Reaction Rotor-type (e.g., Magnus Effect, Etc.) Patents (Class 114/39.3)
  • Patent number: 11214337
    Abstract: A water sports board includes a board body, a seat back and a pair of pedals. The seat back is arranged on a top surface of the board body for a user's back to lean on. The pair of pedals arranged on the top surface of the board body for the user's feet to step on the pair of pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AGIT GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Tzong In Yeh, Michal Kocner
  • Patent number: 11142294
    Abstract: Propulsion apparatus for an aquatic vessel comprises an aerodynamic body which extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends and in a transverse direction between a leading edge and trailing edge. The aerodynamic body has one or more external wind-receiving surfaces which extend between the leading edge and the trailing edge, thereby defining an aerodynamic profile of the aerodynamic body in cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The propulsion apparatus further comprises at least one air vent and at least one air flow generator configured to expel air through the at least one air vent. The at least one air vent and/or the at least one air flow generator are configured to direct expelled air across at least a portion of the one or more or more external wind-receiving surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SMAR-AZURE LIMITED
    Inventors: Sabrina Maria Malpede, Donald William Macvicar
  • Patent number: 11048229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to system for producing blades (1) of a machine interacting with a fluid, in particular a fluid-driven machine, in particular a wind turbine, comprising an examination device (19) for determining geometric deviations (A, B, C, D, E, F) from a target shape for one or more shaped blades (1), a device (21) for determining a deviation evaluation of one or more determined geometric deviations from the target shape for each blade with respect to the aerodynamic and/or mechanical consequences thereof, a device (23) for assigning one or more corrective measures (100, 101, 102), each including an expenditure evaluation (100?, 101?, 102?), to one or more determined geometric deviations (A, B, C, D, E, F) from the target shape for each blade, and a linking device (24) for linking a deviation evaluation that was determined for one or more of the determined geometric deviations to the expenditure evaluation for one or more determined corrective measures and for determining the correct
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Stoevesandt, Matthias Schramm, Florian Sayer, Heiko Rosemann, Christian Dörsch
  • Patent number: 10825322
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a model in a wind tunnel is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors attached to a model in a wind tunnel. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure an attribute of the model. The system also includes a computing device in communication with the plurality of sensors. The computing device is programmed to receive a plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors, store a first threshold and a second threshold based on normalized alarm limits associated with at least one of the plurality of sensors, analyze the plurality of signals based, at least in part, on the first threshold and the second threshold, determine that a potentially negative condition is occurring based on the analysis, and alert a user to the potentially negative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond Sungtah Chi, Russell William Waymire
  • Patent number: 9946261
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aquatic vessel is provided. The propulsion system includes a plurality of Magnus-type rotors and a drive arrangement for rotating the plurality of Magnus-type rotors. The plurality of Magnus-type rotors are operable to rotate about corresponding substantially upright axes. The propulsion system also includes a control arrangement for receiving one or more measured apparent wind speeds and for controlling the drive arrangement to vary rates of rotations of the plurality of Magnus-type rotors. The rates of rotations may, for example, be varied as functions of the measured apparent wind speeds and a direction of travel of the aquatic vessel. Moreover, the control arrangement includes a user-operable control for adjusting propulsion provided by the plurality of Magnus-type rotors. The control arrangement is operable to control the drive arrangement to vary a drive applied to rotate one or more Magnus-type rotors from the plurality of Magnus-type rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Norsepower Oy
    Inventor: Tuomas Riski
  • Patent number: 9862473
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a boat. The boat is adapted to float in a body of water. The boat includes a hull having a longitudinal extension along a hull longitudinal axis, a lateral extension along a hull lateral axis and a vertical extension along a hull vertical axis. The boat also includes a set of drive units, the set of drive units comprising at least one drive unit. Each drive unit in the set is arranged such that it, during driving of the boat, is adapted to be at least partially submerged into the body of water; adapted to be pivotable, relative to the hull, around a drive unit longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the hull longitudinal axis such that a drive unit roll angle can be varied, and adapted to be pivotable, relative to the hull, around a steering axis that forms an angle with the drive unit longitudinal, axis such that a drive unit steering angle can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventors: Anders Rydberg, Johan Wiklund
