SE533643C2 - Maneuvering and propulsion of a ship by means of at least two wind turbines - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vessel which comprises a hull, at least two wind turbines, each of the wind turbines comprising mast, rotor with wings, and generator, each of the wind turbines being attached to the hull and arranged to partly convert wind to electrical energy and partly to transmit a driving force to the hull through the respective attachment, and where the vessel further comprises means for maneuvering the vessel, which means is operatively connected to the wind turbines and arranged to maneuver the vessel by controlling the wind turbines.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the operating means is arranged to regulate the wind turbines independently of each other.

According to yet another embodiment, the operating means is arranged to steer the vessel by regulating the angle of the wing blades in relation to the wind.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuator is arranged to steer the vessel by setting the plane of rotation of each wind turbine, which are formed by the rotating wings of the respective wind turbine, i.e. regulate the area facing the wind of the plane of rotation.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the adjustment of the rotation plane of each wind turbine is performed by rotating the entire mast near the attachment to the hull.

Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment, the setting of the rotation plane of each wind turbine is performed by rotating the rotor including the wings around the mast.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuator is arranged to control the vessel by electrically regulating the respective generator.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a vessel comprising a hull, at least two wind turbines comprising rotors with wings forming a plane of rotation, and generators for generating electricity, the wind turbines being arranged at the hull, and comprising operating means for regulating the wind turbines, which are operatively connected to each of the wind turbines, whereby maneuvering of the vessel is performed by mutually independent regulation of the wind turbines, so that the vessel turns.

According to an embodiment of the method, the vessel is controlled by angling at least one of the wind turbine's wings so that the area of the wings towards the wind changes. 10 15 20 25 30 533 643 According to an embodiment of the method, the vessel is controlled by setting the rotation plane of each wind turbine, which is formed by the rotating wings in the respective wind turbine, in relation to the direction of the wind.

According to an embodiment of the method, the actuator is arranged to control the vessel by electrically regulating the respective generator.

According to one embodiment, the generator control comprises changing the rotational speed of the rotor.

According to one embodiment, the control of the generator comprises driving it as a motor. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Features The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a vessel comprising two wind turbines.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment in which a vessel is maneuvered by regulating the surface of the rotation plane of the wind turbines.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment where a vessel is maneuvered by adjusting the surface of the wing blades against the wind.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment where a vessel is operated by regulating the generators in each wind power plant. j Figure 5 illustrates an example of settings of the rotation plane for turning a ship.

Figure 6 illustrates an example when wind turbines are used in windless conditions.

Description of embodiments The description that follows will focus on a preferred embodiment. This preferred embodiment comprises arranging two wind turbines on one ship. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to arranging only two wind turbines on a ship, but the invention also comprises arranging, three, four or four wind turbines on a ship. Furthermore, the wind turbines with two wings each are also shown. It should be noted that the wind turbines may have more wings than two and that the included wind turbines do not have to have the same number of wings.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a vessel 1 equipped with two wind turbines 2a, 2b. One 2a of the two wind turbines is arranged at the bow and the other 2b at the stern of the vessel 1 Each of the two wind turbines 2a, 2b comprises a tower or a mast 3a, 3b on which a machine house or housing 4a, 4b is arranged . The machine housing 4a, 4b is arranged at the top of the mast 3a, 3b. The wind turbines further comprise a rotor 6a, 6b in connection with the engine house. This rotor is adapted to drive at least one generator (not shown). The rotor 6a, 6b is arranged on a horizontal axis extending from the rotor 6a, 6b, into the respective machine housings 4a, 4b and further, possibly via gearbox (not shown) or gear arrangement (not shown), to the generator.

The generator is arranged in the machine housing. Each rotor 6a, 6b comprises a set, of at least two, wings 5a, 5b. The wings 5a, 5b are rotatably mounted on the horizontal axis of the rotor so that the wings 5a, 5b can be rotated 360 ° in the bearing to be angled towards the incident wind. In connection with the rotatable bearing of the wings 5a, 5b in the shaft, the arrangements also comprise means for axing the wings in the set angular position. For the angle adjustment, the arrangements in each wind turbine 2a, 2b comprise actuators 7, which are controlled by a control unit (not shown).

