BOAT PROPULSION SYSTEM

Abstract

The propulsion system for vessels comprises at least one suction sail (3), said at least one suction sail (3) comprising a suction system (10) and a transmission unit (8) to drive the rotation of said suction sail (3), wherein the suction sail (3) comprises at least two suction zones (7) arranged symmetrically on two sides of the suction sail (3), said suction zones (7) comprising variable suction means.

It provides a propulsion system for vessels that allows reducing their fuel consumption and polluting emissions by using an improved version of suction sails.

Claims

1. Propulsion system for vessels, comprising at least one suction sail (3), said at least one suction sail (3) comprising a suction system (10) and a transmission unit (8) to drive the rotation of said suction sail (3), characterized in that the suction sail (3) comprises at least two suction zones (7) arranged symmetrically on two sides of the suction sail (3), said suction zones (7) comprising variable suction means.

2. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein said variable suction means are holes of the suction zones (7) of different dimensions and/or variable porosity.

3. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein said variable suction means comprise a housing (19) in at least one of the suction zones (7), which divides each suction zone (7) into sections.

4. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 1, in which at least one of the suction zones (7) is arranged on a flap (6).

5. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 4, wherein the, or each, suction zone (7) arranged in the flap (6) comprises a housing (19).

6. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 1, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

7. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 3, wherein each housing (19) is associated with a suction system (10).

8. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 4, wherein the suction zone (7) located on the flap (6) comprises its suction system (10) also located on the flap (6).

9. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 2, in which at least one of the suction zones (7) is arranged on a flap (6).

10. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 9, wherein the, or each, suction zone (7) arranged in the flap (6) comprises a housing (19).

11. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 3, in which at least one of the suction zones (7) is arranged on a flap (6).

12. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 11, wherein the, or each, suction zone (7) arranged in the flap (6) comprises a housing (19).

13. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 2, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

14. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 3, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

15. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 4, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

16. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 5, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

17. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 9, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

18. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 10, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

19. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 11, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

20. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 12, comprising more than one suction system (10) associated with different suction zones (7).

21. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 5, wherein each housing (19) is associated with a suction system (10).

22. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 9, wherein the suction zone (7) located on the flap (6) comprises its suction system (10) also located on the flap (6).

23. Propulsion system for vessels according to claim 11, wherein the suction zone (7) located on the flap (6) comprises its suction system (10) also located on the flap (6).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] For better understanding of what has been disclosed, some drawings in which, schematically and only by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment is shown.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a vessel incorporating the propulsion system according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a suction sail used in the propulsion system in accordance with the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a suction sail used in the propulsion system according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a suction sail used in the propulsion system according to the present invention, showing the suction system;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a suction sail used in the propulsion system according to the present invention, showing the transmission unit and the power unit;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a view of the bottom of a suction sail used in the propulsion system of the present invention, according to an alternative embodiment, in which the suction sail is tiltable about a substantially horizontal axis;

[0047] FIGS. 7 to 14 are cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the suction sail.

[0048] In these figures, by way of simplification, only the suction zones of one of the two sides of the body of the sail and of the flap are shown. It should be understood that said suction zones will be symmetrical on both sides of the body and the flap.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a vessel 2 comprising the propulsion system according to the present invention.

[0050] The propulsion system comprises at least one suction sail 3 that includes an outer covering 4, which can be rigid or flexible, and said suction sail 3 can rotate around its longitudinal axis 5.

[0051] The suction sail 3 also comprises at least one flap 6 capable of operating rotating among different positions and at least two equal and symmetrical suction zones 7 provided with multiple holes, with the suction zones 7 comprising variable suction means.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the variable suction is performed by varying the dimensions of the holes to each other in each suction zone 7, or in other words, by varying the porosity of the suction zone along it.

[0053] The suction sail 3 also comprises a suction system 10, which can be of the fan type or equivalent to suck part of the air flow from the extrados of the profile, and at least one transmission unit 8, which can be electric or hydraulic to rotate the suction sail 3 provided with an electric or hydraulic power unit 18, which drives said transmission unit 8.

[0054] Furthermore, the suction sail 3 is connected to the vessel deck 2 using a support structure 17, which may comprise a gear mechanism or a bearing structure, where the support structure 17 is capable of supporting the total weight and restrict the lateral movement of the suction sail 3.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment in which the lower part of the suction sail 3 comprises a tilting support 19, which allows the suction sail to tilt with respect to the vertical, that is, it tilts with respect to a substantially horizontal axis, driving a motor 20 or one or more cylinders.

[0056] Different embodiments of the suction sail are shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, differing from each other by the arrangement of the suction zones and/or by the means used to achieve variable suction control. In these figures, by way of simplification, only the suction zones of one of the two sides of the body of the sail and of the flap are shown. It should be understood that said suction zones will be symmetrical on both sides of the body and the flap.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a configuration comprising a single global suction zone 7, along which the porosity of the zone is adjusted to adjust/adapt the suction as the extrados is advanced, the holes of the suction zones 7 being of different dimensions from each other and/or variable porosity.

[0058] With the suction an internal pressure P.sub.int is created different from the external pressure P.sub.ext, the arrows indicating the direction of the flow of air absorbed from the boundary layer (air layer very close to the surface of the sail).

[0059] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment that comprises a plurality of suction zones 7, that is, sections provided with holes separated from each other, which allows greater control over the suction.

[0060] It should be noted that these suction zones 7 extend over the entire height of the sail.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment that comprises a single suction zone 7, but divided into different housings 19, which form the variable suction means, and which may be different, for example, with different permeabilities (size and number of holes). In this way, by sucking centrally, different suction levels (or pressures) are generated in each section 19 and thus have greater suction control.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment comprising different suction zones 7 and housings 19, the suction zones 7 being separated from each other, allowing better control of each zone.

[0063] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment, which is very similar to the previous one, with the difference that each housing 19 can be sucked independently with independent suction systems 10.

[0064] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the flap 6 comprises a suction zone 7, which also extends in the entire height.

[0065] It should be noted that the suction zone 7 on the flap 6 may be included in any of the embodiments described herein, and that the flap 6 may comprise two or more suction zones 7.

[0066] The embodiment of FIG. 13 is a variation of the previous embodiment, with the difference that a suction system 10 is included inside the flap 6 for the suction area 7 of the flap 6 itself.

[0067] Finally, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the suction zone 7 of the flap 6 can also comprise one or more housings 19, each one associated with a suction system 10.

[0068] It should be noted that there may be sealing means on one side of the flap 6, while the other is operational, for example.

[0069] It should also be noted that, for all the above embodiments, the suction sails 3 are symmetrical, that is, when it has been described that there are one or more suction zones 7 on one side, they are also on the other, not only on one side.

[0070] Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the described propulsion system is susceptible of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.