GB2271935A - Motorised propulsion unit for underwater use. - Google Patents

Abstract

A water resistant electrically powered device is provided for the under or surface water propulsion of divers when attached to a divers air cylinder, backpack or harness, which by means of quick release fillings may be removed and otherwise used as a towing unit on or under water, alternatively as a separate controllable towing pod, alternatively as a means of propulsion for surface vessels. <IMAGE>

Description

POWER-FIN Motorised propulsion unit for underwater use.

This invention relates to the provision of a self contained means of propulsion for SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Diving Apparatus divers.

Air carried by SCUBA divers is contained in compressed air .cylinder or cylinders which are securely mounted in a harness strapped to the back of the diver.

The stored air is consumed by the diver to compensate for the oxygen used in the effort necessary to propel him/her, at and back from the sea bed or other water.

This invention reduces the air usage by providing a separate means of propulsive energy.

The energy is contained in an assembly of rechargeable electric batteries housed in individual cartridges, inserted into watertight compartments connected/ integral with a unit.

Within the unit the stored electrical energy is used to drive an electric motor coupled to a propeller housed in a high efficiency shaped shroud used to propel the diver to, at and from the sea bed or other water without any additional call being made on the compressed air beyond that needed to sustain life.

The propulsion unit is housed in a modular, compartmented construction in a single unit which is mounted upon a divers air bottle/harness with a quick release mechanical clamp securely attaching the propulsion unit to the air cylinder.

The propulsive effort from the motor/propeller is transferred to the diver through said attachments to a back pack.

The invention comprises of a main moulded or fabricated component in a thermoplastic which the outer surface is of compact molecular structure of some 9.5 - 9.99 specific gravity whilst the inner surface is of the same thermoplastic material but created in a cellular structure of some 2.2 to 8.9 specific gravity. The two densities fused and interconnected within the moulding process.

The propeller can be housed in a totally enclosed tubular shaped shroud whose open ends permit free water flow to from and from the propeller. Both ends being screened by barriers to prevent the ingress of debris or foreign bodies becoming entangled in the propeller.

The shape of the shroud to be precise in diameter and shape to enhance propulsion efficiency.

The propulsion unit incorporates, in the drive from the motor to the propeller, a compact barrier-sealed torque transmission, subject to a separate patent application.

Within the propeller a friction clutch is fitted being able to be pre set as required.

Control of the energy supply to the motor from the batteries is by means of an electronic speed control unit whose connection cabling is passed from the propulsion unit to a point adjacent to the divers wrist or tli.dh, said control unit being attached to the divers wrist, arm thigh or other convenient point adjacent to the diver by straps, clips or other fixings.

A second alternative control can also be incorporated within the unit able to be operated by another diver or when using the unit in an emergency situation.

All elements of the unit are to be constructed to be water resistant to withstand pressures attained at depths in the order of 200 metres.

Several embodiments of the invention have been devised and are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. Shows a side view of the assembled unit Figure 2. Illustrates the assembly bracket to the back-pack mounted air cylinder.

Figure 3. Illustrates plan view.

Figure 4. Illustrates an end view and part section.

Referring to the drawing figure 1. The propulsion unit 1. is a complete assembly incorporating a motor, drive and gearbox housed within a central body 2. driving the propeller 3. which runs in a protective shroud 4.

Either side of the unit are equally spaced compartments 5. fitted with doors 6 containing the necessary seals to prevent the ingress of water.

The doors 6. are retained in a closed position by locks or catches 7.

Figure 2. illustrates the adjustable chassis 8. which is able, by adjustable legs 9 and 10. to clamp to the divers air cylinder 11. by means of a locking device 12.

The propulsion unit 1. is hooked us'on retaining latches 13. and locked into position tjpon the chassis 8. by means of a locking/ quick release device 14.

Figure 3. provides a top plan view of the unit which illustrates the variable speed control module 15. connected by a multi pin plug and socket 16. via a flexible cable to a controller 17. this being provided with a control knob, button, lever 18.

incorporating an automatic CUt out within the controller 17.

Provision is made for visual battery capacity information 19.

this controller being attached to a clip or strap 20.

Figure 4. refers to a joint cross sectional view of the unit 1.

showing an end view with the speed controller module 15. in position and a view of the propeller 3. within the shroud 4.

Tlie sectional view illustrates the cavity 22. to accommodate the battery cartridge 23. which incorporates an integral handle/carrying facility 24. at one end and a dust covered automatic electrical plug/socket connection facility 25.

The structural membrane of the body of the unit is illustrated with a solid skin outer surface 26. with a cellular inner surface 27.

Claims (20)

1. A means of propulsion for a free-swimming diver in the provision of a power unit which is easily attached to and readily released from a harness, backpack or cylinder otherwise and additionally containing compressed air, thus rendering the diver free to move in any chosen direction without personal muscular effort beyond steering his/her body with hands and/or feet.

2. The said propulsion unit's attachment to said harness, backpack or cylinder being by means of quick release adjustable attachments whereby the propulsion unit can be removed from such mounting on/under or out of water.

3. The propulsion unit being a separate attachment to the divers standard equipment with quick release fastenings can easily be removed by the diver or his/her 'Buddy' or other personas .

4. A significant reduction in the use by the diver of his/her carried air supply owing to the elimination of air usage by muscular effort required for self propulsion.

5. A significant reduction in fatigue in the diver owing to the provision of a wholly separate and self contained energy source attached to his/her body by means of a hardness, back-pack or air cylinder thus improving mental, tactile and muscular efficiency when working underwater.

6. A significant increase in the distance a diver can travel underwater within the constraints of any fixed quantity of air carried.

7. A significant increase in the time during which a diver can remain underwater owing to the decreased demand for air for a given quantity of air carried.

8. A significant increase in the capability of divers in an underwater environment beyond existing adaptations of human activity underwater.

9. Full control by the diver of his/her movement while underwater through the control mechanism which has infinite range to control propulsive effort from zero to the maximum available from the batteries and motor.

10. The control of the drive being via an attachment to the divers person or drive unit, which is securely linked by a flexible connecting wire or tube to the drive unit and such connection being able to be strapped/clipped to the divers wrist, arm or leg.

11. The provision of a secondary control attached to the propulsion unit to control the drive when used in an emergency removal from tht~di-vers perSon.

12. A drive control that can be preset to enable the drive to continue operating when the divers hands are free on or under water for e.g. Life saving purposes.

13. A drive speed control provided with a single 'Touch' Edead Man cutout' in an emergency situation.

14. Contained within the unit a visual battery monitoring device which is repeated within the control unit.

15. Within the unit provision is made to enable electrical connection or mechanical connection of accessories.

16. A provision of additional handles to the propulsion unit to enable diver towing in an emergency situation.

17. A provision to enable weights to be added or removed to alter the buoyancy of the unit from positive to negative as required for each individual diver.

18. The propulsion unit electrical energy to be provided by removable ixlterchangeable battery cartridges each provided with independent loading safeguards.

19. The power unit electrical circuitry being totally isolated until a full complement of battery cartridges are loaded completing the circuit.

20. The application of two structure thermoplastic material maintaining a minimum weight to buoyancy ratio of the unit.