VESSEL OSCILLATION DAMPER SYSTEM

Abstract

A vessel oscillation damper system has one or more pairs of fin assemblies placed in the transom of the vessel symmetrically in relation to the transverse axis passing through the middle of the transom of the vessel, in which the fin assembly has multiple successive individual fins arranged in the vertical direction, each of which has a type Il cross-section, having one base and two intersecting sides, where the sides of the upper fin are tangential to the sides of the immediately lower fin, forming successive closed ducts through which water passes and the fin assemblies rotate clockwise above the water level and counterclockwise by their articulated connection to the vessel simultaneously or independently from each other and at the same time opposite and parallel, resulting in immediate damping of pitching and rolling simultaneously or individually and preventing the capsizing of the vessel and inflow of water.

Claims

1. A vessel oscillation damper system, comprising one or more pairs of fin assemblies (20), mounted in the transom of the vessel (60) and symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis (x) passing through the center of the transom of the vessel, consisting of a number of individual fins (21) connected to each other, a drive system of the fin assemblies (25), a fin assembly position sensor system (30), an electronic controller (35), consisting of a gyroscope (36), an accelerometer (37), gps (38) and a fin assembly position sensor (39), one or more control screens (45), a fin assembly retract button (55) and an information transmission system between these, with manual and automatic operation, characterized in that, the fin assembly (20) consists of multiple successive individual fins (21) arranged in the vertical direction, each of which has a P-type cross-section, consisting of a base and two intersecting sides, where the sides of the upper fin are tangential to the sides of the immediately lower fin, forming successive closed ducts through which water passes, the fin assemblies (20) rotate clockwise above the water level and counterclockwise, by their articulated connection (22) with the vessel, parallel or independent of each other and simultaneously opposite and parallel, it includes an impact sensor (40), installed on the electronic controller (35) that receives a load and consumption data feed from the vessel's engine, monitoring if there is increased fuel consumption and from the gps (38), receives a speed and direction of movement of the vessel data feed, for reduced speed and constant changes in the direction of movement, which in turn signals to the electronic controller (35), to rotate the fin assemblies (20) in such a way as to adjust the inclination of the boat in terms of pitching, includes an emergency stop safety device, through which, when activated via the emergency stop button (50), all the flap assemblies (20) are instantly rotated counterclockwise, lowering the bow, halting the speed of the boat forcibly.

2. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the fin assemblies (20) are placed in place of flaps (65).

3. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the drive system of the fin assemblies (25) consists of an oil pump (26) and hydraulic pistons cylinders (27).

4. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the drive system of the fin assemblies (25) consists of servo motors (28).

5. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the drive system of the fin assemblies (25) consists of hybrid servo motors (29).

6. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the drive system of the fin assemblies (25) achieves the parallel and independent rotation of the fin assemblies (20), clockwise and counterclockwise by their articulated connection (22) at least two points with the transom of the vessel (60), in accordance with their zero-level surface, which is fully parallel to the level (1) of the bottom of the hull (66).

7. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the impact sensor (40) achieves in the automatic setting the optimal inclination of the vessel by weighing between the maximum speed and the minimum impact on the water, by operator option.

8. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein when the vessel receives intense lateral forces, the gyroscope (36) detects its inclination relative to the vertical axis (x) and through the drive system of the fin assemblies (25), the fin assemblies (20) that are opposite to the side of the vessel receiving the forces rotate counterclockwise, in relation to the vertical axis (x) of the vessel and at the same time the fin assemblies located on the same side of the vessel receiving the forces rotate clockwise.

9. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein when the vessel receives intense forces from the bow, the gyroscope (36) detects its inclination towards the longitudinal axis (y) and through the drive system of the fin assemblies (25), the fin assemblies rotate counterclockwise (20), while when the vessel receives intense forces from the stem, the gyroscope (36) detects its inclination towards the longitudinal axis (y) and through the drive system of the fin assemblies (25), the fin assemblies rotate clockwise (20).

10. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein when the vessel receives both intense lateral and longitudinal axis forces, the gyroscope (36) detects its inclination both in relation to the vertical axis (x) and the longitudinal axis (y), and through the drive system of the fin assemblies (25), the fin assemblies (20) which are opposite to the side of the vessel receiving the forces, in relation to the vertical axis (x) of the vessel, rotate counterclockwise and the fin assemblies (20) located on the same side of the vessel receiving the lateral forces rotate clockwise, while at the same time the fin assemblies rotate parallel counterclockwise and clockwise (20).

11. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller (35) initiates rotation of fin assemblies at predetermined degrees of inclination of the vessel, determines the maximum inclination of the fin assemblies according to the speed of the vessel and determines the response time to the inclination alternation of the fin assemblies.

12. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein there is the option of maintaining zero rolling during the turning of the vessel and the option of completing it as quickly as possible, and alternatively to adjust the turning radius according to the steering through special sensors, in the automatic option.

13. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein through the position sensor system (30), at predetermined intervals, when the fin assemblies (20) pass through their zero plane (1), their zero point is corrected.

14. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the individual fins (21) have variable length, width and thickness, shape and material of construction, depending on the size and type of vessel to be installed, and also that the number of individual fins (21) that constitute a fin assembly (20), depends on the desired resistance.

15. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the fin assembly (20) has an attached flap gate (23) which moves freely following the movement of the water.

16. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein through the fin assembly retract button (55) and only if it is checked by a sensor, that the vessel is not in motion, it retracts the fin assemblies (20), rotating them clockwise and placing them in a position as close as possible to the transom of the vessel (60).

17. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the fin assemblies (20) are connected to a plate (70), which is attached to a rolling guide (71), which is installed in the transom of the vessel (60), which plate (70) is moved by a drive system (72) outside of the hull to achieve the rotation of fin assembly (20), when there is lack of space in the transom of the vessel (60).

18. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein in case no rotation of the fin assemblies (20) is required to correct the inclination of the vessel, the operation of the oil pump sets to idle (26), reducing to a minimum the speed of the oil pump (26) and even completely suspending its operation when for the time interval set by the operator there are no ripples and in case a small rotation of the fin assemblies (20) is required to correct the small inclination of the boat, reducing the speed of the oil pump (26) to operate with a lower oil flow and therefore, lower pressures of operation and less oil flow resistance.

19. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the individual fins (21) of the fin assemblies (20) are connected to each other in a fixed distance.

20. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the individual fins (21) of the fin assemblies (20) have a connecting device, which regulates the change in the distance between them.

21. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 3, further comprising a function of cleaning the hydraulic piston cylinders (27), servo engines (28) and hybrid servo engines (29), the drive system of the fin assemblies (25), from marine micro-organisms, during which a complete expansion and complete withdrawal of their moving part takes place, at predetermined intervals even when it is deactivated.

22. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the fin assemblies (20) have sensors, which when detecting within their range, an object, a human or other obstacle, immediately interrupt any rotation of the fin assemblies (20).

23. The vessel oscillation damper system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission system between its parts is a wiring system.

24. The vessel oscillation damper according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission system between its parts, is wireless networking.

25. The vessel oscillation damper according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission system between its parts is the existing wiring of the vessel.

26. The vessel oscillation damper according to claim 1, wherein problem handling and solving is performed by a technician, through an application from a remote device.

Description

[0080] The invention is described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0081] FIG. 1 presents a view of the invention, installed on a vessel.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows the electronic controller.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a drive system with servo motors.

[0084] FIG. 4 shows a drive system with hybrid servo motors.

[0085] In FIG. 5, a frontal view of an aspect of an individual fin and a fin assembly is presented.

[0086] In FIG. 6, a side view of an individual fin and a complex of fins is presented.

[0087] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 present a modus operandi of the invention.

[0088] FIGS. 10 and 11 present a version of the invention with moving fin complexes and how it works.

[0089] In FIGS. 12, 13, 14 is presented in intersection, a version of the invention with variable distance of individual fins and the mode of operation of this.

[0090] FIG. 15 shows how the invention works for dumping rolling.

[0091] FIG. 16 shows how the invention works for dumping pitching.

[0092] For a better understanding of the invention, a detailed description of the figures using reference numbers is given, where:

[0093] FIG. 1 shows the invention installed on the vessel, with the fin assemblies (20) mounted on the transom of the vessel (60) in place of the flaps (65), the emergency stop button (50), the fin assemblies withdrawal knob (55) and the control screen (45) mounted on the vessel's control panel, a drive system of the blade assemblies (25), with an oil pump (26) and hydraulic piston cylinders (27), the fin assembly position sensor system (30), the electronic controller (35) and how to connect them through the information transmission system.

[0094] FIG. 2 shows the electronic controller, which consists of a gyroscope (36), an accelerometer (37), GPS (38), a fin assembly position sensor (39) and an impact sensor (40).

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a drive system of the fin assemblies (25) with servo motors (28).

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a drive system of the fin assemblies (25) with hybrid servo motors (29).

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of an individual fin (21) and a fin assembly (20), which consists of a number of individual fins (21) connected to each other.

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an individual fin (21) and a fin assembly (20), consisting of a number of individual fins (21) connected to each other, a hinged connection (22) to connect it to the vessel, and a flap gate (23) connected in free movement.

[0099] FIG. 7 shows how the invention works when the vessel is in motion and there are no oscillations to be damped. The fin assemblies (20) rotate to be parallel to their zero plane (1) and the flap gate (23) is carried away and lifted by the momentum of the water, resulting in water simply passing through them, without causing any resistance to water and without affecting the inclination of the vessel.

[0100] FIG. 8 shows how the invention works in the case of damping pitching oscillations when the vessel is in motion, in which the fin assemblies (20) rotate counterclockwise from their hinged connection (22) to the transom of the vessel (60), causing resistance from the water that goes through them, resulting in the lifting of the stern and the lowering of the bow, while the flap gate (23) is carried away and lifted by the momentum of water without causing any resistance to it.

[0101] FIG. 9 shows how the invention works in the case of damping pitching oscillations when the vessel is in motion, in which the fin assemblies (20) rotate clockwise from their hinged connection (22) to the transom of the vessel (60), causing resistance from the water that goes through them, resulting in the lowering of the stern and the lifting of the bow, while the flap gate (23) is carried away and lifted by the momentum of the water without causing any resistance to it.

[0102] FIG. 10 presents a version of the invention, in which the fin assemblies (20) are installed on a plate (70), which is attached to a rail (71) and through a drive system device (72), the entire fin assemblies (20) are retracted out of the hull of the vessel in order to achieve their rotation when there is a lack of space in the transom (60).

[0103] FIG. 11 presents the version of the invention with moving fin assemblies (20), which are not in operation and are in their original position.

[0104] In FIGS. 12, 13, 14, a version of the invention in an AA section, is presented in which the distance between the individual fins is changed (21), as they are articulately connected by beams (80). One of the beams is articulately connected to a drive system (82), through a rod (81), which with the movement of the drive system (82) rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from a fixed point of connection (83) to the single fin (21) attached to the vessel. By extending the drive system (82) the bar (81) rotates counterclockwise from its fixed point of connection (83), as do the individual fins (21) through their articulated connection (84), resulting in the distance between them being reduced and the individual fins (21) converging until contact, during the complete extension of the drive system (84). By the withdrawal of the drive system (82), the bar (81) rotates clockwise from its fixed point of connection (83), as do the individual fins (21) through their articulated connection (84), as a result, the distance between them increases up to the greatest possible distance between them when the drive system is completely withdrawn (82).

[0105] FIG. 15 shows how the invention works when the vessel receives oscillations on the vertical axis (x) and specifically from its right. To eliminate the inclination of the vertical axis, the left fin assembly (20) rotates counterclockwise, while the right, clockwise.

[0106] FIG. 16 shows how the invention works when the craft is oscillated on its longitudinal axis (y) and specifically from the bow. To eliminate the inclination of the longitudinal axis, the fin assembly (20) rotates counterclockwise.