The wings 5a, 5b are arranged so that when the rotors 6a, 6b rotate, the wings 5a, 5b form a vertical plane of rotation. In other words, the wings 5a, 5b are radially extending relative to the horizontally extending axis.

As the rotor 6a, 6b rotates, this kinetic energy is transferred to the generator or generators. The generator or generators convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy. The wind turbine can be arranged to transfer the extracted energy to an electricity network (not shown) when the vessel is moored in port, for example. The wind turbine is arranged to transfer the recovered energy to batteries (not shown) in the vessel to store the energy therein. Typically, a transformer (not shown) is arranged between the generator or generators and the mains or batteries that adapt the electrical energy to either be output to the mains or stored in one or more of your batteries. When the wind turbines 2a, 2b are arranged at a ship 1, the wind turbines 2 are typically connected to one or two batteries which are arranged on the ship. From the wind, energy is extracted by the rotation of the rotors 6a, 6b in the generators and at the same time the compressive forces of the wind are transmitted in the axial direction of the rotor via the mast 3 and the attachment of the mast to the vessel. The vessel 1 can thus sail by using the wind turbines 2a, 2b as a sail. During sailing, the mast 3a, 3b of the wind turbine thus transmits the propulsive force to the ship's hull via its attachment to the vessel 1. The wind turbines 2a, 2b which are arranged on a ship 1 are adapted for this purpose to be used as sails for propelling the ship 1. The wind turbines 2a, 2b are rotatably 12a, 12b mounted, about their respective mast axis, on the ship 1.

The rotatability can be achieved in different ways, of which two embodiments are preferred. According to one embodiment, the mast 3a, 3b is rotatably mounted at the mast foot of the vessel. That is, the entire wind turbine, including the mast, rotors and generator (s) is rotated at the base of the mast or near the attachment of the mast 3a, 3b to the hull of the vessel. Alternatively, the respective mast 3a, 3b is fixed or fi xt mounted on the vessel 1 and instead the rotors 6a, 6b and the generators are rotatably arranged for rotation around the wind turbine mast 3a, 3b. Regardless of the rotatability device, the mast 3a, 3b of the wind turbine is attached to the ship so that it can transmit mechanical forces to the ship's hull. The wind turbines also include a control system (not shown), which will be described below, which has the task of monitoring the wind speed, wind direction, generator and its temperature, as well as gearbox or gear arrangement and a braking system (which will be described later below). There is also a wind vane and an anemometer, which measure wind direction and wind speed.

The vessel may be equipped with an electric motor (not shown) for propulsion of the vessel. The electrical energy required to drive this electric motor can be taken in whole or in part from said batteries which are charged with electrical energy from the wind turbines. A typical vessel is equipped with one or two of its diesel engines which are primarily used to propel one or two of its propellers to propel the vessel. Usually a ship is also equipped with electric generators which are also typically powered by diesel engines. The electricity from these electricity generators is used to supply power to the ship.

It can be about everything from ordinary lighting, heating of rooms inside the ship, in cooling, elevators, electrical control circuits and so on. According to an embodiment of the invention, such a power supply is obtained at least in part from the batteries which, instead of with the diesel engines, are charged with generated electrical energy from the wind turbines.

The rotors 6a, 6b of the wind turbines, or the entire wind turbines 2a, 2b, are rotatably arranged to be directed in the desired direction in relation to the wind, independently of each other. When the vessel is stationary and the wind turbine is used to extract energy from the wind, the rotors are advantageously rotated so that the wind falls perpendicular to the plane formed by the wings 5a, 5b, i.e. in the axial direction. When the vessel 1 is to be moved, the wings 5a, 5b and the rotors 6a, 6b, ie the respective plane of rotation, are set at an angle to the incident wind direction so that the wind turbines 2a, 2b function as sails. The vessel 1 is adapted to be operated by means of the wind turbines 2a, 2b together with a rudder 8 and propelled in the desired direction by means of the wind turbines 2a, 2b. The vessel is provided with a rotating device for regulating a desired angle between the plane formed by the wings 5a, 5b and the incident wind. The rotating device is preferably provided with locking means (not shown) for locking the plane of rotation of the wings in a desired angular position. A control computer (not shown) which is connected to the wind turbine can be arranged on the vessel 1 and adapted to continuously set the rotation plane of the wind turbines in relation to a desired input course which the fl surface vessel or vessel is to follow.

