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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
BOW THRUSTER PROTECTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/220152
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The bow thruster protection (7) intended for installation on a vessel's bow thruster tunnel (1) openings solves the technical problem of protection of bow thruster from damage, while providing a method for simple mounting and dismounting of the unit without drilling and damaging the hull of the vessel for the purpose of periodical servicing operations. It is comprised of manifold (3), arm bases (4), arms (2) with arm tips (10) and a moving conical nut (5) with bolt (6). Movement of a conical nut (5) initiates extension of the arms (2) in order to achieve a firm connection between the bow thruster protection (7) and the surface of the bow thruster tunnel (1) without the need for drilling the vessel's hull (9) or use of screws of rivets. The bow thruster protection (7) is intended for multiple use (mounting and dismounting operations) without the use of mounting screws.

Inventors:
FRANČULA DUŠKO (HR)
Application Number:
PCT/HR2019/000007
Publication Date:
November 21, 2019
Filing Date:
April 11, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
FRANCULA DUSKO (HR)
International Classes:
B63H25/42; B63H5/16
Foreign References:
US2672161A1954-03-16
US4285368A1981-08-25
US5881420A1999-03-16
KR20140036409A2014-03-26
EP3266701A12018-01-10
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Claims:
PATENT CLAIMS:

1. The bow thruster protection intended for installation on a vessel's bow thruster tunnel (1) openings is characterized by being made up of manifold (3), arm bases (4), arms (2) with arm tips (10) and a moving conical nut (5) with bolt (6). Movement of a conical nut (5) initiates extension and retraction of the arms (2) in order to mount the bow thruster protection (7) or dismount it from the bow thruster tunnel (1) for the purposed of protecting the bow thruster propeller (8).

2. The bow thruster protection, as per request no. 1, is characterized by achieving a firm connection between the bow thruster protection (7) and the surface of the bow thruster tunnel (1) by utilizing arms (2) with arm tips (10) through action of the conical nut (5) and bolt (6), which by tightening applies the force to the arm bases (4) and pushes out the arms (2) into the surface of the bow thruster tunnel (1), thus achieving the firm connection without the need for drilling the vessel's hull (9) or use of screws of riverts.

3. The bow thruster protection, as per requests no. 1 and no. 2, is characterized by dismounting of the same through loosening of the conical nut (5) with the bolt (6), which in turn unlocks the arm bases (4) and frees the arms (2), thus releasing the contact between the arm tips 10 and the bow thruster tunnel (1) surface, and is intended for multiple use (mounting and dismounting operations) without the use of mounting screws.

Description:
BOW THRUSTER PROTECTION

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

Technology areas related to the invention

This invention is related to the areas of shipbuilding and boating industry; more precisely water craft equipment.

Technical problem

This invention solves the technical problem of protecting the bow thruster from damage, while providing a method for simple mounting and dismounting of the unit without drilling and damaging the hull of the vessel.

Present state of technology

Personal web-based research of "Google Patent Search", "United States Patent & Trademark Office", "Japan Patent Office", "W!PO" did not match any identical nor similar patents that provide technical solutions that my invention does. Considering presently available products do not solve aforementioned technical problems and are not similar to my invention, I am submitting this application.

