The invention relates to a passive rudder blade in three versions depending on the direction of the water current flow - called parallel, venturi-vertical, venturi-horizontal, used on power-driven vessels. It is a passive steering gear ensuring steering in all sailing conditions used on power-driven vessels.

Common rectangular rudders, supported rudders, two-part rudders, twisted rudders, rudders with an auxiliary blade, semi -suspended rudders, suspended rudders, open (Deorffer) rudders, Schilling rudders are known.

In all varieties of passive rudder blades, the drag force has a braking effect on the hull because it is directed opposite to the direction of motion of the vessel. This causes an increase in total hull resistance which increases the fuel consumption of the ship's propulsion engine. This phenomenon is due to their operating principle.

Reduced drag force and thus reduced fuel consumption can be achieved by using more efficient rudder devices that incorporate design solutions that reduce sailing resistance and shape the flow of water delivered to the propeller.

These solutions include the use of fixed structural elements in the form of a rudder bulb integrated with the rudder blade with or without ribs. In addition, the rudder blade plane rib attachment shaping the water flow in the stem of the PSD type vessel (Post Swirl Device). Such ribs may also be located directly on the rudder bulb integrated in the rudder blade. The rudders used are twisted rudders with a slanted leading edge of TR type (Twisted Rudder). In this way, in addition to reducing the rudder drag force, the efficiency of the thruster was also increased.

Construction details of the known passive steering gear solutions described above can be found in the literature given below.

Gorski Z„ Okr^towe mechanizmy i urz¾dzenia pomocnicze, TRADEMAR, Gdynia 2010. Jung-Hun Kiml, Jung-Eun Choi2, Bong-Jun Choil and Seok-Ho Chungl Twisted rudder for reducing fuel-oil consumption, Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea

No.6, 2014, pp. 715-722. Perepeczko Andrzej; Okrqtowe urzqdzenia sterowe, Wyd. Morskie, Gdansk 1983. Quadvlieg, R, Maine propulsion and fuel economy. Maritime Research Institute Netherland, 2009.

Rozne rozwiqzania konstrukcyjne sterow jako sposob ograniczania zuzycia paliwa na statkach morskich, 2015, Giernalczyk,M. Gorski,Z. Kreffi,J.

The search continues for provision of more efficient steering devices to ensure manoeuvrability in all sailing conditions.

In the description, passive rudder and rudder blade are used interchangeably - a lump with the form of a through box built by 4 walls - the blades of the rudder. Walls are otherwise known as blades.

The object of invention is provision of solution that enables to natural trajectory of the water current be disturbed by the solid construction of the rudder blade in the form of a through box, where the solid is formed by the walls hereinafter referred to as rudder blades

- the left and right side and upper and lower rudder blades - the deflection of the rudder blade causing a change in the direction of the force of its thrust, the hydrodynamic force, which unbalanced provides a moment of force causing rotation of the hull. Swing - The rotation of the rudder blade can be done with the tiller or remote steering device. The swing can also be of a wall surface - the blade. The invention comes in three variations, where each varies in the positioning of the four rudder blades relative to each other, and thus in the manner of directing the streamlining force of the water directed along the surfaces of the rudder and the rudder blades and consequently for determining the trajectory of the water flow.

The invention is therefore a passive rudder blade for power-driven vessels having the form of a solid built up by walls constituting rudder blades, which has the form of a bilaterally through box formed by at least four walls, there being three possible designs to disturb the natural water current:

- the side walls are parallel to each other and the top wall and bottom wall are tapered to one or both sides; - the side walls are positioned in relation to each other as tapering on one side or tapering on both sides, with the upper wall and the lower wall facing each other in parallel;

- the side walls are parallel to each other and the top wall and bottom wall are parallel to each other and the open spaces are of equal area.

In addition, the positioning of the walls relative to each other allows the streamlining force of the water to be directed along the surface of the rudder by the inlet and outlet of the stream of water into the through box from the open inlet side and the outlet side.

The invention provides a polyhedron of at least 4-wall structure constituting a through body at the front and back, which are the inlet side and outlet side of the water stream. The through-body is used to determine the trajectory of water flow.

