Abrégé

The disclosure relates to a gyrostabiliser assembly (1) for a marine vessel comprising: a housing (13) defining a chamber (12) for supporting at least a partial vacuum; a flywheel (11) mounted within the chamber (12) for rotation about a spin axis (20) at the partial vacuum; a flywheel shaft (19) on which the flywheel (11) is mounted in the housing (13) for rotation of the flywheel (11) about the spin axis (20), the flywheel shaft (11) rotatably supported by a first spin bearing (21) located at one end region of the shaft (19) and a second spin bearing (31) located at an opposite end region of the shaft (19). A first spin bearing chamber (22) accommodates the first spin bearing (21) and is separated from the flywheel chamber (12) by a first shaft seal, and a second spin bearing chamber (24) accommodates the second spin bearing (31) and is separated from flywheel chamber (12) by a second shaft seal. A lubrication system (8) comprising a lubricant circuit (9) for circulating an oil lubricant (O) to the first and second bearings (21, 31) from a lubricant reservoir or collection chamber (70) is located in or adjacent to the second spin bearing chamber (24). The lubricant circuit (9) outside the housing (13) includes an oil accumulator (36) for storing oil (O) and maintaining pressure of the oil, preferably at a pressure in the range of about 1.2 to about 3.2 bar (absolute pressure).

Classes IPC  ?

• F16N 17/06 - Lubrification des machines ou des appareils travaillant dans des conditions très sévères dans le vide ou sous pression réduite
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• F16N 13/00 - Pompes de graissage
• F16N 39/06 - Dispositions pour conditionner des lubrifiants dans les circuits de lubrification par filtrage
• G01C 19/02 - Gyroscopes rotatifs
• G01C 19/20 - SuspensionsPaliers dans un fluide

Abrégé

The disclosure relates to a system for precession control and/or energy recuperation in a gyrostabiliser, the system comprising: a gyrostabiliser having a flywheel mounted for rotation about a spin axis in a gimbal frame that is configured to be mounted in a vessel to be stabilised, wherein the gimble frame includes a precession shaft on which the gyrostabiliser rotates about an axis as the gyrostabiliser operates to stabilise the vessel; and an energy conversion arrangement operatively coupled to the precession shaft for converting the rotational movement of the precession shaft to electrical energy. The energy conversion arrangement is configured or adapted for operation in an energy generation mode when a precession rate of the gyrostabiliser is relatively high; e.g., in large wave conditions. The energy conversion arrangement is preferably configured for operation in one of two modes, including: (i) an energy generation mode for generating electrical energy from rotational movement of the precession shaft, and (ii) a braking mode for applying a braking force to the rotational movement of the precession shaft.

Classes IPC  ?

• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• F03B 13/20 - Utilisation du mouvement relatif entre un élément déplacé par les vagues et un autre élément les deux éléments étant mobiles par rapport au fond ou au bord de la mer
• F16F 9/512 - Moyens réagissant à l'action de la charge sur l'amortisseur ou à la pression de fluide dans l'amortisseur
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• F16N 39/06 - Dispositions pour conditionner des lubrifiants dans les circuits de lubrification par filtrage
• G01C 19/06 - Rotors

Abrégé

The disclosure relates to a gyrostabiliser assembly (1) for a marine vessel comprising: a housing (13) defining a chamber (12) for supporting at least a partial vacuum; a flywheel (33) mounted within the chamber (12) for rotation about a spin axis (Z) at the partial vacuum; a flywheel shaft (34) on which the flywheel (33) is mounted in the housing (13) for rotation of the flywheel (33) about the spin axis (Z), the flywheel shaft (34) rotatably supported by a first spin bearing (21) located at one end region of the shaft (34) and a second spin bearing (31) located at an opposite end region of the shaft (34); and a lubrication system (10) comprising a lubricant circuit (71, 79, 50, 51) for circulating a liquid lubricant (O) to the first and second bearings (21, 31) from a lubricant sump or reservoir (70). The reservoir (70) is arranged in or on the housing (13) to collect lubricant from the bearings (21, 31) under gravity and the first and second bearings (21, 31) are arranged in the housing (13) for operation under the partial vacuum. The lubrication system (10) includes a rotary disc pump (60) that is provided in the sump or reservoir (70) and coupled to and driven by the flywheel shaft (34) for circulating the lubricant via the lubricant circuit to the first and second bearings (21, 31). The disclosure also relates to a vehicle, and especially a marine vessel, that includes the gyrostabiliser assembly (1).

Classes IPC  ?

• F16N 17/06 - Lubrification des machines ou des appareils travaillant dans des conditions très sévères dans le vide ou sous pression réduite
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• F16N 13/00 - Pompes de graissage
• F16N 39/06 - Dispositions pour conditionner des lubrifiants dans les circuits de lubrification par filtrage
• G01C 19/02 - Gyroscopes rotatifs
• G01C 19/20 - SuspensionsPaliers dans un fluide

Produits et services

(1) Parts and accessories for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft included in this class; parts and accessories for marine drive systems and/or marine steering systems, including screw shafts, screws (propellers), and mounting assemblies; stabilisers and stabiliser systems for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft, including gyroscopic stabilisers and stabiliser systems, and parts and accessories for any of the foregoing. (1) Custom manufacturing services, including manufacturing of customised parts and accessories, especially for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft and for marine systems generally; foundry services; metal casting; mechanical processing, transformation, or production of objects. (2) Scientific and technological services; research and design services; engineering services, including marine engineering and design services; industrial analysis, industrial research, and industrial design services.

Produits et services

Parts and accessories for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft included in this class; parts and accessories for marine drive systems and/or marine steering systems, including screw shafts, screws (propellers), and mounting assemblies; stabilisers and stabiliser systems for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft, including gyroscopic stabilisers and stabiliser systems, and parts and accessories for any of the foregoing. Custom manufacturing services, including manufacturing of customised parts and accessories, especially for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft and for marine systems generally; foundry services; metal casting; mechanical processing, transformation, or production of objects. Scientific and technological services; research and design services; engineering services, including marine engineering and design services; industrial analysis, industrial research, and industrial design services.

Produits et services

Custom manufacturing services, namely, manufacturing of customised parts and accessories for boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft and for marine systems generally; metal foundry services, namely, pattern making, pattern-less moulding, sand casting, centrifugal casting, shell moulding, die casting, lost foam casting, and forging of metal goods to the order and specification of others; metal casting; mechanical processing, transformation, or production of objects, namely, custom manufacture of components for earthmoving, automotive, marine, aerospace, oil and gas, defense, mining, truck and transport applications by any one or more of casting, welding, machining, turning, milling, grinding, and plating Parts and accessories for marine drive systems and/or for marine steering systems included in this class, namely, marine screw shafts, drive shafts, and shaft-lines, marine screw-propellers, and mounting assemblies for marine drive and steering systems; marine stabilisers and marine stabiliser systems for reducing motion of boats, ships, yachts, and other watercraft, namely, parts of ships which operate as stabilisers for reducing the motion of seacraft Scientific and technological services, namely, scientific research, analysis, testing, in the field of mechanical engineering and marine engineering, industrial research, and industrial analysis; design services, hardness and tensile testing, non-destructive testing, and computer modelling in the field of mechanical engineering and marine engineering; engineering services, namely, marine engineering and design services; industrial analysis, namely, computer modelling, dynamic balancing, metrology, calibration, industrial research and industrial design services

Abrégé

The invention relates to a gyrostabiliser assembly (1) for a marine vessel comprising: a housing (2) defining a chamber (3) for supporting at least a partial vacuum; a flywheel (4) mounted within the chamber (3) for rotation about a spin axis (Z) at the partial vacuum; a flywheel shaft (5) upon which the flywheel (4) is supported and mounted in the housing for rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis (Z), the flywheel shaft being rotatably supported by a first spin bearing (6) located at one end region of the shaft (5) and a second spin bearing (7) located at an opposite end region of the shaft (5); and a lubrication system (8) configured to circulate lubricant (O) to the spin bearings (6, 7) from a lubricant reservoir (9). The reservoir (9) is arranged in or on the housing (2) to collect lubricant from the spin bearings (6, 7) under gravity and the first and second spinbearings (6, 7) are arranged in the housing (2) for operation under the partial vacuum. The invention also relates to a vehicle, and especially a marine vessel, that includes the gyrostabiliser assembly (1).

Classes IPC  ?

• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• F16N 17/06 - Lubrification des machines ou des appareils travaillant dans des conditions très sévères dans le vide ou sous pression réduite

Abrégé

The invention provides a marine drive unit (1), such as an outboard motor, for a marine vessel, comprising: an engine or power plant (E), such as an internal combustion; a drive transmission for transmitting or transferring mechanical power generated by the engine or power plant (E) to a propeller shaft for generating propulsion for the vessel; a casing (3) that houses or at least partially encloses the engine (E) and/or the drive transmission; a mounting assembly (2) configured to mount the marine drive unit (1) to a hull, preferably to a transom, of the marine vessel; and a gyrostabiliser (4) arranged in or on the mounting assembly (2) or the casing (3). As an alternative to an outboard motor, the marine drive unit (1) may be provided as a stern drive unit or a pod drive unit. The invention also provides a marine vessel incorporating such a drive unit (1).

