Patent Application
20230339590
The present invention relates to a rudder trunk for a vessel, comprising a rudder stock tube, a receiving shaft and a holder for holding the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft, wherein, in a state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft, an intermediate space is provided. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vessel comprising a rudder trunk, a rudder stock tube for a rudder trunk, a receiving shaft for a rudder trunk, a kit for a rudder trunk and a method for producing a rudder trunk.
For the storage of large rudders, for example, in merchant ships or container ships, so-called rudder trunks are used in prior art. The rudder trunk of a steering gear is used to mount the rudder stock and to transfer the rudder forces into the vessel. In the condition arranged on the ship, a rudder trunk comprises a receiving shaft which is arranged in the hull, as well as a rudder stock tube, which is arranged in the receiving shaft. The rudder stock tube may be fixed by welding or by gluing it in the receiving shaft. The rudder stock is inserted into the rudder stock tube fixed in the receiving shaft and supported there with axial and radial bearings.
From EP 2 583 892 A1 by the same applicant, a glued rudder trunk is known, wherein a rudder stock tube is arranged in a receiving shaft and wherein between a first part of the coke tube and a wall of the receiving shaft an intermediate space is provided, wherein the intermediate space is filled at least regionally with a bonding agent, wherein the bonding agent is a means for gluing.
In prior art, the installation of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft in the hull is carried out overhead. The stern section of the ship, in which the rudder trunk is arranged, is usually manufactured separately rotated by 180° upside down during the construction of ships, i.e., with the upper deck downwards. Therefore, the rudder stock tube of the rudder trunk is inserted into the stern section from above. Only after the arrangement of the rudder trunk and full completion is the stern section turned into an upright position, meaning with the upper deck facing upwards and connected to the ship’s hull, wherein hull comprises the propeller and the stern tube. The alignment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft has therefore been independent of the actual propeller axis or the stern tube up until this point.
For the hydrodynamic efficiency, however, it is favourable if the rudder trunk or the rudder stock tube of the rudder trunk, and thereby, the rudder is aligned or adjusted to the actual propeller axis or the actual stern tube of the ship. In the known installation methods for rudder stock tubes without the possibility of referring to an actual propeller axle or a stern tube, such an adjustment or alignment can only be carried out indirectly and expensively.
The object of the present invention is to provide a rudder trunk for a vessel, which is easy and inexpensive to produce, and which may be installed in the hull when the stern section is already connected to the hull in such a way that the rudder trunk, in particular, the rudder stock tube, may be aligned or adjusted with relation to the actual propeller axis or the actual stern tube to improve hydrodynamic efficiency.
Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vessel comprising a rudder trunk, a rudder stock tube for a rudder trunk, a receiving shaft for a rudder trunk, a kit for a rudder trunk and a method for manufacturing a rudder trunk, via which the aforementioned advantages are achieved.
To solve the underlying object the invention, a rudder trunk for a vessel is proposed, comprising a rudder stock tube, a receiving shaft and a holder for holding the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft, wherein, in a state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft, an intermediate space is provided, wherein the holder comprises at least one holder element and at least one complementary holder piece, wherein the at least one holder element is arranged on the rudder stock tube, wherein the at least one complementary holder piece is arranged on the receiving shaft, and wherein the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece in the state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft projects into the intermediate space.
The rudder trunk according to the invention for a vessel comprises a rudder stock tube and a receiving shaft. The receiving shaft is intended to be installed in a vessel, in particular, in a stern section of a vessel, or the receiving shaft is already located in the vessel. In the receiving shaft, the rudder stock tube may be arranged to form a rudder trunk, or the rudder stock tube is already arranged in the receiving shaft. Furthermore, a rudder stock may be arranged in the rudder stock tube if the rudder stock tube is attached to the hull in the receiving shaft.
In the state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft, an intermediate space is provided between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft, in particular, between an outer wall of the rudder trunk and an inner wall of the receiving shaft. The entire intermediate space is preferably formed between the outer wall of the rudder stock tube and the inner wall of the receiving shaft. The at least one holder element arranged on the rudder stock tube and/or at least one complementary holder piece arranged on the receiving shaft projects into the intermediate space. The holder element and complementary holder piece form a holder for holding the rudder stock tube within the receiving shaft.