Each of the embodiment therefore has at least four walls building up a through-body - four rudder blades. The two lateral rudder blades called the right lateral rudder blade and the left lateral rudder blade are always set vertically, while the other two rudder blades called the top rudder blade and the bottom rudder blade are set horizontally.

The invention in three embodiments has no closed spaces, i.e. in each of the embodiments it is a through box, in various structures and configurations of walls - rudder blades building the sides of the solid.

The parallel rudder according to the invention has the shape of a through-box. Its shape comprises of four rudder blades, of which the two lateral rudder blades, the left lateral rudder blade and the right lateral rudder blade, have a much larger surface area than the other two, the upper rudder blade and the lower rudder blade. The side rudder blades, left and right, are the same size. The upper rudder blade, on the other hand, is of the same dimensions as the lower rudder blade. The four rudder blades form a through box, having the characteristic that both its sides, the inlet side and the outlet side have the same surface. The inlet side, facing the movement of the vessel has the same dimensions as the outlet side. In addition, the top as well as the bottom rudder blade of the parallel rudder blade extends significantly outward from the rudder, forming distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in embodiments without spurs, with one spur on the lower rudder blade or with one spur on the upper rudder blade. The venturi-vertical rudder according to the invention has the shape of a tapering through box. The body is built up by four rudder blades, of which the two lateral rudder blades, the left lateral rudder blade and the right lateral rudder blade have a much larger surface area than the other two, the upper rudder blade and the lower rudder blade. The side rudder blades, left and right, are the same size. The upper rudder blade, on the other hand, is of the same dimensions as the lower rudder blade. The four rudder blades form a through box, having the feature that its inlet is wider on one side and narrower on the other. The wider side is the inlet side, facing the ship's movement. The narrower side is the outlet side. Significant in this design is that the constriction is formed by the right lateral rudder blade and the left lateral rudder blade, while the lower and upper rudder blades remain horizontal and parallel to each other. In addition, it also has embodiments where the upper as well as the lower rudder blade of the venturi rudder blade extends significantly beyond the outline of the rudder, creating distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in embodiments without spurs, with one spur on the lower rudder blade or with one spur on the upper rudder blade.

The venturi-horizontal rudder according to the invention has the shape of a tapering through box. The body is built up by four rudder blades, of which the two lateral rudder blades, the left lateral rudder blade and the right lateral rudder blade have a much larger surface area than the other two, the upper rudder blade and the lower rudder blade. The side rudder blades, left and right, are the same size. The upper rudder blade, on the other hand, is of the same dimensions as the lower rudder blade. The four rudder blades form a through box, having the feature that its inlet is wider on one side and narrower on the other. The wider side is the inlet side, facing the ship's movement. The narrower side is the outlet side. What is significant about this design is that the constriction is formed by the upper rudder blade and the lower rudder blade, while the right lateral rudder blade and the left lateral rudder blade remain vertical and parallel to each other. In addition, it also has embodiments where the upper as well as the lower rudder blade of the venturi-horizontal rudder blade extends significantly beyond the outline of the rudder, creating distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in embodiments without spurs, with one spur on the lower rudder blade or with one spur on the upper rudder blade.

The main advantage of the invention is that it enables to a much higher unit thrust force to be generated than a standard, known rudder. This is especially noticeable at small rudder angles. In the swing angle ranges between 0°-10°, it is up to twice as large. Another important advantage of the rudder blade is that significant thrust forces are generated at very low vessel speeds.

The rudder blade will begin to facilitate maneuvering in the harbor basin for vessels without stem thrusters.

In addition, the above characteristics improve directional stability as the vessel reacts quickly to any rudder starboard, allowing rapid correction of any of the few deviations from course. This feature results in a decrease in total hull resistance which reduces the fuel consumption of the ship's propulsion engine.

A very important advantage of the invention is also the twice smaller rudder blade resistance at the middle position (smaller frontal resistance). Here, too, there is less fuel consumption by the ship's propulsion engine and this will have a big impact on economic performance and a reduction in carbon emissions.

In addition, the design of the rudder is very simple, and this translates into low production costs.

In the description, passive rudder and rudder blade are used interchangeably - a lump with the form of a through box built by 4 walls - the blades of the rudder.

The object of the invention is shown approximately in the drawing in which fig. 1 shows the invention - a rudder in the first embodiment, i.e. parallel rudder blade, where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 2 - a view of a second variety, tapered-vertical rudder blade, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the underside of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder - fig. 3 - tapered-horizontal rudder blade, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the underside of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 4 - a embodiment of a venturi-vertical rudder blade unilaterally tapered (left tapering), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom vieAv shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder - fig. 5 - a embodiment - variant - of a venturi-vertical rudder blade unilaterally tapered (right tapering), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder - fig. 6 - a embodiment of a venturi-vertical rudder blade unilaterally tapered (topside tapering), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder - fig. 7 - an embodiment - variant of a venturi-vertical rudder blade unilaterally tapered (downside tapering), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the mdder - fig. 8 - an embodiment of the rudder blade with internal reinforcement (internal division), where the left view shows the view from the stern, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 9 - embodiment of the rudder blade with external reinforcement (dividing spurs), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 10 - an embodiment of the rudder with profile rudder blades (possible in each variant), where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder fig. 11 - an embodiment of the rudder with side rudder blades where strengthening bend is applied on the edges (possible in each variant), where the left projection shows the view from the stem, the right projection shows the view from the bow, the top projection shows the view from under the rudder, the bottom projection shows the view from above the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder fig. 12 - an embodiment of the rudder with edge reinforcement on the upper and lower rudder blade, departing on both sides in the opposite direction from the horizontal axis (possible in each variant), where the left projection shows the view from the stem, the right projection shows the view from the bow, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 13 - an embodiment of the rudder with edge reinforcement on the upper and lower rudder blade, directed towards the horizontal axis on both sides (possible in each variant), where the left projection shows the view from the stem, the right projection shows the view from the bow, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 14 - distribution of forces on the rudder blade, fig. 15 - an embodiment of a parallel rudder blade without spurs, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder fig. 16 - an embodiment of a tapered-vertical rudder blade without spurs, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder fig. 17 - an embodiment of a tape red-horizontal rudder blade without spurs, wherein the left view shows the view from the stern, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder fig. 18 - a variant of the parallel rudder blade with a spur on the top rudder blade only where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 19 - an embodiment of a ventro-vertical rudder blade with a spur only on the upper rudder blade, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the underside of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 20 - an embodiment of a ventro-horizontal rudder blade with a spur only on the upper rudder blade, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the underside of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 21 - an embodiment of the parallel rudder blade with a spur on the bottom rudder blade only where the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the bottom of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 22 - an embodiment of a ventro-vertical rudder blade with a spur only on the upper rudder blade, wherein the left view shows the view from the stem, the right view shows the view from the bow, the top view shows the view from the underside of the rudder, the bottom view shows the view from the top of the rudder, the central view shows the left side of the rudder, fig. 23 - an embodiment of the tapered-horizontal rudder blade with a spur on the upper rudder blade only.

Markings on the drawing:

1 - the right side wall of the rudder - the wall called the rudder blade,

2 - the left side wall of the rudder - the wall called the mdder blade,

3 - the bottom wall of the rudder - the wall called the rudder blade,

4 - the upper wall of the rudder - the wall called the rudder blade,

5 - support,

6- stem,

F - hydrodynamic force (lifting force),

O - axis of rotation of the rudder blade (rudder stem),

FS - control force,

FR- resisting force,

FO - recoil force,

FX - component of hydrodynamic force and recoil force,

A - rudder angle of approach angle,

M -Momentum rotating the hull. Example 1

As can be seen in fig.1 in the parallel variant of the rudder blade, the right rudder blade 1 and the left rudder blade 2 are vertically arranged in such a way that from the inflow side of the water (direction of the movement of the vessel) and from the outflow side of the water (direction opposite to the movement of the vessel) they are separated from each other by the same distance. So they are in a position parallel to each other. The space that forms between the planes of the left lateral rudder blade 2, and the right lateral rudder blade 1 is closed by two rudder blades, set horizontally. It is closed from above by the upper rudder blade 4, and from below by the lower rudder blade 3. The overall shape is that of a through-box, comprising two side rudder blades 1, 2, an upper rudder blade 4 and a lower rudder blade 3. To the upper surface of the parallel rudder blade, a rudder stem 6 is attached to the upper rudder blade 4, which causes the rudder to rotate about the axis of the rudder stem, changing the direction of the force of its thrust, a hydrodynamic force which, when unbalanced, constitutes a moment of force causing the hull to rotate. To the lower parallel surface of the rudder blade, a rudder support 5 is attached to the lower rudder blade 3. In addition, the top 4 as well as the bottom 3 rudder blade of the parallel rudder blade extends significantly outward from the rudder, forming distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in variants without spurs, with one spur on the bottom rudder blade or with one spur on the top rudder blade fig.15, 18, 21.

The principle of the parallel rudder blade is to double the surface of the rudder. There is also a phenomenon of stream compaction inside the through-box formed by the four surfaces of the rudder blades, two lateral and the other two, upper and lower. This amplifies the hydrodynamic forces that compacted and orderly fly out of the rudder box.

All this results in an increase in the hull rotational torque M.

Furthermore, the use of protruding spurs on the lower as well as the upper part of the rudder blade on the outlet side, fig.1. prevents the jet from dispersing on the outer side of the side rudder blades, (in their upper and lower parts), thickening its flow.

Example 2

Fig. 2 shows a tapered-vertical variation of the rudder blade. As can be seen in fig.2, the right side rudder blade 1 as well as the left side rudder blade 2 are vertically arranged in such a way that, from the inflow side of the water (direction of movement of the vessel), they are further apart than from the outflow side of the water (direction opposite to the movement of the vessel). The space that forms between the planes of the left lateral rudder blade 2, and the right lateral rudder blade 1 is closed by two rudder blades, set horizontally. It is closed from above by the upper rudder blade 4, and from below by the lower rudder blade 3. The whole forms the shape of a tapering through- box, comprising of two side rudder blades 1, 2, an upper rudder blade 4 and a lower rudder blade 3. The venturi -vertical rudder blade on the inflow side (direction of vessel movement) has a larger surface area than on the other side, the outflow side (direction opposite to vessel movement). To the upper surface of the venturi-vertical rudder blade, a rudder stem 6 is attached to the upper rudder blade 4, which causes the rudder to rotate about the axis of the rudder stem, changing the direction of the force of its thrust, a hydrodynamic force which, when unbalanced, constitutes a moment of force causing the hull to rotate. To the lower surface of the venturi-vertical rudder blade, a rudder support 5 is attached to the lower rudder blade 3. In addition, the upper 4 as well as the lower 3 blades of the ventro-vertical rudder blade extend significantly outward beyond the rudder outline, forming distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in variants without spurs, with one spur on the bottom rudder blade or with one spur on the top rudder blade fig.16, 19, 22.

The principle of operation of a venturi rudder blade is based on the venturi effect. The inlet side of the venturi-vertical rudder blade has a larger surface area than the outlet side. On the basis of the law of constancy of stream we know that from the outlet (narrowed) side the water exits with a velocity larger by the number of times the inlet area is larger than the outlet area. Thus, there is a water recoil phenomenon that results in a recoil force FO. In fig.14, we see the advantages of this solution. The recoil force FO, results in a decrease in the drag force FR, and an increase in the control force FS, as an angle is formed between the hydrodynamic force F, and the force FX, which is a component of the hydrodynamic force F, and the recoil force FX.

All this results in an increase in the hull rotational torque M. Furthermore, the use of protruding spurs on the lower as well as the upper part of the rudder blade on the outlet side, fig.1. prevents the jet from dispersing on the outer side of the side rudder blades, (in their upper and lower parts), thickening its flow.

Example 3

As an example, in Fig. 3 shows a tapered-horizontal variation of a rudder blade.