Presentation of the invention

While engaged, a bow thruster propeller located in through-and-through tunnel sucks in water from one side and discharges it at the opposite side. Along with water, suction often draws in ropes, plastic bags, plastic and wood debris, and various other floating solids found in the sea. In reality, as soon as any of those items come in contact with bow thruster propeller blades the damage caused to or malfunction of the bow thruster is immediate. The intent of this invention is to prevent damage to bow thruster by blocking floating debris from entering the propeller tunnel. While maneuvering vessels in tight quarters such as marinas, engaged unprotected bow thruster propellers often draw in floating ropes causing instant damage and malfunction. Bow thruster periodic servicing and emergency repair operations require access to its propeller, which require dismounting of protection devices. Standard protection grills are typically screwed into the vesseTs hull. Significant wear of the threaded holes is noticeable after only several mounting and dismounting operations, thus severely reducing their strength and functionality. At that point new holes are needed while the old ones require patching or plugging. Those can now be performed much quicker and easier without the need for drilling of threaded holes for installation of standard protection grills which are fastened to the vessel's hull. Significant wear of the threaded holes is noticeable after only several disassembling and mounting operations of standard grills, thus severely reducing their strength and functionality. This invention allows its mounting without screws and drilling into the vessel's hull. Mounting and dismounting of this invention is simple and can be performed in submerged conditions or on dry land. No specials tools are required. This invention allows unlimited number of installations without any damage to the vessel's hull, unlike standard grill protection mounted with screws. This invention is a direct result of witnessing countless damaged bow thrusters throughout years of maintenance and servicing experience on private and commercial vessels.

Index of drawings

Image 1. Depicts front view of bow thruster protection

Image 2. Depicts section view of main parts of bow thruster protection in open position

image 3. Depicts front view of bow thruster protection in loose (open) position

Image 4. Depicts front view of bow thruster protection in tightened (locked) position

Image 5. Depicts section view vessels hull with through-and-through bow thruster tunnel, a bow thruster propeller, and bow thruster protection on both sides.

Drawing legend

1. Bow thruster tunnel

2. Arm

3. Manifold

4. Arm base

5. Conical nut

6. Bolt

7. Bow thruster protection

8. Bow thruster propeller

9. Vessel's hull

10. Arm tip

11. Protection netting Detailed description of implementation of invention

Bow thruster protection (7) is installed on openings of a through-and-th rough bow tunnel without drilling into the vessel's hull (9), or utilizing screws or rivets. It is comprised of a manifold (3) which houses all other elements: arms (2) with either rubber or silicon arm tips (10) anchored into arm bases

(4), and conical nut (5) with a bolt (6). (Image 2) Tightening or loosening of the bolt (6) moves conical nut

(5), which moves arm bases due to the movement of a cone. Subsequently, arm bases push out the arms (2) with rubber or silicon tips (10). Arm bases (4) are also of a conical shape with identical slope as conical nut (5). Tightening of the bolt (6) moves the conical nut (5), which in turn applies the force to the arm bases (4) pushing the arms (2) perpendicularly towards the surface of the bow thruster tunnel (1). When the arms (2) are sufficiently extended into the bow thruster tunnel (1), and the contact between the tunnel's (1) surface and the arm tips (10) is achieved, bow thruster protection (7) is mounted and secured in place (Image 4). To dismount the bow thruster protection (7), reverse procedure is followed. Loosening of the conical nut (5) and bolt (6) releases the contact between the arm tips (10) and the bow thruster tunnel (1) surface, thus freeing the arms (2). Once the arms (2) are retracted the bow thruster protection (7) can be removed therefore allowing access to the bow thruster propeller (8) located inside the tunnel (1). (Image 5) in cases where the bow thruster protection (7) is being mounted on larger vessels with larger bow thruster tunnels, spacing between the arms (2) automatically increases, increasing the possibility of small floating debris passing through the bow thruster protection (7). In those instances the protection netting (11) (Image 6) is affixed to the arms (2), effectively blocking even the smallest pieces of debris and preventing damage to the bow thruster (8).

The intended method of application of the invention

Na!bol!i naiin orfmlene feurnn

This device is intended for all types of water craft. The device is suitable for quick installation and does not require additional equipment or special installations. This device is suitable for installation into new water craft or as an addition to existing systems. The invention provides a practical, beneficial, and long lasting device, which is a substantial improvement over the currently available solutions. It is manufactured from durable, waterproof materials common in water craft equipment manufacturing and complies with all applicable standards. It will be apparent to the expert in the art that it is possible to apply various design variants and embodiments of this device, such as adding a certain number of arms or adding a protective mesh to a better protection but without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.