GB2098946A - A tethered sail assembly for marine or other uses - Google Patents
A tethered sail assembly for marine or other uses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2098946A GB2098946A GB8214702A GB8214702A GB2098946A GB 2098946 A GB2098946 A GB 2098946A GB 8214702 A GB8214702 A GB 8214702A GB 8214702 A GB8214702 A GB 8214702A GB 2098946 A GB2098946 A GB 2098946A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- sail
- flying
- elevated
- control
- lines
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
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
- B63H9/069—Kite-sails for vessels
- B63H9/072—Control arrangements, e.g. for launching or recovery
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)
Abstract
In an elevated sail assembly, the sail is connected by shroud lines 7 to a pulley system 5. Ground controlled flying lines 3 pass around the pulley and said control lines 8, 9 are connected between the sail and the flying lines. Movement of the flying lines 3 around the pulley causes the control line to alter the flying characteristics of the sail. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Elevated sails and their control
The present invention relates to elevated sails and more particularly to the deployment of elevated sails for the propulsion of water going vessels.
The ever increasing cost of energy particularly in the form of increasing oil prices have led to renewed interest in the total or partial propulsion of water going vessels such as cargo ships, tankers and yachts by use of wind energy. In particular, elevated sails or kites which have been proposed and used for the propulsion of ships have certaing advantages over, say, vessel mounted sails. These advantages include the ability to fly at an altitude where the winds are generally strong and stable.
The present invention relates to improved means for the control of sails suitable for use in the total or partial propulsion of water going vessels. By the term sail, it is intended to include elevated sails and any tethered flying surface.
Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of control of elevated sails comprising the steps of (a) connecting the sail to the flying lines by means of a pulley and block or the like and (b) attaching one or more control lines to the flying lines at one end and the sail at the other end whereby movement of the flying line around the pulley causes the control line to alter the flying characteristics of the sail.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an elevated sail assembly comprising a sail connected to a pulley system, flying lines passing around the pulley block and sail control lines connected between the sail and the flying lines.
When ram air wing and parachute elevated sails are rigged symmetrically about their centre lines (mid point of leading edge to mid point of trailing edge), the sail will fly in an undiverted arc upwards from its point of launch. It is possible to deflect these sails from their direct course by controlling vents in the canopy of the kite or by changing canopy shape particularly at the outboard ends of the trailing edge. This procedure requires a control movement either under automatic control or from the sail tether position.
By use of a "flying block" (a pulley and block) a double flying line may be used to take the tension of the sail system. By differential winching, the vent control or trailing edge tension may be applied through control lines connected to the flying lines on either side of the flying block.
Elevated sails may also be used to provide aerial platforms to lift equipment for photography, surveying, air pollution monitoring, gas sampling, crop spraying, radar operation or communications. Where the loads to be supported exceed a weight of several kilograms the sizes of the sails then required can result in line forces in excess of those readily manhandled.
The invention will now be described by way of exampie only and with reference to figures 1 and 2.
A ship 1 equipped with a double winch system 2 to which are attached the flying lines 3 of a ram air sail 4. The flying lines 3 are attached to the sail 4 through a pulley block 5 and atridle 6, the arms 7 of the bridle 6 being attached to the sail 4.
Control wires 8, 9 are attached by means of knots or clamps or other means to each of the flying wires 3 and at the opposite end to the control vents or canopy shape control positions 10 of the.
sail 4.
During use, the sail 4 is launched by a conventional system such as a compressed air launch gun. After the sail has opened, the wind acting on the sail then provides at least part of the ship's motive power. The ship's course may be controlled by altering the position of the control vents or canopy shape of the sail. By means of differential winching of system 2, the attachment points 11 can be moved to cause different pulls on the control wires 8 thereby adjusting the control vents 10 of the sail 4 and controlling the sail's position relative to the ship.
