Rotor sail and ship with a rotor sail

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 ).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A rotor sail comprising a base ( 2 ), a rotary cylinder ( 3 ) mounted on the base ( 2 ) in a manner permitting rotation about a longitudinal axis of the rotary cylinder, the axis being designed as a rotor axis (r), an enclosing outer surface ( 4 ) of the rotary cylinder serving as a wind-exposed surface in operation, a drive ( 5 ) having an electric motor ( 6 ) for rotating the rotary cylinder ( 3 ), and a photovoltaic system ( 7 ) having solar cells ( 8 ) to generate electric energy for the drive ( 5 ), wherein the solar cells ( 8 ) are located in the rotary cylinder ( 3 ) and have photoelectrically active layers facing toward the enclosing outer surface ( 4 ), and wherein the rotary cylinder ( 3 ) has a sleeve ( 9 ), which is transparent at least in an area covering the solar cells ( 8 ). 
   
   
       20 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , wherein the solar cells ( 8 ) are located on an outer side of a core ( 11 ) in the rotary cylinder ( 3 ). 
   
   
       21 . The rotor sail according to  claim 20 , wherein the core ( 11 ) has a round or polygonal transverse cross-section. 
   
   
       22 . The rotor sail according to  claim 21 , wherein the cross-section is circular. 
   
   
       23 . The rotor sail according to  claim 21 , wherein the core ( 11 ) in operating position tapers prismatically or conically upward along a length of the core, and wherein the core ( 11 ) has an opening angle (μ) included between a center axis and a side face ( 16 ) of the core. 
   
   
       24 . The rotor sail according to  claim 23 , wherein the core ( 11 ) has a form of a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone. 
   
   
       25 . The rotor sail according to  claim 23 , wherein the opening angle (μ) is variable. 
   
   
       26 . The rotor sail according to  claim 21 , wherein the core ( 11 ) is mounted in non-rotating fashion relative to the base ( 2 ). 
   
   
       27 . The rotor sail according to  claim 21 , wherein the core ( 11 ) is mounted in a manner permitting rotation about its longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       28 . The rotor sail according to  claim 27 , wherein the core ( 11 ) is connected to the rotary cylinder ( 3 ) in non-rotating fashion. 
   
   
       29 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , wherein the solar cells ( 8 ) are located on an enclosing inner surface of the rotary cylinder ( 3 ). 
   
   
       30 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , wherein the solar cells ( 8 ) have a form of thin-film solar cells. 
   
   
       31 . The rotor sail according to  claim 30 , wherein the solar cells ( 8 ) comprise polymer solar cells. 
   
   
       32 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , wherein the drive ( 5 ) is located in the base ( 2 ). 
   
   
       33 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , further comprising a storage device ( 13 ) for storing the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic system ( 7 ). 
   
   
       34 . The rotor sail according to  claim 33 , wherein the storage device ( 13 ) has a storage battery ( 12 ). 
   
   
       35 . The rotor sail according to  claim 19 , further comprising a control system ( 20 ), provided for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the energy generated by the photovoltaic system ( 7 ) and energy generatable by the photovoltaic system ( 7 ). 
   
   
       36 . A ship having at least one rotor sail according to  claim 19 , wherein the rotor sail is arranged vertically on the ship in operating position and projects beyond the ship.