PROPULSION DEVICE

Abstract

Propulsion device comprising a rotor (14), a stator (15), an outer casing (6), a first base (10) with a central inlet opening (1) configured for fluid intake, and an outlet opening (2) configured for expulsion of propulsive fluid in the form of an outlet jet. The outlet opening (2) is located along the entire perimeter of the propulsion device, wherein the propulsion device comprises: a central valve (3) configured, by means of tilting means, to tilt with a given direction and tilt angle, thereby regulating a flow rate of a fluid inlet jet and a direction of the fluid inlet jet towards a given sector of the propulsion device, and; a perimeter valve (7) configured, by means of tilting means, to tilt with a given direction and angle of tilt, thus regulating a flow rate of the fluid outlet jet and a direction of the fluid outlet jet towards a given sector of the perimeter outlet opening (2).

Claims

1. A propulsion device comprising a rotor (14), a stator (15), an outer casing (6), a first base (10) with a central inlet opening (1) configured for fluid intake, and an outlet opening (2) configured for expulsion of propulsive fluid in the form of an outlet jet, characterized in that the outlet opening (2) is located along the entire perimeter of the propulsion device, wherein the propulsion device comprises: a central valve (3) configured, by means of tilting means, to tilt with a given direction and tilt angle, thus regulating a flow rate of a fluid inlet jet and a direction of the fluid inlet jet towards a certain sector of the propulsion device, and; a perimeter valve (7) configured, by means of tilting means, to tilt with a given direction and tilt angle, thus regulating a flow rate of the fluid outlet jet and a direction of the fluid outlet jet towards a certain sector of the perimeter outlet opening (2).

2. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for tilting the central valve (3) comprise a piston mechanism (5) configured to produce a tilt of a lever (4) according to a given tilt angle and in a given direction, wherein the lever (4) is connected to the central valve (3).

3. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the means for tilting the perimeter valve (7) comprise the piston mechanism (5) and the lever (4).

4. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the perimeter valve (7) is connected to the lever (4) by means of a dome-shaped structure.

5. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the perimeter valve (7) is connected by means of arms (19) to the central valve (3).

6. Propulsion device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured so that the fluid path between the inlet opening (1) and the perimeter outlet opening (2) passes first through the rotor (14) and then through the stator (15).

7. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the stator (15) is arranged around the rotor (14).

8. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the stator (15) is arranged projecting in an axial direction parallel to a main (9) longitudinal axis of the propulsion device, beyond a longitudinal dimension of the rotor (14).

9. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the stator (15) is arranged beyond a longitudinal dimension of the rotor (14), according to an axial direction parallel to a main (9) longitudinal axis of the propulsion device.

10. Propulsion device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor (14) and the stator (15) comprise variable-pitch blades.

11. Propulsion device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the perimeter valve (7) comprises a flap (8) arranged in a radial direction towards the inside of the propulsion device, wherein by regulating the space between said flap (8) and a wall (12) of a base body (11) of the propulsion device and an inner armature (13) of the propulsion device, the perimeter valve (7) is configured to regulate respectively a first percentage of stator outflow (15) that is directed towards the perimeter outlet opening (2) and a second percentage of stator outflow (15) that is directed through a return cavity (16) back towards the rotor (14).

12. Propulsion device according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an annular outlet conduit (18) connecting a stator outlet (15) with the outlet opening (2) perimeter of the propulsion device.

13. Propulsion device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the annular outlet duct (18) connects to the perimeter outlet opening (2) by means of an elbow-shaped geometry.

14. Propulsion device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer casing (6) is flush with the first base (10).

15. Propulsion device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central valve (3) has a convex curved geometry.

Description

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE FIGURES

[0033] As part of the explanation of at least one embodiment of the invention, the following figures have been included.

[0034] FIG. 1: It shows a simplified, schematic bottom perspective view of the propulsion device.

[0035] FIG. 2: It shows a schematic section view of a first embodiment of the propulsion device, with the central valve and the perimeter valve in the idle position.

[0036] FIG. 3a: It shows a schematic view of the propulsion device of FIG. 2, where the central valve and the perimeter valve are shown with a minimum degree of tilt.

