JPH0220478B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a thrust generating device for a marine structure such as a ship.

2. Description of the Related Art Sailing ships and windmill ships are conventionally known as ships that generate thrust using wind energy.
Sailing ships have a relatively simple structure, but have the disadvantage that they generate thrust in the opposite direction to the wind, that is, they cannot sail straight against the wind. On the other hand, a windmill boat converts wind energy into rotational energy using a horizontal axis windmill or a vertical axis windmill (Darrius type windmill) and transmits this energy to the screw propeller in the water, so it faces the wind directly. Although they can sail in a straight line, their structure is considerably more complicated than that of a sailing ship.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thrust generating device with a relatively simple structure that can generate thrust in the opposite direction to the wind direction using wind energy.

The thrust generating device according to the present invention includes a substantially vertical wing support rod that is attached to an offshore structure so as to be movable up and down, a hydrofoil that is attached substantially horizontally to the lower part of the wing support rod and located underwater, and a wing support rod. It is equipped with an aerial wing that is mounted almost horizontally on the top of the structure so that it can rotate around a substantially vertical axis, and is located in the air, and either the wing support rod, the hydrofoil, or the aerial wing can be moved up and down to the offshore structure. Possibly elastically supported.

When a substantially horizontal wing is elastically supported in a fluid flow so that it can move up and down, the wing absorbs the energy of the fluid and reciprocates (vibrates) up and down. This phenomenon is well known as wing flutter, which is a type of self-excited vibration. Furthermore, by reciprocating the substantially horizontal blade up and down in the fluid, thrust is generated from the trailing edge of the blade toward the leading edge. Furthermore, it is known that a hydrofoil placed approximately horizontally in waves absorbs wave energy and generates thrust from the trailing edge of the wing toward the leading edge. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 1983-30893
According to the thrust generator of the present invention, the airfoil moves vertically and reciprocally due to the wind, and this movement is transmitted to the hydrofoil via the wing support rod, and the hydrofoil also moves up and down. As it moves back and forth, thrust is generated on the hydrofoil. The structure of the device is relatively simple, and since the direction of the hydrofoil, that is, the direction of the thrust generated by it, is independent of the wind direction, it is possible to generate thrust in the exact opposite direction to the wind. Therefore, when this invention is applied to a ship, it is possible to make the ship go straight against the wind. In addition, when this invention is applied to other marine structures floating at a fixed position on the sea surface, the marine structure can be It is possible to prevent this from drifting and to reliably hold it in a fixed position. Furthermore, when there are waves on the sea, the wave energy is converted into thrust, and the waves also generate thrust on the hydrofoil, so it is possible to obtain part or all of the thrust generation energy as wave energy.

For example, the hydrofoil may be fixed to a wing support rod so that it can only reciprocate up and down, but it is also possible to rotate (pitching) around a substantially horizontal axis to change the angle of attack in addition to reciprocating up and down. It is desirable to do so. In this way, even more effective thrust can be expected to be generated. To enable pitching of a hydrofoil, for example, the front part of the hydrofoil may be attached to a wing support rod so as to be able to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis, and the rear part of the hydrofoil may be elastically supported by this wing support rod. .

Preferably, the orientation of the hydrofoil is adjustable.
In this way, in the case of a ship, the direction of the thrust generated in the hydrofoils can be changed to cause the ship to swing; in the case of other marine structures, the direction of the thrust generated in the hydrofoils can be changed, and in the case of other marine structures, the direction of the thrust generated in the hydrofoil can be changed, and in the case of other marine structures, , the direction of the thrust generated on the hydrofoil can be adjusted.

Preferably, the wing support rod is provided with a drive device that forcibly moves it up and down. In this way, even when there is no wind or waves, thrust can be generated by forcibly reciprocating the hydrofoil and/or one or both of the hydrofoils up and down.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a ship equipped with a thrust generating device according to the present invention.