As can be seen in fig.3, the upper rudder blade 4, as well as the lower rudder blade 3 are positioned horizontally, in such a way, however, that from the inflow side (direction of the movement of the vessel), they are further apart than from the outflow side (direction opposite to the movement of the vessel). The space that is created between the planes of the upper rudder blade 4, and the lower rudder blade 3 is closed by two rudder blades, set vertically. From the left side it is closed by the left lateral rudder blade 2, while from the right side it is closed by the right lateral rudder blade 1. The whole forms the shape of a tapering through-box, comprising of two side rudder blades 1, 2, an upper rudder blade 4 and a lower rudder blade 3. Thus, the venturi -horizontal rudder blade on the inflow side of the water (the direction of movement of the vessel) has more surface area than on the other side, the outflow side of the water (the direction opposite to the movement of the vessel). To the upper surface of the venturi-horizontal rudder blade, a rudder stem 6 is attached to the upper rudder blade 4, which causes the rudder to rotate about the axis of the rudder stem, changing the direction of the force of its thrust, a hydrodynamic force which, when unbalanced, constitutes a moment of force causing the hull to rotate. To the lower surface of the venturi-horizontal rudder blade, a rudder support 5 is attached to the lower rudder blade 3. In addition, the upper 4 as well as the lower 3 blades of the ventro-horizontal rudder blade extend significantly outward beyond the rudder outline, forming distinct spurs. The rudder will also work in embodiments without spurs, with one spur on the bottom rudder blade or with one spur on the top rudder blade fig.17, 20, 23.

The principle of the venturi-horizontal rudder blade is to use the venturi phenomenon. The inlet side of the venturi-horizontal rudder blade has a larger surface area than the outlet side. On the basis of the law of constancy of stream we know that from the outlet (narrowed) side the water exits with a velocity larger by the number of times the inlet area is larger than the outlet area. Thus, there is a water recoil phenomenon that res; u Its in a recoil force FO. In fig.14, we see the advantages of this solution. The recoil force FO, results in a decrease in the drag force FR, and an increase in the control force FS, as an angle is formed between the hydrodynamic force F, and the force FX, which is a component of the hydrodynamic force F, and the recoil force FX.

All this results in an increase in the hull rotational torque M.

Furthermore, the use of protruding spurs on the lower as well as the upper part of the rudder blade on the outlet side, fig.1. prevents the jet from dispersing on the outer side of the side rudder blades, (in their upper and lower parts), thickening its flow.

Despite its similarity to the venturi-vertical rudder blade, this variety generates even less thrust (lifting force) than it. This is because the configuration that tapers the rudder with the horizontal rudder blades, blades 3 and 4, reduces the areas of the side rudder blades 1 and 2, the main areas that produce rudder thrust forces.

Example 4

In all embodiments, also known as variants of the rudder blade, additional elements - may be applied:

- Internal reinforcements will be used - fig.8., which run from the inlet side of the parallel rudder blade to its outlet. The number of these reinforcements will depend on the structural requirements and there is no limit to their number. They form clear internal divisions of the rudder.

- Another option for strengthening the rudder structure together with simultaneous densification of the water jet acting on the side surfaces of the rudder is the application of dividing spurs on both side surfaces of the rudder - fig.9. Here again, the number of dividing spurs has no limiting number. - Another option of rudder reinforcement that we will use is to install longitudinal reinforcements on the edges of the lower and upper rudder blades, directed in such a way that they leave both sides in the opposite direction from the horizontal axis - fig.12.

- The use of the option of longitudinal reinforcement on the edges of the lower and upper rudder blade directed in both directions towards the horizontal axis will not only strengthen the structure but also thicken the stream of water acting on the side surfaces of the rudder - Fig.13.

- Significant strengthening of the rudder construction and improvement of its rigidity will be achieved by strengthening bends on the edges of the side rudder blades 1 and 2 on both their sides, outlet and inlet - fig.11.

- The blades in the rudder will be built as simple cuboid plates, as well as an infinite number of blade profile configurations - fig.10.

Other possible options:

- Embodiment without spurs, fig.15, 16, 17.

- Embodiment with one spur on upper rudder blade, fig.18, 19, 20.

- Embodiments with one spur on lower rudder blade, fig.21, 22, 23.

The other elements of construction are as described above.