Dynamic fin comprising coupled fin sections

Abstract

A dynamic or aerodynamic fin comprising at least two parallel arranged fin sections. At least one fin section comprises a rotational axis for installing the fin section by a rotation shaft. An end stop is provided for stopping the rotational movement of the fin section to define an extreme position. In the extreme position the fin sections provide a substantially cambered shape to the fin. The dynamic fin is improved in that it comprises a pair of coupling elements. A first fin section is coupled to a second adjacent fin section by a pair of a first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element is complementary to the second coupling element. The first coupling element is part of, preferably integral, with the first fin section and the second coupling element is part of, preferably integral, with the second fin section.

1 . A dynamic fin comprising:
 at least two parallel arranged fin sections;   an orthogonal coordinate system including a first, a second, and a third axis defined by the at least two parallel arranged fin sections;   the at least two parallel arranged fin sections extend in a direction of the first axis wherein at least one of the fin sections includes a rotational axis for installing the at least one fin section by a rotational shaft and the rotational axis extends in a direction of the at least one fin section and enables a rotational movement of the at least one fin section;   the dynamic fin further comprising at least one end stop for stopping the rotational movement of the at least one fin section to define an extreme position, in which extreme position the at least two parallel arranged fin sections provide a substantially cantilevered shape to the dynamic fin; and   wherein a first of the at least two fin sections is in rotation, coupled to an adjacent second of the least two fin sections by a first coupling element and a complementary second coupling element, and the first coupling element is part of the first fin section and the second coupling element is part of the second fin section.   
     
     
         2 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element is formed by a groove which extends in a longitudinal direction along an edge of the first fin section. 
     
     
         3 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element extends over substantially the whole length of the first fin section. 
     
     
         4 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling element is formed by an outer tongue which is complementary shaped with respect to the first coupling element and extends in a longitudinal direction along an edge of the at least one fin section. 
     
     
         5 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first and second coupling elements comprise a symmetrical shape in cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first and second coupling elements comprise, in the first direction, a constant shape in a cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one fin section comprises a base fin and tip, wherein the constant shape becomes smaller in a direction away from the base. 
     
     
         8 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element encloses the second coupling element for mounting the at least two parallel arranged fin sections by an axially sliding movement of the at least two parallel arranged fin sections relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 8 , wherein a stopper is provided for stopping the axially sliding movement. 
     
     
         10 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 2 , wherein the groove of the first coupling element comprises, in a cross section, an inner rounded part for receiving the second coupling element, which second coupling element comprises an outer rounded part in a transversal cross section. 
     
     
         11 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element comprises a groove having a receiving opening which includes an inner protruding portion and wherein the second coupling element comprises a tongue having an outer protruding portion for locking the second fin section to the first fin section in a direction away from the opening of the groove. 
     
     
         12 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 11 , wherein at the least one end stop is formed by the inner protruding portion. 
     
     
         13 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two parallel arranged fin sections are rotatable from one extreme position to another extreme position under a substantially constant resistance. 
     
     
         14 . A watercraft comprising a dynamic fin according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 14 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a keel or a rudder. 
     
     
         16 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 14 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a tunnel thruster. 
     
     
         17 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 14 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a propulsion element. 
     
     
         18 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a vane of a turbine. 
     
     
         19 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a propulsion element in a motor. 
     
     
         20 . The dynamic fin according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic fin is configured as a spoiler.