A new patent numbered 2854821 C1 for a new-type shipborne rotary wind propulsion unit has been published in the FIPS database. The development is intended to improve the safety and cost efficiency of maritime transportation; the rights belong to Komsomolsk-on-Amur State University.
The design provides for the installation of a vertical hollow shaft behind the ship's superstructure. The exhaust gases of the main engine and diesel generators are routed inside it. A rotor with pivoting blades is connected to the shaft through bearings.
The rotor is driven by an electric drive powered by the ship's power plant. When the rotating surface interacts with the airflow, the Magnus effect arises, creating additional thrust in the required direction.
The pivoting blades regulate the movement of air inside the rotor and intensify circulation. The warm flow from the exhaust gases rises upward, cooling the structural elements and simultaneously enhancing the aerodynamic effect.
Placing the installation in the stern section preserves a clear view from the wheelhouse and reduces risks during maneuvers in narrow passages and ports. In addition, the configuration does not require laying long cable routes along the ship's hull.