Method for Air-Driven Propulsion of a Vessel and Air-Driven Vessel

Abstract

A method for air-driven propulsion of vessel and a related air-driven vessel wherein the propulsion is provided by air under high pressure being ejected under the sea surface and that air rising again from the sea being captured for providing an air cushion between the hull and the vessel. The vessel can also re-use the air captured for further propulsion. Utilizing captured air for providing an air cushion between the hull and the sea reduces the friction between the hull and the sea.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for propulsion of a vessel in a body of fluid having a surface by means of air, wherein the vessel includes a hull formed by several hull parts provided with channels being open against the fluid, comprising: collecting air at a part of the vessel being above the fluid surface, pressurizing the air and blowing it out below the fluid surface in the open channels of the hull parts, and providing an air cushion under the hull by capturing air rising again from the fluid by a downwards extending hull construction arranged under the hull of the vessel, wherein collecting the air and blowing it out is alternated, providing a pulsating blowout of the air. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising retrieving all or part of the air forming the air cushion and using the retrieved air for further propulsion of the vessel behind the hull construction. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising capturing air rising again from the fluid or from the air cushion and using the captured air for reducing friction between the hull and the fluid by conveying the captured air out in the open channels of the hull parts. 
     
     
         25 . An air-driven vessel including a hull formed by several hull parts ( 101 ) which exhibit open channels ( 102 ) at their lower end being open against a body of fluid having a surface, comprising:
 an air inlet ( 11 ) for collecting air at an upper part of the vessel being above the fluid surface, an air compressor ( 13 ) for pressurizing the air, and an air duct ( 14 ) for blowing the pressurized air out under the fluid surface ( 150 ) in the open channels ( 102 ) of the hull parts, and   a hull construction ( 20 ) arranged for capturing air rising up from the fluid for forming an air cushion under the hull of the vessel,   wherein the vessel includes devices for alternating opening and closing the channels ( 102 ), providing a pulsating blowout of the air for propulsion.   
     
     
         26 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , further comprising additional air ducts ( 23 ) for retrieving all or part of the air which is formed in the air cushion and using this for further propulsion of the vessel behind the hull construction ( 20 ). 
     
     
         27 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , further comprising one or more air inlets ( 11 ) for capturing air in one or more fan rooms ( 12 ), and one or more motors, air compressors, or fans ( 13 ) for pressurizing the air. 
     
     
         28 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , further comprising one or more air ducts ( 14 ) extending from one or more fan rooms ( 12 ) and under the sea surface ( 150 ) in the open channels ( 102 ) of the hull parts, which air ducts ( 14 ) end in an opening ( 15 ) arranged in approximately horizontal position in longitudinal direction of the vessel, in opposite direction of moving direction of the vessel for blowing out the pressurized air for propulsion. 
     
     
         29 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , wherein the hull construction ( 20 ) includes one or more downwards extending bodies ( 21 ) arranged for movement towards and out from the hull of the vessel by a controller for capturing air rising up from the liquid for forming an air cushion under the hull of the vessel. 
     
     
         30 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 26 , wherein the additional air ducts ( 23 ) extend for an air space ( 24 ) in front of the hull constructions ( 20 ) and end in an opening ( 25 ) behind the construction ( 20 ), which opening ( 25 ) is arranged in approximately horizontal position in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, in opposite direction of the moving direction of the vessel. 
     
     
         31 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , wherein the devices for alternating opening and closing for pulsating blowout of the air are arranged in the air ducts ( 14 ) and are formed by:
 a first plate ( 40 ) firmly arranged in the air duct ( 14 ) provided with a number of holes ( 41 ) for letting air through, and   an opening and closing device ( 42 ) arranged with same axis ( 43 ) as the first plate ( 40 ), provided with arms ( 44 ) and plates ( 45 ) adapted to the holes ( 41 ), wherein the opening and closing device ( 42 ) is arranged for rotation and alternating opening and closing of the holes ( 41 ).   
     
     
         32 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 31 , wherein the device for alternating opening and closing for pulsating blowout of the air for propulsion further includes a second plate ( 46 ) with openings ( 47 ) around the periphery which allows air to pass through the second plate ( 46 ). 
     
     
         33 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 31 , wherein the device for alternating opening and closing for pulsating blowout of the air for propulsion includes a motor ( 50 ) for rotating the opening and closing device ( 42 ) and at the same time adjusting the pulsation frequency. 
     
     
         34 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 31 , wherein the device for rotating the opening and closing device ( 42 ) includes a bent duct ( 51 ) arranged between two circular plates which by means of air supply in the duct ( 14 ) can rotate with the opening and closing device. 
     
     
         35 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 34 , wherein the device for alternating opening and closing of the air for propulsion further includes a valve ( 53 ) that controls the air outlet amount and at the same time adjusts the pulsation frequency. 
     
     
         36 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , wherein the device for alternating opening and closing for pulsating blowout of the air for propulsion is arranged in the air ducts ( 14 ) and includes:
 a cylindrical body ( 70 ) provided with holes ( 71 ), and   a rotating opening and closing device ( 72 ) arranged in or outside the cylindrical body ( 70 ), wherein the closing device ( 72 ) is provided with plates ( 74 ) for alternating opening and closing of the holes ( 71 ).   
     
     
         37 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 31 , wherein the opening and closing device ( 42 ) is arranged in connection with a ring ( 48 ) such that the closing device ( 42 ) rotates steadily and with minimal distance from the plate ( 40 ). 
     
     
         38 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , wherein the walls ( 111 ,  112 ) of the hull parts ( 101 ) are provided with air openings ( 113 ) for accommodating air trapped under the hull by the hull construction ( 20 ) into a limited part ( 114 ) of the hull parts ( 101 ), and openings ( 115 ) for conveying this air out in the open channels ( 102 ) of the hull parts again for providing an air cushion between the hull and the fluid. 
     
     
         39 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 38 , wherein the openings ( 115 ) are arranged in connection with covers ( 116 ) for guiding the air backwards in the open channels ( 102 ) along the entire vessel. 
     
     
         40 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 38 , wherein the openings ( 115 ) are arranged in connection with a closing device ( 130 ) provided with closing disc openings ( 131 ) arranged for adjusting the air amount which is let out in the open channels ( 102 ) through the openings ( 115 ). 
     
     
         41 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 25 , further comprising a mainly vertically extending air channel ( 117 ) arranged at a bow of the vessel, which extends from the bottom and up along the bow and follows the bow a distance under the liquid surface, which air channel ( 117 ) is arranged for letting out air captured by the hull construction ( 20 ) in front of the bow for providing an air cushion between the bow and the liquid, wherein the bow defines the end of the vessel opposite the pulsating blowout of the air for propulsion. 
     
     
         42 . The air-driven vessel of  claim 38 , wherein the air openings ( 113 ) are arranged in connection with a motor ( 150 ,  160 ) for opening and closing the air supply to the open channels ( 102 ).