

3. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement means impart a translating movement to the stabilization element with respect to the ship'"'"'s hull.

4. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 3, wherein the stabilization element is accommodated in a guide mounted in or on the ship'"'"'s hull.

5. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 4, wherein the ship has a longitudinal direction and the guide extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the ship.

6. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement means impart a pivoting movement to the stabilization element with respect to the ship'"'"'s hull.

7. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 6, wherein the stabilization element is connected to the ship by means of a universal joint.

8. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 6, wherein the stabilization element can be accommodated in a recess formed in the ship'"'"'s hull.

9. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 6, wherein the displacement means comprise at least one arm, to which the stabilization element is mounted.

10. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 9, wherein said arm is connected to the ship by means of a universal joint.

11. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element comprises at least one rotatable, elongated shaft.

12. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 11, wherein the stabilization element comprises two rotatable, elongated, interconnected shafts positioned some distance apart.

13. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 12, wherein the two shafts are interconnected by means of an endless carrier mounted over the shafts.

14. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element is of symmetrical cross-section.

15. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 14, wherein the stabilization element is of polygonal cross-section.

16. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element is of asymmetrical cross-section.

17. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element is of conical shape, seen in a longitudinal direction.

18. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element has a roughened outer surface.

19. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 18, wherein the outer surface of the stabilization element comprises a large number of indentations.

20. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization element is provided with at least one plate extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

21. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 20, wherein said plate is mounted to the end of the stabilization element.

22. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 21, wherein said plate is mounted to the free end of the stabilization element by means of a bearing.

23. An active roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein the ship has first and second longitudinally extending sides and the stabilization element is provided on either longitudinally-extending side of the ship.