SHIP

• US 20140137781A1
• Filed: 11/14/2013
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wobben Properties Gmbh (Aloys Wobben Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Wobben Properties Gmbh (Aloys Wobben Stiftung)
• Inventors: Rohden, Rolf
• Application Number:
  US14/079,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20140137781A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/39.3
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/02 using Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).

Claims

1. A cargo ship comprising:

a plurality of Magnus rotors positioned on an upper deck of the cargo ship and exposed to receive wind;

a plurality of individually actuable electric motors associated with and coupled to the respective Magnus rotors for rotating the Magnus rotors;

a plurality of electrical converters, each associated with each respective electric motor for providing electric power to drive the respective electric motors coupled to the Magnus rotors; and

an operational gangway, the operational gangway provided at least partially with a cover in such a way that the cover adjoins at least one of an outer skin of the ship and a top side of the ship.

2. The cargo ship according to claim 1, further comprising:

a central control unit connected to the converters for controlling the individual converters in order to control at least one of a rotary speed and a rotary direction of the Magnus rotors in each case independently of the other Magnus rotors.

3. The cargo ship according to claim 2, wherein the rotary speed and the rotary direction of the Magnus rotors is controlled in dependence on at least one of wind speed, wind direction, a predeterminable course and navigational information.

4. The cargo ship according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electric motor as a main drive of the ship; and

a converter being associated with the electric motor for controlling the electric motor.

5. The cargo ship according to claim 3, wherein the Magnus rotors are controlled by a central control unit in such a way that a maximum propulsion is achieved, wherein a difference between a desired propulsion and a propulsion obtained by rotation of the Magnus rotors is afforded by a main drive.

6. The cargo ship according to claim 1, further comprising:

a weather deck that has substantially rounded corners and rounded component parts to implement an aerodynamic form.

7. The cargo ship according to claim 1, further comprising:

a deckhouse having a profile that contributes to a propulsion of the ship.