A form of automatic control may be induced without winching on the ship if flying lines of differing elastic characteristics are used. For example, an increase in total sail towing force would cause a thinner or more elastic line to stretch more than its thicker or less elastic partner causing the flying block to rotate and thereby apply a control action on the sail. This could be arranged to fly a sail at such an angle to the wind that a change of angle due to say wind changes would reduce the total flying line tension sufficiently to cause the sail to revert to its original position automatically, the pulley rotating as a result of the differential tension in the two arms of the flying lines.
Claims
1. An elevated sail assembly comprising a sail connected to a pulley system, flying lines passing around the pulley block and sail control lines connected between the sail and the flying lines.
2. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 1 in which the flying lines are connected to a winch system.
3. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sail is of the parachute type or of the ram air wing type.
4. An elevated sail assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the pulley system is attached to the sail by a plurality of shroud lines.
5. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 4 in which the shroud lines are attached symmetrically to the sail.
6. An elevated sail assembly according to any of the preceding claims in which the sail control lines are attached to the control vents of a parachute type sail.
7. An elevated sail assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the sail control lines are attached to the edges of a sail of the ram air wing type.
8. An elevated sail assembly according to any
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (13)
1. An elevated sail assembly comprising a sail connected to a pulley system, flying lines passing around the pulley block and sail control lines connected between the sail and the flying lines.
2. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 1 in which the flying lines are connected to a winch system.
3. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sail is of the parachute type or of the ram air wing type.
4. An elevated sail assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the pulley system is attached to the sail by a plurality of shroud lines.
5. An elevated sail assembly according to claim 4 in which the shroud lines are attached symmetrically to the sail.
6. An elevated sail assembly according to any of the preceding claims in which the sail control lines are attached to the control vents of a parachute type sail.
7. An elevated sail assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the sail control lines are attached to the edges of a sail of the ram air wing type.
8. An elevated sail assembly according to any of the preceding claims which also comprises a launching device.
9. An elevated sail assembly according to any of the preceding claims in which each of the flying lines is of different resilience.
10. An elevated sail assembly as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A method of control of elevated sails from a water going vessel comprising (a) connecting the sail to the flying lines by means of a pulley and block or the like and (b) attaching one or more control lines to the flying lines at one end and the sail at the other end whereby movement of the flying line around the pulley causes the control line to alter the flying characteristics of the sail.
12. A method of control of elevated sails using an elevated sail assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10.
13. A method of controlling an elevated sail as hereinbefore described and with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8214702A GB2098946A (en) | 1981-05-21 | 1982-05-20 | A tethered sail assembly for marine or other uses |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8115585 | 1981-05-21 | ||
GB8214702A GB2098946A (en) | 1981-05-21 | 1982-05-20 | A tethered sail assembly for marine or other uses |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2098946A true GB2098946A (en) | 1982-12-01 |
Family
ID=26279546
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8214702A Withdrawn GB2098946A (en) | 1981-05-21 | 1982-05-20 | A tethered sail assembly for marine or other uses |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2098946A (en) |
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4497272A (en) * | 1982-06-01 | 1985-02-05 | Veazey Sidney E | Mastless sails |
WO1986002902A1 (en) * | 1984-11-16 | 1986-05-22 | Dominique Legaignoux | Propulsive wing with inflatable armature |
EP0358000A2 (en) * | 1988-09-07 | 1990-03-14 | Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig | Kite |
FR2781195A1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2000-01-21 | Michel Paul Rene Hugot | Control mechanism for traction sails of terrestrial or sea vehicles |
NL1015028C2 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2001-10-30 | Wubbo Johannes Ockels | High altitude kite on single line has remotely-controlled model aircraft suspended from it to control roll and pitch by modifying kite shape |
WO2002038440A1 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2002-05-16 | Diamond White Servicos De Consultaria Lda | Bridle for power kite launching |
US6659031B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2003-12-09 | Diamond White Servicos De Consultoria Lda. | Bridle for power kite launching |
FR2866860A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-02 | Diamond White Servicos De Cons | Propulsive wing e.g. power kite, for aquatic sport e.g. kite boarding, has transversal lines whose segments are added completely/partially to lengths of suspension lines in order to extend suspension lines based on deformation of arches |
WO2005100149A1 (en) * | 2004-04-19 | 2005-10-27 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft comprising a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element as a wind-powered drive unit |
WO2008072269A1 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2008-06-19 | Kite Gen Research S.R.L. | System for performing the automatic control of the flight of kites |
WO2009071105A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-11 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device and method for controlling |
US7546813B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2009-06-16 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft |
WO2009080098A1 (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2009-07-02 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device having active and passive steering lines and method for controlling of such a device |
CN101786498A (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2010-07-28 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy umbrella sail device for sailing of ship |
CN101844614A (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2010-09-29 | 清华大学 | Retractable long-distance suspension wind-energy parasail device for ship navigation |
US7866271B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2011-01-11 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Placement system for a flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft |
US7971545B2 (en) | 2004-09-06 | 2011-07-05 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft having a kite-like element |
WO2011012107A3 (en) * | 2009-07-27 | 2011-08-25 | Gotthard Schulte-Tigges | Control device for freely flying wind engagement elements having a wing area greater than 20 m2 |
CN102167148A (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2011-08-31 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy parasail device with center bracket |
WO2011012112A3 (en) * | 2009-07-27 | 2011-10-13 | Gotthard Schulte-Tigges | Auxiliary control device for freely flying wind engagement elements having a wing area greater than 20 m2 |
US8056490B2 (en) | 2004-09-06 | 2011-11-15 | Skysails GmbH Co. KG | Watercraft having a kite-like element |
WO2011121557A3 (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2011-12-08 | Kitenergy S.R.L. | Actuating systems for controlling the flight of a power wing profile for conversion of wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy |
CN101687537B (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2013-01-02 | 天帆有限两合公司 | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device and method for controlling |
WO2018028956A1 (en) * | 2016-08-12 | 2018-02-15 | Danmarks Tekniske Universitet | Sensor system with an attachment element for a manned or unmanned aircraft |
-
1982
- 1982-05-20 GB GB8214702A patent/GB2098946A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4497272A (en) * | 1982-06-01 | 1985-02-05 | Veazey Sidney E | Mastless sails |
WO1986002902A1 (en) * | 1984-11-16 | 1986-05-22 | Dominique Legaignoux | Propulsive wing with inflatable armature |
FR2581961A1 (en) * | 1984-11-16 | 1986-11-21 | Dominique Legaignoux | PROPULSIVE WING |
EP0358000A2 (en) * | 1988-09-07 | 1990-03-14 | Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig | Kite |
EP0358000A3 (en) * | 1988-09-07 | 1991-06-05 | Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig | Kite |
FR2781195A1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2000-01-21 | Michel Paul Rene Hugot | Control mechanism for traction sails of terrestrial or sea vehicles |
NL1015028C2 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2001-10-30 | Wubbo Johannes Ockels | High altitude kite on single line has remotely-controlled model aircraft suspended from it to control roll and pitch by modifying kite shape |
US6659031B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2003-12-09 | Diamond White Servicos De Consultoria Lda. | Bridle for power kite launching |
WO2002038440A1 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2002-05-16 | Diamond White Servicos De Consultaria Lda | Bridle for power kite launching |
FR2866860A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-02 | Diamond White Servicos De Cons | Propulsive wing e.g. power kite, for aquatic sport e.g. kite boarding, has transversal lines whose segments are added completely/partially to lengths of suspension lines in order to extend suspension lines based on deformation of arches |
US7798083B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2010-09-21 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft |
WO2005100149A1 (en) * | 2004-04-19 | 2005-10-27 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft comprising a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element as a wind-powered drive unit |
AU2005232889B2 (en) * | 2004-04-19 | 2008-10-09 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft comprising a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element as a wind-powered drive unit |
