Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
  • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
  • B63H9/06—Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices called wings intended to propel ships or even land vehicles from wind energy.
• Local variations in wind speed due to the presence of the airfoil produce pressure differences between the faces of the airfoil. These pressure differences result in a force directly transmitted to the mobile by the wing supports.
• the state of the art is as follows: there are flexible canopies whose implementation is long and complicated and whose operation can present dangers (risk of untimely jibe).
• the reduction of the airfoil may require perilous maneuvers (on the deck of a ship).
• Furling jibs represent an improvement: they are easier to implement but this is paid for by a lower efficiency and, moreover, this does not concern the whole wing.
• the object of the present invention constitutes an ultimate outcome of this type of wing (of which it retains reliability) before the use of rotary wings used to actuate propellers.
• the airfoil system according to the present invention aims to completely eliminate the risk of jibe and, more generally, to allow adjustments and variations of airfoil surface accessible to a single man without effort or dangerous maneuver or easily mechanized.
• the reduction of the forces and the aptitude for mechanization are obtained by the following arrangements: the whole of the airfoil is substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation therefore very grouped around this axis, implemented in a manner unique, and largely self-compensated. Elimination of the risk of jibe is obtained thanks to a device which can be a wind vane and such that during operation, the center of thrust of the wing is always slightly to the wind from the axis of rotation.
• the wing according to the present invention comprises two half-wings 8 and 9 (FIG. 2). It is established between two upper yards 6 and 7 arranged in X and two lower yards 4 and 5 arranged in the same way.
• Each yard can pivot in its middle around the mast (axis of rotation) and supports at one end a winding tube (10 or 11) and at the other end, the trailing edge profile (14 or 15).
• the leading edges can be constituted by rigid fairings 12 and 13 including the winding tubes.
• the orientation of the blade is obtained by an identical rotation of the four yards.
• the variation of sail area is obtained by opposite rotations of yards of the same X, of the two X being modified in the same way.
• the half-wings are substantially parallel and practically symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation (or of the mast, in this case).
• the maximum reduction in airfoil can give a rigid structure with a small surface area (Figure 4).
• the maximum sail area can be obtained when the yards of the same X are diagonals-of a square or perpendicular to each other.
• the spacing of the half-wings is then substantially equal to their rope. Under these conditions, there is practically no harmful interference between the two half-wings (see aerodynamic works).
• the airfoil according to the invention is such that its center of thrust is constantly, during operation, slightly upwind of the axis of rotation and in particular such that, left in free rotation, it becomes feathered, edges of attack against the wind. This result can be obtained by a wind vane 18, designed to remain constantly in the plane of symmetry of the airfoil.
• the wing support can consist of a mast I fitted with a bracket 2, held by shrouds 3.
• the clearance thus obtained allows the rotation of the wing over 360 degrees (FIG. 3).
• the wing At rest, the wing can be folded inside the rigid structure (Figure 4), in the upright or lying position ( Figure 5). The implementation is thus greatly facilitated.
• the control assembly 21 (FIG. I) is detailed in FIGS. 6 and 7. It consists of two parts which allow the orientation and the surface variation of the wing.
• Orientation control a ring gear 24, centered on the axis of rotation, is secured to the lower yard 4. It can mesh on another gear ring 25 secured to a flywheel 26. The assembly formed by 25 and 26 can be moved to engage or disengage the control. The steering wheel 26 can be locked in rotation by a brake 27 (engaged position).
• a ring gear 28, centered on the axis of rotation, is rotationally integral with two pulleys 29 and 30; it can mesh on another ring gear 31 secured to a flywheel 32.
• the assembly formed by 31 and 32 can be translated in order to disengage or engage the control.
• the rotational movement of the pulleys 29 and 30 is transmitted by belts 22 and 23 to the pulleys 19 and 20 actuating the winding tubes.
• 33 is a locking finger acting on the grooves of the grooved crown integral with 28 (see FIG. 6).
• 34 is a spring.
• Figure 6 corresponds to a configuration: disengaged controls, free wing in rotation.
• Figure 7 corresponds to a configuration for adjusting the surface.
• This wing system can provide main or auxiliary propulsion for pleasure or regatta boats, sand yachts, merchant ships or trawlers.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Wind Motors (AREA)
• Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9280254

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (3)

• 1982
  • 1982-12-14 FR FR8221279A patent/FR2537540A1/fr active Granted
• 1983
  • 1983-12-09 WO PCT/FR1983/000248 patent/WO1984002319A1/fr unknown
  • 1983-12-09 EP EP83903804A patent/EP0129558A1/fr not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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