GB2044465A - A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail - Google Patents

A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2044465A
GB2044465A GB8006945A GB8006945A GB2044465A GB 2044465 A GB2044465 A GB 2044465A GB 8006945 A GB8006945 A GB 8006945A GB 8006945 A GB8006945 A GB 8006945A GB 2044465 A GB2044465 A GB 2044465A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
boom
sail
potentiometer
angular position
mast
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8006945A
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Mannesmann VDO AG
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Mannesmann VDO AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mannesmann VDO AG filed Critical Mannesmann VDO AG
Publication of GB2044465A publication Critical patent/GB2044465A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/12—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means
    • G01D5/14—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
    • G01D5/16—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance
    • G01D5/165—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance by relative movement of a point of contact or actuation and a resistive track

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  • 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)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • A Measuring Device Byusing Mechanical Method (AREA)

Abstract

A potentiometer 10 (or other rotational position sensor) is securable to a mast 1 of a sailing boat, with its spindle 11 rotationally coupled to the boom 9, 2, e.g. via a lever 12 with a forked end 13 for seating about a boom element 9. Angular movement of the sail 3 can then pivot the boom 9, 2 and hence the spindle 11. Circuitry including a voltage source and a galvanometer can provide a visible reading corresponding to the angular configuration of the potentiometer 10 and hence of the sail 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail The present invention relates to a device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat about a mast.
In sailing boats, it is advantageous, especially in racing, to so adjust the mainsail that, for a given apparent strength and direction of the wind, the sailing boat moves with the maximum velocity.
Whereas devices are available for measuring the wind strength and the wind direction, the angular adjustment of the sail has up to now been a matter for the yachtsman's judgement, based on his estimate of the angular position of the sail with reference to its position relative to a fixed point of the boat. Such estimation is not easy, so the sail configuration found useful for given wind ratios has not generally been reproducible when similar wind conditions recur.
According to the invention, there is provided a device for measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat having a boom pivotal about a mast, the device comprising an angle sensor, said sensor having first and second relatively rotatable elements, and providing an electrically measurable parameter whose value depends on the relative angular positions of said elements; the device further comprising means for mounting said first sensor element fast with the mast in respect of rotation, and means for rotationally coupling the second sensor element directly or indirectly with the boom.
By means of such a device, in a preferred embodiment, the angular position of a sail is measured by arranging for the generation of an electrical variable proportional to the angle of the boom to the midship line. The value of the variable may be indicated on a display instrument. Thus, the angular position of the sail can be read-off precisely from a scale of the instrument. If particular wind conditions occur, such that a known angular position of the sail is desirable, it can be adjusted to this position quickly and reliably by observation of the instrumental display.
Such a device is especially useful in conjunction with means for measuring the direction and/or the velocity of the wind.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the device is mounted so that the axis of rotation of the angle sensor is aligned with the pivot axis of the boom. The respective sensor element may be connected with the boom via a fork attached to it.
By such means the angular position of the boom is transferred to the configuration of the rotatable elements of the angle sensor.
In a second preferred embodiment of the device, the coupling of a sensor to the boom employs an element which is resiliently urged, e.g.
by means of a spring, against a stop connected with the boorn. This provides a simple form of connection of a sensor element with a boom fitting in which the pivot need not be aligned with the pivot of the boom and axial displacement of the sensor relative to the boom's axis of rotation can occur.
Either embodiment preferably employs a potentiometer as said angle sensor. The potentiometer may be connected into a metering circuit which includes a voltage source and a moving-coil galvanometer which gives a reading directly related to the voltage drop across the potentiometer. Instead of the moving-coii metering system, it is possible to employ a crossed-coil metering system, so that the effective operating voltage of the voltage source does not affect the reading.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the sole figure shows an elevation view partly in section of a device embodying the invention mounted adjacent a yacht's boom fitting.
Referring to the drawing, a yacht has a mast 1 about which a main or spanker boom 2 is pivoted.
A sail 3 is attached in conventional manner to the boom 2 and the mast 1.
The boom 2 is mounted, by means of a boom fitting 4, to the mast 1 for pivoting about a swivel axis 5. For this purpose, the element 6 of the boom fitting secured to the mast is provided with axle rods 7 and 8, over which there is journalled a V-form connecting element 9 which is fast with the boom 2.
The device for measuring or metering the angle setting of the sail 3 comprises a potentiometer 10 having a rotatable spindle 11. The potentiometer is so secured to the mast that the spindle 11 is aligned with the swivel axis 5. Ate ached to the spindle 11 of the potentiometer 10 is an L-shaped bar 12 whose lower end 13 (remote from the potentiometer) is forked, engages a portion of the V-form connecting element 9.
Thus, when the sail 3 swings with corresponding movement of the boom 2, the angular position of the boom 2 is transferred via the V-form connecting element 9 and the bar 1 2 to the spindle 11 of the potentiometer 1 0. A moving-coii galvanometer (not shown in the drawing), connected into a circuit which includes the potentiometer 10 and a source of current, therefore displays a reading corresponding to the angular position of the boom 2, which is related to the position of the sail 3. The swivel range of the boom 2 is 1 80o, and the display zone or range of the galvanometer and the minimum possible rotation of the potentiometer are chosen or adjusted correspondingly.
Thus, by means of this embodiment of the invention, the angular position of the sail 3 can be read off simply and reliably, so that angular adjustment can be effected accurately and reproducibly. The means employed are cheap and simple to produce and install, and the simplicity of the device makes for reliability of operation.
1. A device for measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat having a-boom pivotal
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail The present invention relates to a device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat about a mast. In sailing boats, it is advantageous, especially in racing, to so adjust the mainsail that, for a given apparent strength and direction of the wind, the sailing boat moves with the maximum velocity. Whereas devices are available for measuring the wind strength and the wind direction, the angular adjustment of the sail has up to now been a matter for the yachtsman's judgement, based on his estimate of the angular position of the sail with reference to its position relative to a fixed point of the boat. Such estimation is not easy, so the sail configuration found useful for given wind ratios has not generally been reproducible when similar wind conditions recur. According to the invention, there is provided a device for measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat having a boom pivotal about a mast, the device comprising an angle sensor, said sensor having first and second relatively rotatable elements, and providing an electrically measurable parameter whose value depends on the relative angular positions of said elements; the device further comprising means for mounting said first sensor element fast with the mast in respect of rotation, and means for rotationally coupling the second sensor element directly or indirectly with the boom. By means of such a device, in a preferred embodiment, the angular position of a sail is measured by arranging for the generation of an electrical variable proportional to the angle of the boom to the midship line. The value of the variable may be indicated on a display instrument. Thus, the angular position of the sail can be read-off precisely from a scale of the instrument. If particular wind conditions occur, such that a known angular position of the sail is desirable, it can be adjusted to this position quickly and reliably by observation of the instrumental display. Such a device is especially useful in conjunction with means for measuring the direction and/or the velocity of the wind. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the device is mounted so that the axis of rotation of the angle sensor is aligned with the pivot axis of the boom. The respective sensor element may be connected with the boom via a fork attached to it. By such means the angular position of the boom is transferred to the configuration of the rotatable elements of the angle sensor. In a second preferred embodiment of the device, the coupling of a sensor to the boom employs an element which is resiliently urged, e.g. by means of a spring, against a stop connected with the boorn. This provides a simple form of connection of a sensor element with a boom fitting in which the pivot need not be aligned with the pivot of the boom and axial displacement of the sensor relative to the boom's axis of rotation can occur. Either embodiment preferably employs a potentiometer as said angle sensor. The potentiometer may be connected into a metering circuit which includes a voltage source and a moving-coil galvanometer which gives a reading directly related to the voltage drop across the potentiometer. Instead of the moving-coii metering system, it is possible to employ a crossed-coil metering system, so that the effective operating voltage of the voltage source does not affect the reading. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the sole figure shows an elevation view partly in section of a device embodying the invention mounted adjacent a yacht's boom fitting. Referring to the drawing, a yacht has a mast 1 about which a main or spanker boom 2 is pivoted. A sail 3 is attached in conventional manner to the boom 2 and the mast 1. The boom 2 is mounted, by means of a boom fitting 4, to the mast 1 for pivoting about a swivel axis 5. For this purpose, the element 6 of the boom fitting secured to the mast is provided with axle rods 7 and 8, over which there is journalled a V-form connecting element 9 which is fast with the boom 2. The device for measuring or metering the angle setting of the sail 3 comprises a potentiometer 10 having a rotatable spindle 11. The potentiometer is so secured to the mast that the spindle 11 is aligned with the swivel axis 5. Ate ached to the spindle 11 of the potentiometer 10 is an L-shaped bar 12 whose lower end 13 (remote from the potentiometer) is forked, engages a portion of the V-form connecting element 9. Thus, when the sail 3 swings with corresponding movement of the boom 2, the angular position of the boom 2 is transferred via the V-form connecting element 9 and the bar 1 2 to the spindle 11 of the potentiometer 1 0. A moving-coii galvanometer (not shown in the drawing), connected into a circuit which includes the potentiometer 10 and a source of current, therefore displays a reading corresponding to the angular position of the boom 2, which is related to the position of the sail 3. The swivel range of the boom 2 is 1 80o, and the display zone or range of the galvanometer and the minimum possible rotation of the potentiometer are chosen or adjusted correspondingly. Thus, by means of this embodiment of the invention, the angular position of the sail 3 can be read off simply and reliably, so that angular adjustment can be effected accurately and reproducibly. The means employed are cheap and simple to produce and install, and the simplicity of the device makes for reliability of operation. CLAIMS
1. A device for measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat having a-boom pivotal about a mast, the device comprising an angle sensor, said sensor having first and second relatively rotatable elements, and providing an electrically measurable parameter whose value depends on the relative angular positions of said elements; the device further comprising means for mounting said first sensor element fast with the mast in respect of rotation, and means for rotationally coupling the second sensor element directly or indirectly with the boom.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the angle sensor is mountable with its axis aligned with the pivot-axis of the bqom, and the second sensor element is rotationally couplable with the boom via a forked bar whose forked end is engageable about said boom.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor elen-- & nt is rotationally couplable wi:h the boom via an element which is, in use, :esiliently urged against a stop connected with the boom.
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said angle sensor comprises a potentiometer.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said potentiometer is connected into an evaluation circuit comprising means for supplying electrical power and a galvanometer responsive to the angular configuration of the potentiometer.
6. A device for measuring the angular position of a sail of a sailing boat substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
7. A mast/boom assembly for a sailing boat including a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
8. A sailing boat when equipped with a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
GB8006945A 1979-03-07 1980-02-29 A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail Withdrawn GB2044465A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19792908886 DE2908886A1 (en) 1979-03-07 1979-03-07 DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE ANGLE SETTING OF A SAIL

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2044465A true GB2044465A (en) 1980-10-15

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GB8006945A Withdrawn GB2044465A (en) 1979-03-07 1980-02-29 A device for sensing and/or measuring the angular position of a sail

Country Status (3)

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DE (1) DE2908886A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2450742A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2044465A (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2557171B1 (en) * 1983-12-22 1986-07-18 Materiel De Voirie SWEEPER WITH RETRACTABLE SIDE BROOM AND WITH BRUSH POSITION INDICATOR DEVICE
DE3440425A1 (en) * 1984-11-06 1985-03-28 Jörg 3050 Wunstorf Flemming Mast foot for a sailboard

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Publication number Publication date
FR2450742A1 (en) 1980-10-03
DE2908886A1 (en) 1980-09-18

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