A portal-shaped hydrofoil support frame 3 is fixed on the upper deck 2 at the front of the hull 1. A vertical aerial wing support shaft 4 is suspended from the left and right center of the upper part of the frame 3 via a spring 5, and the center of a horizontal aerial wing 6, which is rectangular when viewed from above, is rotatably attached to this support shaft 4. ing. A vertical wing 8 serving as a rudder is fixed to the center of the trailing edge 7 of the aerial wing 6, and the aerial wing 6 is mounted on a support shaft 4 between the frames 3 so that its leading edge 9 always faces upwind. Rotate freely around the center. The center of a horizontal member 10 extending left and right is fixed to the lower end of the aerial wing support shaft 4, and two vertical wing support rods 11 are suspended from both left and right ends of this member 10 via springs 12, respectively. The wing support rod 11 passes through the hull 1 in a vertically movable manner, and its lower part is submerged below the sea surface 13. Two wing support rods 1 are located symmetrically on the horizontal hydrofoil 14, which is rectangular when viewed from above.
1 and the leading edge 1 of the hydrofoil 14.
5 faces the front of the hull 1, and the trailing edge 16 faces the rear of the hull 1.

In the above vessel, the airfoil 6 has a leading edge 9 thereof.
It rotates so that it always faces upwind, and also moves back and forth up and down depending on the wind. The vertical and reciprocating movement of the aerial wing 6 is transmitted to the hydrofoil 14 via the spring 12 and the wing support rod 11, and the hydrofoil 14 also moves vertically and reciprocally, thereby generating thrust in the forward direction of the hull 1 in the hydrofoil 14. do. Also, if there are waves on the sea,
Wave energy is also converted into forward thrust of the hull 1 by the hydrofoils 14.

The strength of the springs 5, 12 is determined to most efficiently absorb wind energy and wave energy and convert it into thrust. Note that any springs 5, 12 can be used, such as metal springs and air springs, and other suitable elastic support means may be used instead of springs.

FIG. 3 shows a modification of the attachment structure of the hydrofoil 18 to the wing support rod 17. The front part of the hydrofoil 18 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the wing support rod 17 via a horizontal pin 19 extending left and right. Wing support rod 1
A horizontal auxiliary member 20 is fixed to the lower part of the hydrofoil 7 , and a spring 21 is provided between the tip of the auxiliary member 20 and the rear part of the hydrofoil 18 . And hydrofoil 18
is normally supported horizontally by a spring 21. The rest is the same as in the above embodiment, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals. In the above, when the wing support rod 17 reciprocates up and down, the hydrofoil 18 also reciprocates up and down, and the hydrofoil 18 is rotatably and elastically supported by the wing support rod 17 by a pin 19 and a spring 21. Therefore, for the hydrofoil 18,
Pitching also occurs at the same time as the vertical reciprocating movement, which can be expected to generate even more effective thrust.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the wing support rod 22, in which a rack 23 is formed in a portion of the wing support rod 22 that is inside the hull 1. A DC motor 24 is installed within the hull 1, and a pinion 25 that meshes with a rack 23 is attached to the motor shaft via a suitable elastic joint. And rack 23, pinion 25
and motor 24 constitute a part of the wing support rod drive device. The rest is the same as in the above embodiment, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals. When the thrust is generated by wind and waves, the drive device is left in a free state. In this way, as described above, the wing support rod 22 and the hydrofoil 26 are reciprocated up and down due to the vertical reciprocating movement of the airfoil, and a forward thrust is generated in the hydrofoil 26. In addition, when there is no wind or waves, the blade support rod 22 is reciprocated up and down with an appropriate amplitude and cycle by rotating the motor 24 at an appropriate speed and switching the direction of rotation at an appropriate cycle. . As a result, the hydrofoils 26 and the airfoils also reciprocate up and down, and forward thrust is generated in these wings 26.

5 and 6 show a marine structure equipped with a thrust generating device according to the invention.

