FR2752812A1 - Broad profile sail for sailboard or other craft - Google Patents

Abstract

The sail has a broad and variable profile has two or more supple inner strips (11,11'), joined together at the leading and trailing edges of the sail and connected by a power cylinder (21) which can vary the distance between them. The supple strips are covered by two panels (1,2) of a rigid material which can be fitted round or attached to a mast (4) or stay. Cables (9) inside the stay enable its shape to be returned quickly to an original position after the pressure of the power cylinder has been released.

Description

 The present invention relates to a vélique propulsion system intended for all vehicles deriving all or part of their motive energy from the force of the wind.

The current thick profiles are rigid and bulky, their implementation is difficult or even dangerous which limits their use to extreme competitions and to record searches.

 The device according to the invention simultaneously meets two imperatives. It provides all the aerodynamic performance of a thick profile. It simply allows all the maneuvers of the sail and of saving the wearer (setting up the sail, stowing, ironing, adjustments).

 According to the particular embodiments, the complete system consists of - two plies of sails which may be integral with a spar (mast or forestay) at the leading edge and which are sewn to each other between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sail.

 - Several flexible slats integral with the sheets over their entire length, arranged at regular intervals by resting on the spar and on the point of joining of the sheets. These slats go in pairs located at the same height on each of the two layers.

- a spar (mast, forestay or other) on which are articulated longitudinally two rigid preformed plates to present an aerodynamically perfect leading edge profile over its entire height.

- a series of cylinders (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical or other) placed between two slats or between the two rigid plates depending on the type of sail.

- a return system placed between two slats and located between the support point of the jack and the rear end of the slats.

- a system making it possible to return the general command for adjusting the reminder system on the carrier's deck within reach of the user.

 The sail (the two sheets with their slats) is hoisted normally along the spar.

 When the sail is sent, an action on the cylinders separates the two plates from one another. The two plies are then stretched over the rigid plates by the tension of the fabric veil and the aerodynamic pressure, the flexible slats are simultaneously bent to take substantially the shape of an arc of circle between the end of the plate and that of the slats. .

NOTE: in the case of a small sail (windsurfing for example), it is possible to overcome the two rigid plates, the jacks are then directly supported on the flexible battens. The profile of the leading edge is then determined by the curvature of the slats.

The return system located between the end of the plates (or the point of application of the jacks) and the trailing edge of the slats is finally adjusted according to the spacing of the jacks to obtain a profile according to the following arrangement:
- Leading edge defined by rigid plates (or the curvature of the slats),
- Arc between the end of the plates and the anchor point of the return system,
- Curve between the anchor point of the return system and the end of the slats,
- Depending on the case, profile in the wind bed between the end of the slats and the trailing edge of the sail.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

 Figure N "1 represents the assembly diagram of the rigid plates (1 and 2) movable in rotation about an axis (3 and 3 ') parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spar (4).

 Figure N "2 represents the assembly diagram adapted to a forestay (5). The plates (1 and 2) are then movable in rotation around the forestay in the manner of the elements of a hinge.

 Figures N "3, 4 and 5 show the block diagram of the slat return system with its return system to the bridge.

 The ends 6 and 6 'are struck at points 7 and 7' on the flexible slats as well as on the sheets. We see in figures N "3 and 4 that by applying a traction of opposite direction on the midpoints 8 and 8 'of the ends 6 and 6', the parallelogram is deformed. The stronger the traction, the more the points 8 and 8 'move away from each other, the more points 7 and 7' approach each other. This effect makes it possible to control the spacing of points 7 and 7 ', therefore plies and slats.

 Figure N "5 shows the general control system of all recall systems with the return of general control to the user.

 A tip 9 goes around a pulley 15 placed at the halyard point of the sail.

 The user actuates the tip 9 in the direction of the arrow 10.

All the points 8 'of all the sail return systems are struck on the descending part of the end 9. All the points 8 of each sail return systems are struck on the ascending part of the end 9. The free end end 9 is struck on point 8 of the last reminder system.

 By pulling in the direction of arrow 10, the user therefore reduces the distances between points 7 and 7 'of each of the return systems.

 FIG. 6 represents the general effect on a sail element taken at the level of a pair of slats 11 and 11 '.

 Once the rigid plates 1 and 2 are spaced apart by the jack 12, and in the absence of action from the return system, the slats (therefore the plies) assume the position 14 and 14 ′, substantially arcs of circles.

 If the return system is correctly adjusted, the slats take position 11 and 11 '.

 Figures N "7 and 8 respectively show a sail element for which the return system is not tight enough (fig. 7) or too tight (fig. 8).

 Figure N "9 shows a cutaway of an element of the complete system. The sail element was hoisted on the spar (4). The rigid plates (1 and 2) were separated by the jack (12), the series of slats (11) and (11 ') has been discarded, the traction (10) on the traction end (9) and on the return systems have been correctly adjusted.The sail is operational.

 Figure N010 shows the general layout of a sail assembly. The two plies 16 and 16 ′ are struck on the mast 4 at the level of the leading edge. They are sewn in point 17.

To increase the useful surface of the profile, it is possible to add behind the junction point of the plies 17 a sail element 18. The slats are placed between the mast and the point 17.

Figure N "11 shows the general arrangement of the rigged device on a mast 4. The layers 16 and 16 'are sent to
By the . The rigid plates 2 and 2 'are inside the two layers. The halyard stitch 20 carries the pulley 15.

 Figure N "12 shows the general arrangement of the rigged device on a forestay 5. The plies 16 and 16 'are sent to the spar. The rigid plates 2 and 2' are inside the two plies. The halyard stitch 20 carries the pulley 15. Here, the listening point 21 releases the veil 18 added between the junction points of the slats 17 and the trailing edge of the sail 19.

Figure N "13 develops a section of the profile in working order. From the spar 4, the profile is determined by:
- The shape of the rigid plates 2 and 2 '(or the curvature
slats depending on the type of sail)
- The arc between the end of the plates 2 and 2 '(or the
actuator support point 12) and the anchor point of the
7 and 7 'reminder system.

- The curve formed by the slats II and 11 'between the
anchor point of the recall system 7 and 7 'and the point
for joining the sheets and slats 17.

 - The profile in the wind bed 18.

Claims (5)

1 / Device for producing a thick profile element characterized in that it comprises two flexible slats made integral with the trailing edge and the leading edge, a jack making it possible to separate the two slats from one another and a slat return system located between the support point of the cylinder and the trailing edge.  2 / Device according to claim N "1 characterized in that two profiled and rigid plates articulated symmetrically on either side of the spar provide the shape of the profile of the leading edge of the sail and serve as an intermediary between the spacers and all the slats of the sail so as to allow the spacing of the slats in a single action when the sail is hoisted.  3 / Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that a series of cylinders placed between the rigid plates allow to control the spacing of the plates.  4 / Device according to claims 1 2 and 3 characterized in that a length return end which can be variable struck on the sail between two slats between the fulcrum of the jack (or rigid plates) and the edge of leakage counteracts the effect of the cylinders and brings the profile of the slats to an aerodynamic profile.  5 / Device according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that one end allows to control all of the reminder ends in a single action from a point easily accessible by the user.