Hybrid vessel comprising ballast water system

Abstract

The present invention refers to a hybrid vessel with a ballast system in which the position of the cabin (102) is changed vertically, from emerged to submerged and vice versa, according to the decision of its operator. Thus, the present invention describes a hybrid vessel with ballast water system comprising at least one cabin (102) and at least one main tank (101) of ballast water, and the tank (101) is connected directly to the CAB (102) or partially above the water level.

Claims

1. A hybrid vessel with ballast water system comprising: a) at least one cabin; b) at least one main tank of ballast water; the at least one main tank connected directly to the cabin in total or partially above the water level; and c) an additional main tank of ballast water located above the at least one cabin; wherein the system comprises at least one movement mechanism endowed with a mechanical arm connecting the at least one cabin to the at least one main tank of ballast water, said mechanical arm being selected from the group consisting of an articulated quad system, gears, a hydraulic system, and an electrical system.

2. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises two main tanks of ballast water arranged laterally.

3. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 1, wherein the main tanks are filled with ballast water by a water pump, gravity, or a valve maneuver.

4. A hybrid vessel with ballast water system comprising: a) at least one cabin; b) at least one main tank of ballast water; the at least one main tank connected directly to the cabin in total or partially above the water level, wherein the main tanks are filled with ballast water by a water pump, gravity, or a valve maneuver; wherein the amount of water that fills the main tanks-is calculated based on a weight of the main tanks and a thrust of the at least one cabin submersion; and wherein the system comprises at least one movement mechanism endowed with a mechanical arm connecting the at least one cabin to the at least one main tank of ballast water, said mechanical arm being selected from the group consisting of an articulated quad system, gears, a hydraulic system, and an electrical system.

5. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim wherein the main tanks are filled with ballast water independently of each other or in a joint manner.

6. The hybrid with ballast water system according to claim 5, wherein the main tanks are filled when the at least one cabin is found in a cruise mode and/or observation.

7. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical arm connects the at least one cabin to a hull of the vessel.

8. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one movement mechanism endowed with a mechanical arm moves the at least one cabin vertically relative to the water level.

9. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 1, navigating with empty ballast main water tanks.

10. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 9, wherein a displacement is carried out with the at least one cabin above the water level.

11. The hybrid vessel with ballast water system according to claim 10 wherein the at least one cabin is climatized.

12. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according to claim 1, the at least one cabin comprising at least one underwater observation window.

13. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according to claim 12, wherein the window is constructed with a material selected from the group consisting of: laminated glass, polycarbonate and acrylic.

14. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according to claim 1, constructed with a material selected from the group consisting of naval steel, aluminum and composites, in metallic structure or own constructive material.

15. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according claim 1, wherein a motorization is selected from the group consisting of one or more outboard motors, center or hydrojets, powered by electric power, fossil and renewable fuels.

16. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according claim 1, wherein the at least one cabin is maneuvered by an operator.

17. The hybrid vessel with ballast system according to claim 16, wherein a position of the at least one cabin is changed vertically from emerged to submerse and vice versa.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be better detailed and elucidated based on the following figures:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a first preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and an empty main tank of ballast water;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a first preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and a main tank partially filled with ballast water;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a first preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and a main tank completely filled with ballast water, having the cabin submerged below the water line;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a second preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and two empty ballast water main tanks and a movement mechanism endowed with a mechanical arm;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a second preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and two main tanks partially filled with ballast water and a movement mechanism endowed with mechanical arm;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a second preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and two main tanks completely filled with ballast water and a movement mechanism endowed with mechanical arm;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a second preferred embodiment comprising a cabin and two main tanks completely filled with ballast water and a mechanism of movement endowed with mechanical arm, having the cabin submerged below the water line;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a third preferred embodiment comprising an additional empty ballast water tank located above the cabine;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a third preferred embodiment comprising an additional tank partially filled with ballast water located above the cabin;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a third preferred embodiment comprising an additional tank completely filled with ballast water located above the cabin, being the cabin submerged below the water line;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a fourth preferred embodiment comprising an empty main ballast water tank as well as an empty additional tank located above the cabin, and a motion mechanism endowed with articulated quad system;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a fourth preferred embodiment comprising a main tank partially filled with ballast water, as well as an additional tank partially filled with ballast water located above the cabin, and a motion mechanism endowed with articulated quad system;

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a fourth preferred embodiment comprising a main tank completely filled with ballast water, as well as an additional tank completely filled with ballast water located above the cabin, and a motion mechanism endowed with articulated quad system, being the cabin submerged;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a preferred fifth embodiment comprising two empty main ballast water tanks as well as an additional tank empty located above the cabin and a mechanism of motion equipped with gears;

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a preferred fifth embodiment comprising two main tanks completely filled with ballast water as well as an additional tank partially filled with fixed ballast water located above the cabin and a motion mechanism equipped with gears, with the cabin submerged;