Arms 28 extending horizontally above the sea surface 13 outside the structure 27 are fixed to the center of the upper four sides of the marine structure 27, which is rectangular in plan shape. Four arms 29 projecting out are fixed. Upper arm 2
An air wing adjustment device 30 is provided at the tip of the airfoil 9.
The centers of four horizontal airfoils 31 are suspended from each adjustment device 30 via springs 32. and,
Adjustment device 30 allows airfoil 31 to rotate about a vertical axis and to be fixed in any orientation. A hydrofoil adjustment device 33 is provided at the tip of the lower arm 28, and four vertical wing support rods 34 pass through each device 33 and the arm 28 so as to be vertically movable. The upper end of each wing support rod 34 is rotatably connected to the lower surface of the corresponding airfoil 31 via a suitable joint 35, and the centers of the four horizontal hydrofoils 36 are connected to the spring 37.
It is suspended from the lower end of each wing support rod 34 via. The adjusting device 33 allows the hydrofoil 36 to rotate together with the wing support rod 34 about a vertical axis and is fixed in any direction.

In the marine structure 27 described above, the directions of the airfoils 31 and the hydrofoils 36 are appropriately adjusted depending on the wind direction, tidal currents, drifting forces such as wave drifting forces, and the direction and amount of deviation of the structure 27 from the set position. Ru. For example, if there is a wind indicated by arrow A and a tide indicated by arrow B in FIG.
Each wing 31, 3 is arranged so that the leading edge 38 of the hydrofoil 36 faces upwind and the leading edge 39 of the hydrofoil 36 faces upstream of the tidal current.
Adjust the orientation of 6 separately. If you do this,
As in the case of the ship embodiment, wind-driven aerial wings 31
As the blade support rod 34 and the hydrofoil 36 reciprocate up and down, the blade support rod 34 and the hydrofoil 36 reciprocate up and down, thereby generating a thrust in the hydrofoil 36 in the direction opposite to the tidal current. In this way, by appropriately adjusting the orientations of the aerial wing 31 and the hydrofoil 36, part or all of the drifting force can be canceled out by the thrust generated in the hydrofoil 36, thereby preventing the offshore structure 27 from drifting. Can be done. Therefore, when using a mooring line to prevent drifting, for example, the marine structure 27 can be reliably held in a fixed position without making it very strong, and in some cases, the mooring line may be There is no need for cables. In particular, in deep sea areas, where mooring lines cannot be used, conventionally it was necessary to rely on thrusters to prevent offshore structures from drifting. However, by using this thrust generator, thrusters can be downsized or abolished. It is possible, and a large energy saving effect can be expected. In addition, when there is an ocean current or tidal current, the aerial wing 31
The roles of the hydrofoils 36 can also be reversed. In this case, the hydrofoil 36 moves back and forth up and down due to ocean currents or tidal currents, and this is transmitted to the airfoil 31.
A forward thrust is generated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side view of a ship showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a side view of essential parts showing a modification of the attachment structure of a hydrofoil to a wing support rod. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of the wing support rod, FIG. 5 is a side view of a marine structure showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof. 1...Hull, 6,31...Aerial wing, 11,1
7, 22, 34...Wing support rod, 14, 18, 2
6, 36... Hydrofoil, 27... Marine structure.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A substantially vertical wing support rod that is attached to an offshore structure so as to be movable up and down, a hydrofoil that is attached substantially horizontally to the lower part of the wing support rod and located underwater, and a wing support rod that is located underwater. It is equipped with an aerial wing located in the air that is mounted almost horizontally on the top so that it can rotate around a substantially vertical axis, and either the wing support rod, hydrofoil, or aerial wing can be moved up and down to the offshore structure. A thrust generator that is elastically supported. 2. Claim 1, wherein the front part of the hydrofoil is attached to a wing support rod so as to be able to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis that changes the angle of attack, and the rear part of the hydrofoil is elastically supported by the wing support rod. Thrust generating device described in section. 3. The thrust generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the direction of the hydrofoil is adjustable. 4. The thrust generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wing support rod is provided with a drive device for forcibly reciprocating the wing support rod up and down.