[0037] FIG. 3b: It shows a schematic view of the propulsion device of FIG. 2, where the central valve and the perimeter valve are shown with an intermediate degree of tilt.

[0038] FIG. 3c: It shows a schematic view of the propulsion device of FIG. 2, where the central valve and the perimeter valve are shown with a maximum degree of tilt.

[0039] FIG. 4: It shows a schematic section view of a second embodiment of the propulsion device, with the central valve and the perimeter valve in the idle position.

[0040] FIG. 5: It shows a simplified, lower, partially sectioned, schematic view of the rotor and stator of the propulsion device, according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the propulsion device.

[0041] FIG. 6: It shows a schematic section view of a third embodiment of the propulsion device, with the central valve and the perimeter valve in the idle position.

[0042] FIG. 7: It shows a schematic section view of a fourth embodiment of the propulsion device, with the central valve and the perimeter valve in the idle position.

[0043] FIG. 8: It shows a simplified, lower, partially sectioned, schematic view of the rotor and stator of the propulsion device, according to the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment of the propulsion device.

[0044] FIG. 9a: It shows a bottom view of the propulsion device, according to any of the embodiments, where fluid inlet and outlet flow lines are observed, corresponding to a minimum tilting of the lever and a minimum tilting of the central valve and the perimeter valve.

[0045] FIG. 9b: It shows a bottom view of the propulsion device, according to any of the embodiments, where fluid inlet and outlet flow lines are observed, corresponding to an intermediate tilting of the lever and to an intermediate tilting of the central valve and the perimeter valve.

[0046] FIG. 9c: It shows a bottom view of the propulsion device, according to any of the embodiments, where fluid inlet and outlet flow lines are observed, corresponding to a maximum tilting of the lever and a maximum tilting of the central valve and the perimeter valve.

[0047] FIG. 10: It shows a simplified and schematic top view, partially sectioned, of the propulsion device where the drive mechanism of the central valve and the perimeter valve can be observed.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

[0048] The present invention relates, as mentioned above, to a propulsion device.

[0049] The propulsion device comprises a central fluid inlet opening (1) (or inlet zone) and a perimeter fluid outlet opening (2) (or outlet zone).

[0050] The central inlet opening (1) is located in the centre of a first base (10) (or lower base, as depicted in the Figures) of the propulsion device.

[0051] The perimeter outlet opening (2) is preferably located on the perimeter of said first base (10) of the propulsion device.

[0052] The propulsion device comprises a mainly cylindrical geometry, with a main axis (9) of radial symmetry perpendicular to the central inlet opening (1).

[0053] Corresponding to the central inlet opening (1), there is a central valve (3) of disc-shaped geometry.

[0054] The central valve (3) is actuated by a lever (4) connected to a piston mechanism (5).

[0055] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the propulsion device, where the outer casing (6) has been sectioned at the top, exposing the piston mechanism (5).

[0056] The lever (4) and the central valve (3) are connected through a ball joint (4) of the lever (4). This ball joint (4) is connected to a fulcrum (17) or bearing, with respect to which the lever (4) can pivot, as a hinged joint between the ball joint (4) of the lever (4) and the fulcrum (17).

[0057] By means of the movement of the pistons (5), the lever (4) is actuated in different directions, which produces the tilting of the central valve (3) in any direction, and according to different tilt degrees.

[0058] The direction and inclination according to which the central valve (3) can be tilted is determined by the length by which the pistons (5) of the piston mechanism (5) extend or retract. Preferably, the piston mechanism (5) comprises at least two pistons (5) arranged in mutually perpendicular directions.

[0059] By controlling the direction of tilt of the central valve (3), it is possible to direct the intake flow in a preferred inlet direction.

[0060] Also, by controlling the tilt degree of the central valve (3), it is possible to control the inlet flow through the inlet opening (1) of the propulsion device.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a simplified bottom perspective view of the propulsion device, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows the propulsion device with its outer casing (6), its central inlet opening (1) (or intake zone) and its perimeter outlet opening (2) (or ejection zone). Corresponding to the inlet opening (1) the central valve (3) can be observed. FIG. 1 shows flow lines schematically showing the main direction of the inflow and outflow when the piston mechanism (5) actuates the lever (4) in a certain direction and at a certain tilt angle.

[0063] FIG. 2 schematically depicts a sectional view of the propulsion device, according to a first embodiment thereof.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows the perimeter valve (7) comprising a flap (8) that projects radially towards the centre of the propulsion device. In this first embodiment, the perimeter valve (7) is attached to the upper part of the lever (4) by means of a dome-shaped structure formed by a continuous surface or a network of dome-shaped ribs.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows the propulsion device with the lever (4), the central valve (3) and the perimeter valve (7) in the rest position, i.e., with the lever (4) tilted 0 with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device. In this position, the central valve (3) completely blocks the inlet opening (1) of the propulsion device, and the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) completely blocks the flow outlet through the perimeter outlet opening (2).

[0066] When the piston mechanism (5) starts to tilt the lever (4), the central valve (3) starts to swing, causing the inlet opening (1) to be open to the passage of fluid (typically water) towards a certain inner sector of the propulsion device.

[0067] FIG. 3a shows the situation in which the central valve (3) of the propulsion device (according to the first embodiment) starts to swing, allowing the fluid inlet to pass through the inlet opening (1).

[0068] When the fluid enters the interior of the propulsion device through the inlet opening (1), it first passes through the rotor (14) and then through the stator (15).

[0069] In both this first embodiment of the propulsion device and the second embodiment of the propulsion device, the stator (15) is placed around the rotor (14), projecting above the rotor (14) away from the first base (10) of the propulsion device.

[0070] Both the rotor (14) and the stator (15) are located between a base body (11) of the propulsion device and an inner armature (13) of the propulsion device. The first base (10) of the propulsion device is an outer face of said base body (11) of the propulsion device.

[0071] At the outlet of the stator (15), the fluid flow may be directed to a return cavity (16), back towards the rotor (14), or to an annular outlet conduit (18) connected to the perimeter outlet opening (2). The annular outlet duct (18) runs between a wall (12) of the base body (11) and the outer casing (6) of the propulsion device. The annular outlet duct (18) has a geometry substantially in the form of a spherical or ellipsoidal crown truncated by two parallel planes. The connection area between the annular outlet duct (18) and the perimeter outlet opening (2) has a geometry that forms an elbow which forces the outflow of the propulsion device to be directed centrifugally with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device.

[0072] However, according to alternative embodiments (not shown in the figures) of the propulsion device object of the present invention, the propulsion device lacks the annular outlet conduit (18) and the elbow-shaped connection area with the perimeter outlet opening (2). In these alternative embodiments, the outlet opening (2) perimeter is directly the area between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the wall (12) of the base body (11), the outlet jet of the propulsion device being then directly the radial outlet of the stator (15).

[0073] In the situation shown in FIG. 3a, the central valve (3) has started to tilt with a minimum tilt angle (which, in this case as an example is assumed to correspond to a 10 tilt of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device). A small amount of fluid flow begins to access the interior of the propulsion device, towards a certain first sector (S1) of the propulsion device (see left area of FIG. 3a), towards the rotor (14) of the propulsion device. After passing through the rotor (14), the fluid is ejected in all directions towards the stator (15). However, since the central valve (3) determines a main direction of the inlet flow towards the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, also the most of the rotor (14) outlet flow is directed towards the outside of the rotor (14) and towards the stator (15) in correspondence with said first sector (S1) of the propulsion device.

[0074] After its passage through the stator (15), in correspondence with the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, a small part of the outflow of the stator (15) enters the annular outlet duct (18) through the gap between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the wall (12) of the base body (11). Subsequently, this small part of the flow exits in the form of an outlet jet from the propulsion device through the perimeter outlet opening (2), in an area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device. However, since the tilt angle of the perimeter valve (7) with its flap (8) is minimal, most of the outflow of the stator (15) in said first sector (S1) is directed through the area located between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the inner armature (13), towards the return cavity (16), back towards the rotor (14). Also, in sectors away from or opposite to the first sector (S1), the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) blocks the passage of fluid through the annular outlet conduit (18) towards the perimeter outlet opening (2), so that in said sectors away from or opposite to the first sector (S1), the flow at the outlet of the stator (15) is directed through the return cavity (16) back towards the rotor (14).

