GB2334004A

GB2334004A - Sail craft

Info

Publication number: GB2334004A
Application number: GB9802479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas James Alexande Finnegan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-06
Filing date: 1998-02-06
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: GB9802479D0

Abstract

A righting moment stabilised sail craft, e.g. a yacht, comprises a ballasted hull 31 and an un-ballasted hull 32 which are linked by at least one arm 33,34 so as to allow the ballasted hull 31, in sailing the craft, to rotate around and be deployed to windward of the un-ballasted hull 32. A mast, tensile kite rig 54 and associated sails 65 are supported either by the uppermost arm 33 or by the un-ballasted hull 32. Pitch/yaw control hydrofoils (41,42,Fig 5) are provided. The tensile kite rig 54 may be released from the mast top and flown on its sheeting lines (see Fig 17) at a greater height above the waters surface. The craft has means provided to convert any forward motion into rotary energy (see Fig 21). The rotary energy generated by the craft's passage may be stored onboard for distribution to for example power winches or to generate electricity. The craft may incorporate wheels (Fig 28) to facilitate navigation across low gradient land. The craft includes an aquatic acoustic alarm to alert sea mammals to its progress.

Description

Sail craft The invention provides in one of its aspects a wind powered water-borne sailing system comprising a ballasted planing hull and an unballasted planing hull which supports the mast, at least one arm linking the two hulls by means of pivotal connections, such that the hulls can move relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane and the hulls can also pivot relative to the or each said arm permitting said ballasted planing hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted planing hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted p]aning hull, unrestricted > 360 rotation of the arm or arms in relation to said ballasted or un-ballasted planing hulls permits the said ballasted planing hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear, to the front and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted planing hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted planing hull, said unrestricted > 3600'varient is facilitated by repositioning the mast and sheet connections from the un-ballasted planing hull where it would foul on the unrestricted rotating arm, to the top of the uppermost arm.

There are at least two arms, one above the planing water level and one below.

The second arm is towards the forward (and lower) end of the respective hulls with the above-water arm to the rear.

The upper arm displaces water to provide buoyancy while the invention is not planing.

The arm or arms have a variable geometry aspect ratio at different angles of rotation relative to the direction of flow, as the angle of attack increases and the longitudinal centre line approaches perpendicular to the apparent direction of flow of both air and water, the aspect ratio is at its highest as is the righting moment.

All arms have streamlined profiles to reduce drag as they move through their respective fluids, arm streamlining is faired both laterally and longitudinally, to reduce drag over the range of variable geometrys.

Aero/hydrofoil arm sections can provide either upwards or downwards aero/hydrodynamic lift or a combination of both.

Means are provided for the redirection of the fluid strearn to provide aero/hydrodynarnic stabilisation and orientation control of the invention in pitch, heel, yaw and heave.

Over 50% of submerged planing profiles are of flat-plate section to further reduce hydrodynamic drag, the remainder is made up of fixed hydrofoils and variable pitch, heel, heave and yaw control hydrofoils.

At least one geared shaft situated within the arm or arms synchronises the substantially horizontal pivots and maintains the directional alignment of the respective hulls with the direction of flow, a length of torsion absorbing bar is included within the said geared shaft as a precaution against over-stressing the gear train.

Means are provided for a worm gear to adjust the angle between the arm or arms in relation to the respective hulls through the aforementioned worm gear and associated geared shaft.

The aforementioned worm gear which adjusts the angle of the arm or arms to the respective hulls also acts as a brake on the said geared shaft.

Small scale variants could synchronise' the rotation of the respective hulls in relation to the arm or arms with an idler gear meshing between identicaily sized gears each of which is substantially horizontal in orientation and fixed to the respective hulls through the bearing., The aforementioned idler wheel and aforementioned meshing gears are situated within an arm.

In any arm which is too thin for the aforementioned geared shaft and associated worm gear and too long to employ an idler wheel acting between two substantially horizontal gears within an arm a Chain Link can be used to synchronise the rotation of the respective hulls to the arm or arms The aforementioned Chain forms a loop around two gears at either end of the arm or arms, the rotation of the said gears is fixed to that of the respective hulls.

The aforementioned Chain has the means provided for the adjustment and braking of its rotation and in turn the angle of the respective hulls to the arm or arms.

Any arm too thin of lateral section to enclose either an alignment shaft and associated worm gear, a meshing gear train consisting of an idler gear between two identical gears fixed to the rotation of the respective hulls, or chain synchronisation between two identical gears fixed to the rotation of the respective hulls, has its position determined by the relative position of the said planing hulls as set by one of the aforementioned hull rotation synchronisation systems in another arm.

Friction brakes are employed within the substantially horizontal pivots of any arm which is too thin of section to enclose one of the aforementioned hull rotation synchronisation systems, the said friction brakes are coordinated to release when adjustment is being made to the angle of the respective hulls to the arm or arms.

All heavy sub-systems including diesel engine, fuel/water tanks and batteries are situated within the ballasted planing hull.

Any payload is situated within the ballasted planing hull.

Means are provided for a quantity of water ballast to be carried within tanks situated in the ballasted planning hull.

The invention provides in a second of its aspects a tensile kite rig for a wind powered waterborne sailing system, the said kite rig comprises at least 6 compressed members and at least 32 tensile members, each strut is connected to each adjacent strut exciusively at the extremities of length by at least 8 ties consisting of at least 4 ties at either end, struts are fixed relative to each other within the network of ties, no strut should connect either intentionally or unintentionally with another strut or tie other than at the said struts extremities of length, said tensile kite rig employs a framework of struts and ties joined only at the ends to ensure that stresses are either tensile or compressive.

The said tensile kite rig achieves extra rigidity with the use of compound ties which comprise a single length of rope or tensile load bearing material which passes repeatedly between pulley blocks connected by means provided to the ends of adjacent struts, said compound ties offer a greater margin of safety against over-stressing the said tensile load bearing rnaterial. large scale variants of the said tensile kite rig avoid the unwanted bending moments resulting from the material weight of very long struts by substituting them with a dedicated tensile framework of shorter struts and ties, the said dedicated tensile framework of said large scale tensile kite rigs has a similar orientation but with a greater resistance to compression to that of the single over-long strut which it replaces.

Recursive similarities exist between the arrangernent of the said struts and ties within the said dedicated tensile frameworks and the arrangement of the said dedicated tensile frameworks within the said tensile kite rig.

The framework provides anchor points for at least one bi-plane pair of sails.

The tensile kite rig is supported by a mast and connected to the said un-ballasted planing hull system or said uppermost arm of the said > 36O0varient through at least four courses of sheeting lines.

The aforementioned sheeting line courses which connect the said tensile kite rig to the said unballasted planing hull or said uppermost arm of the said > 36O0varient employ pulley blocks to reduce the stress within the tensile material, the total stress experienced by each of the said sheeting line courses is divided between multiple lengths of the tensile material which passes repeatedly between the aforementioned pulley blocks.

The said struts of the said tensile kite rig contain integral buoyancy An aerofoil section can be added over the said struts circular section to function both laterally and longitudinally over a range of aspect ratios as the rig is canted, when the weight df the materials at that scale permits said aerofoil section can be added to reduce the said tensile kite rigs total drag by streamlining.

The said struts of the said tensile kite rig can be individually enclosed within lifting wing sections which can generate adequate lift for propulsion of the invention in strong gale conditions, the arrangement of the said outer lifting 'wing section has the structural means provided to transmit all aerodynamic lift generated moments to the sheeting lines through the said struts extremities of length and without exerting any bending or twisting moments on the said strut.

Means are provided to releasably secure the said tensile kite rig to the top of the aforementioned mast situated upon the said un-ballasted planing hull system or said uppermost arm of the said > 360 varient.

The aforementioned mast and means provided to reieasably secure the said tensile kite rig allow the total sail area to be canted through 6 degrees of freedom, 9O0in pitch, heel and yaw while releasably secured to the mast top.

At least two extra courses of sheeting lines run from either side of the upper part of the said tensile kite rig to the ballasted planing hull or the uppermost arm of the > 360ovarient, these said extra courses of sheeting lines assist the aforementioned courses of sheeting lines in pitch, heel and yaw canting control of the said tensile kite rig.

The said tensile kite rig can be flown as a kite on the aforementioned courses of sheeting lines when released from the mast top, the said tensile kite rig harnesses more aerodynamic lift from the increased wind pressure at higher altitudes when flown as a kite.

Means are provided for the invention to acoustically alert sea mammals such as whales or dolphins to its approach and in so doing seek to avoid any collision with the aforementioned sea mammals. The sonic devices emit aquatic sound pulses by either amplified electronic or resonating reed methods.

The invention provides in a third of its aspects a wind powered water-borne sailing system which can be manufactured using globally available mediutmheavy agricultural fabrication processes, the invention utilises part of its overall weight as ballast and this facilitates the use of globally available medium-heavy fabrication processes, modern fabrication processes such as laminated glass reinforced plastic and carbon fibres can be incorporated into the construction of the invention, however the overall lightness which is facilitated by the use of modern composites is not as critical within lift-drag equation of said invention as it is with conventional sailing craft where extra structural weight does not also act as ballast and therefore results in extra drag.

The invention provides in a fourth of its aspects a stabilised traction engine for a wind powered water-borne sailing system, the aerodynamic lift harnessed from the wind by the sails can be used to provide traction for towing.

The invention provides in a fifth of its aspects an energy reclaim and storage system for a wind powered water-borne sailing system, the energy of the inventions passage through the water is converted into torsion by an impelled drogue which is towed in the fluid stream, the rotational energy generated by the said impelled drogue is directed forward into a flywheel where it is stored until required by on-board systems or used to generate electricity, the said impelled drogue has a stabilising effect on the overall invention with its hydrodynarnic drag resisting forward pitching, the spinning flywheel also has a stabilising gyroscopic effect.

The invention provides in a sixth of its aspects a wind powered land-borne sailing system comprising a ballasted wheeled hull and an unballasted wheeled hull which supports the mast, at least one arm linking the two hulls by means of pivotal connections, such that the wheeled hulls can move relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane and the wheeled hulls can also pivot relative to the or each said arm permitting said ballasted wheeled hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted wheeled hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the unballasted wheeled hull, unrestricted > 360 rotation of the arm or arms in relation to said ballasted or un-ballasted planing hulls permits the said ballasted wheeled hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear, to the front and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted wheeled hull so that the ballasted wheeled hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted wheeled hull, said unrestricted > 360 varient is facilitated by repositioning the mast and sheet connections from the un-ballasted wheeled hull where it would foul on the unrestricted rotating arm, to the top of the uppermost arm.

The aforementioned land-borne wind powered sailing system comprises one aforementioned wind powered water-borne sailing system with the means provided for the inventions dry weight to be supported by wheels enabling the said land-borne sailing system to navigate upon level or low gradient surfaces under wind power.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig.l is a is an orthographic view of a > 3600 variant of the invention showing the two respective planing hulls 31, 32 linked by two arms 33, 34 so as to allow unrestricted rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, the ballasted planing hull 31 is positioned to the rear and right of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 and incorporates a ballast torpedo 63. In the interest of clarity mast 36, pitch I yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing Fig. 2 is an perspective view of a > 3600 variant of the invention showing the un-ballasted planing hull 32 positioned to the rear of the ballasted hull 31 which has been left out of this drawing to show the ballasted torpedo 63, the respective planing hulls 31, 32 are linked by two arms 33, 34 so as to allow unrestricted rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, also included is an observation dome 64, mast 36, tensile kite rig 54 and two centrally furling sails arranged in bi-plane formation 65. Both sheeting lines 38 and tensile kite rig members 56 have been excluded from this drawing for clarity.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a > 3600 variant of the invention showing the un-ballasted planing hull 32 rotating 180" about the ballasted planing hull 31 in ten stages. In the interest of clarity; mast 36, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 4.1 is a schematic view of the invention showing the approximate respective CE, CG and CB positions of a fully planing 1200 variant of the invention with the ballasted hull 31 positioned for a port tack to the right of the unballasted planing hull 32 as seen from the front, the cantilever moment Taken as acting from the Centre of Gravity CG created by the ballasted hull 31 as it is rotated into the wind which is blowing substantially from right to left balances the heeling moment created by the sails lift and taken as acting from the Centre of Effort, with the hydroplanes 40 and hydrofoils 39 providing a fulcrum in the form of hydroplaning lift taken as acting from the Centre of Buoyancy CB. In the interest of clarity; pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig members 56 and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 4.2 is a schematic view showing the approximate CE, CG and CB positions of a dinghy being sailed on a port tack, the rotation of the inventions ballasted hull 31 as seen in Fig .4.1 can be analogous to the effect gained by the dinghy sailor as she/he leans out to balance the sails lift and in so doing increases the horizontal distance between the Centre of Effort CE and Centre of Gravity CG.

Fig. 4.3 and Fig. 4.4 are the corresponding starboard tacks of Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2 respectively with the wind blowing substantially from left to right.

Fig. 5 is an orthographic view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing pitch 41 and yaw 42 control hydrofoils. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38; have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 6 is a schematic front view of a 1200 variant of the invention with the ballasted hull 31 extended for a Starboard tack with the wind blowing substantially from right to left, this view shows the approximate positions of the inventions Centre of Effort CE, Centre of Gravity CG and Centre of Buoyancy cB with respective force lines (not to scale), three waterlines are indicated with the uppermost static waterline showing 100positive heel to windward due to rotation of the ballasted planing hull 31 before sufficient heeling moment has been generated to balance the system, the two planing waterlines below the static waterline mark the optimum designed planing height. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 57, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing Fig. 7.1 is a side view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 in line with and at Rotation to both connecting arms 33,34 and to the rear of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, the aforementioned arms are positioned one above the static waterline 33 and one below 34, the above-water arm 33 is towards the rear of the respective hulls with the submerged arm 34 towards the forward end of the respective hulls. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41142, tensile kite rig 54, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 7.2 is a plan view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 in line with and at Rotation to both connecting arms 33, 34 and to the rear of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 , maximum rotation of the ballasted planing hull 31 to 60 either side of the un-ballasted planing hulls 32 centreline is shown in broken line. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41142, tensile kite rig 54, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 7.3 is a front view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 in line with and at Rotation to both connecting arms 33, 34 and to the rear of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, maximum rotation of the ballasted planing hull 31 to 600 either side of the un-ballasted planing hulls 32 centreline is shown in broken line. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

In the interest of clarity; pitch l yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of the following drawings Figs. 8.1-9.

Fig. 8.1 is a plan view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its maximum horizontal distance to starboard of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at 60"rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34.

Fig. 8.2 is a plan view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its minimum horizontal distance in line with and to the rear of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at Rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34.

Fig. 8.3 is a plan view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at 50% its maximum horizontal distance to port of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at 60Crotation to the connecting arms 33, 34.

Fig. 8.4 is a plan view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its maximum horizontal distance to port of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at 600rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34.

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a 120 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its maximum horizontal distance to port of the un-balfiasted planing hull 32, at 60Orotation to the connecting arms 33, 34.

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its maximum horizontal distance to port of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at 600rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34, also shown are the compressive members 55 of the tensile kite rig 54. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig members 56, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 at its maximum horizontal distance to port of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at 6O0rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34, also shown are the compressive 55 and tensile members 56 of the tensile kite rig 54, In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

In the interest of clarity, ballasted l un-ballasted hulls 31/32, above J below the water connecting arms 33/34, pivotal connections 35, mast 36, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig members 56, tensile kite upright 74, releasable rig to mast coupling 37,and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of the following drawings; Figs. 12-15.

Fig. 12 is an orthographic view of the tensile kite rig 54 showing the arrangement of compressive struts 55, the main sail area 65 is shown in broken line with the side view to the upper left showing three stages of a centrally reefing rogallo type sail 65 which could be set within such a tensile kite rig 54.

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the tensile kite rig 54 showing the arrangement of compressive struts 55, the main sail area 65 is shown in broken line, for clarity the tensile members 56 have been excluded from this drawing.

Fig . 14 is an orthographic view of the tensile kite rig 65 showing the compressed struts 55 made up of dedicated tensile frameworks 57, this is the configuration used in large scale variants where the internal bending moment due to the material weight of one over-long strut would prohibit its use as a compressive force bearing member 55.

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of the tensile kite rig 54 showing the compressed struts 55 made up of dedicated tensile frameworks 57, as in Fig .14 this is the configuration used in large scale variants where the internal bending moment due to the material weight of one over-long strut would prohibit its use as a compressive force bearing member 55.

Fig. 16.1 is a plan projection of the tensile kite rig 54 as viewed from slightly below the longitudinal centreline showing a central upright 74 which is fixed within the tensile kite rig 54 by 16 ties running from either end of the aforementioned upright 74 to the extremities of length of the surrounding struts 55. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 56, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 16.2 is a side view of a > 3600 variant of the invention showing the un-ballasted planing hull 32 positioned to the left of the ballasted planing hull 31, both respective planing hulls are planing at the optimum height, the aforementioned upright 74 is sectioned in this view to show the downward pointing socket as it would be positioned when releasably secured to the mast 37. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 56, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a > 3600 variant of the invention showing the tensile kite rig 54 released from the coupling with the mast 37 and flown as a kite on the 6 sheeting lines 38, the un-ballasted planing hull 32 is positioned to the left of the ballasted planing hull 31, both respective planing hulls 31, 32 are planing at the optimum height, In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 56, central upright 74, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 18 is an orthographic view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 is at its minimum horizontal distance from the centreline of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 measured across the flow, in line with and to the rear of the un-ballasted planing hull 32, at Rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34, shown in broken line in the plan view is the geared shaft 44 which synchronises the rotation of the respective hulls 31, 32 to each other and a worm gear 46 which allows adjustment and braking of the aforementioned geared shaft 44, friction disks 47 are engaged to resist the rotation of the arm 33 with relation to the respective planing hulls 31, 32, the auxiliary diesel engine 48 is included to show its position as with fuel tanks 49 and water tanks 50, including water ballast 53, the diesel engine 48 would be fully installed with separate powertake-off points for propulsion and electricity generation 62, also shown are the bearings 35 and companionways 43 which provide a substantially horizontal pivot for the respective hulls 31, 32 to the above-water arm 33. En the interest of clarity, pitch I yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 19 is an orthographic view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31to port at its maximum horizontal distance from the centreline of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 measured across the flow, at 60"rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34, detailed in broken line is the chain link synchronisation 68 of the respective hulls 31, 32 to each other which can be used in conjunction with or instead of the aforementioned geared shaft 44, also included in broken line are the winches 70 and associated ropes 69 which link the above-water arm 33 to the un-ballasted planing hull 32 on both port and starboard sides. used as a back-up system to rotate the arm or arms 33, 34, to extend the ballast planing hull 31 to windward the rope 69 on that side is tightened. In the interest of clarity, pitch l yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 20 is an Isometric view of a too variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 to port at its maximum horizontal distance from the centreline of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 measured across the flow, at 60 rotation to the connecting arms 33, 34, detailed in broken line is the chain link synchronisation 68 of the respective hulls 31, 32 to each other which can be used in conjunction with or instead of the aforementioned geared shaft 44, also included in broken line are the winches 70 and associated ropes 69 which link the above-water arm 33 to the un-ballasted planing hull 32 on both port and starboard sides, used as a back-up system to rotate the arm or arms 33, 34,, to extend the ballast planing hull 31 to windward the rope 69 on that side is tightened. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 21 is orthographic view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 in-line with the un-ballasted planing hull 32 in the uppermost side view and broken line in the plan view which shows the ballasted hull 31and respective arms 33, 34 rotated 600to port, the in-line position of the ballasted planing hull 31 is shown in broken line in the plan and front view, detailed in all views is the energy reclaim and storage unit consisting of a variable pitch impeller 60 and flywheel 61, this permanently a.nazneG) p ox e. rollers, down around a second set of rollers in to the mast.

The sheeting lines are doubled back on themselves in order to apply an upward moment on the mast 36 which in this variant is free to move up and down within the bearing provided (there could also be the means provided to bias the mast to spring up in order to absorb the shock loading of the tensile kite rig 54 being retrieved). The sheeting lines 38 then pass through the top of the mast 36, through rollers in the lower socket end of the tensile kite upright 74, back down to pass around rollers on the rotating sheeting ring 77 before finally being fastened to the lower extremities of the compressed kite members 55 length. The aforementioned sheeting ring 77 can be mechanically rotated to adjust the angle of the sails to the apparent wind. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 56, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 26.2 is an schematic view of the sheeting line 38, mast 36, releasable rig to mast coupling 37, tensile kite upright 74 and a roller from the sheeting ring 77. This drawing details how the sheeting lines 38 run from the winch drums (to which they are permanently attached) up over rollers, down around a second set of rollers in to the mast. The sheeting lines are doubled back on themselves in order to apply an upward moment on the mast 36 which in this variant is free to move up and down within the bearing provided (there could also be the means provided to bias the mast to spring up in order to absorb the shock loading of the tensile kite rig 54 being retrieved). The sheeting lines 38 then pass through the top of the mast 36, through rollers in the releasable rig to mast coupling 37, of the tensile kite upright 74, back down to pass around rollers on the rotating sheeting ring 77 before finally being fastened to the lower extremities of the compressed kite members length 55. The aforementioned sheeting ring 77 can be mechanically rotated to adjust the angle of the sails to the apparent wind. In the interest of clarity, tensile kite rig members 56 and all hulls 31/32 and arms 33/34 have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. t6.3 is a schematic side view showing how the sheeting lines 38 are used to adjust the pitching and heeling of the tensile kite rig 54 and related sails 65, the desired pitch or heel angle of the aforementioned tensile kite rig 54 is achieved by tightening the sheeting lines 38 to whichever side the aforementioned angle is to be reduced while loosening the ropes on the opposing side. This drawing shows the tensile kite rig 54 and associated sails 65 at 0 cant in all 6 degrees of freedom.

Fig. 26.4 is a schematic side view showing how the sheeting lines 38 are used to adjust the pitching and heeling of the tensile kite rig 54 and related sails 65, the desired pitch or heel angle of the aforementioned tensile kite rig 54 is achieved by tightening the sheeting lines 38 to whichever side the aforementioned angle is to be reduced while loosening the ropes on the opposing side. This drawing shows the tensile kite rig 54 and associated sails 65 at approximately 35 cant forward in pitch.

Fig 27.1 is an isometric view showing only the compressed tensile members 55, of the tensile kite rig 54, with streamline faring of the diagonal cross struts and lifting wing sections surrounding the main horizontal struts.

Fig 27.2 is a cutaway view of a compressed tensile members 55. showing two partially furled sails 65 above and below the aforementioned compressed tensile members 55 and the streamline cover to each side.

Fig 28 is a cutaway side view of the bottom portion of the inventions hull showing how the means are provided for the said invention to navigate on land. Means are also provided for a brake to be applied to the rotation of the wheel.

Means are also provided for the linear motion of the inventions passage over a solid surface to be translated into rotary motion which is then stored within the aforementioned flywheel 61.

Means are also provided for the wheel to be powered by the inventions auxiliary diesel engine.

Fig. 29 is a visualisarion of the invention showing the ballasted / un-ballasted hulls 31/32 substituted by two automobiles, this landborne variant of the invention utilises existing wheeled vehicles connected by an arm 33 so as to allow substantially horizontal pivoting of one wheeled vehicle around the other in order to place the ballasted wheeled vehicle to windward of the un-ballasted vehicle.

Fig. 30.1 is a chart arranged so as to allow a comparison between the approximate weights and dimensions of both the said invention and a conventional keeled sail boat. LOA is the length over all and draft is the depth of the vessel below the static water line.

Fig. 30.2 is a bar chart showing a visual comparison between the ballast figures of the respective said invention and a conventional keeled sail boat, estimated as a percentage of the total weight.

Fig. 30.3 is a bar chart showing a visual comparison of the estimated distances between the Centre of Buoyancy CB and the Centre of Gravity CG for the respective said invention and conventional keeled sail boat when measured across the direction of flow. This afore mentioned distance is referred to as the leverage arm. The said conventional keeled sail boat is regarded as being heeled at 200 to windward where upon the ballast (which is situated at the bottom of the said conventional keeled sail boats keel ) is activated to its optimum leverage arm distance shown in the said bar chart as 100%.

Fig. 30.4 is a bar chart showing a visual comparison of the estimated maximum amount of close-hauled sail area which the respective said invention and conventional keeled sail boat could deploy stability. This comparison is qualified by the stipulation upon the a said respective vessels that the course sailed is closehauled at 200 300 to the apparent wind and that the respective craft are both sailing in 15 Knots true wind.

Fig. 31 is a side view of a 1200 variant of the invention showing the ballasted planing hull 31 deployed to port of the un-ballasted planing hull 32 by the respective arms 33, 34 which are rotated 600 to port, also shown on the lower section of the un-ballasted hulls 32, lateral side area 67 and shown again enlarged in the circle to the left are two sonic devices for scaring whales or other sea mammals out of the inventions path, the two aforementioned sonic devices generate aquatic pulses intended to alarm sea mammals and avoid collisions. Also shown in this side view is a "dolphin striker" which is intended to deflect any collisions with sea mammals or flotsam downwards reducing damage to both parties. In the interest of clarity, pitch / yaw control hydrofoils 41/42, tensile kite rig 54, and sheeting lines 38, have been left out of this drawing.

Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram showing how the orientation sensing and control system ;night separate the tasks of maintaining a level plane down into smaller more manageable elements.

This is so that the different modes of sensed data processing can function together (to provide a range of sensitivities) or individually (as a safety feature in the event one or ,more system fails) Figs; 4.2 and 4.3 have been based updn' fig.

1.22 on page 61 of Marcbaj CA. A,ern- Hydrodynamics of Sailing 1979, Granada Publishing, GB.

Figs; 24.2 has been based upon fig. 2.7 on page 191 of Marchaj CA. Aero-Bvdrodvnarnics of Sailing 1979, Granada Publishing, GB.

- claims and the abstract will be provided in due course.

(Fig. 2 has been chosen as the leading drawing which the successful patent application would display on the first page) 31... ..ballasted planing hull 32... ..un-ballasted planing hull 33 ... above water connecting arm 34 .. below water connecting arm 35... ...pivotal connections 36... ...mast 37.... ....releasable rig to mast coupling 38 . ....sheeting control lines 39 .. hydrofoils 40 ... hydroplane 41 ... pitch control hydrofoils 42.... yaw control hydrofoils 43.... .....companion way for the pivotal bearings 44 . .. geared shaft for synchronising planing hulls 45.... ....length of torsion absorbing bar 46 .... worm gear adjustment and brake 47.... ....friction brakes 48 ... auxiliary diesel engine 49... ...fuel tanks 50 ... drinking water tank 51.... ....batteries 52.... ....payload 53.... . ...ballast water tank 54......... ....tensile kite rig 55.... .... compressed kite rig member 56.... ....tensile kite rig member 57... ...dedicated tensile framework 58... ...anchor points for sails 59.... . . upper sheeting lines running to ballasted planing hull 60 .. . variable pitch impeller drogue 61.... ....flywheel 62... dynamo 63.... . . ballast torpedo 64 observation dome 65 ... centrally furling rogallo type sails in bi-plane formation 66.... back stay 67... . ...lateral side area 68... . ...chain link synchronisation 69 ........... back-up rotation ropes 70 .. . associated back-up rotation ropes dedicated winches 71... . . ....releasably secured tender 72 dual purpose hydrofoil/hydroplane 73.... .. adjustable pitch platform for releasably secured tender 74 .... tensile kite rig upright 75 .. . spinning cylinder as crude aerofoil 76... spinning cylinder as crude hydrofoil 77.... ... sheeting ring

