Method and Apparatus for Adjusting the Flow Properties of a Propeller

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method (1) and an apparatus (10) for adjusting flow properties of a propeller (103) of a propulsion system (100) for watercrafts (1000), in particular for boats and ships, depending on the operation state, comprising the steps of determining the operation state (2) of the propulsion system (100), wherein in the propulsion system (100) either a thrust state or a generator state, in particular a hydrogeneration state for generating energy by hydrogeneration, is present, and adjusting the flow properties (3) of the propeller (103) based on the determined operation state.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system for watercrafts in particular for boats and ships, depending on the operation state, comprising the steps: determining the operation state of the propulsion system, wherein in the propulsion system there is present either a thrust state or a free state or a blocked state or a generator state, in particular a hydrogeneration state for obtaining energy by hydrogeneration; adjusting the flow properties of the propeller based on the determined operation state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation state of the propulsion system is initially set by a user and the user preferably sets a thrust state and/or a free state and/or a blocked state and/or a generator state as the operation state.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when adjusting the flow properties, based on the determined operation state, a propeller shape of the propeller is adjusted and/or an inflow velocity of the propeller is adjusted.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the propeller shape of the propeller is changed by changing an angle of attack of at least one propeller blade of the propeller and/or by changing an inflow area of at least one propeller blade and/or by changing the number of propeller blades and/or by changing the profile thickness depending on the radius of at least one propeller blade and/or by changing the profile camber of at least one propeller blade and/or by changing the blade retraction of at least one propeller blade and/or by changing the skew of at least one propeller blade.

5. The method according to claim 3, in that wherein the inflow velocity is adjusted by means of a cort nozzle.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a diameter of a nozzle outlet of the cort nozzle is adjusted.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the nozzle outlet is adjusted by means of rotation of blades or planes of the cort nozzle.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the inflow velocity of the propeller is adjusted by means of at least one flow flap, wherein the flow flap is preferably arranged upstream and/or downstream of the plane formed by the propeller in the direction of flow, wherein a pivot axis of the flow flap is particularly preferably aligned vertically and/or horizontally.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the orientation of at least one guide vane is varied to adjust the inflow of the propeller.

10. An apparatus for adjusting flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system for watercrafts depending on the operation state, comprising: a module for determining an operation state, wherein the module is configured and arranged to determine the operation state of the propulsion system, wherein in the propulsion system either a thrust state or a free state or a blocked state or a generator state, in particular a hydrogeneration state for generating energy by hydrogeneration, is present; adjustment means for adjusting the flow properties of the propeller, wherein the adjustment means are configured and arranged to adjust the flow properties based on the determined operation state.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a setting apparatus is provided for setting the operation state of the propulsion system by a user, and the user can preferably set a thrust state and/or a free state and/or a blocked state and/or a generator state as the operation state via the setting apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the adjustment means comprise a propeller configured and arranged to change its propeller shape and/or the adjustment means are configured and arranged to adjust an inflow velocity of the propeller.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the propeller is configured and arranged to adjust an angle of attack of at least one propeller blade of the propeller and/or an area of at least one propeller blade and/or a number of propeller blades and/or a profile thickness depending on the radius of at least one propeller blade and/or a profile camber of at least one propeller blade and/or a blade retraction of at least one propeller blade and/or the skew of at least one propeller blade.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the adjustment means comprise a cort nozzle configured and arranged to adjust the inflow velocity of the propeller.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cort nozzle is configured and arranged to adjust a diameter of a nozzle outlet of the cort nozzle.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cort nozzle is configured and arranged to adjust the diameter of the nozzle outlet by means of rotation of vanes or planes of the cort nozzle.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that wherein the cort nozzle is movable along the propeller axis.

18. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one flow flap is provided for adjusting the inflow velocity of the propeller, wherein the flow flap is preferably arranged in the direction of flow in front of and/or behind the plane formed by the propeller, wherein a pivot axis of the flow flap is particularly preferably oriented vertically and/or horizontally.

19. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein by at least one guide vane the inflow velocity of the propeller is influenced, wherein the at least one guide vane can be fixedly or movably mounted in the cort nozzle or on the flow flap.

20. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that wherein the propeller is connected via a shiftable transmission to a generator for generating energy by hydrogeneration, and wherein an adaptation apparatus is provided for adapting the working point of the transmission depending on the efficiency.

21. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the propeller of the propulsion can be pivoted about a vertical pivot axis, preferably pivoted by 180°, so that depending on the respective operation mode an advantageous inflow direction of the propeller is active.

22. A propulsion system for watercrafts, comprising an apparatus for adjusting flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system for watercrafts depending on the operation state, comprising: a module for determining an operation state, wherein the module is configured and arranged to determine the operation state of the propulsion system, wherein in the propulsion system either a thrust state or a free state or a blocked state or a generator state, in particular a hydrogeneration state for generating energy by hydrogeneration, is present; adjustment means for adjusting the flow properties of the propeller, wherein the adjustment means are configured and arranged to adjust the flow properties based on the determined operation state.

23. A watercraft comprising a propulsion system comprising an apparatus for adjusting flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system for watercrafts depending on the operation state, comprising: a module for determining an operation state, wherein the module is configured and arranged to determine the operation state of the propulsion system, wherein in the propulsion system either a thrust state or a free state or a blocked state or a generator state, in particular a hydrogeneration state for generating energy by hydrogeneration, is present; adjustment means for adjusting the flow properties of the propeller, wherein the adjustment means are configured and arranged to adjust the flow properties based on the determined operation state.

24. The watercraft according to claim 23, wherein the watercraft is a boat or a ship.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] Exemplary further embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures.

[0062] FIG. 1 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method for adjusting flow properties for a propeller of a propulsion system depending on the operation state;

[0063] FIG. 2 schematically shows an apparatus for adjusting the flow properties of a propeller depending on a determined operation state of a propulsion system;

[0064] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show schematic representations of propulsion systems for a watercraft; and

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a boat with a propulsion system comprising an apparatus for adjusting flow properties for a propeller of the propulsion system depending on the operation state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the following, exemplary embodiments are described on the basis of the figures. In this context, identical, similar or similarly acting elements are provided with identical reference signs in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

[0067] FIG. 1 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method 1 for adjusting the flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system of a watercraft depending on its operation state 2. The propulsion system may comprise, for example, an electric motor as the drive for driving the propeller.

[0068] First, the method determines the operation state 2 of the propulsion system. The propulsion system can be used in a thrust state to generate thrust. In other words, the propulsion system then generates thrust on the watercraft in the water, thereby serving for its locomotion and/or maneuvering. This operation state 2 is a common operation state of a propulsion system for a watercraft.

[0069] Alternatively, the propulsion system can also be operated in a generator state to generate electrical energy. The generator state here is a hydrogeneration state in which energy is generated by hydrogeneration. This is achieved by, for example, a propeller being impelled by a movement of the watercraft through the water in such a way that it is driven by the flow and is set in rotation accordingly. This rotation is then converted into electrical energy by the drive. If an electric motor is used as a drive, it can be used directly as a generator.

[0070] In a further operation state, the propulsion system can also be operated in a free state in which the individual components are unbraked. For example, a propeller can rotate freely so that it is impelled and rotated by a relative movement through the water.

[0071] In a further operation state, the propulsion system can also be in a blocked state in which the individual components are secured against movement and in particular against rotation. In other words, a propeller in the blocked state does not rotate during a relative movement through the water, so that although the water resistance of the watercraft may increase, the wear on the moving components is reduced.

[0072] The operation state 2 of the propulsion system can be adjusted automatically or the operation state 2 can initially be set by a user and the user can preferably set a thrust state and/or a free state and/or a blocked state and/or a generator state as operation state 2.

[0073] This automatically adjusted or user-set operation state is determined.