  • Patent number: 9631503
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic turbine, capable of altering the sweep area in a large interval by moving a first fixing structure, a second fixing structure and blades to and from an essential same plane along an axis of rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SEA-TWIRL AB
    Inventor: Daniel Ehrnberg
  • Patent number: 9540087
    Abstract: The invention relates to vessel (1) comprising a hull (3) and a deck (2), a substantially cylindrical rotor (6) having a peripheral wall (8) rotatable with respect to the deck (2) around a longitudinal center line (20), the rotor (6) being mounted on the deck (2) in such a manner that in an operational state the rotor (6) is substantially vertically oriented, characterized in that a flap (18) is arranged near the rotor (6) extending substantially in a plane which is parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor (6), and the length of the flap chord (Rfc) is between 20%-90% of the rotor (6) diameter (Dr), wherein the position of the flap (18) can be adjusted with reference to the longitudinal center line (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Jørn Paul Winkler
  • Patent number: 9394043
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aquatic vessel is provided. The propulsion system includes one or more Magnus-type rotors that are operable to rotate about their respective substantially upright axes. The propulsion system also includes a drive arrangement for rotating the Magnus-type rotors, and a control arrangement for receiving one or more measured apparent wind speeds and for controlling the drive arrangement to vary a rate of rotations of each of the Magnus-type rotors, for example, as a function of the measured apparent wind speeds. Moreover, the control arrangement is additionally provided in operation with future route information for the aquatic vessel, together with weather forecast information for use in controlling the drive arrangement for improving propulsion provided by the Magnus-type rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Norsepower Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Riski, Kai Levander
  • Patent number: 9376168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a cargo ship, having a power supply system. The invention relates in particular to a ship having a plurality of diesel electric systems for providing electrical power that are disposed within the ship, wherein a plurality of diesel electric systems are each associated with a common opening for removing the diesel electric systems. The invention further relates to a power supply system for a ship and to a method for controlling the power supply system of a ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Patent number: 9346527
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNUSS LTD
    Inventors: Eric Holohan, Edward Anthony Shergalis, James Gibson Rhodes, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee
  • Patent number: 9032890
    Abstract: A vessel includes a hull, a propeller for propulsion of the vessel and at least one rotatable cylinder which in its operational state is vertically mounted on the vessel, the cylinder having a rigid outer surface, a motor drive for rotating the cylinder around a longitudinal axis and a displacement member for displacing the cylinder to an inoperational position, wherein the motor drive is situated inside the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jørn Paul Winkler
  • Patent number: 9027490
    Abstract: A vessel includes a hull and a deck, a substantially cylindrical rotor having a peripheral wall rotatable with respect to the deck around a longitudinal center line, the rotor being at a lower end connected to the deck and including an upper end plate, the rotor being mounted on the deck in such a manner that in an operational state the rotor is substantially vertically oriented and in an inoperational state the upper end plate is situated in the vicinity of the deck, the end plate extending transversely to the longitudinal center line, wherein the end plate is provided with movable edge segments that in the operational state of the rotor extend radially outwardly from the peripheral wall to an extended position and in the inoperational state of the rotor are moved to a retracted position that is situated closer to the peripheral wall than the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Jørn Paul Winkler
  • Patent number: 8960113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine vessel comprising a hull and a propulsion arrangement. The marine vessel is further provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a cylindrical shell and with a first vertical axis (7). The vertically arranged cylinder is adapted to rotate around the first vertical axis. In order to provide a flexibly adaptable arrangement suitable for various operating modes of the marine vessel, the cylindrical shell comprises at least three sections (62, 63, 64) with a curved portion extending between two ends, whereby each of the three sections is arranged to be turnable around a respective second vertical axis (8), which is positioned at the circumference of the cylindrical shell. Each section is arranged to be anchored into a given position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventors: Oskar Levander, Mathias Jansson