The different ways or methods for maneuvering the ship will now be described separately with reference to fi gures 2, 3 and 4. It should be noted that the different ways of steering the ship are not exclusive but instead the different ways can very well be combined to achieve the most efficient maneuvering of the ship as possible.

Figure 2 shows a ship 1 seen from above with the bow to the left in the fi guren and the stern to the right. The vessel 1 includes two wind turbines 2a and 2b. These wind turbines are rotatably 12a, 12b mounted around their respective mast axes on the ship 1. Figure 2 also shows that wind 13 falls from the left side of the ship in relation to its direction of travel, or in other words incident wind from port. The two wind turbines 2a and 2b have rotors 6a and Gb, respectively. The two wind turbines also include wings which form a plane of rotation as they rotate due to incident wind hitting the wings. As illustrated in the figure, the planes of rotation of the two wind turbines form different angles with respect to the incident wind 13. The aft wind turbine 12b forms almost a right angle to the incident wind 13. The front wind turbine 12a forms a sharper angle towards the incident wind 13. As illustrated in the figure, the incident wind will give rise to a force, Fa, Fb, on the ship 1 via the two wind turbines 2a and 2b. These forces from each wind turbine will be perpendicular to the plane of rotation of each wind turbine. By angling the rotation plane of the wind turbines as shown in Figure 2, the stern of the ship 1 will be swung out and mean that the ship turns to port. This angle of the plane of rotation is performed by the actuator 7 (not shown in this figure).

Figure 3 shows a ship 1 seen from the side with the bow to the left in the figure and the stern to the right. The vessel 1 comprises two wind turbines 2a and 2b. The two wind turbines each comprise two wings 5a and 5b. The wings 5a, 5b are rotatably mounted in the horizontal axis of the rotor so that the wings 5a, 5b can be rotated 360 ° in the bearing to be angled towards the incident wind. Figure 3 illustrates how the wings 5a of the front wind turbine 2a are angled in relation to the incident wind (not shown) so that the surface of the wings which hit the wind is as small as possible. This will of course mean that the force impact from the incident wind on the front wind turbine 2a will be as small as possible. The wings 5b of the stern wind turbine 2b are angled in relation to the incident wind (not shown) so that the surface of the wings that hit the wind is as large as possible. This will of course mean that the force impact from the incident wind on the aft wind turbine 2b will be as large as possible. The result will be that the ship's 1 stern will be exposed to greater force compared to the ship's fore, which will cause the ship to turn. This angulation of the wings is performed by the actuator 7 (not shown in this figure).

Figure 4 shows a ship 1 seen from above with the bow to the left in the fi guren and the stern to the right. The vessel 1 comprises two wind turbines 2a and 2b. Figure 2 also shows that wind 13 falls from the port side. Figure 4 assumes that the angle of the plane of rotation towards the incident wind and the angle of the wings towards the incident wind are substantially equal for the two wind turbines 2a and 2b. The two wind turbines 2a and 2b are arranged with respective generators (not shown). Wind power plants' respective generators are arranged to be electrically regulated. This electrical control affects, among other things, the speed at which the rotor rotates and the efficiency of the wind turbine. In practice, this electrical regulation also means that the force effect which arises due to the incident wind varies accordingly. Figure 4 illustrates how the generators of the two wind turbines are electrically regulated so that the deceleration of the front wind turbine 2a due to the electrical control is less than that of the aft wind turbine 2b. The consequence of this is that the stern wind turbine 2b with greater deceleration due to the electrical regulation will affect the vessel with a greater force than the front wind turbine 2a. The result of the electrical regulation of the generators in this case is that the ship will turn to port. This electrical control of the generators is performed by the actuator 7 (not shown in this figure).

Figure 5 illustrates a scenario where it is desired to turn or turn a ship 1 substantially counterclockwise. Figure 5 shows a ship 1 seen from above with the bow to the left in the figure and the stern to the right. The vessel 1 comprises two wind turbines 2a and 2b. Figure 5 also shows that wind 13 is coming in from port. By positioning the front wind turbine 2a so that its plane of rotation coincides with the incident wind direction, the front wind turbine 2a does not contribute any significant force to the hull or vessel 1. By positioning the aft wind turbine 2b so that its plane of rotation is perpendicular to the incident wind For example, the stern wind turbine 2b will generate a force impact to the hull or vessel 1 which causes the stern of the vessel to pivot in the wind direction, which means that the vessel will turn substantially counterclockwise. Furthermore, it would of course be advantageous to angle the wings of the aft wind turbine so that they have a maximum impact surface against the incident wind, even if this is not illustrated in fi guren. To further utilize the wind power to turn or turn the ship, the wind turbine can be slowed down by electrically regulating generators, even if this is not shown in the figure either. When the vessel begins to turn or turn counterclockwise, the angles of the plane of rotation of the front and aft wind turbines, respectively, relative to the incident wind 13 will change. The two wind turbines are therefore advantageously rotated continuously to maximize the power impact that can be obtained from the wind.

Figure 6 illustrates a scenario with windless conditions. Figure 6 shows a ship 1 seen from above with the bow to the left in the figure and the stern to the right. The vessel 1 comprises two wind turbines 2a and 2b. In this example, you want to turn the ship counterclockwise. According to the prior art, the bow thrusters of the ship were used to swing or turn the ship, which of course requires the use of the diesel engines to drive the bow thrusters. According to the present invention, as stated, the respective wind turbines are equipped with at least one generator each (not shown). A generator can be run "backwards" so that it then functions as an engine. By setting the two wind turbines 2a and 2b so that their respective planes of rotation coincide with the longitudinal direction of the ship 1 and then running the generators as engines which drive the wind turbines so that their respective rotors rotate, the ship can be made to swing approximately around its center. When the generators drive the rotors of the wind turbines, the wind turbines generate power that is directed perpendicularly out of their respective plane of rotation. As described earlier in connection with the use of the wind turbines as sails for maneuvering and propelling the vessel, the actuator is arranged to steer the vessel even when using the wind turbines as engines. The actuator is arranged to steer the vessel by angling each of the wings of at least one wind turbine so that the surface of the wings towards the wind changes. The actuator is further arranged to steer the vessel by adjusting the plane of rotation of each wind turbine in relation to the wind, either by rotating the entire mast near the attachment to the hull or by rotating the rotor and the wings around the mast. Furthermore, the actuator is arranged to control the vessel by electrically regulating the respective generator.

The present invention also relates to a method of operating a ship, wherein the ship comprises a hull 1, at least two wind turbines 2a, 2b comprising rotors 6a, 6b with wings 5a, 5b forming a plane of rotation, and generators for generating electricity, the wind turbines are arranged at the hull, and comprising operating means 7 for regulating the wind turbines, which are operatively connected to each of the wind turbines 2a, 2b, the operation of the vessel being effected by mutually independent control of the wind turbines 2a, 2b so that the vessel turns.

The method of maneuvering a ship 1 comprises angling the wings 5a, 5b of at least one wind turbine so that the area of the wings towards the wind changes.

The method for maneuvering the vessel 1 further comprises changing the plane of rotation of at least one wind turbine 2a, 2b in relation to the direction of the wind.

The method of operating the vessel 1 comprises electrical control of the generator of at least one wind turbine 2a, 2b. 10 15 20 25 30 533 G43 10 According to an embodiment for operating the vessel 1, the generator control comprises changing the rotational speed of the rotor.

According to a further embodiment for maneuvering the vessel 1, the generator control comprises operation of the generator as an engine.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a ship comprising a hull 1, and the method comprises the following steps: mounting at least two wind turbines 2 on the ship, each comprising mast 3, rotor 6 with wings 5 and generator 4, wherein each of the wind turbines 2 is attached to the hull, is arranged to convert wind into electrical energy and to transmit a driving force to the hull through respective attachment, and - arranging a means 7 for maneuvering the ship, - operative connection of the actuator 7 to the wind turbines 2, for maneuvering the vessel by regulating the wind turbines 2.

The method for manufacturing a ship 1 further comprises arranging the operating means 7 to regulate the wind turbines 2 independently of each other.

The method of manufacturing a ship 1 comprises arranging the operating means 7 to operate the ship 1 by angling the wings 5a, 5b, so that the wings of one wind turbine 2a, 2b have a larger surface area against the wind than the wings 5a, 5b of the other wind turbine 2a, 2b, The method for manufacturing a ship 1 comprises arranging the operating means 7 to steer the ship 1 by setting the plane of rotation of the respective wind turbine 2 in relation to the wind.

According to an embodiment of the method for manufacturing a ship 1, in the setting of the respective plane of rotation of the respective wind turbine 2, the rotation plane is rotated by rotating the entire mast 3a, 3b near the attachment to the hull.

According to an alternative embodiment of the method for manufacturing a vessel 1, the setting of the rotation plane of the respective wind turbine 2 is carried out by rotating the rotor 6a, 6b around the mast 3a, 3b.

The method for manufacturing a ship 1 comprises arranging the operating means 7 to control the ship 1 by electrically controlling the respective generator.

Claims (13)

10 15 20 25 30 533 B43 Patent claims Vessel (1) comprising: - a hull, - at least two wind turbines (2a, 2b), each comprising mast (3a, 3b), rotor (6a, 6b) with wings (5a, 5b) and generator, wherein each of the wind turbines (2a, 2b) is attached to the hull, arranged to convert wind into electrical energy and to transmit a driving force to the hull through respective attachment, characterized in that the ship further comprises operating means (7) for operating the ship (1), which means (7) is operatively connected to the wind turbines (2a, 2b) and arranged to operate the vessel (1) by controlling the wind turbines (2a, 2b). Ship (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (7) is arranged to regulate the wind turbines (2a, 2b) independently of each other. A vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator (7) is arranged to steer the vessel (1) by angling each of the wings of at least one wind turbine so that the surface of the wings towards the wind changes. Vessel (1) according to claims 1-3, wherein the operating means (7) is arranged to steer the vessel (1) by setting the plane of rotation of the respective wind turbine (2a, 2b) in relation to the wind. Vessel (1) according to claim 4, wherein the setting of the rotation plane of the respective wind turbine (2a, 2b) is performed by rotating the entire mast (3a, 3b) near the attachment to the hull. Vessel (1) according to claim 4, wherein the setting of the rotation plane of the respective wind turbine (2a, 2b) is performed by rotating the rotor (Sa, 6b) and the wings (5a, 5b) around the mast (3a, 3b). 10 15 20 25 30 533 643 12 Vessel (1) according to claims 1-6, wherein the actuator (7) is arranged to control the vessel (1) by electrically regulating the respective generator, the electrical regulation means regulating the braking of the respective wind turbine. A method of maneuvering a vessel comprising a hull (1), at least two wind turbines (2a, 2b) comprising rotors (Ga, 6b) with wings (5a, 5b) forming a plane of rotation, and generators for generating electricity, the wind turbines are arranged at the hull, and comprising operating means (7) for regulating the wind turbines. which are operatively connected to each of the wind turbines (2a, 2b), characterized by maneuvering of the vessel by mutually independent control of the wind turbines (2a, 2b), so that the vessel turns. A method of maneuvering a vessel according to claim 8, wherein the maneuvering comprises angling the wings (5a, 5b) of at least one wind turbine so that the area of the wings towards the wind changes. A method of maneuvering a vessel according to claim 8 or 9, comprising changing the plane of rotation of at least one wind turbine (2a, 2b) in relation to the direction of the wind. A method of maneuvering a ship according to any one of claims 8-10, comprising electrical control of the generator of at least one wind turbine (2a, 2b), wherein the electrical control means controlling the deceleration of the wind turbine. A method of maneuvering a ship according to claim 11, wherein the generator control comprises changing the rotational speed of the rotor. A method of maneuvering a ship according to claim 11, wherein the generator control comprises operating the generator as an engine.