Propulsion device for divers and swimmers

Abstract

The invention relates to a propulsion device, in particular to an underwater propulsion device for divers (1) and swimmers comprising one or several drives (2) provided with electric motors (4) and means (3) for fixing the drives (2) to the legs or arms of the diver (1) or swimmer, wherein the electric motors (4) are provided with a sump cooling, with the electric motors (4) being arranged in waterproof housings (5) and each waterproof housing (5) only being partially filled with a cooling liquid. By arranging the drives (2) on the extremities of the diver (1) or swimmer, the flexibility and mobility are significantly increased; at the same time, the provision of a sump cooling system improves heat dissipation and thus increases the power density.

Claims

1. Propulsion device for divers (1) and swimmers comprising one or more drives (2) provided with electric motors (4) and means (3) for fixing the drives (2) to the legs or arms of the diver (1) or swimmer, characterized in that, the electric motors (4) are provided with a sump cooling, with the electric motors (4) being arranged in waterproof housings (5) and each waterproof housing (5) being only partially filled with a cooling liquid.

2. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling liquid is non-conductive electrically.

3. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drives (2) are each provided with at least one propeller (8).

4. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sump cooling does not have a cooling liquid circuit.

5. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sump cooling is not provided with a separate device for the distribution or spraying of the cooling liquid.

6. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling liquid remains in the watertight housing (5) of the electric motor (4) when the electric motor (4) is not in operation.

7. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motors (4) are external rotor motors.

8. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized by a battery casing (6) accommodating the batteries, said casing being arranged separately from the drives (2).

9. Propulsion device according to claim 8, characterized in that an electronic control unit is located in the battery casing (6).

10. Propulsion device according to claim 8, characterized by means for the fixation of the battery casing (6) on the back or the scuba tank of the diver (1) or swimmer.

11. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized by a wired or wireless remote control system.

12. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized by means (3) for the fixation of the drives (2) to the thighs of the diver (1) or swimmer.

13. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the propulsion device is an underwater propulsion device for divers (1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

(1) Further elucidation of the invention is provided by way of example through the enclosed figures where

(2) FIG. 1 shows a rear view of an underwater propulsion device carried by the diver;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of an underwater propulsion device carried by the diver;

(4) FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of a drive proposed by the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows the inventive underwater propulsion device in the rear view as it is carried by a diver 1. Drives 2 are mounted to the side of the thighs, with means 3 for securing the drives 2 on the thighs comprising straps lashed around the thighs, including lateral support for drive 2. The propeller 8 is accommodated in the lower part, that is the foot portion of drive 2.

(6) The two drives 2 are each connected via cable 7 to the battery casing 6, which is carried on the back of the diver 1. A back carrying device 9 is used for this purpose.

(7) FIG. 2 is a representation of the embodiment of the invention shown as a side view of FIG. 1. It can be seen that the back carrying device 9, here used by a freediver 1 without compressed air cylinder, is designed in the form of a backpack.

(8) FIG. 3 shows the actual drive 2 as longitudinal section view. Drive 2 consists of an electric motor 4, which drives the propeller 8 to generate propulsion. The electric motor 4 is mounted in a waterproof housing 5.

(9) Electric motor 4 is an external rotor motor, i.e. rotor 11 is located on the outside, while stator 10 is arranged inside the rotor 11. Rotor 11 is directly connected to propeller 8, which means no gear is used in this embodiment of the invention. In addition, radially aligned magnets 12 can be seen that are attached to the rotor 11 in the form of a ring.

(10) The watertight housing 5 is partially filled with a cooling liquid, which is set into a partly circulating, turbulent motion by the rotor 11 and results in the wetting and cooling of all components of the electric motor 4, including the stationary non-moving stator 10. In this way, even with very powerful electric motors 4 a sufficient cooling effect is