KR20250032360A - Ship having assistive propulsion module - Google Patents

Abstract

A vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module of the present invention comprises a vertical axis provided on a hull, and a rotor having a length and being rotatable, wherein the rotor comprises a barrel member having a telescopic structure in which the vertical axis is positioned at the center and has a maximum length during a rotational operation and a minimum length during a stopping operation, the barrel member having a diameter larger than the diameter of the vertical axis; and a length adjusting unit for increasing or decreasing the length of the barrel member at an upper portion of the vertical axis.
The present invention can provide a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module that can add thrust using a Magnus facility while minimizing drag when not in use.

Description

Ship having assistive propulsion module

The present invention relates to a vessel having an auxiliary propulsion module.

A ship is a means of transportation that sails the ocean carrying large quantities of minerals, crude oil, natural gas, or thousands of containers. It is made of steel and moves by the thrust generated by the rotation of a propeller while floating on the waterline due to buoyancy.

Ships generate thrust by driving engines or gas turbines. At this time, the engine uses oil fuel such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) or light oil (MDO, MGO) to move a piston, so that the reciprocating motion of the piston rotates the crankshaft, which then rotates the shaft connected to the crankshaft to drive the propeller. On the other hand, a gas turbine combusts oil fuel together with compressed air, and generates power by rotating turbine blades through the temperature/pressure of the combustion air, which is then used to transmit power to the propeller.

However, in recent years, in order to solve the problem of environmental destruction caused by exhaust fumes when using oil fuel, gas fuel propulsion methods are being used that drive engines or turbines using gas fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In particular, since LNG is a clean fuel and its reserves are more abundant than oil, the method of using LNG as a gas fuel is being applied to other ships such as container ships in addition to LNG carriers.

Furthermore, the utilization of solar and wind power as natural energy sources that do not produce any exhaust emissions is also attracting attention. In particular, wind power has the advantage of being simple in structure and low maintenance costs, as wind power can be easily converted into propulsion power by installing equipment such as sails on deck.

Also, unlike the commonly known sails, a rotor facility that can directly rotate using power and convert wind power into propulsion in the desired direction has been recently developed, for example, the Magnus module.

Meanwhile, the Magnus module can act as a drag force when not in use, and efforts are being made to develop it to reduce this.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a ship equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module that can add thrust by using the auxiliary propulsion module while minimizing drag when not in use.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

One aspect of a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a vertical axis provided on a hull; and a rotor having a length and being rotatable; the rotor comprises: a barrel member having a telescopic structure in which the vertical axis is positioned at the center and has a maximum length during a rotational operation and a minimum length during a stopping operation; and a length adjusting unit for increasing or decreasing the length of the barrel member above the vertical axis.

The above length adjusting member includes a winch having a wire, and the upper end of the barrel member is connected to the wire, and the length can be adjusted by winding and unwinding the wire.

The above-mentioned barrel member may have a plurality of barrels having different diameters so that the barrels can overlap each other, and the plurality of barrels may have a guide groove formed therein to guide the direction of movement of the barrels on the adjacent inner side, and a protrusion formed therein to move along the guide groove of the barrel on the adjacent outer side in conjunction with the deformation of the length of the barrel member.

The above protrusion is provided in an upwardly inclined diagonal or spiral shape along the direction of rotation of the barrel member, and the depth of the guide groove at at least one of one end and the other end may be gradually reduced compared to the center to facilitate inflow and outflow of the protrusion.

The above-mentioned barrel member is configured so that when the maximum length is reached, the adjacent barrels partially overlap each other, and the protrusions are partially exposed from the adjacent barrels and the remainder are inserted into the guide grooves of the adjacent barrels, thereby restraining the plurality of barrels to each other.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

A vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to the present invention can improve the operating efficiency of the vessel by minimizing drag when not in use while adding thrust using the auxiliary propulsion module.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is stopped in a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which the auxiliary propulsion module according to the first embodiment of the present invention is stopped.
FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is operated in a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates.
FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to a second embodiment of the present invention operates.
FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to a third embodiment of the present invention operates.
FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention operates.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and the present embodiments are provided only to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is stopped in a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to some embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is stopped in a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is operated in a vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to some embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module is operated in a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a vessel (100) equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a hull (110) and an auxiliary propulsion module (200).