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a preferred fifth embodiment comprising two main tanks completely filled with ballast water as well as an additional tank completely filled with fixed ballast water located above the cabin and a motion mechanism equipped with gears, with the cabin submerged;

(18) FIG. 17 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a sixth preferred embodiment comprising two empty main ballast water tanks as well as an additional empty ballast water tank located above the cabin and a motion mechanism equipped with a hydraulic system;

(19) FIG. 18 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a sixth preferred embodiment comprising two main tanks completely filled with ballast water as well as an additional tank partially filled with ballast water located above the cabin and a motion mechanism equipped with a hydraulic system, with the cabin partially submerged;

(20) FIG. 19 illustrates an illustrative scheme of a seventh preferred embodiment comprising two empty main ballast water tanks as well as an additional tank partially filled with ballast water located above the cabin and a motion mechanism equipped with a motorized system;

(21) FIG. 20 illustrates a 3D model scheme of an executable project, with no mechanism between the cabin and the hull of the vessel;

(22) FIG. 21 illustrates a 3D model schema of an executable project, with a moving mechanism between the cabin and the hull of the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(23) In the search for a more agile and dynamic submarine observation vehicle, the applicant of this patent application has developed an innovative hybrid vessel, with a ballast water system that allows the positioning of its tank 101, 104 above water level, ideal for touristic purposes, leisure, environmental monitoring, underwater inspections and other applications in the aquatic industry.

(24) The tank 101, 104 with ballast above the water level, when full of water, allows underwater observation to compensate for the thrust of the submersible of the cabin 102, allowing to use the water from the observation site to increase the weight of the vessel. On the other hand, the tank 101, 104 with ballast above the water level, when in cruise mode is empty, reducing the weight of the vessel and, consequently, its draught. This is the great advantage of the technology described, because the vessel does not require its own ballast to overcome the thrust for submersion, which makes it lighter and agile, more economical and safer, besides allowing its land transport in conventional trailers in cases of small versions.

(25) Other vessels with the same volume of submerged cabin are not known in the state of the art to allow underwater observation, which have the equivalent or lesser weight to that of the hybrid vessel of this invention. On the contrary, all equivalent vessels in dipped volume have a significantly higher weight, consuming much more fuel in displacement when in navigation, in addition to are less agile and require special land transport (which implies high cost).

(26) It is the present invention, also, of a system designed to provide greater comfort and different visual perceptions for its users. In addition, the system admits a significant flexibility of settings for its vessels.

(27) The concept of hybrid vessel of this invention originates from the fact that its cabin allows the user to be able to observe what is outside and within the aquatic environment according to its wish. In other words, the cabin 102 can be maneuvered vertically up or down the water level, altering from the emerged position to submerse (for underwater observation) and vice versa at its operators discretion.

(28) This versatility of cabin 102 represents a breakthrough in the water transport market, and innovation is the result of studies and researches that have brought together technical conditions to be achieved greater energy efficiency, greater versatility besides the reduction of structural efforts due to the better hydrodynamic when in navigation.

(29) Preferably, the displacement of the vessel is carried out in cruise mode, with the cabin 102 above the water level, from the place of departure to the point of observation. Once the destination location has been reached, the vessel operator can change the position of the cabin 102 to the observation mode so that it is submerged and allows for underwater viewing. The differential is to use the water from the observation site itself to allow the submersion of the cabin 102 only in this condition, eliminating an excessive weight that the vessel would have if using the ballast tank underwater.

(30) One of the advantages of the present invention is that the observation booth present on the vessel remains above the water level while the vessel is in cruise mode, this being a measure that provides greater security to users during long displacements in addition to reducing the effort on the structure of the vessel.

(31) The advantage of the present invention is due to the strategic location of the tank 101, 104 of ballast water totally or partially above the water level, which enhances the efficiency and agility of the vessel, because the absence of fixed ballast benefits displacement, land transport and vessel management, as well as a decrease in drag during navigation.

(32) The vessels treated in the present invention can navigate in cruise mode or observation mode, be of articulated or unarticulated type, integrated or not in the same structure, comprising one or more cabins 102 of observation, one or more floating hulls, one or more tanks 101, 104 of ballast water, with one or more people inside. Its construction can be performed with naval steel, aluminum or with composites, in metal structure or from the constructive material itself, or similar to a technician in the subject. The motorization can be through one or more outboard, center or hydrojet engines, powered by electric power, fossil fuels (such as gasoline, diesel or natural gas) or renewable (such as biodiesel or methanol).

(33) When in cruise mode, the cabin(s) 102 of observation can be closed or opened and possess(es) air-conditioned environment; and in observation mode, it is foreseen that the same remain(s) closed. Underwater observation windows are constructed of laminated glass, polycarbonate or acrylic, dimensioned according to the geometry and extent of the exposure surface and the pressure of the desired water column.