Due to the holder of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft by means of the holder comprising the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece, it is possible to insert the rudder stock tube into the installed or to be installed on the hull, in particular, at the stern section, of the vessel receiving shaft if the stern section is already connected to the hull, that is, if the upper deck of the ship, in particular, the stern section, directed upwards and the keel of the hull is directed downwards, whereas, in prior art, the installation of the rudder trunk in the receiving shaft in the hull takes place overhead, that is, when the stern section of the ship, in which the rudder trunk is arranged, rotated by 180° upside-down, that is, being aligned with the upper deck downwards.
The rudder stock tube of the rudder trunk according to the invention may be introduced from below into the receiving shaft and held in the receiving shaft compared to the installation methods known from prior art. Since, in particular, the stern section is already connected to the hull when inserting the rudder trunk from below into the receiving shaft, the rudder stock tube held by the holder may be aligned with the actual propeller axis or the actual stern tube of the vessel.
With relation to the rudder trunks known from prior art, the hydrodynamic efficiency can thus be improved.
The projection of the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece into the intermediate space in the state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft provides a space-saving embodiment of the holder for holding the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft since no other elements of the holder must be arranged outside the receiving shaft.
However, where applicable, for the alignment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft inner side and/or outer side the receiving shaft, alignment aids may be provided with which the rudder stock tube can may held in an alignment position for the alignment and subsequent fixing of the rudder stock tube. However, the alignment aids are preferably removed after alignment and fixing.
After the alignment or adjustment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft to the actual propeller axis or the actual stern tube, the intermediate space may be filled with a bonding agent, preferably in sections, to fix the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft.
A further advantage of the rudder trunk according to the invention is that the holder remains in the rudder trunk after connecting or after fixing the rudder stock tube and therefore forces can also be diverted via the holder. For example, in the event of failure of the bonding agent, protection against sagging or slipping of the rudder stock tube can be provided.
It is preferably provided that the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece may be arranged and/or are arranged in a positive-locking, i.e. form-fit, and/or non-positive-locking, i.e. force-fit, manner so that, in the state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft, in particular, in a state of the rudder trunk being arranged on the vessel comprising trunk and receiving shaft, a movement of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft in an axial direction of the rudder stock tube is hindered or prevented.
By the force-fit and/or form-fit arrangement of complementary holder piece and holder element, in particular, in a condition arranged on the vessel of the rudder trunk comprising rudder trunk and receiving shaft, the rudder stock tube may be held in an installation situation in a hull aligned downwards with the keel in the receiving shaft. In this case, the form-fit and/or force-fit arrangement of the holder element and complementary holder piece hinders or prevents movement of the rudder stock tube in an axial direction of the rudder stock tube; in particular, a movement of the rudder stock tube downwards out of the receiving shaft is prevented. In other words, the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft cannot slip along its axial direction, in particular, it cannot slip downwards in the axial direction. This allows the rudder stock tube to be adjusted against the actual propeller axis or stern tube of the vessel before the rudder stock tube is fixed in the receiving shaft.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that at least two, preferably at least three, more preferably at least four, being particularly preferred exactly four, holder elements are provided, and/or that at least two, preferably at least three, more preferably at least four, being particularly preferred, exactly four, complementary holder pieces are provided.
If at least two holder elements or at least two complementary holder pieces are provided, these may preferably be arranged opposite each other with respect to a central axis of the rudder stock tube or the receiving shaft on the outer wall of the rudder stock tube or on the inner wall of the receiving shaft. Via the form-fit and/or force-fit arrangement of these holder elements and complementary holder pieces a two-point holder of the rudder stock tube is provided in the receiving shaft, which allows a pivoting or moving of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft for alignment or adjustment of the rudder stock tube. With at least three holder elements and three complementary holder pieces, a particularly favourable three-point holder is ensured. It is particularly favourable if four holder elements and four complementary holder pieces are provided. In this case, there is a particularly stable support of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the at least one holder element is formed as a single piece with the rudder stock tube and/or is connected to the rudder stock tube in a materially bonded and/or form-fit and/or force-fit manner, and/or that the at least one complementary holder piece is formed as a single piece with the receiving shaft and/or is connected to the receiving shaft in a materially bonded and/or form-fit and/or force-fit manner.
The materially bonded connection of holder element with rudder stock tube or of complementary holder piece with receiving shaft may be made, for example, by welding or gluing.
If the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece is connected to the rudder stock tube and/or the receiving shaft in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner, this connection may be established by inserting the holder elements or the complementary holder pieces into corresponding receptacles in the outer wall of the rudder stock tube or in the inner wall of the receiving shaft. The form-fit and/or force-fit connection may also be made possible by means of providing fastening elements such as screws, bolts, adhesives, clamps, etc.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece is a pin or a bolt, preferably a threaded bolt, or a projection or a plate or a bar or a profile body, preferably a U-profile body, and/or that the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece is a receptacle, in particular, a bore hole and/or a blind bore hole, preferably with an internal thread, or a recess, in particular, a groove, and/or a thread, in particular, a thread, and/or that the at least one holder element and/or the at least one complementary holder piece is a clamping element, in particular, a clamping ring.
The at least one complementary holder piece and the at least one holder element may be designed differently or identically. In a preferred embodiment, the holder element is designed in the form of a pin, a bolt, a projection, a plate or a bar. The pin, the bolt, the projection, the plate or the bar then project from the outer wall of the rudder stock tube in approximately one radial direction. On the other hand, the complementary holder piece may be designed as a profile body, preferably as a U-profile body comprising a contact surface, wherein the profile body, preferably the U-profile body, projects approximately in a radial direction into the interior space of the receiving shaft from the inner wall of the receiving shaft.
In one embodiment of the complementary holder piece as a U-profile body and the holder element as a pin, bolt, projection, plate or bar, the holder element may be hung into the U-profile body. For this purpose, the holder element is inserted between the limbs of the U-profile body and placed on a base section of the U-profile body. In this embodiment, twisting of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft can also be prevented or restricted, since the holder element formed as a pin, bolt, plate, bar or projection strikes the limbs of the U-profile body in an attempt to twist the rudder stock tube. Through the interaction of holder element and complementary holder piece, a rotary brake is provided.
In principle, it is also possible that the holder element on the rudder stock tube is formed as a U-shaped profile body, while the complementary holder piece is formed at the receiving shaft as a pin, bolt, projection, plate or bar. With both options, only the orientation of the U-profile body must be taken into account.
If the U-profile body is arranged on the receiving shaft as a complementary holder piece, the limbs of the U-profile body in the receiving shaft must be oriented upwards in a vertical direction so that the holder element of the rudder stock tube formed as pin, bolt, projection, plate or bar can be inserted from above into the U-profile body.
If, on the other hand, the U-profile body is arranged as a holder element on the rudder stock tube, the limbs of the U-profile body on the rudder stock tube must be aligned downwards in a vertical direction so that the U-profile body can be placed from above on the complementary holder piece of the receiving shaft formed as a pin, bolt, projection, plate or bar. The terms “vertical direction”, “up” and “down” refer to the condition of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft located on the vessel.
In addition to these preferred embodiments, however, other embodiments of holder element and complementary holder piece are also possible.
Thus, either the holder element or the complementary holder piece may be a threaded bolt. The corresponding complementary holder piece or the corresponding holder element is then formed as a receptacle, in particular as a bore hole, preferably with an internal thread. The threaded bolt may be screwed to the internal thread in the holder or in the bore hole. By determining the screw-in depth, the rudder stock tube may be aligned or adjusted in the receiving shaft, in particular, in a radial direction of the receiving shaft.
Another preferred possibility is that the holder element is a recess, in particular a circumferential one, preferably being a groove around the rudder stock tube. The complementary holder piece may be formed as a clamping element, in particular as a clamping ring, which is further preferably also arranged in a groove in the inner wall of the receiving shaft. If the rudder stock tube is inserted into the receiving shaft, the clamping element formed as complementary holder piece can intervene both in the recess on the rudder stock tube as well as in the recess, in particular in the groove, of the receiving shaft and thereby favour or ensure a form-fit and/or force-fit holder of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft. In principle, however, the complementary holder piece designed as a clamping element and the corresponding holder element may also be designed differently from a clamping ring and a recess, as long as the clamping element and the corresponding holder element together cause a force- and/or form-fitting clamping between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft.
Another possibility is that the holder element and/or the complementary holder piece are formed as a thread, wherein an external thread is provided on the rudder stock tube and an internal thread in the receiving shaft. In this case, the rudder stock tube can be screwed into the receiving shaft, wherein the holder elements and complementary holder pieces formed as internal and external threads provide a form-fit and a force-fit connection. With appropriate embodiment of the thread, in particular, the divisions of the threads, a mobility of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft can may be made possible in such a way that this can be aligned on the vessel at the actual propeller axis and the actual stern tube. The rudder stock tube can be fixed using bonding agent within the receiving shaft after alignment.
Being furthermore favourable, it is provided that the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece project into the intermediate space between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft, wherein the at least one complementary holder piece and/or the at least one holder element are arranged inclined to the respective radial direction with respect to the rudder stock tube or the receiving shaft in the direction of the axial direction of the rudder stock tube or the receiving shaft.
In the state arranged on the hull of the receiving shaft and the rudder stock tube, the holder elements and/or the complementary holder pieces are preferably aligned slightly downwards and/or upwards inclined. Due to this slight inclination in the axial direction, a particularly favourable alignment and adjustment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft can be ensured. If, for example, two U-profile bodies are arranged opposite each other in the receiving shaft as complementary holder pieces, wherein the limbs of the U-profile bodies point upwards, and wherein the course of the U-profile bodies in the radial direction into the interior space of the receiving shaft have a slight inclination downwards and, on the other hand, two bolts are arranged as holder elements on an outer wall of the rudder stock tube, the bolts can be inserted into the U-profile bodies from above, to establish a form- and force-fit connection or holder. If the rudder stock tube is now aligned, that is, in particular a central axis of the rudder stock tube is aligned with a central axis of the receiving shaft, this can be done by moving the rudder stock tube approximately in a radial direction in the receiving shaft. One of the bolts is then guided slightly downwards along the slightly downward inclined U-profile body, while the other bolt is guided slightly upwards in the second U-profile body. By means of this, the central axis of the rudder stock tube is inclined with relation to the central axis of the receiving shaft. A corresponding effect also occurs with at least three or at least four or exactly four holder elements or complementary holder pieces.
Furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the at least two holder elements are arranged across an outer circumference of the rudder stock tube, preferably uniformly, and/or that the at least two complementary holder pieces, are arranged over an inner circumference of the receiving shaft, preferably uniformly.
An even arrangement of holder elements and complementary holder pieces allows easy production as well as easy alignment and adjustment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft.
It is favourably provided that the at least two holder elements are spaced apart in the circumferential direction over the outer circumference of the rudder stock tube, and/or that the at least two complementary holder pieces are spaced in the circumferential direction over the inner circumference of the receiving shaft are arranged in such a way that when inserting the rudder stock tube into the receiving shaft, the holder elements can be guided past the complementary holder pieces in the axial direction.
In the state of the receiving shaft being arranged on the hull, in particular on the stern section, and in an alignment of the stern section or the hull with the keel downwards, the rudder stock tube can be inserted from below into the receiving shaft. The holder elements are thereby guided past the complementary holder pieces of the receiving shaft and can then be brought into a form-fit and/or force-fit arrangement with the complementary holder pieces, preferably hinders or prevents movement of the rudder stock tube against the insertion direction.
Being particularly favourable, it is provided that the rudder stock tube may be configured to be arranged or may be arranged to be rotatable in the receiving shaft if the intermediate space is not filled so that the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece can be aligned with each other by rotating the rudder stock tube seen in the axial direction.
Furthermore, it may be favourably provided that the rudder stock tube is configured to be moveably arranged and/or is moveably arranged in the receiving shaft in the axial direction if the intermediate space is not filled so that the at least one holder element can be arranged at the at least one complementary holder piece, in particular, being aligned, and/or so that the at least one holder element can be placed on the complementary holder piece, in particular, being aligned.
In this case, it is particularly favourable that the rotatable arrangement of the rudder stock tube makes it possible that the holder elements, after the holder elements were guided past the complementary holder pieces when inserting the rudder stock tube from below into the receiving shaft, before arranging the holder elements and complementary holder pieces to each other by turning the rudder stock tube aligning with the complementary holder pieces. The holder provided in this way is similar in its function to a bayonet lock.
When inserting the rudder stock tube into the receiving shaft from below, the rudder stock tube is first aligned so that the holder elements can be guided past the complementary holder pieces. As soon as the holder elements are above the complementary holder pieces, the rudder stock tube can be rotated so that the holder elements are aligned in the axial direction of the rudder stock tube, or the receiving shaft aligned with the complementary holder pieces. Subsequently, the rudder stock tube can be moved downwards in the axial direction, wherein the holder elements enter into a form-fit and/or force-fit connection with the complementary holder pieces and hold the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft.
It may favourably be provided that the rudder stock tube in the state arranged in the receiving shaft, in particular, in a state arranged on the vessel of the rudder trunk comprising rudder trunk and receiving shaft, can be adjusted in the receiving shaft, in particular, be aligned, if the intermediate space is not filled.
The adjustment of the rudder stock tube arranged in the receiving shaft may thus be carried out particularly favourably in the state arranged on the vessel, that is, compared to an actual propeller shaft or to an actual stern tube. The adjustment is preferably carried out if the intermediate space is not yet filled with a bonding agent. However, it can also be carried out if the intermediate space, preferably filled in sections with a bonding agent. If the bonding agent is a cast plastic, alignment or adjustment can be carried out while the cast plastic is hardening.
Preferably, for alignment and adjustment, the rudder stock tube can be moved with respect to a radial direction of the receiving shaft inner side the receiving shaft.
Being furthermore advantageous, adjusting means may be provided, wherein the adjustment means are formed so that, in particular, in the case of adjacent holder elements and complementary holder pieces, a position and/or orientation of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft, in particular, the position of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft with respect to a radial direction of the receiving shaft and/or an angle between a central axis of the rudder stock tube and a central axis of the receiving shaft can be adjusted.
[Para 49] The adjusting means may be additional elements, but the adjusting means may also be part of the holder elements and/or the complementary holder pieces. For example, it is possible that the holder elements and/or the complementary holder pieces are adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, an angle of inclination of the holder elements and/or the complementary holder pieces can be adjusted.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the adjustment means adjusting screws and/or washers, preferably washers, wherein the adjustment means are preferably arranged on the at least one holder element and/or at least one complementary holder piece.
It is preferably provided that the intermediate space between the outer wall of the rudder stock tube and the inner wall of the receiving shaft expands or decreases at least in the axial direction of the rudder stock tube. In other words, a gap width of the intermediate space between the outer wall of the rudder stock tube and the inner wall of the receiving shaft increases or decreases, at least in some regions, in the axial direction of the rudder stock tube. Being particularly preferred, the gap width of the intermediate space increases between the outer wall of the rudder stock tube and the inner wall of the receiving shaft at least regionally viewed in the axial direction of the rudder stock tube upwards, that is, in the state of the rudder trunk or the receiving shaft being arranged on the vessel, in particular, on the ship, in the direction of the vessel body, in particular, of the hull.
The increase in the gap width may be carried out in that the inner diameter of the receiving shaft in the state arranged on the ship in the direction of the hull increases at least regionally, and/or that the outer diameter of the rudder stock tube in the state arranged on the ship in the direction of the hull decreases at least in sections. Being particularly preferred, a wall thickness of the rudder stock tube viewed in the axial direction of the rudder stock tube decreases, wherein the inner diameter of the rudder stock tube remains constant in the axial direction and the outer diameter decreases.
In a state of the rudder stock tube being arranged in the receiving shaft, the rudder stock tube is arranged over a clamping height in the receiving shaft. The clamping height is preferably formed between a lower end or an outer side of the receiving shaft and an upper region, in particular, an upper end of the rudder stock tube. Preferably, the gap width increases at least in sections across the course of the clamping height. In this case, being particularly preferred, a lower region of the clamping height can have a constant gap width. In order to increase the gap width by region, it increases above the region of the constant gap width.
Furthermore, in an upper range of the clamping height seen in the axial direction, the gap width can decrease again. The decrease of the gap width in the upper region of the clamping height can be caused by the complementary holder pieces and/or holder elements of the holder protruding into the intermediate space. Furthermore, the decrease of the gap width in the upper region of the clamping height can also be carried out by a, in particular circumferential, flange on the inner wall of the receiving shaft or the outer wall of the rudder stock tube in the upper region.
In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the gap width of the intermediate space increases between the outer wall of the rudder stock tube and the inner wall of the receiving shaft at least regionally in the axial direction of the rudder trunk seen downwards, that is, in the state of the rudder trunk or the receiving shaft being arranged on the vessel, in particular on the ship, in the direction leading away from the vessel, in particular, away from the hull.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the intermediate space is fillable or filled with a bonding agent, preferably with a cast plastic, in particular cast resin, at least in some regions.
The intermediate space is filled with the bonding agent, in particular the cast plastic, preferably only after the alignment and adjustment of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft, at least regionally. As soon as a firm connection of the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft is made by the bonding agent, for example as soon as the cast plastic has hardened, a fixed and aligned or adjusted rudder stock tube is obtained in the receiving shaft, whereby a particularly high hydrodynamic efficiency is provided. In addition, by the preferably still remaining in the intermediate space holder elements and complementary holder pieces, slipping of the rudder stock tube is prevented even in the event of failure of the bonding agent, for example when the cast plastic escapes.
Being particularly preferred, the intermediate space is filled with the bonding agent solely in the lower region of the clamping height with a constant gap width. In addition, or as an alternative, the intermediate space can also be filled only in the upper region of the clamping height, in particular, in the region of the holder element and/or the complementary holder piece and/or the flange with the bonding agent. Being particularly preferred, the intermediate space in the region of the expanding gap width is not filled with the bonding agent.
Being furthermore favourable, it can be provided that a sealing element, in particular a sealing sleeve, is provided, wherein the sealing element is attached to an outer side of the rudder trunk so that when filling the intermediate space, a leakage of the bonding agent to the outer side by the sealing element is preventable, wherein, preferably, the sealing element can be removed, in particular, after filling the intermediate space.
The outer side of the rudder trunk corresponds to the outer side of the ship’s hull in the state of the rudder trunk being arranged on the vessel, preferably the region of the ship’s hull which encloses the external opening of the receiving shaft. In the position of the receiving shaft on the ship, the rudder stock tube can be inserted into the receiving shaft from below. Subsequently, a sealing element, in particular, a sealing sleeve, is attached to the outer side of the ship’s hull and thus to an outer side of the rudder trunk, which seals the intermediate space between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft from below. After attaching the sealing element, the intermediate space between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft can be filled with a bonding agent, in particular, with a cast plastic, wherein the sealing element prevents escape by the bonding agent from the intermediate space, in particular, downwards to the outer side of the rudder trunk or to the outer side of the hull. After filling the intermediate space with the bonding agent, the sealing element can remain on the hull or on the outer side of the rudder trunk. However, it is also possible that the sealing element is removed after filling the intermediate space with the bonding agent. If the sealing element remains on the hull or on the outer side of the rudder trunk, further protection against leakage of the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, is offered. If, on the other hand, the sealing element is removed, it is reusable.
Being furthermore advantageous, it is provided that the sealing element is designed as single piece, in particular, consisting of one part or a plurality of parts.
A multi-part design of the sealing element allows a particularly simple attachment of the sealing element on the outer side of the rudder trunk or on the outer side of the hull.
Being furthermore advantageous, it can be provided that the sealing element comprises a frame and/or an O-ring and/or an elastomer, particularly one that is ring-shaped.
A further advantage is provided if the sealing element has at least one breakthrough, in particular an opening or a passage, wherein the bonding agent may be introduced through the opening, in particular, into the intermediate space.
If the sealing element is located on the outer side of the rudder trunk or on the outer side of the hull in the region of the rudder trunk, the bonding may can be introduced through the breakthrough, in particular, through the opening or the passage, into the intermediate space from the outer side of the vessel into the intermediate space. This provides a particularly easy way to fill the intermediate space.
The openings may be closable to prevent leakage of the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, after filling the intermediate space. Furthermore, hoses for the introduction of the bonding agent may be passed through the openings. As a result, bubble formation in the bonding agent, in particular, in the cast plastic, can be prevented.
Being further advantageous, it is provided that the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, may be liquified, preferably via heat input so that the rudder stock tube can be removed from the receiving shaft after liquefaction of the bonding agent.
An exchange of the rudder stock tube is simplified if the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, can be liquified via heat input. Thus, if an exchange of the rudder stock tube should be necessary, the bonding agent can be liquefied via heat input. The rudder stock tube can then be removed from the receiving shaft on the hull. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment, the rudder stock tube must be raised vertically after liquefying the bonding agent so that the rudder stock tube moves upwards in the receiving shaft. Subsequently, the rudder stock tube is rotated so that the previously aligned holder elements and complementary holder pieces are twisted towards one another. Subsequently, the rudder stock tube may be led down from the receiving shaft in the axial direction, wherein the holder elements are guided past the complementary holder pieces. A new rudder stock tube may then be inserted.
Being furthermore favourable, it is provided that heating elements, in particular heating wires, are arranged in the intermediate space, and are preferably embedded in the bonding agent.
By providing heating elements, in particular heating wires, an exchange of the rudder stock tube is further simplified. Through the heating elements, in particular, the heating wires, heat energy may be homogeneously introduced into the bonding agent for the exchange in such a way that it liquefies evenly.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that recesses, in particular grooves or bore holes, are arranged on the outer side and/or on the inner side of the rudder stock tube and/or the receiving shaft, wherein signal conductive means, in particular cables, are preferably arranged in the recesses.
For sensors to be attached to the rudder trunk or to the rudder stock tube or to the receiving shaft or to the rudder shaft, grooves or bore holes in the rudder stock tube or in the receiving shaft may be provided in order to guide appropriate signal conductors, such as cables. Preferably, the signal conductors may be guided in the intermediate space between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft and be led out being furthermore favourable at the least loaded points of the receiving shaft or the rudder stock tube.
It is preferably provided that the adjacent holder elements, in particular the bolts or bars, and complementary holder pieces, in particular the profile bodies or U-profile bodies, restrict or prevent rotation of the rudder stock tube when rotational or torsional forces act on the rudder stock tube.
The holder elements and complementary holder pieces thus preferably represent rotary brakes. This further improves the transmission of force of the rudder stock into the hull. In particular, if the complementary holder pieces are formed as U-profile bodies and if the holder elements are formed as bolts, pins, projections, bars or plates which are arranged between the limbs of the as U-profile bodies formed complementary holder pieces, a twisting of the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft is prevented. However, a slight twist may be allowed. This can be done by when the distance between the limbs of the U-profile bodies is greater than the width of the holder elements arranged between the limbs. Due to a low permitted rotation, manufacturing tolerances may be compensated for when aligning the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft.
A further solution to the object underlying the invention is to provide a rudder arrangement for a vessel, in particular a ship, with a rudder and a rudder trunk described above.
A further solution to the object underlying the invention is the provision of a vessel, in particular a ship, with a previously described rudder trunk.
An additional solution to the object underlying the invention is to provide a rudder stock tube for a rudder trunk described above, wherein the rudder stock tube comprises at least one holder element.
The holder element may be formed according to the embodiments described above.
A further solution to the object underlying the invention is the provision of a receiving shaft for a rudder trunk described above, wherein the receiving shaft has at least one complementary holder piece.
The complementary holder piece may be formed according to the embodiments described above.
[A further solution of the object underlying the invention consists in a kit for a previously described rudder trunk comprising at least one, in particular pre-described, holder element and comprising at least one, in particular pre-described, complementary holder piece, wherein the kit preferably comprises a rudder stock tube and/or a receiving shaft.
Rudder stock tube and receiving shaft may also be formed according to one of the embodiments described above.
In addition, the object underlying the invention is achieved by providing a method for producing a, in particular pre-described, rudder trunk with a pre-described receiving shaft and a pre-described rudder stock tube in a vessel, wherein a vessel, in particular a ship, further in particular a stern section, is provided, wherein the receiving shaft is arranged in the vessel, wherein the rudder stock tube into the receiving shaft is introduced, wherein the at least one holder element is passed by the at least one complementary holder piece, wherein the rudder stock tube is rotated so that the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece are aligned in an axial direction of the rudder stock tube and/or the receiving shaft aligning, wherein the rudder stock tube is moved in the axial direction, so that the at least one holder element and the at least one complementary holder piece onto one another, in particular, being set on top of one another.
With the above-described vessel, the rudder stock tube, the receiving shaft, the kit for a rudder trunk and with the method for producing a rudder trunk, the inventive advantages according to the invention are achieved.
The method according to the invention allows in particular that a rudder stock tube is inserted into a receiving shaft, wherein the receiving shaft is arranged in a stern section of a hull and wherein the stern section with the upper deck upwards or wherein the hull is aligned with the keel downwards. In particular, in the method according to the invention compared to prior art, the rudder stock tube must not be inserted from above into a receiving shaft of a stern section turned upside down but can be inserted in an orientation of the ship’s hull with the keel down from below into the receiving shaft. This makes it possible to align the rudder stock tube with the actual propeller shaft and the actual stern tube.
This particularly increases the hydrodynamic efficiency of a rudder arrangement.
Favourably, it may be provided that the vessel is aligned with a keel downwards, and that the rudder stock tube is inserted vertically from below into the receiving shaft.
The possibility of inserting the rudder stock tube vertically from below into the receiving shaft allows the rudder stock tube to be adjusted or aligned with respect to the actual propeller shaft and the actual stern tube.
Being furthermore favourable, it may be provided that the rudder stock tube in the receiving shaft is aligned with adjusting means, wherein the alignment is made to a propeller axis and/or a stern tube of the vessel.
The adjusting means can be part of the holder elements or the complementary holder pieces or be identical to the holder elements or complementary holder pieces. Furthermore, the adjusting means can also be designed as washers or the like.
Being furthermore favourable, it is provided that an intermediate space between the rudder stock tube and the receiving shaft is filled with a bonding agent, in particular, a cast plastic, and wherein the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, is cured.
By filling the intermediate space with the bonding agent, in particular, with the cast plastic, the rudder stock tube aligned to the actual propeller axle, or the actual stern tube can be fixed in the receiving shaft.
Being furthermore favourable, it is provided that a sealing element is arranged on an outer side of the rudder trunk, in particular, on an outer side of the vessel, in particular, furthermore being on an outer side of a hull so that, when filling the intermediate space, a leakage of the bonding agent to the outer side by the sealing element is prevented.
Being furthermore favourable, it can be provided that the sealant remains or is removed after hardening of the bonding agent, in particular, the cast plastic, on the outer side of the rudder trunk, in particular, on the outer side of the vessel, furthermore, being on the outer side of the hull in particular.
It is particularly preferred that heating elements, in particular, heating wires, are arranged in the intermediate space.
The present invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the figures. The figures show
A first embodiment of the holder 20 is shown in
The rudder stock tube 10 comprises four holder elements 21a to 21d, which project from the outer wall 17 of the rudder stock tube 10 into the intermediate space 19. On the inner wall 18 of the receiving shaft 11, four complementary holder pieces 22a to 22d are arranged, which also project into the intermediate space 19. The holder elements 21a to 21d and the complementary holder pieces 22a to 22d are arranged evenly spaced across the outer circumference of the rudder stock tube 10 or across the inner circumference of the receiving shaft 11. As can be seen from
For the production of the rudder trunk according to
A further embodiment of the holder 20 is shown in
A further embodiment of the holder 20 is shown in
Furthermore, in
In the perspective view of
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| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2020 103 872.9 | Jul 2020 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/068258 | 7/1/2021 | WO |