The hull (110) is a hull of a large ship in which a living quarters (111) are provided on a deck (110A). For example, it may be a hull of a cargo ship, but is not limited thereto. Of course, a propeller (not shown) may be installed on the stern of the hull (110), and the ship may be operated by the main thrust generated by the propeller. The present embodiment may reduce the horsepower required to propel the ship by utilizing auxiliary thrust by the Magnus effect.

The auxiliary propulsion module (200) may be protrudingly installed on the upper part of the ship (100) to generate force by the Magnus effect using the wind and provide thrust to the hull (110). For example, the auxiliary propulsion module (200) may be a Magnus module that may be installed on the deck (110A). In addition, in order to smoothly utilize the wind, that is, to prevent the Magnus effect from being reduced by other equipment (not shown) or containers of the ship (100), it is exemplified that it is installed on the bow, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, one auxiliary propulsion module (200) is exemplified, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the type of ship, etc., one or more auxiliary propulsion modules (200) may be provided, and if a plurality of auxiliary propulsion modules (200) are provided, they may be installed spaced apart from each other on the deck (110A).

Such auxiliary propulsion module (200) is a wind-assisted propulsion device and may include a vertical shaft (210) and a rotor (220).

The vertical axis (210) may be provided in an upright form on the hull (110) so that the auxiliary propulsion module (200) is provided in an upright form on the deck (110A) of the hull (110). The vertical axis (210) may form a rotational axis of the rotor (220), and a motor (not shown) may be connected thereto to transmit rotational power, and the rotational power may be transmitted to the rotor (220).

And the vertical shaft (210) may have a cylindrical shape smaller than the diameter of the rotor (220) so that the drag can be reduced while the length of the rotor (220) is minimal. The interior of the vertical shaft (210) may be hollow, and a stator (not shown) may be provided inside so that the rotation of the shaft may be supported by the stator. For example, in order for the cantilever-shaped vertical shaft (210) and the rotor (220) to rotate stably, the stator may be installed upright on the hull and used as a support for the vertical shaft (210).

The rotor (220) may be provided to have a length and be rotatable to generate the Magnus effect, and may have a tubular shape so that the lifting force (Magnus effect) acts in the thrust direction, thereby reducing the horsepower required for propulsion of the ship (100). The mechanism by the Magnus effect may be applied with known technology, and is briefly explained as follows.

The Magnus force (force generated by the Magnus effect) generated by the rotor (220) can be directed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wind flows, and the Magnus force can include a thrust directed in the direction in which the hull (110) is moving, thereby reducing the horsepower required for propulsion.

Meanwhile, the diameter of the rotor (220) for the efficiency of the Magnus force may act as a drag when the auxiliary thrust is not generated. In other words, when the wind blows in the direction of travel of the hull (110), the auxiliary propulsion module (200) may act as a drag and reduce the propulsion efficiency of the ship. Accordingly, the structure/length of the rotor (220) may be modified so that the diameter is such that the Magnus force is efficiently generated when the rotor (220) is in operation, while the drag is minimized when the rotor (220) is stopped.

For this purpose, the rotor (220) may include a barrel member (221) and a length adjustment member (223).

The barrel member (221) may be provided with a telescopic structure in which the vertical axis (210) is positioned at the center and the length is maximum during a rotational motion and minimum during a stop motion. That is, the barrel member (221) may be provided with a plurality of barrels, and the diameters of the barrels may be different so as to overlap each other. In addition, the barrel member (221) may have a structure in which adjacent barrels partially overlap each other when the length is maximum.

The rotor (220) has a diameter larger than that of the vertical axis (210) so that the Magnus effect can be efficiently generated, while its length can be reduced when not in use so that the drag is generated only by the vertical axis (210). Here, the diameter of the vertical axis (210) is smaller than that of the barrel member (221), so that the drag of the auxiliary propulsion module (200) can be reduced compared to the barrel member (221) that is fully extended.

The length of the barrel member (221) can be adjusted by the length adjustment part (223). To this end, the upper end of the barrel member (221) is connected to the wire (223W) of the length adjustment part (223), and the length can be adjusted by winding and unwinding the wire (223W).

The length adjustment unit (223) can increase or decrease the length of the barrel member (221) at the upper portion of the vertical axis (210). For example, the length adjustment unit (223) can be provided as a winch having a wire (223W). The winch can be controlled by automatically detecting the wind direction and wind speed by driving a motor (not shown) and a wind vane (not shown), but is not limited thereto.

And, on the lower surface of the length adjustment part (223) (which may be the lower surface of the winch), an insertion groove corresponding to the upper shape of the barrel member (221) is formed, so that when the length of the barrel member (221) is at its maximum, the barrel member (221) can be inserted into the insertion groove. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

Figure 5 is a drawing showing a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to a second embodiment of the present invention operates. The auxiliary propulsion module (200) of the second embodiment may include a vertical shaft (210) and a rotor (220) that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment.

Meanwhile, the fitting groove (2231) of the length adjustment part (223) of the second embodiment may have a structure that interferes with the shape so that the tubular member (221) having the maximum length can be stably fixed to the winch on the vertical axis (210).

For example, the uppermost part of the insertion groove (2231) and the barrel member (221) may have a wave shape. However, it is not limited thereto, and the uppermost part of the insertion groove (2231) and the barrel member (221) may also have a zigzag shape. That is, the uppermost part of the insertion groove (2231) and the barrel member (221) may be provided in a shape with uneven heights so as to be caught on the bottom of the winch with respect to the rotational direction of the barrel member (221).

Accordingly, the barrel member (221) and the length adjustment part (223) form a structure in which they are interlocked through the fitting groove (2231), so that the barrel member (221) and the winch can rotate stably together without rotating. In addition, since the barrel member (221) and the winch can be interlocked in the wave-shaped fitting hole (2231) and the winch can be fixed to the vertical axis (210), the barrel member (221) can be rotated by rotating either the barrel member (221) or the vertical axis (210). Accordingly, the number of motors can be reduced or the structure can be simplified compared to a structure in which each of the barrel member (221) and the vertical axis (210) rotates.

Hereinafter, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, and redundant descriptions of the same components performing the same function will be omitted.

In addition, the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention and any one of the known techniques may be combined to form another embodiment. For example, the third and fourth embodiments may be combined so that the protrusions (2212) form a spiral shape, with some parts exposed from the adjacent outer tube and the remaining parts inserted and fixed into the adjacent outer tube. In addition to the third and fourth embodiments, the second embodiment may be further combined, so that various modifications are possible.

Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to a third embodiment of the present invention operates. With reference to Fig. 6, differences from those explained using Figs. 1 to 5 will be mainly explained.

Referring to FIG. 6, the auxiliary propulsion module (200) of the third embodiment may include a vertical shaft (210) and a rotor (220) identical to or similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

Meanwhile, the tubular member (221) of the third embodiment may be formed with a guide groove (2211) and a protrusion (2212).

The guide groove (2211) may be formed on a plurality of inner surfaces of the barrel member (221), and may be provided as a groove with an extended length to guide the movement direction of the adjacent inner barrel. For example, the guide groove (2211) may have an upwardly inclined diagonal or spiral shape along the rotational direction of the barrel member (221).

In addition, the guide groove (2211) may have a shape in which the depth of the groove is gradually reduced at one end and/or the other end compared to the center to facilitate the inflow and outflow of the protrusion (2212). In other words, the guide groove (2211) may have a structure in which the protrusion (2212) is prevented from being caught in the protrusion (2212) and thus from being removed or inserted.

The protrusion (2212) can move along the guide groove (2211) of the adjacent outer barrel in accordance with the length change of the barrel member (221). The protrusion (2212) has an upwardly inclined diagonal or spiral shape along the rotational direction of the barrel member (221), and can guide the flow of wind when exposed to the outside while the length of the barrel member (221) is at its maximum.

And the barrel member (221) of the present embodiment can have various modifications, such as the length of a plurality of barrels may not change in a vertical straight direction, but may change as the protrusion (2212) rotates clockwise/counterclockwise along the guide groove (2211).

In addition, the protrusion (2212) and the guide groove (2211) are exemplified as having a straight shape, but may have a curved shape so that the length can easily be changed as the plurality of cylinders of the cylinder member (221) rotate.

Fig. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which an auxiliary propulsion module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention operates. With reference to Fig. 7, differences from those explained using Figs. 1 to 6 will be mainly explained.

Referring to FIG. 7, the auxiliary propulsion module (200) of the fourth embodiment may include a vertical shaft (210) and a rotor (220) that are the same as or similar to those of the first to third embodiments. In addition, a guide groove (2211) and a protrusion (2212) may be formed similarly to the third embodiment.

Meanwhile, the protrusion (2212) of the barrel member (221) of the fourth embodiment can bind multiple barrels together by having a part of the protrusion (2212) exposed from the neighboring barrel and the rest inserted into the guide groove (2211) of the neighboring barrel. Accordingly, multiple barrels can be prevented from rotating relative to each other, and the entire barrel member (221) can be rotated by rotating only one of the multiple barrels.

In addition, according to a modified example of the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the guide groove (2211) and the protrusion (2212) may be formed in a straight line. Various modified examples are possible in this way.

A vessel (100) equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve the operating efficiency of the vessel by minimizing drag when not in use while adding thrust using the auxiliary propulsion module (200).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above and the attached drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

100: Vessel with auxiliary propulsion module 110: Hull
200: Auxiliary propulsion module 210: Vertical axis
220: Rotor

Claims (5)

a vertical axis provided on the hull; and
A rotor having a length and being rotatable,
The above rotor,
A tubular member having a diameter larger than the diameter of the vertical axis, which is provided as a telescopic structure with a maximum length during a rotational motion and a minimum length during a stopping motion, with the vertical axis positioned at the center; and
A vessel having an auxiliary propulsion module, the auxiliary propulsion module including a length adjusting member for increasing or decreasing the length of the barrel member at the upper portion of the vertical axis. In the first paragraph,
The above length adjustment unit includes a winch having a wire,
A vessel having an auxiliary propulsion module, the upper part of which is connected to the wire and the length of which is adjusted by winding and unwinding the wire. In the first paragraph,
The above barrel member is provided with different diameters so that multiple barrels can overlap each other.
A ship having an auxiliary propulsion module, wherein the above plurality of barrels are formed with guide grooves that guide the direction of movement of the adjacent inner barrels, and a protrusion formed that moves along the guide grooves of the adjacent outer barrels in conjunction with the deformation of the length of the barrel member. In the third paragraph,
The above protrusion is provided in an upwardly inclined diagonal or spiral shape along the rotational direction of the above-mentioned barrel member,
A vessel equipped with an auxiliary propulsion module in which the guide groove has a depth that is gradually reduced at at least one end compared to the center to facilitate the inflow and outflow of the protrusion. In the third paragraph,
The above-mentioned tubular member is such that when the maximum length is reached, adjacent tubular members partially overlap each other,
A vessel having an auxiliary propulsion module, wherein some of the above protrusions are exposed from the adjacent above-mentioned barrels and the rest are inserted into the above-mentioned guide grooves of the adjacent above-mentioned barrels to bind the plurality of above-mentioned barrels to each other.

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