(34) With regard to tank 101, 104 of water ballast, the system of the present invention is designed so that it is situated totally or partially above the water level during observation mode, it uses water from the aquatic environment in which it is located to change the cabin level.

(35) It is worth noting that the nautical culture, consolidated in millennia, always interpreted the ballast water tank as a vessel stabilization structure and not as a weight that allowed a lever to compensate for the thrust of the submersion of the vessels. Within the vision of pure and simple stabilization, the placement of a ballast tank above the water level would be a countersink, as it would significantly increase the chance of adhering to the vessel. In addition, compensate the thrust of the cabin submersion only with the ballast water tank below the level of the water is impossible, because the volume of water displaced by the cabin would be annulled by the volume contained in the ballast, that is, the thrust added to the ballast would be zero. There are vessels that, by their own weight added to the ballast tank under water, overcome the thrust of the submersion. This is what a conventional submarine does. Thus, keeping the ballast water tank below the water level beyond innocuous to the submersion effect, represents an unnecessarily larger, heavier, less agile and more expensive vessel.

(36) In the embodiments of the present invention, the instability resulting from the positioning of the ballast tank above the water level is compensated by usual design measures that increase its hydrostatic stability without requiring increased weight of, for example, the use of the catamaran format.

(37) In a preferential embodiment, the present invention reveals a system comprising at least one cabin 102 and at least one tank 101 of ballast water in which the said tank 101 is connected directly to the cabin 102, total or partially above the water level, allowing moving the cabin 102 in a vertical direction in relation to the water level.

(38) Cabin 102 preferably has enough size to comprise at least one passenger inside. The filling or emptying of at least one tank 101 of ballast water allows the cabin 102 to move vertically relative to the water level allowing the user(s) to be able to observe the underwater environment.

(39) FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising in addition at least one water pump 105 which, when triggered, it fills at least one main tank 101 of ballast water. The filling of the ballast water tank 101 causes the entire vessel to have its weight increased and move vertically downwards, submerging until it reaches the height relative to the level of water that if one wishes to perform aquatic observation.

(40) FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a cabin 102, two main tanks 101 of ballast water and a movement mechanism that preferably is a mechanical arm 103. Said arm 103 connects the cabin 102 to the hull of the vessel which, in turn, is directly connected to at least one tank 101 of ballast water. Optionally, it is foreseen that the present embodiment only presents a tank 101 of ballast water located in any location of the boat.

(41) Tanks 101 can be filled with water by means of a pump or by gravity and valve manoeuvre. The minimum amount of ballast water required is calculated so that its weight compensate for the thrust of the cabin submersion.

(42) The arm 103, when mechanically actuated, causes the submersion of the cabin 102 to move vertically downwards and submerging until it reaches the height relative to the level of water that is desired to perform the observation of the submarine environment.

(43) In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated by FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, there is an additional tank 104 of ballast water located above the cabin 102, which moves together with the same, and two other main tanks 101 ballast. In this embodiment it is possible to observe also a mechanism of movement, a mechanical arm 103, that can be triggered in order to promote the movement of the cabin 102. It Is also possible to the presence of only one tank of ballast water 104 above the cabin 102 that has enough weight to be at the thrust of the cabin 102 without requiring a mechanical arm 103 active nor the main tanks 101 of water ballast.

(44) FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising an additional tank 104 of ballast water located above the cabin 102 and another tank main 101 of ballast water inside the vehicle hull. This vessel presents a movement mechanism, preferably the mechanical arms 103 endowed of quads system articulated, driven by hydraulic system 105, which assists in moving the cabin 102 up or down relative to the water level. It is also possible the presence of only one tank 101 of ballast water inside the hull of the vehicle, dispensing the additional tank 104 ballast water above the cabin 102.

(45) FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a movement mechanism, preferably mechanical arms 103 composed of gears and turnstiles, connected to two respective main tanks 101 of ballast water. In this embodiment it is also possible to observe an additional tank 104 ballast water located above the cabin 102, which moves together with the same. Said tanks 101 and 104 can be filled with ballast water independently each other or in a joint way.

(46) In a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated by FIGS. 17 and 18, an additional tank 104 of ballast water is observed located above the cabin 102 and two other main tanks 101 of ballast water connected to a movement mechanism, preferably mechanical articulable arms 103 driven by hydraulic system comprising pistons 105, which assists in the handling of the cabin 102.

(47) FIG. 19 illustrates a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention in which it is possible to notice the presence of an additional ballast water tank 104 located above the cabin 102 and two other main tanks 101 of ballast water respectively connected to a movement mechanism, preferably mechanical articulable arms 103 driven by motorized system comprising a bolt and a nut (or a pinion and a rack), which assists in the movement of the cabin 102.

(48) As an illustration of two of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, 3D models of two executable projects are presented.

(49) Having been described an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations of the inventive concept described, being limited only by the content of the claims including the possible equivalents.