  • Patent number: 8875643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship comprising a plurality of Magnus rotors. Each Magnus rotor is associated with an electric motor which can be controlled individually and which is used to rotate the Magnus rotor. Each electric motor is associated with a converter in order to control the rotational speed and/or the rotational direction of the electric motor. The ship also comprises a central control unit which is connected to the converters, to control the individual converters, in order to control the rotational speed and/or the rotational direction of the Magnus rotors, independently from the other Magnus rotors. The ship also comprises an electric motor as the main drive of the ship, a converter for controlling the electric motor is associated with the electric motor. Said control unit controls the Magnus rotor in a first operational mode in such a manner that a maximal drive force is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20140261126
    Abstract: An unmanned ocean-going vessel including a primary hull, a rigid wing rotationally coupled with the primary hull where the rigid wing freely rotates about a rotational axis of the rigid wing, a controller configured to maintain a desired heading, a control surface element configured to aerodynamically control a wing angle of the rigid wing based on a position of the control surface element, where the controller is configured to determine a control surface angle and generate a signal to position the control surface element based on the control surface angle, a rudder, where the controller is further configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder to the rudder position, and a keel including ballast sufficient to provide a positive righting moment sufficient to cause the primary hull to passively right from any position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SAILDRONE LLC
    Inventor: Saildrone LLC
  • Publication number: 20140196648
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Holohan, Edward Anthony Shergalis, James Gibson Rhodes, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee
  • Patent number: 8776705
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a deck and no more than two flettner rotors having a height to diameter ratio of less than five. At least one of the flettner rotors is elevated above the deck such that individuals on the deck can walk underneath the flettner rotor. A portion of a footprint of at least one of the flettner rotors is suspended over an edge of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Poulsen Hybrid, LLC
    Inventor: Peder Ulrik Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8746162
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Magnuss Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Holohan, Edward Anthony Shergalis, James Gibson Rhodes, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee
  • Publication number: 20140137781
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20140102344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a ship, in particular a cargo ship, with at least one Magnus rotor, comprising a step of detecting the direction of a wind. Furthermore, the at least one Magnus rotor is operated with one direction of rotation, so that by means of the interaction between the wind and the Magnus rotor a force is generated which is directed substantially opposite the forward direction of the ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8601964
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130291775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a ship, in particular a cargo ship, with at least one Magnus rotor, comprising a step of detecting the direction of a wind. Furthermore, the at least one Magnus rotor is operated with one direction of rotation, so that by means of the interaction between the wind and the Magnus rotor a force is generated which is directed substantially opposite the forward direction of the ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20130260620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a cargo ship, having a power supply system. The invention relates in particular to a ship having a plurality of diesel electric systems for providing electrical power that are disposed within the ship, wherein a plurality of diesel electric systems are each associated with a common opening for removing the diesel electric systems. The invention further relates to a power supply system for a ship and to a method for controlling the power supply system of a ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Patent number: 8539894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine vessel (1) comprising a hull (2) and a propulsion arrangement including an internal combustion engine (3), an exhaust gas arrangement (4), and a propulsion unit (5). The marine vessel (1) further is provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a vertical axis, which vertically arranged cylinder (6) is adapted to rotate around its vertical axis. To avoid any substantial increase of windage area, the vertically arranged cylinder (6) is arranged around a part of the exhaust gas arrangement (4) of the marine vessel (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventor: Oskar Levander
  • Publication number: 20130239859
