JP5357281B2 - Launch / recovery mechanism for aerodynamic profile elements and aerodynamic profile elements - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a profile element that develops a driving system in a way to achieve a secure execution of a procedure of discharge and recovery, and efficiently enables a stretched sail from a folded state to a stretched state and the reef to a folded state from a stretched state. <P>SOLUTION: An aerodynamic profile element includes: an upper flexible layer and a lower flexible layer; an internal space between the upper and the lower layers; an air intake opening; and a plurality of reef lines for connecting to a watercraft. In the reef line, a first end is fixed to a separated position on the profile element, a second end is connected to the plurality of tension lines 240 connected to a tension cable 243, and size of the profile element is made to increase or decrease by the reef or stretched sail of the upper and lower layers. There is provided a central reef cable 263 wherein all the second ends of the reef lines 262 a and b are connected to the first end. The central reef cable functions as a guide cable for discharge and recovery of the profile element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention is an aerodynamic profile element for generating energy by pulling force, in particular to drive a watercraft,
An upper flexible layer extending laterally and longitudinally,
A lower flexible layer connected to the upper layer by a plurality of webs extending parallel to the upper layer and extending in the depth direction of the profile element;
An internal space filled with air between the upper and lower layers,
At least one air intake opening arranged between two parallel leading edges of the upper and lower layers and supplying air to the interior space;
A plurality of tension wires in which the first end is fixed to a spaced position on the profile element and the second end is connected to a tension cable to connect the profile element to the watercraft; And configured to reduce or increase the size of the profile element by reefing or unreefing the upper and lower layers, wherein the first end is the layer and / or It relates to a profile element with a plurality of shortened lines fixed to the web.

A further aspect of the invention is a firing / recovery mechanism for a profile element as described in the previous paragraph, comprising a longitudinally extending rod member,
A mast having a mast head fixed to the upper end; anda connecting device disposed on the mast head and rotatable about a vertical axis to connect the front end of the profile element to the mast head. The launch / recovery mechanism provided.

  In the context of reduced fossil fuel availability and increased costs, there is a great demand for alternative mechanisms for generating energy from renewable energy sources, particularly as a drive mechanism for watercraft, for example. WO 2006/027194 and WO 2006/027195 disclose novel drive mechanisms for watercraft, such drive mechanisms being of the kind described in the opening part of this specification. It consists essentially of an aerodynamic profile element in the form of a kite or kite, and can be launched from and recovered by a watercraft with a launch / recovery mechanism of the type described at the beginning of this specification. It is.

  International Patent Application No. PCT / EP2005 / 004186 (WO 2005/100150) discloses a setting system for such an aerodynamic profile element and includes a holding means that is pivotable in an azimuth direction. Have. Furthermore, International Application No. PCT / EP2005 / 004183 (WO 2005/100147) discloses a positioning device for such an aerodynamic profile element, wherein the tension of the tension cable is below a predetermined value. A winch is provided that allows the aerodynamic profile element to be retracted or extended, respectively, when or above.

  Such profile elements and setting systems are used in particular as a drive mechanism for ships, but basically by using the tension cable force to generate energy through the tension cable unwinding and retracting cycle, It can also be used to generate energy, for example electrical energy. For this purpose, the profile element can be used fixed on land, or it can be used fixed or movable in the sea.

International Publication No. 2006/027194 International Publication No. 2006/027195 International Publication No. 2005/100150 International Publication No. 2005/100147

  The techniques described in the above publications include the basic techniques required to drive a watercraft by aerodynamic profile elements, particularly kites. For relatively large watercraft, the basic challenges that must be solved to economically realize the drive concept with connected and free-flying aerodynamic profile elements are necessary to generate sufficient drive force Due to the size of the profile elements taken, the control methods known from the field of sports cannot be employed, or can be employed only to a limited extent. In particular, the method for launching and retrieving relatively small kites cannot be employed in the significantly larger aerodynamic profile elements required to drive a ship economically. . The process and retrieval of large aerodynamic profile elements presents special challenges with respect to the realization of the relevant drive concept.

  The first problem involved here is that the state of the wind governing the vicinity of the ground is often too weak, and the profile elements are not consistent in terms of strength and direction. It is difficult to produce a stable flight attitude. This makes the profile elements more difficult to control as the profile elements fly lower.

  The object of the present invention is to develop the drive system in such a way that a reliable execution of the launch and retrieval procedure is achieved.

  A further problem that arises before and after the retrieval of the profile element is that the collapsed state, which is as compact as possible, must be in the expanded state, and vice versa. There is a point that must be. This procedure is typically referred to as sailing and contracting.

  In this regard, an aerodynamic profile element of the type described in the opening part of this specification typically extends substantially transversely, in which case a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the transverse direction. The center is curved from the center toward each lateral end. Typically, the longitudinal extent of the profile element is less than the lateral extent. Finally, the structure of the profile element comprising two layers arranged in parallel relation to each other provides a depth spread that is perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal directions, Typically, it is slight compared to the lateral and longitudinal extents. In the longitudinal cross section, the depth spread typically varies over the entire length of the profile element, forming a blade cross section with an upper low pressure side and a lower high pressure side shaped to produce lift. ing.

  According to a further aspect, another object of the present invention is to provide a profile element that efficiently enables sailing from a folded state to a stretched state and sailing from a stretched state to a folded state. Is to provide.

  A further problem with large dimension profile elements is that the profile element profile is specifically and intentionally stabilized or unstable. This is typically accomplished by filling the interior space of the profile with air or exhausting air from the interior space, such air being preferably high pressure air compared to the atmosphere. According to a still further aspect, it is an object of the present invention to ensure that such profile element stabilization and destabilization is performed even for large dimension profile elements.

  A further problem with the firing and retrieval procedure is that the control of the profile element in the area near the ground cannot be reliably performed with only appropriate control means of the tension cable and the profile element itself. In particular, in such a manner, a specific and targeted operation of the connecting device is almost impossible when the dimensions of the profile element are large. For this purpose, it is known from the above-mentioned patent application to use a guide cable that is connected to the profile element and can be connected to the firing and retrieval mechanism in each of the firing and retrieval processes. Of course, the control of profile elements in the area near the ground can be improved by such a guide mechanism, but the manipulation of the profile elements can lead to the pulling or unwinding of tension cables, guide cables, and further contracted lines. Since it must be done in a parallel and time-harmonized relationship, it is a very complex procedure and the control of such a procedure is susceptible to mistakes. According to a further aspect, the object of the invention is to simplify the control of profile elements in the vicinity of the ground, in particular to simplify the guidance of profile elements to the part of the connecting device attached to the ship. There is.

  A further object of the present invention is to improve the flight safety of profile elements, particularly with respect to other aircraft flying in the airspace above the driven watercraft.

  These and other objectives are achieved by the present invention. According to a first aspect of the present invention, an aerodynamic profile element of the kind described in the opening part of the description, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the profile element in order to stabilize the aerodynamic profile Developed by a bar member, the bar member being attached to the upper layer and / or the lower layer and / or the web, wherein at least one of the shortening lines is a fixing point of the first end A profile element is provided that changes direction in the bar member from a reduced sailline portion extending laterally of the profile element of the upper or lower layer to a reduced sailline portion extending in the longitudinal direction.

  In this regard, the sailline may be in the form of a line that is substantially rigid in the longitudinal direction, i.e. cannot be stretched, or that is elastic in the longitudinal direction over the entire length or in the region of the individual part. It may be in form.

  The profile element according to the invention has a bar member that extends in the longitudinal direction and thus stabilizes the profile of the profile element in the longitudinal direction. This bar member is preferably arranged in the center in the transverse direction and further in the center in the depth direction between the upper and lower layers of the profile element. The shortened line is preferably redirected by a deflecting roller located on the bar member. This is done at a stable fixing point inside the profile element so that it can be guided longitudinally or longitudinal-laterally from the rod member to the fixing point on the profile element in the interior space or outside of the profile element. Allows changes in line direction to occur. After turning in the bar member, the reduced sail line can be guided longitudinally along the bar member, e.g. from the profile element at the leading edge. This provides a clever guiding effect that is free from unwanted tangles and cable catches, while at the same time maneuvering the sailline is easier.

  According to a first development, it is preferred that the bar member extends only part of the total length of the layer, in particular only about one third of the total length of the layer. This development reduces the profile element from a stretched state having a long longitudinal extent to a folded state that is reduced to a longitudinal extent corresponding to the length of the shortened bar member. And allows for a significantly reduced folding dimension in terms of length compared to a profile element with a full length bar member. The change in the direction of the reduced sail line on the bar member and the possibility of arranging the reduced sail line in the longitudinal / lateral direction means that it is not necessary to extend the reduced sail line exactly in the longitudinal direction, This development is based on the recognition that the diagonally extending part means that it does not interfere with the contraction and extension. As an option, in this embodiment, the shortening line may extend in the longitudinal direction, in which case the contraction line is centered in the rear region of the profile element in the region not stabilized by the bar member. And then turn sideways. When such a contracted line is contracted, there is a rapid decrease in the length of the profile element in the longitudinal direction, which is often advantageous for landing operations.

  The at least one contracted line portion extending in the lateral direction of the upper or lower layer is such that when the contracted line portion is pulled, the contraction of the layer occurs laterally and longitudinally. It is further preferred if, in a way, it extends at least partially obliquely with respect to the transverse direction. The fact that the shortening line extends diagonally in at least a partial manner in this way means that the shortening is brought about both longitudinally and laterally by the shortening line, This means that the number can be reduced, and as a result, the sailing operation can be simplified.

  In this regard, it is particularly preferred to combine this embodiment with an embodiment having a rod member with a short length, in particular with a rod member whose length is shortened to one third of the total length, The compactly folded configuration of the profile elements, which is possible thanks to the short bar members, can be achieved with the diagonally extending sailline portion.

  A further development of the profile element according to the invention is that at least two shortened line sections fixed to the profile element are connected together, rotate in the contracted line section, and share a common contracted line. Providing at least two contracted line sections that are contracted and extended beyond the roller to which the extension is secured. In this way, a kind of cable balancing means is inserted into the contracted sail line. A cable balancing means designed in this way makes it possible to provide a variable contraction of two contracted lines fixed to the profile element, the pulling force being one contracted for the purpose of contracting. This pulling force is applied to the line extension, and when the resistance temporarily increases in one of the shortened line parts, only the other reduced line part is drawn, resulting in tearing of the reduced line. Is transmitted by the cable balancing means to the two contraction sections in such a way that the risk of

  In this regard, it is particularly preferred to provide a plurality of such cable balancing means, in particular the cable balancing means can be provided in a cascade arrangement, i.e. the two shortened line extensions are in the manner of the reduced sail line part. And connected to the extension of the reduced sail line extension by cable balancing means, and so on.

  According to a further aspect of the present invention, the development of the profile element described in the opening part of the specification or the profile element described above provides a central shortening cable to the first end of the central shortening cable. All second ends of the shortening line are connected, and the central shortening cable or the second end of the shortening line extends from the front end of the profile element to the lateral direction of the profile element. Extending in the direction of the axis of symmetry arranged in a symmetrical manner, the second end thereof in such a way that the central shortening cable can function as a guide cable for the launch and retrieval of the profile element Is releasably secured between the first and second ends of the central tension cable.

  This development makes it possible to dispense with a separate guide cable, which is necessary according to the state of the art. Alternatively, the profile element can be guided in the required manner near the ground by means of a central shortening cable. When retrieving the profile element, typically the resistance caused by the filled interior space of the profile element against shrinkage on the one hand until the profile element is connected to the part of the connecting device attached to the ship This resistance allows guidance by the central shortening cable without undesirably excessive shrinkage, while on the other hand, prior to connection of the connecting device to the part attached to the ship, With the understanding that the specifically controlled sailing of profile elements is advantageous in many cases and can be preferably tolerated even if the profile elements are guided by a central sailing cable. This aspect of the invention is based.

  In this regard, the central sail cable can be releasably connected to the tension cable by a connecting device. The connecting device can be connected to a fixed position on the tension cable, and is preferably fixed to the tension cable in such a way that the second end can slide along the tension cable. Is designed.

  In a further development of the profile element described above, there is a cable clamping device located in the area of the profile element and configured to releasably clamp the central sail cable or the sail line. This cable clamping device is designed to prevent unintentional shortening of the profile element or by blocking the contraction line or the central contraction cable in the region of the profile element when the profile element is guided by the central contraction cable. It makes it possible to prevent sailing.

  In this regard, the profile element is provided with a longitudinally extending bar member, and the cable clamping device automatically clamps when there is a tension in the central shortened cable, to the bar member in the region of the leading edge of the profile element. It is particularly preferred that it is connected to an operating means that allows the cable-clamping device to be opened. This development makes it possible to externally control the cable clamp of the shortened line or the centrally shortened cable. As a result, for example, the clamping action is effective until connection occurs, or immediately after disconnection, thus preventing unintentional sailing / shrinking, but after connection or disconnection, the profile element is contracted. The cable clamping action can be eliminated when connected to the part of the connecting device attached to the ship, as is possible with the sail or extended sail connected. In particular, the clamping means can be automatically removed by automatically operating the operating means when the connecting device is connected to a part attached to the ship.

  According to the invention, in a further aspect, a profile element of the type described in the opening part of the description or of the type described above, wherein the internal space is variable at least one vent hole and the at least one vent hole. A profile element is provided having a closure device for closing.

  This aspect of the invention is based on the understanding that in the case of relatively large sized profile elements, especially the fact that the air in the interior space cannot be escaped in the required manner, the sailing is prevented. Yes. In order to address this drawback and at the same time do not deteriorate the flight characteristics and shape stability of the profile element, the profile element has a vent hole that can be variably closed. In this way, vent holes can be opened when the profile element is desired to be shrunk, and in this way the air in the interior space can be expelled from the interior space more quickly, but in flight conditions, The shape of the profile element can be stabilized by keeping the hole closed.

  In this regard, the vent hole is in the form of an elongated slit, and each rod member that is elastically deformable is fixed along at least one edge of the hole, preferably along both edges of the vent hole. The open cable is fixed to both ends of the bar member so that when the pull is applied to the open cable, the bar member is elastically bent and the vent hole is opened. It is particularly preferable. This development, on the one hand, meets the requirements for a lightweight construction of the profile elements, and on the other hand provides a unique structure that allows a reliable opening and closing of the vent holes. In this regard, the bar members can be fixed in various ways along the longitudinal edges of the slit, and optionally the bar members can be fixed together, for example, at the ends of the bar members. It can be articulatable or rigidly stitched, resulting in an oval or lens-shaped opening when the two bar members are placed along both longitudinal edges of the slit.

  In an embodiment with vents, the vents are arranged in a region located in the low pressure region outside the profile element when the profile element is in flight, in particular the region between the trailing edges of the layers or It is preferable to arrange in the upper layer. This arrangement of the vent holes allows the air in the interior space to be expelled from the interior space very quickly, and in particular in the case of large sized profile elements, the sailing operation can be greatly speeded up.

  According to a further aspect of the present invention, in the development of a profile element of the type described in the introductory part of the present specification or a profile element as described above, the region between the leading edges of the upper and lower layers is a profile element. Has a plurality of air intake openings around its longitudinal centerline and is closed in the outer region. In contrast to the design of smaller kite designs, the aerodynamics and flight stability of larger sized kites can be reduced only for a portion of the longitudinal edge, particularly the portion located around the longitudinal centerline. It has been found that the opening of the leading edge of the occupying kite or profile element can be improved while closing other areas, in particular the majority of the leading longitudinal edge.

  In this respect, it is particularly preferred if the air intake opening occupies 10-30%, preferably 30%, of the surface to which the leading wind strikes, i.e. the front face of the aerodynamic profile element or the leading edge of the blade.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the air intake opening is held open by the slats. In this regard, the configuration of such an air intake opening that is held open by the slats can be adapted to, for example, the configuration of the vents described above, or such that is held open by the slats. The configuration of the air intake opening may rely on a plurality of bar members that are arranged along the edges of the air intake opening and connected to each other.

  According to a further aspect of the invention, in the development of a profile element of the type described in the opening part of the description or of the above-mentioned type, at least one, preferably a plurality of signal devices, preferably a self-luminous signal element, Placed on the cable. In this way, it can be ensured that no other aircraft overlooks the pull cable extending from the profile element to the watercraft, and the overall system operation safety can be improved. In this regard, it is preferable to use a self-luminous signal element, i.e. a signal element that generates light when connected to a power source, particularly for nighttime operation.

  In this regard, in particular, the signaling device can have red and white signal elements, preferably self-luminous omnidirectional indicator lights, alternately fixed to the tension cable at intervals of about 100 meters.

  In situations where the signal means is self-luminous, it is preferred that the signal means be inductively coupled to a current carrying line extending through the tension cable to provide energy. This type of energy supply is on the one hand very reliable, on the other hand in this respect, in particular in many cases for gondola tension cables arranged below the profile element (in any case due to the profile element control procedure). Use power transmission by

  According to a further aspect of the present invention, in the development of the launch / recovery mechanism described in the opening part of the specification, the connecting device includes a receiving space defined by two vertically extending side walls, The second end can receive the front end of the bar member, and the receiving space is defined by the abutting wall toward the first horizontal rear side and is in the opposite relation to the first horizontal rear side. The horizontal front side and the upper side are open to introduce the front end of the bar member from this side or the upper side.

  The connecting device provided in this way is a departure from the previous idea, which allows a very reliable firing and a very reliable recovery of the profile element, in particular when the profile element is fixed and held in place. It is. Rather, this development of the present invention allows loading on individual components of the overall system (especially the bar members of the profile element) even with the specific mobility of the profile element connected. Based on the recognition that it can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, this configuration of the launch / recovery mechanism allows firing and retrieval of the profile element at multiple flight positions and flight directions of the profile element. A configuration that opens upward and forward of the receiving space means that the bar member can be connected and disconnected from both upward and forward. This is advantageous for a series of firing and retrieval operations.

