SHIP

• US 20090311924A1
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aloys Wobben
• Original Assignee: Aloys Wobben
• Inventors: Wobben, Aloys
• Granted Patent: US 8,261,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/6
• 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 position on an upper deck and exposed to the wind;

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

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

4. A ship according to claim 1 and further comprising:

an electric motor as the main drive of the ship, a converter being associated with the electric motor for controlling the motor.

6. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

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

7. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

an operational gangway in the main deck, wherein the operational gangway is provided at least in portion-wise manner with a cover in such a way that the cover adjoins an outer skin of the ship and/or a top side of the ship.

8. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

a deckhouse, the profile of which is such that it contributes to the propulsion of the ship.

9. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

a subdividable cargo holds, wherein subdivision of the cargo hold is effected by fitting pontoon covers.

10. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

a closable weather deck hatch, in particular with a hydraulically driven folding cover system, which extends substantially over the entire length of the cargo hold.

11. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

a closable stern gate which is preferably hydraulically driven.

12. A ship according to claim 11 comprising:

a lift which is arranged in the region of the stern gate and by way of which the cargo hold can be reached.

13. A ship according to claim 1 comprising

an on-board crane, in particular a portal crane, which is movable on rails.

14. A ship according to claim 13 wherein

the on-board crane is arranged on a lift platform in such a way that the on-board crane is movable into a plane below the weather deck in such a way that the weather deck can close over the on-board crane.

15. A ship according to claim 1 comprising:

at least one internal combustion engine coupled to an electric generator for generating electrical energy.

16. A ship according to claim 15 comprising:

a post-combustion unit for post-combustion of the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine;

a heat exchanger for taking off the combustion heat of the post-combustion unit and/or the heat of the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine; and

a generator which is coupled to the heat exchanger and which is driven by the heat delivered by the heat exchanger.

17. A ship, in particular according to claim 1, comprising:

a propeller, and

a rudder which has a Costa pear,

wherein at least two guide vanes are arranged on the Costa pear in such a way that a part of the turbulence generated by the propeller is converted into a propulsion force.

18. A ship according to claim 17 and further comprising a ring which encloses the guide vanes.

19. A ship, in particular according to claim 1, comprising:

a propeller having blades,

wherein the blades of the propeller each have a preferably bent edge arc.

20. A ship according to claim 19 wherein the blades of the propeller have an elliptical edge arc.

21. A ship according to claim 19 wherein the blades of the propeller have two edge arcs which are angled to opposite sides of the blades.

22. A ship, in particular according to claim 1 comprising:

a first central rudder and at least two second rudders which are respectively arranged displaced a predetermined amount from the first central rudder, wherein the two second rudders are of a size which is twice as large as the size of the central rudder.

2. A ship according to claim 2 comprising:

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

3. A ship according to claim 2 wherein

the rotary speed and the rotary direction of the Magnus rotors is controlled in dependence on the wind speed, the wind direction, a predeterminable course or navigational information.

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