Propulsion system for aquatic vessels
First Claim
1. A propulsion system for an aquatic vessel, wherein the propulsion system includes at least one Magnus-type rotor including a cylindrical body, which Magnus-type rotor is configured to rotate about a corresponding substantially upright axis, a drive arrangement for rotating the at least one Magnus-type rotor, and a control arrangement for controlling the drive arrangement for varying rates of one or more of rotation or direction of the at least one Magnus-type rotor,wherein the at least one Magnus-type rotor includes a hollow region therein, and is rotationally supported onto a support arrangement which extends into the hollow region, and at least one motor of the drive arrangement for rotating the at least one Magnus-type rotor is included in the hollow region and lies outside the support arrangement, and the at least one motor is accessible for maintenance, and the at least one Magnus-type rotor includes a ventilation aperture arrangement in the upper region of the rotor for enabling an upward movement of air into and out of the cylindrical body to occur in operation within the at least one Magnus-type rotor for ventilating and cooling one or more of the drive arrangement or other internal components;
- wherein the at least one Magnus-type rotor is elongate and includes an upper portion which is supported onto a first bearing arrangement disposed between the at least one Magnus-type rotor and the support arrangement, and a lower end of the support arrangement is connected to a foundation installed on a deck region of the aquatic vessel; and
the first bearing arrangement includes at least two sets of roller bearings, wherein the sets of roller bearings have their axes of rotation angularly disposed so as to enable pivoting of the at least one Magnus-type rotor in operation about the first bearing arrangement, but substantially hindering lateral movement of the at least one Magnus-type rotor relative to the support arrangement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A propulsion system (102) for an aquatic vessel (100) is provided. The propulsion system includes a plurality of Magnus-type rotors (108) and a drive arrangement (147) for rotating the plurality of Magnus-type rotors. The plurality of Magnus-type rotors are operable to rotate about corresponding substantially upright axes. The propulsion system also includes a control arrangement (150) for controlling the drive arrangement to vary rates of rotations of the plurality of Magnus-type rotors. Each of the plurality of Magnus-type rotors includes a hollow region (116) therein. Each of the Magnus-type rotors is rotationally supported onto a support arrangement (118) which extends into the hollow region. The drive arrangement includes at least one motor (148) disposed in the hollow region and located outside the support arrangement such that the at least one motor is accessible for maintenance. Furthermore, the at least one Magnus-type rotor includes a ventilation aperture arrangement (132) for enabling an upward movement of air to occur in operation within the at least one Magnus-type rotor for ventilating and cooling the drive arrangement and/or other internal components.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A propulsion system for an aquatic vessel, wherein the propulsion system includes at least one Magnus-type rotor including a cylindrical body, which Magnus-type rotor is configured to rotate about a corresponding substantially upright axis, a drive arrangement for rotating the at least one Magnus-type rotor, and a control arrangement for controlling the drive arrangement for varying rates of one or more of rotation or direction of the at least one Magnus-type rotor,
wherein the at least one Magnus-type rotor includes a hollow region therein, and is rotationally supported onto a support arrangement which extends into the hollow region, and at least one motor of the drive arrangement for rotating the at least one Magnus-type rotor is included in the hollow region and lies outside the support arrangement, and the at least one motor is accessible for maintenance, and the at least one Magnus-type rotor includes a ventilation aperture arrangement in the upper region of the rotor for enabling an upward movement of air into and out of the cylindrical body to occur in operation within the at least one Magnus-type rotor for ventilating and cooling one or more of the drive arrangement or other internal components; wherein the at least one Magnus-type rotor is elongate and includes an upper portion which is supported onto a first bearing arrangement disposed between the at least one Magnus-type rotor and the support arrangement, and a lower end of the support arrangement is connected to a foundation installed on a deck region of the aquatic vessel; and
the first bearing arrangement includes at least two sets of roller bearings, wherein the sets of roller bearings have their axes of rotation angularly disposed so as to enable pivoting of the at least one Magnus-type rotor in operation about the first bearing arrangement, but substantially hindering lateral movement of the at least one Magnus-type rotor relative to the support arrangement.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification