......DE....FRGB..IT....NLSE......................C0027349EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA119810422EP80303535.119801008enenen793486919791008GB19810422198116198104221981163 3B 63H 21/34 AdeKaminanordnung für ein SchiffenA funnel structure for a shipfrDispositif de cheminée pour un navireVOSPER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED00290410799P38966Hazel RoadWoolston Southampton S02 7GBGBBridges, David Charles22, Titchfield RoadSubbington Fareham HampshireGBFreed, Arthur Woolfet al00030751MARKS & CLERK, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn FieldsLondon WC2A 3LSGBDEFRGBITNLSE

The present invention provides a funnel section for a ship which mitigates the problem of gases from the exhaust pipe(s) (4) being driven onto the aft superstructure and deck of the ship. The funnel structure (2) provides a particularly enhanced advantage over known structures when the structure (2) is used in conjunction with a mast (6) and/or when the exhaust pipe(s) (4) is "fat".

The present funnel structure (2) comprises a floor (3) through which there projects at least one exhaust pipe (4) terminating above the floor (3) characterised by the floor (3) terminating at its aft end in an upwardly directed inclined wall (8), and two generally vertical walls (9) extending forwardly from the inclined wall (8) and terminating at their forward ends so that an apertu re is formed between the forward ends of the generally vertical walls (9). When used in conjunction with a mast (6), the generally vertical walls (9) terminate on either side ofthe mast (6) with an aperture remaining between each oftheterminations and the mast (6).

This invention relates to a funnel structure for a ship.

The function of a funnel structure for a ship is of course, to discharge combustion gases and it may also serve to discharge other gases. It is important that the structure should direct the gases as far as possible away from the aft superstructure and deck.

It is difficult to design a funnel structure which will direct the gases away from the aft superstructure and deck when the funnel structure is in proximity to a mast. It is particularly difficult to direct the gases away from the aft superstructure and deck if gases leave through a funnel which is "fat" that is to say it has a transverse dimension which is a significant proportion of its fore and aft dimension as this can result in a downstream eddy formation causing the gases to flow down over the aft superstructure and deck.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved funnel structure for a ship.

According to this invention, there is provided a funnel structure for a ship comprising a floor through which there projects at least one exhaust pipe terminating above the floor, the floor terminating at its aft end in an upwardly directed inclined wall, and two generally vertical walls extending forwardly from the inclined wall and terminating at their forward ends so that an aperture is formed between the forward ends of the generally vertical walls.

A funnel structure in accordance with this invention is usable without a mast but is particularly advantageous in conjunction with a mast in which case the forward ends of the generally vertical walls terminate on either side of a mast with an aperture on either side of the mast between the mast and the forward end of one of the generally vertical walls. It is also possible to utilize a funnel structure in accordance with this invention in conjunction with a plurality of masts, for example, twin masts with each mast mounted at the forward end of one of the generally vertical walls with an aperture between the two masts.

The floor of the funnel structure will usually be the superstructure of the ship and this floor may be planar or curved.

A funnel structure for a ship in accordance with this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-

Referring to the drawing, a ship 1 has a funnel structure generally indicated by numeral 2 on top of the machine room of the ship. The funnel structure 2 has a floor 3 which is part of the ship superstructure and through which there projects two main combustion gas exhaust stubs 4, which are located side-by-side aft of two small side-by-side outlet stubs 5. The rear end of the floor 3 is level with or higher than its - front end. A communication mast 6 is mounted on the floor 3 and carries a platform 7 for communication and radar equipment. The funnel structure 2 has an attached or detached rear lip 8 at the aft end of the floor 3, the lip 8 being inclined upwardly. Generally vertical side walls 9 extend forwardly from the side edges of the rear lip 8 and curve inwardly towards their front ends to terminate on opposite sides of the mast 6 so that an entry aperture 10 for air is formed on either side of the mast 6 between the mast 6 and the respective wall 9. The walls 9 are extended upwardly at their front ends to reach the platform 7. The form of the mast 6 itself is designed to minimise flow disturbance.

In operation, with typical relative winds and exhaust gas rates, it was found that, in practice, the exhaust gases were deflected away from the aft superstructure and deck. By typical relative winds are meant winds primarily from the head quandrants and at sea the side walls 9 channel the air to the aft lip 8 where it is deflected upwards thereby helping to maintain the upward path of the exhaust gases to a region free of the superstructure and deck and rendering induced eddy currents which would bring the gases down onto the aft superstructure and deck unlikely.

The air exhausted through the small outlets 5 will probably,. be machinery space ventilation air which unlike the products of combustion is noxious gas-free and will also be expelled over the lip 8 aiding the upward path of the combustion gases.

The funnel structure 2 was found to be satisfactory with various wind rates, wind directions and exhaust gas rates. The funnel structure 2 is effective for various widths.

 1. A funnel structure (2) for a ship (1) comprising a floor (3) through which there projects at least one exhaust pipe (4) terminating above the floor (3), characterised by the floor (3) terminating at its aft end in an upwardly directed inclined wall (8), and two generally vertical walls (9) extending forwardly from the inclined wall (8) and terminating at their forward ends so that an aperture is formed between the forward ends of the generally vertical walls (9). 2. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward ends of the generally vertical walls (9) terminate on either side of a mast (6) with an aperture on either side of the mast between the mast (6) and the respective generally vertical walls (9). 3. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward ends of the generally vertical walls (9) terminate on either side of a plurality of masts, with an aperture on either side of the plurality of masts, between the plurality of masts and the respective generally vertical wall (9), and with an aperture between each of the masts. 4. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the mast or masts support a platform (7) above the floor (3) and wherein the forward ends of the generally vertical walls (9) extend upto the platform (7). 5. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upwardly directed inclined wall (8) is detached from the funnel structure (2). 6. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the floor (3) is curved. 7. A funnel structure (2) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the aft end of the floor (3) is higher than the front end.