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CN-114061443-B - External load testing device

CN114061443BCN 114061443 BCN114061443 BCN 114061443BCN-114061443-B

Abstract

The external load testing device comprises-a structure with at least three struts (2) supporting a platform (3) configured to receive a pod-type electric propulsion motor (4) in a suspended position while allowing operation of the pod, -at least one testing subsystem (5 a,5 b) for exerting a force on the pod to simulate a full-size external load.

Inventors

  • P. A. Croton
  • B. Trapletti

Assignees

  • 通用电气能源能量变换技术有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20210730
Priority Date
20200730

Claims (12)

  1. 1. An external load testing apparatus comprising: A structure having at least three struts (2) supporting a platform (3) configured to receive a pod electric propulsion motor (4) in a suspended position while allowing operation of the pod, -At least a test subsystem (5 a,5 b) for exerting a force on the nacelle or nacelle propeller to simulate a full-size external load; Wherein the test subsystem (5 a,5 b) comprises a pod actuator interface (6 a,6 b), an actuator (7 a,7 b) and an actuator structure interface (8 a,8 b), the actuator structure interface (8 a,8 b) comprising a frame and a device intended to be removably fixed to the structure, the device forming a swivel joint with the actuator (7 a,7 b) such that the actuator (7 a,7 b) is anchored to the structure while maintaining at least one degree of rotation, the actuator (7 a,7 b) comprising an actuator body (71 a,71 b) and an actuator rod (72 a,72 b), the actuator rod (72 a,72 b) being configured such that the actuator rod (72 a,72 b) extends from the actuator body (71 a,71 b) or retracts into the actuator body (71 a,71 b) upon command; wherein the nacelle actuator interface (6 a,6 b) comprises a borehole on one side for mating with a nacelle output shaft and an actuator swivel on the opposite side for mating with the actuator rod; Wherein a torque measuring device is assembled on the test subsystem, the torque measuring device comprising two links connecting the pod actuator interface (6 a,6 b) to the structure and a force sensor attached to each link, the torque being determined based on the force measured, the size of the links and the size of the test equipment.
  2. 2. The external load testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force is applied in a direction different from the nacelle output shaft direction.
  3. 3. External load testing device according to claim 1, wherein the pod actuator interface (6 a,6 b) comprises a plate on one side, which plate is equipped with a pod shape compensating element in contact with the pod and comprises a swivel joint with the actuator rod on the opposite side.
  4. 4. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator structure interface (8 a,8 b) comprises a frame or beam for removably securing the testing subsystem to the structure.
  5. 5. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the testing subsystem applies the force in a direction reasonably matching the direction of the nacelle output shaft.
  6. 6. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the testing subsystem applies the force in a vertical direction.
  7. 7. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the test subsystem actuator is a hydraulic jack, a magnetic actuator or an archimedes screw.
  8. 8. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pod is rotatably secured to the platform, pod rotation facilitating the application of the force in different directions.
  9. 9. An external load testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the testing subsystem is removably secured to the structure.
  10. 10. An external load testing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising command means for commanding rotation of the nacelle, the at least one actuator (7 a,7 b) and, if applicable, the force sensor.
  11. 11. The external load testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the command device is capable of performing a continuous, variable or cyclical external load.
  12. 12. An external load testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the testing device is used for ice load testing.

Description

External load testing device Technical Field The present invention relates to full-size test benches (or test rig), in particular test benches for carrying out external load tests (in particular ice load tests) of a marine propeller pod. Background In order to improve steering of large vessels, thrust vectoring is becoming more and more common. Such vectoring enables the use of a main propulsion propeller for lateral or reverse motion. In order to achieve this vectoring, the main propeller is mounted on the nacelle, enabling transmission of engine power while allowing the propeller to rotate in direction. Strict regulations require that such pods be able to withstand the pressures of ice cubes that may be encountered in arctic oceans. Up to now, compliance with the regulations has been achieved by combining design safety margins and scaled-down prototype trials within statistical methods. Such tests are commonly referred to as ice load tests. However, customers now typically want to ensure compliance with each pod. Thus, separate testing of each pod is required. It is also required to perform testing prior to its assembly to avoid damage to the vessel. The following documents are known from the prior art. Document WO 2019-01927 A1 discloses a method for determining the direction and magnitude of forces applied to a propulsion nacelle, including stress direction identification. Document CN103913291 discloses a pod propulsion system testing apparatus comprising means for measuring the torque and thrust produced by the pod propulsion system. There is no test bench that is capable of performing full-size external load testing on the propeller pod. Disclosure of Invention The object of the present invention is an external load testing apparatus comprising a structure having at least three struts supporting a platform configured to receive a pod-type electric propulsion motor in a suspended position while allowing operation of said pod, at least a testing subsystem for exerting a force on the pod to simulate a full-size external load. The test subsystem may include a pod actuator interface, an actuator, and an actuator structure interface, the actuator structure interface including a frame intended to be removably secured to a structure and a device forming a swivel joint with the actuator such that the actuator is anchored to the structure while maintaining at least one degree of rotation, the actuator including an actuator body and an actuator rod configured such that the actuator rod extends from or retracts into the actuator body upon command. The nacelle actuator interface may comprise a borehole on one side for mating with the nacelle output shaft and an actuator swivel on the opposite side with the actuator rod. A torque measurement device may be assembled on the test subsystem, the torque measurement device comprising two links connecting the nacelle actuator interface to the structure and a force sensor attached to each link, the torque being determined based on the measured force, the size of the links and the size of the test equipment. The force may be applied in a direction different from the direction of the nacelle output shaft. The nacelle actuator interface may comprise a plate on one side, which plate is equipped with a nacelle shape compensation element in contact with the nacelle, and on the opposite side a rotary joint with the actuator rod. The actuator structure interface may include a frame or beam for removably securing the test subsystem to the structure. The test subsystem may apply a force in a direction reasonably matching the direction of the nacelle output shaft. The test subsystem may apply a force in a vertical direction. The test subsystem actuator may be a hydraulic jack, a magnetic actuator, or an archimedes screw. The pod may be rotatably secured to the platform, rotation of the pod facilitating application of force in different directions. The test subsystem may be removably secured to the structure. The test equipment may comprise command means for commanding rotation of the nacelle, the at least one actuator and, if applicable, the force sensor. The command device can be capable of executing a continuous, variable or cyclical external load. The test apparatus may be used for ice load testing. Drawings The invention will be better understood from a study of a detailed description of a plurality of embodiments, by way of a purely non-limiting example, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows an embodiment of an external load testing apparatus, Figure 2 shows an axial test subsystem, Figure 3 shows a lateral test subsystem, and Fig. 4 shows an axial test subsystem equipped with a torque measurement system. Detailed Description The ice load test is a special case of an external load test, wherein an external load is applied to the pod-type electric propulsion motor. The external load testing apparatus described herein presents the advantage of being se