Marine Vessel Propeller, Propeller Blade And Method For Installing The Marine Vessel Propeller

Abstract

A marine vessel propeller to convert engine rotational power into propulsive thrust is of a built-up propeller (BUP) type having a circular array of propeller blades, wherein each propeller blade is a single piece including a blade part and a base part. The base part has a generally circular inner surface with a number of radially extending cylindrical indents provided with planar end wall and fastening holes arranged through the base part at a location of the indents. A cylindrical insert is provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert and arranged to fit into the indent, such that the propeller blades are attachable to a propeller shaft using exemplary fastening bolts through the fastening holes and inserts. A propeller blade and method for installing a marine vessel propeller are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A marine vessel propeller to convert engine rotational power into propulsive thrust when in use, wherein the propeller comprises: a built-up propeller (BUP) type circular array of propeller blades, wherein each propeller blade is a single piece having a blade part and a base part, the base part having a generally circular inner surface in which there is arranged a number of radially extending cylindrical indents provided with planar end wall and fastening holes arranged through the base part at a location of the indents; and a plurality of cylindrical inserts, each provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert and arranged to fit into one of the indents, the propeller blades being configured to be attachable to a propeller shaft by fastening bolts through the fastening holes and inserts.

2. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, wherein the inserts are configured and arranged to bear a fastening bolt tensioning load between the base part and a propeller shaft.

3. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, wherein each insert has a cylindrical overall shape, through-hole for a fastening bolt and two parallel planes defining the insert thickness configured to define a clearance between the base part inner surface relative to a propeller shaft when tightened for use.

4. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, wherein the base part planar indents are perpendicular to radial direction of the circular inner surface.

5. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, wherein each insert is configured and fit to be received and attached on a planar indent of a propeller shaft.

6. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, in combination with a propeller shaft, wherein each insert configured and arranged to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between a propeller shaft and the base part of the propeller blade by providing a sealing disconnecting surfaces of said propeller shaft and inner surface of said base part.

7. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, in combination with a propeller shaft, wherein the base part inner surface is isolated from galvanic connection to the propeller shaft.

8. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, in combination with a propeller shaft, wherein the propeller blade base part is slanted in a slant angle (α) in an axial direction of the propeller shaft so that a foot of the blade part configured in a pitch angle (β) in relation to the axial direction of the propeller shaft fits on an outer surface of the base part.

9. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 1, wherein each propeller blade is configured to receive at least two dowels, one by a rear part of the base part and one by a front part of the base part, the dowels being arranged parallel to each other to define a mounting direction of the propeller blade for assembly.

10. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 9, in combination with a propeller shaft, wherein each dowel is provided with a dowel insert configured to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft and the base part by providing a sealing disconnecting a propeller shaft outer surface and inner surface of said base part.

11. A marine vessel propeller according to claim 7, wherein the propeller shaft is provided with an electrically insulating coating to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft and the propeller blade by providing a sealing disconnecting a propeller shaft outer surface and inner surface of said base part.

12. A marine vessel propeller blade for a propeller of claim 1, wherein the base part comprises: planar indents to receive the inserts and the dowel inserts, the indents being bevelled so that the propeller blade can be brought to a mounted position from one direction for tightening.

13. A marine vessel propeller blade for a propeller of claim 1, wherein the propeller blade base part is slanted in a slant angle (α) in an axial direction.

14. A method for installing a marine vessel propeller of a built-up propeller (BUP) type circular array of propeller blades, wherein each propeller blade is a single piece having a blade part and a base part, the base part having a generally circular inner surface in which there is arranged a number of radially extending cylindrical indents provided with planar end wall and fastening holes arranged through the base part at a location of the indents; and a plurality of cylindrical inserts each provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert and arranged to fit into one of the indents, the propeller blades being configured to be attachable to a propeller shaft by fastening bolts through the fastening holes and inserts, wherein the method comprises: providing a propeller shaft including planar indents on the shaft; installing the inserts into the indents and fixing the indents to the shaft; forming a corrosion protective insulation on a remaining exposed shaft outer surface; and attaching one propeller blade at the time into position by tightening the fastening bolts.

15. A method according to the claim 14, comprising: installing and fastening dowels and dowel inserts to the shaft prior to forming the protective insulation.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the installing and fastening comprises: tightening insert attaching screws to fix the indents to the shafts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of exemplary embodiments, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a marine vessel propeller according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly of marine vessel propeller according to another exemplary embodiment disclosed herein; and,

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates details of an exemplary fastening arrangement in a marine vessel propeller according to still another exemplary embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A marine vessel propeller is disclosed herein which can convert an engine rotational power into a propulsive thrust when in use, wherein the propeller is of a built-up type BUP with attachable/detachable propeller blades. A BUP as disclosed can have improved power transmission capability in a relatively slim hub design to improve hydrodynamic efficiency. Further, a BUP as disclosed can have improved corrosion resistance. A BUP as disclosed can be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and the performance can be considerably improved compared to known solutions.

[0026] An exemplary embodiment of a marine vessel propeller as disclosed can convert engine rotational power into propulsive thrust when in use, wherein the propeller is of a built-up propeller (BUP) type having a circular array of propeller blades, wherein each propeller blade is a single piece including a blade part and a base part. The base part can have a generally circular inner surface in which there is arranged a number of radially extending cylindrical indents provided with planar end wall and fastening holes arranged through the base part at the location of the indents. A cylindrical insert is provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert and arranged to fit into the indent, such that the propeller blades are attachable to a propeller shaft by means of, for example, fastening bolts through the fastening bolt holes and inserts.

[0027] An exemplary embodiment enables the propeller blades to be attached to a propeller shaft in such a way that combined base part and propeller shaft combination (i.e., parts corresponding to a known hub), has a relatively compact diameter corresponding to a power transmission capability and has a streamlined and flush outer contour. This can provide better hydrodynamic efficiency.

[0028] Furthermore, as the propeller is of a built-up propeller (BUP) type having a circular array of propeller blades, the circular array can be most suitably divided in segments to match to a designed number of propeller blades, such as for example, four, five or six blades corresponding 90 degrees, 72 degrees or 60 degrees segments. The propeller blade is a single piece including a blade part and a base part, for example, made of a cast metal such as stainless steel or bronze.

[0029] The propeller blade base part can have a generally circular inner surface. This feature has an effect to the overall design of the hub. The propeller shaft may be made circular and relatively small in diameter while the base part has even thickness that is beneficial in giving good strength properties within compact dimensions especially when done as a cast piece. The inner surface of the base part is, for example, intended not to be in direct contact with the propeller shaft when assembled but all contact is established via inserts. This enables conformal protective coating against corrosion, especially galvanic corrosion if the propeller blade and propeller shaft are of different material having different electropotential.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment the base part has a number of radially extending cylindrical indents provided with planar end wall and fastening holes arranged through the base part at the location of the indents. These indents form the support and base of the propeller blade when fastened to the propeller shaft. The indents size together with positioning and number, are arranged, configured and designed so that the surface area of the planar end wall provides enough area, when fastening bolts properly tightened, to bear all the load the engine delivers with a safety margin, for example to bear the load of propeller hitting an ice floe.

[0031] The inserts fitted into the indents are arranged to bear the fastening bolt tensioning load between the base part and the propeller shaft. The insert has cylindrical overall shape, through-hole for fastening bolt and two parallel planes defining the insert thickness that defines a clearance between the base part inner surface and the propeller shaft when tightened for use. Thus the thickness of the insert is designed to be greater than the distance between the planar end walls of indents in the base part and in the propeller shaft (if the propeller blade is put on its position without inserts). It is intended to create a clearance between the base part inner surface and the propeller shaft outer surface. This enables use of soft materials such as polymer coatings or layers as a corrosion protection layer because the corrosion protection layer does not participate in delivering the forces between the propeller shaft and the blade. The contact and load delivery from the propeller shaft though cylindrical inserts to the base part and further to the blade part (and ending to the water) can be very accurate due solid construction and even possible to calculate accurately in strength sense.

[0032] This provides a marine vessel propeller in which performance is considerably improved in terms of power transmission, corrosion resistance and manufacturability.

[0033] The exemplary embodiments presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of novel features disclosed herein. The verb “to comprise” is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features disclosed herein are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. .

[0034] FIG. 1 depicts schematically an exemplary marine vessel propeller 1 to convert engine rotational power into propulsive thrust when in use, wherein the propeller is of a built-up propeller (BUP) type arranged in a circular array of propeller blades 10, such as four, five or six propeller blades forming the array, wherein the propeller blade 10 is a single piece including a blade part 11 and a base part 12. In this embodiment the propeller blade 10 base part 12 is slanted in a slant angle α in axial direction of the propeller shaft 2 so that the foot of the blade part 110 configured in a pitch angle β in relation to the axial direction of the propeller shaft 2 fits on the outer surface of the base part 12. The propeller blades 10 are attachable to a propeller shaft 2 by means of fastening bolts 3 or other similar fasteners through the fastening holes 13.

[0035] In FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of an internal construction is disclosed wherein one propeller blade, its base part and all blade parts are not shown to improve the view and clarity of the illustrated embodiment. Instead of the base part, there is shown one exemplary embodiment of attachment means. The base part 12 has a generally circular inner surface 120 in which there is arranged a number of radially extending cylindrical indents 121 provided with planar end wall and fastening holes 13 arranged through the base part 12 at the location of the indents 121. A cylindrical insert 131 is provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert 131 and arranged to fit into the indent 121, such that the propeller blades 10 are attachable to a propeller shaft 2 by means of the exemplary fastening bolts 3 through the fastening holes 13 and inserts 131. The inserts may be attached to the shaft 2 (or to the base part 12) with attaching screws 135 or corresponding means.

[0036] In the FIG. 2 exemplary embodiment each propeller blade 10 is configured to receive at least two dowels 14, one by a rear part of the base part 12 and one by a front part of the base part 12. The dowels 14 are configured and arranged parallel to each other to define the mounting direction of the propeller blade 10 for assembly. Furthermore, each dowel 14 is provided with a dowel insert 141 to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft 2 and the base part 12 by providing a sealing 142 disconnecting the propeller shaft outer surface 20 and inner surface 120 of said base part 12. The sealing 142 also protects the dowel 14 from sea water contact.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of an exemplary propeller embodiment that is of a built-up propeller (BUP) type arranged in a circular array of propeller blades 10. Here five propeller blades (only base parts 12 shown in FIG. 3) form the array. The base part 12 has a generally circular inner surface 120 in which there is arranged a number of radially extending cylindrical indents 121 provided with planar end wall and fastening holes 13 arranged through the base part 12 at the location of the indents 121. A cylindrical insert 131 is provided with a hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert 131 and arranged to fit into the indent 121, such that the propeller blades 10 are attachable to a propeller shaft 2 by means of exemplary fastening bolts 3 through the fastening holes 13 and inserts 131. The exemplary insert 131 has cylindrical overall shape, through-hole for a fastening bolt 3 and two parallel planes 133, 134 defining the insert 131 thickness that defines a clearance 212 between the base part 12 inner surface 120 and the propeller shaft 2 when tightened for use. The inserts 131 are arranged to bear the fastening bolt 3 tensioning load between the base part 10 and the propeller shaft 2. The base part 12 planar indents 121 are perpendicular to radial direction of the circular inner surface 120. When assembling the propeller blade, it is easiest if the insert 131 is fit to be received and for example, attached on a planar indent 22 of the shaft 2 and the propelled blade is moved only as such. In exemplary embodiments, the dowels are fastened to the propeller shaft 2 with suitable dowel fastener 143, such as a bolt or other similar means.

[0038] As presented in FIG. 3, in addition to the load bearing function of the insert 131 it may also have another function. The insert 131 is arranged to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft 2 and the base part 10 of the propeller blade by providing a sealing 132 disconnecting the surfaces 20 of said shaft 2 and inner surface 120 of said base part 12. Furthermore, by using inserts 131 that bear all forces between the shaft 2 and the propeller blade 10, the propeller shaft 2 may be provided with a coating to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft 2 and the propeller blade 10. The clearance 212 between the base part 12 inner surface 120 and the propeller shaft 2 is the available space for a coating to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft 2 and the propeller blade 10 by preventing the contact of seawater to the shaft 2. Indeed, the base part 12 inner surface 120 is isolated from galvanic connection to the propeller shaft 2. There is a desire and need for a protective coating that will last years in a marine environment, at least 5 years, preferably 15 years or a lifetime. The presently known protective coatings to fulfil this requirement are relatively “soft”. An exemplary solution is provided by a combination of the inserts and a simple soft protective coating, whereby the inserts take away any requirements with respect to load carrying from the protective coating. The exemplary design described here is not limited to hard protective coatings (e.g. sprayed polyurethane, epoxy or electroplating) that are capable of carrying the load between the vessel engine and the propeller blade, but one can also use softer corrosion resistant coatings that provide longer protection. Naturally this is more relevant when the propeller blade 10 material is not the same material as the shaft 2 and these may form an anode/cathode pair. With a marine vessel propeller in seawater it will practically always have to deal with more noble materials and less noble materials (i.e., those having different electropotential). In a normal case the propeller shaft is the less noble material which needs to be protected by a corrosion resistant coating to protect it from galvanic corrosion.

[0039] The sealing 132 of the insert 131 also protects the bolts 3, especially the stressed parts of bolts 3, such as the bolt's shank, from a potential stress corrosion fatigue caused by combination of seawater and propellers continuous bending forces and stress induced by vibrations. Each exemplary dowel 14 is also provided with a dowel insert 141 to disconnect an anode/cathode-coupling between the propeller shaft 2 and the base part 12 by providing a sealing 142 disconnecting the propeller shaft outer surface 20 and inner surface 120 of the base part 12. The shaft 2 rear and front parts that are not in connection with or in vicinity of the propeller parts, can be protected by known means such as rings, plates and caps equipped with seals, and the like.

[0040] FIG. 3 also presents an exemplary embodiment where the base part 12 includes planar indents 121 to receive the inserts 131 and the dowel inserts 141, the indents 121 are bevelled so that the propeller blade 10 can be brought to its mounted position from one direction for tightening. As presented in the FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment includes fastening bolts in a radial direction of the propeller shaft, but the dowels are necessarily not. The dowels are set in the mounting direction that is depending on the base part 12 slant angle α, as the propeller blade 10 base part 12 may be slanted in a slant angle α in axial direction.

[0041] The exemplary marine vessel propeller may be installed into position according to the following exemplary procedure. A method for installing the marine vessel propeller of a BUP type, includes:

[0042] providing a propeller shaft including planar indents on the shaft;

[0043] installing the inserts into the indents and fixing the inserts to the shaft for example by means of attaching screws;

[0044] forming a corrosion protective insulation on the remaining exposed shaft outer surface; and

[0045] attaching one propeller blade at the time to its position and tightening the fastening bolts.

[0046] The dowels 14 and dowel inserts 141 are, for example, installed at a same time as the inserts 131. At the same time the dowels 14 and dowel inserts 141 are also fastened to the shaft 2 by fasteners such as screws 143. Also dowel inserts 141 may be fastened with fasteners 145, such as screws. Then dowels 14 and dowel inserts 141 are also installed and fastened to the shaft 2 prior forming a protective insulation. Thus the insulation is for example, attached to the shaft 2 before installing the propeller blades 10 but after installing the inserts and optionally the dowels. This can make the propeller blade installation as easy as possible and still enable very good corrosion protection to the shaft 2.

[0047] While the invention has been described herein by way of examples in connection with what are, at present, considered to be the most preferred exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various combinations or modifications of its features.

[0048] The details mentioned in connection with any embodiment above may be used in connection with any other embodiment when such combination is technically feasible.

[0049] Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

Elements used in Figures: [0050] 1 propeller [0051] 10propeller blade [0052] 11 blade part [0053] 110 foot of the blade part [0054] 12 base part [0055] 120 base part inner surface [0056] 121 base indent [0057] 13 fastening hole [0058] 131 insert [0059] 132 insert sealing [0060] 133 insert plane [0061] 134 insert plane [0062] 135 insert attaching screw [0063] 14 dowel [0064] 141 dowel insert [0065] 142 dowel sealing [0066] 143 dowel fastener [0067] 145 dowel insert fastener [0068] 2 propeller shaft [0069] 20 propeller shaft outer surface [0070] 21 fastening bolt hole [0071] 22 indent for insert [0072] 212 clearance [0073] 3 fastening bolt