Claims
- 1. A method of improving the maneuverability of a marine vehicle, comprising the steps of:providing a marine vehicle having a lateral tunnel in which a propeller is mounted wherein, when said marine vehicle moves at a forward speed through water, a water flow having a fluid velocity moves through said lateral tunnel; turning said propeller at a substantially constant rate of rotation; measuring said fluid velocity; and adjusting a pitch angle of said propeller based on said fluid velocity.
- 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said propeller has an axis of rotation and has an angle of attack A at a nominal radius r measured from said axis of rotation that generates a maximum thrust in said lateral tunnel, and wherein said step of adjusting comprises the step of setting said pitch angle at said nominal radius r equal to[arcsin (V/(2 rN))]−A where V is said fluid velocity, andN is said substantially constant rate of rotation.
- 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of measuring comprises the step of measuring said fluid velocity directly in said lateral tunnel.
- 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of measuring comprises the step of measuring said fluid velocity indirectly as a function of said forward speed of said marine vehicle.
- 5. A system for improving the maneuverability of a marine vehicle having a lateral tunnel in which a propeller is mounted wherein, when said marine vehicle moves at a forward speed through water, a water flow having a fluid velocity moves through said lateral tunnel, said system comprising:means for turning said propeller at a substantially constant rate of rotation; means for measuring said fluid velocity; and means for adjusting a pitch angle of said propeller based on said fluid velocity.
- 6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said means for measuring is mounted in said lateral tunnel.
- 7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said means for measuring is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic flowmeters, magnetic flowmeters, turbine meters, pitot static tubes and Kiel probes.
- 8. A system as in claim 5 wherein said means for measuring comprises:means mounted on said marine vehicle to measuring said forward speed; and means for determining said fluid velocity as a function of said forward speed.
- 9. A system as in claim 5 wherein said propeller has an axis of rotation and has an angle of attack A at a nominal radius r measured from said axis of rotation that generates a maximum thrust in said lateral tunnel, and wherein said means for adjusting comprises means for setting said pitch angle at said nominal radius r equal to[arcsin (V/(2 rN))]−A where V is said fluid velocity, andN is said substantially constant rate of rotation.
- 10. A system for improving the maneuverability of a marine vehicle, comprising:a marine vehicle having at least one lateral tunnel formed therein; a propeller mounted in said lateral tunnel wherein, when said marine vehicle moves at a forward speed through water, a water flow having a fluid velocity moves through said lateral tunnel; means for turning said propeller at a substantially constant rate of rotation; means for measuring said fluid velocity; and means for adjusting a pitch angle of said propeller based on said fluid velocity.
- 11. A system as in claim 10 wherein said means for measuring is mounted in said lateral tunnel.
- 12. A system as in claim 11 wherein said means for measuring is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic flowmeters, magnetic flowmeters, turbine meters, pitot static tubes and Kiel probes.
- 13. A system as in claim 10 wherein said means for measuring comprises:means mounted on said marine vehicle to measuring said forward speed; and means for determining said fluid velocity as a function of said forward speed.
- 14. A system as in claim 10 wherein said propeller has an axis of rotation and has an angle of attack A at a nominal radius r measured from said axis of rotation that generates a maximum thrust in said lateral tunnel, and wherein said means for adjusting comprises means for setting said pitch angle at said nominal radius r equal to[arcsin (V/(2 rN))]−A where V is said fluid velocity, andN is said substantially constant rate of rotation.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for Governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3974792 |
Burnell et al. |
Aug 1976 |
A |
4747359 |
Ueno |
May 1988 |
A |
5951607 |
Senn et al. |
Sep 1999 |
A |