[0074] After determining the operation state, the flow properties 3 of the propeller are adjusted based on the determined operation state. When adjusting the flow properties 3 based on the determined operation state, a propeller shape of the propeller is changed and/or an inflow velocity of the propeller is adjusted.

[0075] The propeller shape can be changed by at least one of the following measures: by changing an angle of attack of at least one propeller blade of the propeller, e.g. by rotating the propeller blade around an individual axis of rotation relative to a hub, by changing an area of at least one propeller blade, e.g. by deforming the propeller blade, e.g. via a movable skeleton covered with a foil, in such a way that its area changes, or by changing the number of propeller blades, e.g. by folding in or retracting individual propeller blades.

[0076] Furthermore, the propeller shape can be adjusted by changing the profile thickness depending on the radius of at least one propeller blade 104 and/or by changing the profile camber of at least one propeller blade 104 and/or by changing the blade retraction of at least one propeller blade 104 and/or by changing the skew of at least one propeller blade 104.

[0077] Furthermore, the inflow velocity can be adjusted, for example, by means of a cort nozzle, wherein a diameter of a nozzle outlet of the cort nozzle is adjusted by pivoting vanes or planes of the cort nozzle along the axial direction so that the diameter of the nozzle outlet decreases relative to the diameter of the nozzle inlet.

[0078] Furthermore, the inflow velocity of the propeller 103 can be adjusted by at least one flow flap 106, wherein the flow flap 106 can be arranged in the direction of flow in front of and/or behind the plane formed by the propeller 103, wherein a pivot axis of the flow flap 106 can be aligned vertically and/or horizontally.

[0079] Furthermore, the orientation of the at least one guide vane 107 can be varied in order to adjust and in particular optimize the inflow of the propeller 103.

[0080] FIG. 2 schematically shows an apparatus 10 for adjusting the flow properties of a propeller of a propulsion system of a watercraft depending on the operation state. The propulsion system may comprise an electric motor as the drive.

[0081] The apparatus 10 comprises a module 11 for determining an operation state, which is configured and arranged to determine the current operation state of the propulsion system. For example, either a thrust state or a generator state such as a hydrogeneration state in which energy is generated by hydrogeneration is present.

[0082] Furthermore, the apparatus 10 comprises adjusting means 12 for adjusting the flow properties, which are configured and arranged to adjust the flow properties based on the operation state determined with the module 11. The adjusting means 12 for adjusting the flow properties comprise, for example, a propeller. The propeller is configured and arranged to change its propeller shape.

[0083] In addition or alternatively, the inflow velocity can be adjusted via the adjusting means 12. The adjusting means for adjusting the inflow velocity are configured and arranged to adjust an inflow velocity of the propeller. The propeller is thereby configured and arranged to change an angle of attack of propeller blades of the propeller and/or an area of the propeller blades and/or a number of the propeller blades. The angle of attack of the propeller blades of the propeller is changed, for example, by rotating the propeller blades about an axis of rotation relative to a hub.

[0084] Changing the area of the propeller blades is done, for example, by deforming the propeller blades, e.g. via a movable skeleton covered with a foil, in such a way that their area changes.

[0085] Changing the number of propeller blades is done, for example, by retracting in individual propeller blades.

[0086] The adjustment means 12 for adjusting the inflow velocity additionally or alternatively comprises, for example, a cort nozzle, wherein the cort nozzle is configured and arranged to adjust a diameter of a nozzle outlet of the cort nozzle by rotating vanes or planes of the cort nozzle.

[0087] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically show a propulsion system 100 for watercrafts.

[0088] The propulsion system 100 comprises the apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The propulsion system 100 comprises an electric motor 101 for driving a propeller 103 to rotate. The propulsion system 100 or the electric motor 101 can be used to generate thrust in a thrust state. Alternatively, the propulsion system 100 or the electric motor 101 may also be operated to generate electrical energy in a generator state and thus serve accordingly as a generator. The generator state is here a hydrogeneration state in which energy is generated by hydrogeneration.