[0075] A situation is thus obtained where, with a minimum degree of tilting of the lever (4), the central valve (3) leaves a minimum fluid passage towards the inside of the propulsion device, and the perimeter valve (7) leaves a minimum fluid passage towards the outside of the propulsion device, thus having a minimum output jet that produces a low thrust by the propulsion device.

[0076] FIG. 9a shows schematically by means of flow lines the minimum outlet jet (corresponding to the minimum tilting of the lever (4) in FIG. 3a) through the outlet opening (2) perimeter, in an area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device.

[0077] When the magnitude or intensity of the thrust produced by the propulsion device is to be increased, the intake and expulsion in the propulsion device must be increased, thereby increasing the inflow and outflow. This requires that the piston mechanism (5) produces a greater tilting of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device, which produces a greater tilting of the central valve (3) and the perimeter valve (7).

[0078] FIG. 3b represents a situation of intermediate opening or tilting of the central valve (3) and the perimeter valve (7) (which, in this case as an example, is assumed to correspond to a 15 tilt of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device). This situation causes that, in the area of the propulsion device corresponding to the first sector (S1), a greater proportion of the outgoing flow from the stator (15) accesses, through the gap between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the wall (12) of the base body (11), to the annular outlet duct (18) and to the outside of the propulsion device through the perimeter outlet opening (2). In contrast to this, in the area of the propulsion device corresponding to the first sector (S1), a smaller proportion of the outgoing flow from the stator (15) enters the return cavity (16) via the area between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the inner armature (13), as the lever (4) is more tilted and thus the perimeter valve (7) is more tilted, the space between the flap (8) and the inner armature (13) is reduced in the area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device.

[0079] As was the case when the tilting of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) was minimal (FIG. 3a), also in this situation of intermediate tilting of the lever (4), in sectors away from or opposite to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) blocks the flow from the annular outlet (18) to the perimeter outlet opening (2), so that in such sectors away from or opposite to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, the outgoing flow from the stator (15) is directed through the return cavity (16) back to the rotor (14).

[0080] FIG. 9b shows schematically by means of flow lines the intermediate outlet jet (corresponding to the intermediate lever tilt (4) in FIG. 3b) through the perimeter outlet opening (2), in an area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device.

[0081] When the magnitude or intensity of the thrust produced by the propulsion device is to be increased as much as possible, the intake and expulsion in the propulsion device must be increased as much as possible, thereby maximizing the inflow and outflow. This requires that the piston mechanism (5) produces a maximum tilting of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device, which produces a maximum tilting of the central valve (3) and the perimeter valve (7).

[0082] FIG. 3c represents a situation of maximum opening or tilting of the central valve (3) and the perimeter valve (7) (which, in this case as an example, is assumed to correspond to a 20 tilt of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device). This situation causes that, in the area of the propulsion device corresponding to the first sector (S1), practically the entire outgoing flow of the stator (15) accesses, through the existing gap between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the wall (12) of the base body (11), to the annular outlet duct (18) and to the outside of the propulsion device through the perimeter outlet opening (2). In contrast to this, in the area of the propulsion device corresponding to the first sector (S1), a practically zero proportion of the outgoing flow from the stator (15) enters the return cavity (16) through the area between the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) and the inner armature (13), since, when the lever (4) is tilted to the maximum and the perimeter valve (7) is thus tilted to the maximum, the space between the flap (8) and the inner armature (13) in the area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device is reduced to the maximum.

[0083] As it happened when the tilting of the lever (4) with respect to the main axis (9) was minimum (FIG. 3a) or intermediate (FIG. 3b), also in this situation of maximum tilting of the lever (4), in sectors far away or opposite to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, the flap (8) of the perimeter valve (7) blocks the flow from the annular outlet (18) to the perimeter opening (2), so that in such sectors away from or opposite to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, the outgoing flow from the stator (15) is directed through the return cavity (16) back to the rotor (14).

[0084] FIG. 9c shows schematically by means of flow lines the maximum outlet jet (corresponding to the maximum tilting of the lever (4) in FIG. 3b) through the outlet opening (2) perimeter, in an area corresponding to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device.

[0085] As can be seen in FIG. 9a, FIG. 9b and FIG. 9c, in sectors adjacent to the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device, there is also a small dispersion of the outlet jet of the propulsion device through the perimeter outlet opening (2). However, thanks to the tilting of the perimeter valve (7) with its flap (8), most of the outgoing flow from the stator (15) is directed outward from the propulsion device through the annular outlet duct (18) and the perimeter outlet opening (2), only in the area corresponding to the first sector (S1), since the perimeter valve (7) with its flap (8) blocks the outflow through the perimeter outlet opening (2) in sectors away from the first sector (S1) of the propulsion device. In order for this minimal dispersion of the outflow jet to occur, it is also desirable that the outer casing (6) of the propulsion device be flush with the first base (10) of the propulsion device, so that the annular outlet duct (18) forces the flow exiting the stator (15) in sectors adjacent to the first sector (S1) to mix with the flow exiting the stator (15) in the first sector (S1), thereby correcting or attenuating the dispersion in the outflow jet.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the propulsion device that is the object of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the perimeter valve (7), instead of being attached to the upper part of the lever (4) by means of a dome-shaped structure, is attached by means of arms (19) to the central valve (3). Thus, when the piston mechanism (5) produces the tilting of the lever (4) and, in turn, the tilting of the central valve (3), this tilting of the central valve (3) also produces the tilting of the perimeter valve (7).

[0087] FIG. 5 shows a sectional bottom view of the rotor (14) and stator (15) of the propulsion device, according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the propulsion device. It can be seen that the rotor (14) is arranged on the inside of the stator (15).

[0088] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the propulsion device that is the object of the present invention. This third embodiment is analogous to the first embodiment, but where the stator (15) is not placed around the rotor (14), but only above the rotor (14).

[0089] FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the propulsion device that is the object of the present invention. This fourth embodiment is analogous to the second embodiment, but where the stator (15) is not placed around the rotor (14), but only above the rotor (14).

[0090] FIG. 8 shows a sectional bottom view of the rotor (14) and stator (15) of the propulsion device, according to the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment of the propulsion device. It can be seen that the rotor (14) is superimposed on the stator (15).

[0091] In the third embodiment and in the fourth embodiment of the propulsion device, this arrangement of the rotor (14) with its blades having a larger surface area than in the first and second embodiments, and superimposed on the stator blades (15) in the longitudinal/axial direction, gives the propulsion device greater power.

[0092] In the third and fourth embodiments of the propulsion device, the flux leaving the rotor (14) and entering the stator does so in the longitudinal/axial direction of the propulsion device (in the direction of the main axis (9) of the propulsion device). In contrast to this, in the first and second embodiments of the propulsion device, the flux leaving the rotor (14) and entering the stator does so in the radial direction of the propulsion device (in the direction perpendicular to the main axis (9) of the propulsion device).

[0093] Preferably, the central valve (3) has a convex curved geometry, so as to favour the admission of fluid towards the interior of the propulsion device by the Coand effect it produces in the intake jet, which tends to reproduce the curved geometry of the central valve (3), heading towards the rotor (14) of the propulsion device. This Coand effect is produced in the 360 of the central valve (3) so that, whatever the direction and angle of tilt of the central valve (3), this Coand effect is produced on the intake flow, favouring the entry of fluid directly to the rotor (14) of the propulsion device.

[0094] The propulsion device object of the present invention allows to vary the direction and frequency of opening/closing (opening and closing lapse) of the central valve (3), as well as the intensity of the propulsion jet (by regulating the rotational speed (RPM) of the rotor (14) and the opening of the perimeter valve (7)).

[0095] Preferably, the rotor (14) is configured with variable-pitch blades.