US7546813B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2009-06-16 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft |
US7672761B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2010-03-02 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft comprising a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element as a wind-powered drive unit |
US7866271B2 (en) | 2004-04-19 | 2011-01-11 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Placement system for a flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft |
US8056490B2 (en) | 2004-09-06 | 2011-11-15 | Skysails GmbH Co. KG | Watercraft having a kite-like element |
US7971545B2 (en) | 2004-09-06 | 2011-07-05 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Watercraft having a kite-like element |
RU2448864C2 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2012-04-27 | Кайт Джен Ресерч С.Р.Л. | Kite automatic control system |
US8100366B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2012-01-24 | Kite Gen Research S.R.L. | Automatic kite flight control system |
NO337708B1 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2016-06-06 | Kite Gen Res Srl | System for performing automatic control of the flight of kites |
JP2010512264A (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2010-04-22 | カイト ゲン リサーチ エス.アール.エル. | System for automatic control of kite flight |
CN101553397B (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2012-06-13 | 凯特金科研有限公司 | System for performing the automatic control of the flight of kites |
AU2007331022B2 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2012-05-31 | Kite Gen Research S.R.L. | System for performing the automatic control of the flight of kites |
WO2008072269A1 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2008-06-19 | Kite Gen Research S.R.L. | System for performing the automatic control of the flight of kites |
CN101687537B (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2013-01-02 | 天帆有限两合公司 | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device and method for controlling |
WO2009071105A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-11 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device and method for controlling |
US8607722B2 (en) | 2007-12-19 | 2013-12-17 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device having active and passive steering lines and method for controlling of such a device |
CN101903236B (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2013-06-05 | 天帆有限两合公司 | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device having active and passive steering lines and method for controlling of such a device |
WO2009080098A1 (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2009-07-02 | Skysails Gmbh & Co. Kg | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device having active and passive steering lines and method for controlling of such a device |
WO2011012107A3 (en) * | 2009-07-27 | 2011-08-25 | Gotthard Schulte-Tigges | Control device for freely flying wind engagement elements having a wing area greater than 20 m2 |
WO2011012112A3 (en) * | 2009-07-27 | 2011-10-13 | Gotthard Schulte-Tigges | Auxiliary control device for freely flying wind engagement elements having a wing area greater than 20 m2 |
CN101786498A (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2010-07-28 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy umbrella sail device for sailing of ship |
CN101786498B (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-12-28 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy umbrella sail device for sailing of ship |
WO2011121557A3 (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2011-12-08 | Kitenergy S.R.L. | Actuating systems for controlling the flight of a power wing profile for conversion of wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy |
RU2576396C2 (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2016-03-10 | Китэнерджи С.Р.Л. | Actuators for control over flight of structural profile of wing for conversion of wind energy into electric or mechanical power |
US9366225B2 (en) | 2010-03-31 | 2016-06-14 | Kitenergy S.R.L. | Actuating systems for controlling the flight of a power wing profile for conversion of wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy |
CN101844614B (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2012-07-25 | 清华大学 | Retractable long-distance suspension wind-energy parasail device for ship navigation |
CN101844614A (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2010-09-29 | 清华大学 | Retractable long-distance suspension wind-energy parasail device for ship navigation |
CN102167148A (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2011-08-31 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy parasail device with center bracket |
CN102167148B (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2013-05-22 | 清华大学 | Folding air-inflation type wind energy parasail device with center bracket |
WO2018028956A1 (en) * | 2016-08-12 | 2018-02-15 | Danmarks Tekniske Universitet | Sensor system with an attachment element for a manned or unmanned aircraft |
US11500120B2 (en) | 2016-08-12 | 2022-11-15 | Danmarks Tekniske Universitet | Sensor system with an attachment element for a manned or unmanned aircraft |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |