초록 ▼

A waterjet propulsion system for a vessel permits stationary mounting of the pump within the vessel hull, and further allows minimizing the size and weight of the pump casing, by providing a pivotably moveable, hull mounted and supported, steering and reversing sleeve mechanism positioned to receive

A waterjet propulsion system for a vessel permits stationary mounting of the pump within the vessel hull, and further allows minimizing the size and weight of the pump casing, by providing a pivotably moveable, hull mounted and supported, steering and reversing sleeve mechanism positioned to receive the waterjet flow from a waterjet nozzle and to redirect at least a portion of that flow for steering and production of reverse thrust. The sleeve structure also permits all machinery for achieving control of steering and reverse thrust to be placed in protected locations such as being faired into the sleeve or within the vessel hull. Protection of linkages and reduction of the weight thereof is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for receiving flow discharged from a fixed nozzle of a waterjet propulsion system, the nozzle directing the flow in a generally aft direction for propelling a vessel through water, said apparatus acting to redirect the flow received from the nozzle for providing maneuvering capability t

An apparatus for receiving flow discharged from a fixed nozzle of a waterjet propulsion system, the nozzle directing the flow in a generally aft direction for propelling a vessel through water, said apparatus acting to redirect the flow received from the nozzle for providing maneuvering capability to the vessel, said apparatus comprising: a hollow steering sleeve defining a flow passage, said flow passage having a lateral dimension associated therewith, said steering sleeve adapted to be pivotably mounted about a substantially vertical axis directly to a stern of the vessel independent of the nozzle, said steering sleeve being longitudinally separated from the nozzle so as to allow the flow discharged from the nozzle to form a free jet flow before entering said steering sleeve, said longitudinal separation being less than about 1.5 times said lateral dimension of said flow passage, said flow passage having an inlet with an internal dimension equal to or greater than an internal dimension of the nozzle, said flow passage having a rearwardly facing outlet, said flow passage from said inlet to said outlet being in axial alignment with the nozzle to receive at least a major portion of the free jet flow subsequent to the free jet flow exiting the nozzle, said steering sleeve further including an outwardly angled flange depending from a forward end of said steering sleeve and projecting towards said nozzle, said flange being angled to align with lateral sides of the free jet flow at port and starboard extremes of pivotal motion of said steering sleeve, wherein an angle of said angled flange is determined such that a port side of said angled flange is approximately parallel with a port lateral side of the free jet flow when said steering sleeve is fully rotated to port and a starboard side of said angled flange is approximately parallel with a starboard lateral side of the free jet flow when said steering sleeve is fully rotated to starboard; and at least one reversing vane pivotably mounted to said steering sleeve and positioned entirely within said flow passage, said at least one reversing vane pivotal between a first substantially horizontal position wherein said at least one reversing vane functions as at least a portion of a bottom surface of said flow passage, and a second position wherein said at least one reversing vane closes said rearwardly facing outlet and defines an aperture in said bottom surface of said flow passage, the flow being deflected by said at least one reversing vane to an exterior of said steering sleeve through said aperture, wherein said apparatus acts independently of the nozzle to redirect the flow received from the nozzle such that forces acting on said apparatus are transmitted directly to the vessel with none of said forces being transmitted to the waterjet propulsion system.