PADDLE WHEEL PROPULSION AND STEERING COMPLEX Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: water transport; ships running shallow waters and in ice. SUBSTANCE: proposed complex is mounted in ship extremity; complex includes two paddle wheels with rigidly mounted blades; its construction is symmetrical relative to ship's CL. Each paddle wheel is provided with controllable drive and blades are turned relative to axes of wheels for rowing water from sides towards ship's CL and compressing the jet. Propulsion and steering complex may be provided with device for control of immersion of paddle wheels. Paddle wheels may have varying diameter in form of truncated cone increasing from sides towards C and their axes may be perpendicular relative to ship's CL. Blades of propulsion and steering complex may be helical in shape at optimal submergence and emergence angles, in areas of sides and CL, respectively. Blades may have solid construction and blades may be formed by cylindrical surfaces of skin which are secured on star-shaped disks. Propulsion and steering complex may be provided with wave straightener made in form of wing and fitted with device for control of its angle of attacks and raising above water surface. During motion of ship in ice with paddle wheels forward , their width over blades may exceed breadth of ship's hull over designed waterline. Frame may be secured on ship's transom by means of dampers for reduction of low-frequency vibrations. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of propulsor and handling of ship. 8 cl, 6 dwg