[0089] For power transmission, the propulsion system 100 comprises a gearbox 102. The gearbox 102 couples the electric motor 101 to the propeller 103. Either the propeller 103 is driven in the thrust state via the gearbox 102 by the electric motor 101, thereby generating thrust, or the electric motor 101 is driven in the generator state or hydrogeneration state via the gearbox 102 by the propeller 103, which is set in motion, for example, by a flow in a river, by a tidal current, by a movement of the watercraft through the water due to the inertia of the watercraft or by a movement of the watercraft with another propulsion—for example, by a sail or a kite.

[0090] The gearbox 102 can be designed as a shiftable gearbox 102, wherein an adaptation apparatus is provided for adapting the working point of the gearbox depending on the efficiency. This allows the generator 101 to be operated in the optimum range by shifting the shiftable gearbox 102 accordingly.

[0091] In order to be able to perform the respective operation state as optimally as possible, the propeller shape of the propeller 103 can be adapted accordingly. For this purpose, an angle of attack of propeller blades 104 of the propeller 103 can be changed and/or the area of the propeller blades 104 can be changed and/or the number of propeller blades 104 can be changed.

[0092] The angle of attack of the propeller blades 104 of the propeller 103 can be changed, for example, by rotating the propeller blades 104 about an axis of rotation relative to a hub. Changing the area of the propeller blades 104 can be done by deforming the propeller blades 104, e.g. via a movable skeleton covered with a foil, in such a way that their area changes. The changing of the number of propeller blades 104 can be done, for example, by retracting individual propeller blades 104.

[0093] Additionally or alternatively, the propulsion system 100 may comprise an adjustable cort nozzle 105 that adjusts the inflow velocity of the propeller 103. The cort nozzle 105 is arranged in front of the propeller 103 and can adjust a diameter of a nozzle outlet of the cort nozzle 105 by rotating vanes or planes of the cort nozzle 105.

[0094] In FIG. 3C, in some embodiments, instead of the cort nozzle 105 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, a flow flap 106 is now provided by means of which the inflow velocity of the propeller 103 can be influenced. The inflow direction A is shown schematically in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, two or more flow flaps 106 can also be provided.

[0095] The flow flap 106 can be arranged in the direction of flow in front of and/or behind the plane formed by the propeller 103, wherein a pivot axis of the flow flap 106 can be aligned vertically and/or horizontally. However, FIG. 3C shows the positioning of the flow flap 106 in the direction of flow in front of the propeller in the inflow area.

[0096] In FIG. 3D, in some embodiments, three (i.e. several) guide vanes 107 are provided in the cort nozzle 105 of FIG. 3A, by means of which the inflow velocity of the propeller 103 can be influenced.

[0097] FIG. 4 schematically shows a watercraft 1000 with the propulsion system 100 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The watercraft 1000 can be a boat or a ship.

[0098] To drive the watercraft 1000, the propulsion system 100 can generate thrust in a thrust state. In a generator state, which here is a hydrogeneration state in which energy is obtained by hydrogeneration, the propulsion system 100 can also be used to convert flow energy into electrical energy.

[0099] The apparatus 10 of the propulsion system 100, which implements the method 1 according to FIG. 1, adjusts the flow properties based on the determined operation state of the propulsion system 100.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0100] 1 Method [0101] 2 Determining the operation state [0102] 3 Adjusting the flow properties [0103] 10 Apparatus [0104] 11 Module [0105] 12 Adjustment means [0106] 100 Propulsion system [0107] 101 Electric motor/generator [0108] 102 Gearbox [0109] 103 Propeller [0110] 104 Propeller blade [0111] 105 Cort nozzle [0112] 106 Flow flap [0113] 107 Guide vane [0114] 1000 Watercraft [0115] A Inflow direction

[0116] Where applicable, any of the individual features shown in the embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged without departing from the scope of the disclosure.