Propulsion device for a vessel, comprising at least one hollow wing having a longitudinal axis intended to extend vertically

Abstract

This relates to a propulsion device for a vessel, including at least one hollow wing which includes: an envelope which delimits an internal volume and which includes a rear part including two perforated zones; a suction device, to generate a flow of sucked air which is intended to pass through the perforated zones; and a shutter, adapted to alternately close one of the two perforated zones. The shutter includes: at least one shutter member which consists of a flexible flap, and an operator structured to operate the flexible shutter within the frame.

1 . Propulsion device for a vessel, comprising at least one hollow wing ( 2 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 2 ′) intended to extend vertically,
 which hollow wing ( 2 ) comprises:
 an envelope ( 3 ) which delimits an internal volume ( 31 ) and which comprises a rear part ( 3   a ) comprising two perforated zones ( 32 ), 
 
 which two perforated zones ( 32 ) are in fluid communication with said internal volume ( 31 ) and are arranged symmetrically on either side of a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P),
 suction means ( 4 ), for generating a flow of sucked air which is intended to pass through said perforated zones ( 32 ) and which is directed towards said internal volume ( 31 ), and 
 shutter means ( 5 ), adapted to alternately close one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ), 
 
 which shutter means ( 5 ) comprise:
 at least one shutter member ( 51 ), adapted to close at least one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ), 
 operating means ( 52 ), adapted to operate said at least one shutter member ( 51 ) relative to at least one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ), 
 
 which operating means ( 52 ) are structured to operate said at least one shutter member ( 51 ) between two positions:
 an open position, in which said at least one shutter member ( 51 ) is retracted relative to at least one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ), and 
 a closed position, in which said at least one shutter member ( 51 ) is deployed facing said perforated zone ( 32 ), 
 
 wherein said at least one shutter member ( 51 ) consists of a flexible flap ( 51 ), 
 wherein said operating means ( 52 ) comprise a frame ( 521 ) equipped with support means ( 522 ) which cooperate with said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ), 
 and wherein said support means ( 522 ) are structured to maneuver said flexible flap ( 51 ) within said frame ( 521 ) between said two positions, namely:
 said open position, in which said flexible flap ( 51 ) is spaced from said envelope ( 3 ) and retracted relative to at least one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ), and 
 said closed position, in which said flexible flap ( 51 ) is deployed facing said envelope ( 3 ) and conforms to said perforated zone ( 32 ). 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support means ( 522 ) comprise at least one rotary roller ( 5221 ), which is maneuvered in translation around said envelope ( 3 ) and which cooperates with said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) to define two strands:
 an active strand ( 51   a ), intended to conform to said envelope ( 3 ), and   an inactive strand ( 51   b ), spaced from said envelope ( 3 ).   
     
     
         3 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) has two side edges, namely:
 a fixed first side edge ( 51   d ) secured to said envelope ( 3 ), between said two perforated zones ( 32 ), and   a movable second side edge ( 51   e ) secured to said support means ( 522 ).   
     
     
         4 . The propulsion device according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) has two side edges, namely:
 a fixed first side edge ( 51   d ) secured to said envelope ( 3 ), between said two perforated zones ( 32 ), and   a movable second side edge ( 51   e ) secured to said support means, and
 wherein the support means ( 522 ) comprise at least one roller ( 5221 ) which consists of a return roller ( 5221 ), cooperating with said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) to define the two strands: 
   the active strand ( 51   a ), extending between the first side edge ( 51   d ) and said return roller ( 5221 ), and   the inactive strand ( 51   b ), extending between said return roller ( 5221 ) and said second side edge ( 51   e ).   
     
     
         5 . The propulsion device according to  claim 4 , wherein the movable second side edge ( 51   e ) is secured to traction means ( 525 ) which are movable in translation and which are intended to maintain said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) in tension. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion device according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) has two side edges, namely:
 a fixed first side edge ( 51   d ) secured to said envelope ( 3 ), between said two perforated zones ( 32 ), and   a movable second side edge ( 51   e ) secured to said support means, and
 wherein the support means ( 522 ) comprise at least one roller ( 5221 ) which consists of a winding roller ( 5221 ), cooperating with said at least one flexible flap ( 51 ) to define the two strands: 
   the active strand ( 51   a ), extending between the first side edge ( 51   d ) and said winding roller ( 5221 ), and   the inactive strand ( 51   b ), wound around said winding roller ( 5221 ), and of which said second side edge  51   e  is secured to said winding roller ( 5221 ).   
     
     
         7 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame ( 521 ) cooperates with motor means ( 524 ), for the translational maneuvering of said frame ( 521 ) on the circumference of said envelope ( 3 ),
 and which operating means ( 52 ) are structured to coordinate, on the one hand, said translational movement of said frame ( 521 ) and, on the other hand, said movement of said flexible shutter ( 51 ) between said open position and said closed position.   
     
     
         8 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutting means ( 5 ) comprise at least two flexible flaps ( 51 ) which are each intended to respectively close one of said two perforated zones ( 32 ). 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame ( 521 ) carries an aerodynamic flap ( 5211 ) forming the trailing edge of said hollow wing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope ( 3 ) comprises:
 a front part ( 3   b ) forming the leading edge of the wing, and   a rear part ( 3   a ) provided with perforated zones ( 32 ).   
     
     
         11 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible shutter ( 51 ) is chosen from flexible membranes ( 51 ) and rolling shutters ( 51 ). 
     
     
         12 . Vessel equipped with a propulsion device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein said support means ( 522 ) are structured to maneuver said flexible flap ( 51 ) within said frame ( 521 ) between said two positions, without friction phenomena between said flexible flap ( 51 ) and said envelope ( 3 ). 
     
     
         14 . The propulsion device according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one roller ( 5221 ) comprises an axis of rotation ( 5221 ′) which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis ( 2 ′). 
     
     
         15 . The propulsion device according to  claim 7 , wherein operating means ( 52 ) are structured to coordinate, on the one hand, said translational movement of said frame ( 521 ) and, on the other hand, said movement of said flexible shutter ( 51 ) between said open position and said closed position, without friction phenomena between said flexible flap ( 51 ) and said envelope ( 3 ).