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a guide roller which is arranged at the lower outer periphery of the Magnus rotor and which bears against the Magnus rotor in play-free relationship, a walkway surface arranged beneath the guide roller, and a cover which covers the guide roller and the walkway surface. In an opened condition the cover exposes the guide roller and the walkway surface so that a person on the walkway surface can perform working operations at the guide roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130233223
    Abstract: The invention concerns a ship, in particular a cargo ship, comprising at least one Magnus rotor for driving the ship, which has a stationary carrier. The invention concerns in particular a ship in which arranged on the carrier is a measuring device for determining a flexural loading on the carrier. The invention further concerns a method of determining the thrust of a Magnus rotor, a Magnus rotor and a carrier for mounting a Magnus rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130228110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a freight ship, comprising an outer wall and a gangway for embarking and disembarking the ship, which can be moved backwards and forwards between an embarking/disembarking position and a stored position when the ship is being driven. The invention also relates to a ship in which the gangway comprises a base having a lower surface which, when said gangway is in the stored position, is flush with the surface of the outer wall. The invention also relates to a gangway for embarking and disembarking a ship, which is embodied according to the claimed invention for use on a ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130220191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship comprising a plurality of Magnus rotors. Each Magnus rotor is associated with an electric motor which can be controlled individually and which is used to rotate the Magnus rotor. Each electric motor is associated with a converter in order to control the rotational speed and/or the rotational direction of the electric motor. The ship also comprises a central control unit which is connected to the converters, to control the individual converters, in order to control the rotational speed and/or the rotational direction of the Magnus rotors, independently from the other Magnus rotors. The ship also comprises an electric motor as the main drive of the ship, a converter for controlling the electric motor is associated with the electric motor. Said control unit controls the Magnus rotor in a first operational mode in such a manner that a maximal drive force is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130213286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a ship comprising at least one sail rotor. According to the invention, the ship has a front part that has a height-adjustable and/or pivotable panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20130055944
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a deck and no more than two flettner rotors having a height to diameter ratio of less than five. At least one of the flettner rotors is elevated above the deck such that individuals on the deck can walk underneath the flettner rotor. A portion of a footprint of at least one of the flettner rotors is suspended over an edge of the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Peder Ulrik Poulsen
  • Publication number: 20130042798
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNUSS LTD
    Inventors: Eric Holohan, Edward Anthony Shergalis, James Gibson Rhodes, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee
  • Publication number: 20130032070
    Abstract: A vessel includes a hull, a propeller for propulsion of the vessel and at least one rotatable cylinder which in its operational state is vertically mounted on the vessel, the cylinder having a rigid outer surface, a motor drive for rotating the cylinder around a longitudinal axis and a displacement member for displacing the cylinder to an inoperational position, wherein the motor drive is situated inside the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jørn Paul Winkler
  • Publication number: 20130008363
    Abstract: A vessel includes a hull and a deck, a substantially cylindrical rotor having a peripheral wall rotatable with respect to the deck around a longitudinal center line, the rotor being at a lower end connected to the deck and including an upper end plate, the rotor being mounted on the deck in such a manner that in an operational state the rotor is substantially vertically oriented and in an inoperational state the upper end plate is situated in the vicinity of the deck, the end plate extending transversely to the longitudinal center line, wherein the end plate is provided with movable edge segments that in the operational state of the rotor extend radially outwardly from the peripheral wall to an extended position and in the inoperational state of the rotor are moved to a retracted position that is situated closer to the peripheral wall than the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Jørn Paul Winkler
  • Patent number: 8261681
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8230798
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a drive and a control means which controls the drive in such a way that the Magnus rotor attains a peripheral speed which is greater than the mean wind speed by a factor ?. In addition the present invention concerns a method of operating a Magnus rotor comprising a drive which causes the Magnus rotor to rotate, and a control means, as well as a ship. In order better to utilize the action of the Magnus rotor than occurs in the state of the art, ? is greater than 4. In that respect the present invention is based on the realization that the assumption that, above a high-speed factor of four, there would no longer be a significant increase in the lift coefficient, which above all is in relation to the drive power to be used, is based on a technical prejudice. It was possible to empirically ascertain that an increase in the high-speed factor leads to a significantly higher lift coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Aloys Wobben