Claims

Claims 1. The invention provides in one of its aspects a wind powered water-borne sailing system comprising a ballasted hull and an unballasted hull which supports the mast, at least one arm linking the two hulls by means of pivotal connections, such that the hulls can move relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane and the hulls can also pivot relative to the or each said arm permitting said ballasted hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted hull, unrestricted > 360 rotation of the arm or arms in relation to said ballasted or un-ballasted hulls permits the said ballasted hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear, to the front and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted hull, said unrestricted > 360 variant is facilitated by repositioning the mast and sheet connections from the un-ballasted hull where it would foul on the unrestricted rotating arm, to the top of the uppermost arm.
2. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the second arm is towards the forward (and lower) end of the respective hulls with the above-water arm to the rear.
3. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the upper arm displaces water to provide buoyancy while the invention is at rest.
4. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the arm or arms have a variable geometry aspect ratio at different angles of rotation relative to the direction of flow, as the angle of attack increases and the longitudinal centre line approaches perpendicular to the apparent direction of flow of both air and water, the aspect ratio is at its highest as is the righting moment.
5. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where all arms have streamlined profiles to reduce drag as they move through their respective fluids, arm streamlining is faired both laterally and longitudinally, to reduce drag over the range of variable geometry's.
6. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where Aero/hydrofoil arm sections can provide either upwards or downwards aero /hydrodynamic lift or a combination of both.
7. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where means are provided for the redirection of the fluid stream to provide aero /hydrodynamic stabilisation and orientation control of the invention in pitch, heel, yaw and heave.
8. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where over 50% of submerged planing profiles are of flat-plate section to further reduce hydrodynamic drag, the remainder is made up of fixed hydrofoils and variable pitch, heel, heave and yaw control hydrofoils.
9. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where at least one geared shaft situated within the arm or arms synchronises the substantially horizontal pivots and maintains the directional alignment of the respective hulls with the direction of flow, a length of torsion absorbing bar is included within the said geared shaft as a precaution against over-stressing the gear train.
10. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 8 where means are provided for a worm gear to adjust the angle between the arm or arms in relation to the respective hulls through the aforementioned worm gear and associated geared shaft.
11. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 where the aforementioned worm gear which adjusts the angle of the arm or arms to the respective hulls also acts as a brake on the said geared shaft.
12. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where small scale variants could synchronise the rotation of the respective hulls in relation to the arm or arms with an idler gear meshing between identically sized gears each of which is substantially horizontal in orientation and fixed to the respective hulls through the bearing.
13. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 11 where the aforementioned idler wheel and aforementioned meshing gears are situated within an arm.
14. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where a Chain Link can be used to synchronise the rotation of the respective hulls to the arm or arms in any arm which is too small for the aforementioned geared shaft and associated worm gear and too long to employ an idler wheel acting between two substantially horizontal gears within an arm, the aforementioned Chain forms a loop around two gears at either end of the arm or arms, the rotation of the said gears are fixed to that of the respective hulls.
15. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 13 where the aforementioned Chain has the means provided for the adjustment and braking of its rotation and in turn the angle of the respective hulls to the arm or arms
16. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where any arm too thin of lateral section to enclose either an alignment shaft and associated worm gear, a meshing gear train consisting of an idler gear between two identical gears fixed to the rotation of the respective hulls, or chain synchronisation between two identical gears fixed to the rotation of the respective hulls, has its position determined by the relative position of the said hulls as set by one of the aforementioned hull rotation synchronisation systems in another arm.
17. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where friction brakes are employed within the substantially horizontal pivots of any arm which is too thin of section to enclose one of the aforementioned hull rotation synchronisation systems, the said friction brakes are co-ordinated to release when adjustment is being made to the angle of the respective hulls to the arm or arms.
18. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where all heavy sub-systems including diesel engine, fuel/water tanks and batteries are situated within the ballasted planing hull.
19. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where any payload is situated within the ballasted hull.
20. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where means are provided for a quantity of water ballast to be carried within tanks situated in the ballasted hull.
21. The invention provides in a second of its aspects a tensile kite rig for a wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim, the said kite rig comprises at least 6 compressed members and at least 32 tensile members, each strut is connected to each adjacent strut exclusively at the extremities of length by at least 8 ties consisting of at least 4 ties at either end, struts are fixed relative to each other within the network of ties, no strut should connect either intentionally or unintentionally with another strut or tie other than at the said struts extremities of length, said tensile kite rig employs a framework of struts and ties joined only at the ends to ensure that stresses are either tensile or compressive.
22. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 20 where the said tensile kite rig achieves extra rigidity with the use of compound ties which comprise a single length of rope or tensile load bearing material which passes repeatedly between pulley blocks connected by means provided to the ends of adjacent struts, said compound ties offer a greater margin of safety against over-stressing the said tensile load bearing material.
23. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 where large scale variants of the said tensile kite rig avoid the unwanted bending moments resulting from the material weight of very long struts by substituting them with a dedicated tensile framework of shorter struts and ties, the said dedicated tensile framework of said large scale tensile kite rigs has a similar orientation but with a greater resistance to compression to that of the single over-long strut which it replaces.
24. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 or Claim 22 where recursive similarities exist between the arrangement of the said struts and ties within the said dedicated tensile frameworks and the arrangement of the said dedicated tensile frameworks within the said tensile kite rig.
25. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the framework provides anchor points for at least one bi-plane pair of sails.
26. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the tensile kite rig is supported by a mast and connected to the said un-ballasted hull system or said uppermost arm of the said > 360 varient through at least four courses of sheeting lines.
27. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the aforementioned sheeting line courses which connect the said tensile kite rig to the said un-ballasted hull or said uppermost arm of the said > 360" variant employ pulley blocks to reduce the stress within the tensile material, the total stress experienced by each of the said sheeting line courses is divided between multiple lengths of the tensile material which pass repeatedly between the aforementioned pulley blocks.
28. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the said struts of the said tensile kite rig contain integral buoyancy
29. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where an aerofoil section can be added over the said struts circular section to function both laterally and longitudinally over a range of aspect ratios as the rig is canted, when the weight of the materials at that scale permits said aerofoil section can be added to reduce the said tensile kite rigs total drag by streamlining.
30. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the said struts of the said tensile kite rig can be individually enclosed within lifting wing sections which can generate adequate lift for propulsion of the invention in strong gale conditions, the arrangement of the said outer lifting wing section has the structural means provided to transmit all aerodynamic lift generated moments to the sheeting lines through the said struts extremities of length and without exerting any bending or twisting moments on the said strut.
31. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where means are provided to releasably secure the said tensile kite rig to the top of the aforementioned mast situated upon the said unballasted hull system or said uppermost arm of the said > 3600 variant.
32. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the aforementioned mast and means provided to releasably secure the said tensile kite rig allow the total sail area to be canted through 6 degrees of freedom, < i90 in pitch, heel and yaw while releasably secured to the mast top.
33. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where at least two extra courses of sheeting lines run from either side of the upper part of the said tensile kite rig to the ballasted hull or the uppermost arm of the > 3600 variant, these said extra courses of sheeting lines assist the aforementioned courses of sheeting lines in pitch, heel and yaw canting control of the said tensile kite rig.
34. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the said tensile kite rig can be flown as a kite on the aforementioned courses of sheeting lines when released from the mast top, the said tensile kite rig harnesses more aerodynamic lift from the increased wind pressure at higher altitudes when flown as a kite.
35. The invention provides in a third of its aspects a wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim which can be manufactured using globally available medium-heavy agricultural fabrication processes, the invention utilises part of its overall weight as ballast and this facilitates the use of globally available medium-heavy fabrication processes, modern fabrication processes such as glass reinforced plastic and carbon fibres can be incorporated into the construction of the invention, however the overall lightness which is facilitated by the use of modern composites is not as critical within lift-drag equation of said invention as it is with conventional sailing craft where extra structural weight does not also act as ballast and therefore results in extra drag.
36. The invention provides in a fourth of its aspects a stabilised traction engine for a wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the aerodynamic lift harnessed from the wind by the sails can be used to provide traction for towing.
37. The invention provides in a fifth of its aspects an energy reclaim and storage system for a wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where the energy of the inventions passage through the water is converted into torsion by an impelled drogue which is towed in the fluid stream, the rotational energy generated by the said impelled drogue is directed forward into a flywheel where it is stored until required by on-board systems or used to generate electricity, the said impelled drogue has a stabilising effect on the overall invention with its hydrodynamic drag resisting forward pitching, the spinning flywheel also has a stabilising gyroscopic effect.
38. The invention provides in a sixth of its aspects a wind powered land-borne sailing system for a wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim which comprises a ballasted wheeled hull and an un-ballasted wheeled hull which supports the mast, at least one arm linking the two hulls by means of pivotal connections, such that the hulls can move relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane and the hulls can also pivot relative to the or each said arm permitting said ballasted wheeled hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted wheeled hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted wheeled hull, unrestricted > 360 rotation of the arm or arms in relation to said ballasted or un-ballasted wheeled hulls permits the said ballasted wheeled hull to be positioned at least to one side, to the rear, to the front and to an opposite side of the un-ballasted wheeled hull so that the ballasted hull may, in sailing the system, be disposed to the windward of the un-ballasted wheeled hull, said unrestricted > 360 variant is facilitated by repositioning the mast and sheet connections from the unballasted wheeled hull where it would foul on the unrestricted rotating arm, to the top of the uppermost arm.
39. A wind powered water-borne sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where means are provided for the inventions dry weight to be supported by wheels enabling the sailing system to navigate upon level or low gradient surfaces under wind power.
40. A wind powered water-bome sailing system as claimed in any preceding Claim where means are provided for the invention to acoustically alert sea mammals such as whales or dolphins to its approach and in so doing seek to avoid any collision with the aforementioned sea mammals, the sonic devices emit aquatic sound pulses by either amplified electronic or resonating reed methods.