Classes IPC  ?

• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• B63H 20/02 - Montage des unités de propulsion

Abrégé

The invention relates to a gyrostabiliser assembly (1) for a marine vessel comprising: a housing (2) defining a chamber (3) for supporting at least a partial vacuum; a flywheel (4) mounted within the chamber (3) for rotation about a spin axis (Z) at the partial vacuum; a flywheel shaft (5) upon which the flywheel (4) is supported and mounted in the housing for rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis (Z), the flywheel shaft being rotatably supported by a first spin bearing (6) located at one end region of the shaft (5) and a second spin bearing (7) located at an opposite end region of the shaft (5); and a lubrication system (8) configured to circulate lubricant (O) to the spin bearings (6, 7) from a lubricant reservoir (9). The reservoir (9) is arranged in or on the housing (2) to collect lubricant from the spin bearings (6, 7) under gravity and the first and second spin bearings (6, 7) are arranged in the housing (2) for operation under the partial vacuum. The invention also relates to a vehicle, and especially a marine vessel, that includes the gyrostabiliser assembly (1).

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 19/16 - SuspensionsPaliers
• B63H 20/00 - Unités de propulsion hors-bord, p. ex. moteurs hors-bord ou transmissions en ZLeur agencement sur les navires
• B63H 5/07 - Aménagements à bord des navires des éléments propulsifs agissant directement sur l'eau des hélices
• B63H 21/00 - Aménagements de l'appareil moteur de propulsion ou de certains de ses éléments pour utilisation à bord des navires
• F02B 61/04 - Adaptations des moteurs à l'entraînement des véhicules ou des hélicesAssociation des moteurs avec une transmission mécanique pour entraîner des hélices
• B63H 25/42 - Gouverne ou ancrage dynamique à l'aide d'éléments propulsifsGouverne ou ancrage dynamique à l'aide d'hélices uniquement utilisées à cet effetGouverne ou ancrage dynamique à l'aide de gouvernails portant des hélices
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Abrégé

The invention provides a marine drive unit (1), such as an outboard motor, for a marine vessel, comprising: an engine or power plant (E), such as an internal combustion; a drive transmission for transmitting or transferring mechanical power generated by the engine or power plant (E) to a propeller shaft for generating propulsion for the vessel; a casing (3) that houses or at least partially encloses the engine (E) and/or the drive transmission; a mounting assembly (2) configured to mount the marine drive unit (1) to a hull, preferably to a transom, of the marine vessel; and a gyrostabiliser (4) arranged in or on the mounting assembly (2) or the casing (3). As an alternative to an outboard motor, the marine drive unit (1) may be provided as a stern drive unit or a pod drive unit. The invention also provides a marine vessel incorporating such a drive unit (1).

Classes IPC  ?

• B63H 21/00 - Aménagements de l'appareil moteur de propulsion ou de certains de ses éléments pour utilisation à bord des navires
• B63H 20/00 - Unités de propulsion hors-bord, p. ex. moteurs hors-bord ou transmissions en ZLeur agencement sur les navires
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Abrégé

A gyrostabiliser having a vacuum chamber assembly is disclosed. The gyrostabilizer can have a flywheel enclosed within a vacuum chamber formed by a housing. The flywheel shaft can be fixed to or integral with the flywheel and located relative to the housing by upper and lower spin bearings which permit rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 19/18 - SuspensionsPaliers assurant le mouvement du rotor par rapport à ses axes de rotation
• F16N 19/00 - Réservoirs à lubrifiants pour emploi dans les graisseurs ou les systèmes de lubrification
• F16N 31/00 - Dispositifs pour recueillir ou retenir le lubrifiant dans les machines ou appareils ou pour l'en évacuer
• F16N 13/00 - Pompes de graissage
• F16N 25/00 - Dispositifs de distribution
• F16N 17/06 - Lubrification des machines ou des appareils travaillant dans des conditions très sévères dans le vide ou sous pression réduite
• F16N 39/06 - Dispositions pour conditionner des lubrifiants dans les circuits de lubrification par filtrage
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Abrégé

A gyrostabiliser having a vacuum chamber assembly is disclosed. The gyrostabilizer can have a flywheel enclosed within a vacuum chamber formed by a housing. The flywheel shaft can be fixed to or integral with the flywheel and located relative to the housing by upper and lower spin bearings which permit rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 19/18 - SuspensionsPaliers assurant le mouvement du rotor par rapport à ses axes de rotation
• F16N 19/00 - Réservoirs à lubrifiants pour emploi dans les graisseurs ou les systèmes de lubrification
• F16N 31/00 - Dispositifs pour recueillir ou retenir le lubrifiant dans les machines ou appareils ou pour l'en évacuer
• F16N 13/00 - Pompes de graissage
• F16N 25/00 - Dispositifs de distribution
• F16N 17/06 - Lubrification des machines ou des appareils travaillant dans des conditions très sévères dans le vide ou sous pression réduite
• F16N 39/06 - Dispositions pour conditionner des lubrifiants dans les circuits de lubrification par filtrage
• F16N 7/40 - Installations à huile ou autre lubrifiant non spécifié, à réservoir ou autre source portés par la machine ou l'organe machine à lubrifier avec pompe séparéeInstallations centralisées de lubrification à circuit fermé
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Abrégé

A vessel stabilizer control system (12) includes a sensor fault detection means (16) which senses the availability of sensing signals from a gyrostabilizer precession motion sensor (10) and a vessel roll motion sensor (14). The control system (12) controls the action of a gyro-actuator (8) which is mechanically coupled to a gyrostabilizer (4). The benefit of employing fault sensing of the sensors providing the process control variables is that the sensed number of available process control variables (or sensors) can be used to activate a tiered system of control modes. Each tiered control mode is designed to utilize the available process control variables to ensure safe and effective operation of the gyrostabilizer (4) that is tolerant of sensor faults and loss of power supply. A control mode selector (18) is provided for selecting the appropriate control mode based on the number of available process control variables.

Classes IPC  ?

• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• G01C 21/18 - Plates-formes stabilisées, p. ex. par un gyroscope

Abrégé

A gyrostabilizer control system and method for stabilizing marine vessel motion based on precession information only. The control system employs an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) precession controller (60). This system operates with a gain factor that is always being gradually minimized so as to let the gyro flywheel (12) develop as much precession as possible—the higher the precession, the higher the roll stabilizing moment. This continuous gain change provides adaptation to changes in sea state and sailing conditions. The system effectively predicts the likelihood of maximum precession being reached. Should this event be detected, then the gain is rapidly increased so as to provide a breaking precession torque. Once the event has passed, the system again attempts to gradually decrease the gain.

Classes IPC  ?

• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes
• G01C 21/18 - Plates-formes stabilisées, p. ex. par un gyroscope

Abrégé

A gyrostabiliser control system and method for stabilising marine vessel motion based on precession information only. The control system employs an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) precession controller (60). This system operates with a gain factor that is always being gradually minimized so as to let the gyro flywheel (12) develop as much precession as possible - the higher the precession, the higher the roll stabilising moment. This continuous gain change provides adaptation to changes in sea state and sailing conditions. The system effectively predicts the likelihood of maximum precession being reached. Should this event be detected, then the gain is rapidly increased so as to provide a breaking precession torque. Once the event has passed, the system again attempts to gradually decrease the gain.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 19/02 - Gyroscopes rotatifs
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Abrégé

A vessel stabiliser control system (12) includes a sensor fault detection means (16) which senses the availability of sensing signals from a gyrostabiliser precession motion sensor (10) and a vessel roll motion sensor (14). The control system (12) controls the action of a gyro-actuator (8) which is mechanically coupled to a gyrostabiliser (4). The benefit of employing fault sensing of the sensors providing the process control variables is that the sensed number of available process control variables (or sensors) can be used to activate a tiered system of control modes. Each tiered control mode is designed to utilise the available process control variables to ensure safe and effective operation of the gyrostabiliser (4) that is tolerant of sensor faults and loss of power supply. A control mode selector (18) is provided for selecting the appropriate control mode based on the number of available process control variables.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 19/02 - Gyroscopes rotatifs
• B63B 39/04 - Installations pour diminuer le tangage, le roulis ou autres mouvements similaires indésirables du navireAppareils pour indiquer l'assiette du navire réduisant les mouvements du navire par l'effet direct de gyroscopes

Produits et services

Nautical apparatus and instruments. Boats, ships, yachts, ships' hulls, ships' steering gear, parts and accessories for boats, ships and yachts. Scientific and technological services; research and design services; engineering services.