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20120142235
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20120000408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine vessel comprising a hull and a propulsion arrangement. The marine vessel is further provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a cylindrical shell and with a first vertical axis (7). The vertically arranged cylinder is adapted to rotate around the first vertical axis. In order to provide a flexibly adaptable arrangement suiteable for various operating modes of the marine vessel, the cylindrical shell comprises at least three sections (62, 63, 64) with a curved portion extending between two ends, whereby each of the three sections is arranged to be turnable around a respective second vertical axis (8), which is positioned at the circumference of the cylindrical shell. Each section is arranged to be anchored into a given position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Oskar Levander, Mathias Jansson
  • Publication number: 20110232555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine vessel (1) comprising a hull (2) and a propulsion arrangement including an internal combustion engine (3), an exhaust gas arrangement (4), and a propulsion unit (5). The marine vessel (1) further is provided with at least one vertically arranged cylinder (6) with a vertical axis, which vertically arranged cylinder (6) is adapted to rotate around its vertical axis. To avoid any substantial increase of windage area, the vertically arranged cylinder (6) is arranged around a part of the exhaust gas arrangement (4) of the marine vessel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Oskar Levander
  • Publication number: 20110209650
    Abstract: A planet wind sail mechanism includes a main axis, a first driving unit, and a wind sail body. The first driving further includes a rotation frame with a plurality of ribs, a transmission gear attached on the rib, a fixed gear which is disposed on the main axis and engaged with the transmission gear and a rotary gear is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame and engaged with the transmission gear. The wind sail body includes one rotation axis and the rotation axis is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame. When the wind sail body revolves along the main axis, both the rotary gear and the wind sail body also rotate itself. And the fixed gear rotates in an opposite direction with the rotary gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CHAMPION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Nai-Wen Fan
  • Publication number: 20100186648
    Abstract: A twisted rudder blade for a ship having a twist that is adapted to the configuration of the flow of the water in the region of the rudder blade if no propeller in operation is disposed in front of the rudder blades in the direction of travel of the ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Aloys Wobben, Rolf Rohden, Dirk Holtkamp
  • Publication number: 20090311924
    Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20090241820
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a drive and a control means which controls the drive in such a way that the Magnus rotor attains a peripheral speed which is greater than the mean wind speed by a factor ?. In addition the present invention concerns a method of operating a Magnus rotor comprising a drive which causes the Magnus rotor to rotate, and a control means, as well as a ship. In order better to utilise the action of the Magnus rotor than occurs in the state of the art, ? is greater than 4. In that respect the present invention is based on the realisation that the assumption that, above a high-speed factor of four, there would no longer be a significant increase in the lift coefficient, which above all is in relation to the drive power to be used, is based on a technical prejudice. It was possible to empirically ascertain that an increase in the high-speed factor leads to a significantly higher lift coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Aloys Wobben
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden
  • Publication number: 20090217851
    Abstract: A rotor sail is provided having a base (2) and a rotary cylinder (3) mounted on the base (2) in a manner permitting rotation about its longitudinal axis designed as the rotor axis (r), and a drive (5) for rotating the rotary cylinder (3). An enclosing outer surface (4) of the rotary cylinder serves as a wind-exposed surface in operation. So that the rotor sail can be operated in a more environmentally friendly manner, it is provided with a photovoltaic system (7) having solar cells (8) to generate electric energy for the drive (5) having an electric motor (6). The solar cells (8) are located in the rotary cylinder (3) and have photoelectrically active layers facing toward the enclosing outer surface (4). The rotary cylinder (3) has a sleeve (9) which is transparent, at least in an area covering the solar cells (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNUS ROTOR SOLAR SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Rolf Kind