  In this regard, the receiving space is preferably defined by side walls, preferably shaped in a funnel manner, in order to facilitate the retrieval of the profile element and the introduction of the bar member associated therewith into the receiving space.

  According to a first advantageous embodiment, in the development of the launch / recovery mechanism according to the invention, the connecting device comprises a horizontal and / or vertical axis, and in the state in which the rod members are connected horizontally and / or It can be pivoted about a vertical axis. This development provides a predetermined pivoting of the profile element (especially the bar member). In this regard, the horizontal axis can be embodied as a component in the connection device with respect to the device structure, or can be embodied in the form of a vertical axis through the cooperation of a lever or the like.

  In this regard, especially when the shaft is connected to a spring member and / or a damper member for elastically returning the connected rod member to the reference angular direction or to damp the pivoting of the rod member preferable. For controlled firing and retrieval procedures in such a way that on the one hand high levels of acceleration and high speed are not achieved with respect to pivoting, but on the other hand a restoring force is applied to return the rod member to the desired reference position. It has been found that the free mobility of should preferably be limited. This can be achieved by a configuration with damping and elastic return.

  Further development of the launch / recovery mechanism according to the invention is made possible by a locking device for fixing the bar member in a vertical and / or horizontally oriented angular position. This makes it possible to maintain the orientation of the angle of the bar member with respect to the mast in a fixed position, for example after completion of the sailing of the profile element, preventing unwanted pivoting in the vertical plane.

  In that case, the locking device can include a closing member which can be moved in particular in the horizontal direction, this closing member closing the upper opening area of the receiving space in the locked position and the receiving space in the unlocked position. Open the upper opening area.

  According to a further preferred embodiment, in the development of the launch / recovery device, at least one cover flap can be arranged on the mast head, in particular on the connecting device, when the bar member is connected to the mast head. The air intake opening of the profile element can be covered. When the profile element is located in the area of the mast head or connected to the mast head, the dynamic pressure generated by the air intake opening of the profile element inside the profile element makes the shape more stable and shrinks The cover flap prevents the work from becoming more difficult. In this regard, in particular, there can be a cover flap for each of the air intake openings of the profile element, such that such cover flaps can preferably be located in front of the air intake opening in any connection state. Can rotate in the same manner as the connecting device around the vertical axis and possibly the horizontal axis of the head.

  In order to reduce the height, at least part of the height must be reversed, or the mast must be flipped at least partly so that it does not interfere with the movement of the driven watercraft once fired. It can be configured to be able to articulate about one axis. Further development of the launch / recovery mechanism allows the mast to telescopically expand or contract instead of or in addition to the articulation options described above. In this manner, the launch height required for larger dimension profile elements can be reliably achieved without the need to install a large sized mast mechanism that interferes with the rest of the vessel's operation.

  A further aspect of the invention is a drive mechanism for a vessel comprising a profile element of the type described above and a launch / recovery mechanism, wherein the mast is arranged in the bow region of the vessel and the tension cable is in the direction of movement. The drive mechanism is pivoted to the traction point of the bow area of the ship, which is arranged at about one third of the total length of the profile element in front of the mast. The traction point, i.e. the position where the tension cable is fixed to the watercraft or the position where the tension cable is redirected to the fixed position, is preferably from the mast fixing point on the watercraft to the length of the profile element. It is clear that they are placed in a given relationship of one third. In this regard, it is assumed that the mast extends vertically. This spacing does not require a large guide force to be transmitted by the mast head to the profile element for either launch or retrieval, but rather the profile element tension cable that is connected and free to fly is suitable for the tension cable. To substantially hold the profile element in the proper spacing relative to the mast head when pulled to allow both a reliable firing procedure and a reliable retrieval procedure.

1 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a kite tension wire according to the present invention. FIG. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the kite shown in Fig. 1. It is the schematic figure of the kite which has the structure of the gondola and the shortened sail line diagonally downward from the front part. It is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a shortened sail line. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a guide line clamping mechanism in the front kite stick area. Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the function of a clamp for a shortened line. The figure which illustrates the principle of the function of the vent hole which can be closed variably is shown, (a) is a figure in which an air vent is in an open position, (b) is a figure in which an air vent is in a closed position. It is. A top-down view of the mast head for connecting the kite to the watercraft is shown. A view of the mast head looking up from behind is shown. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the procedure for launching and retrieving the kite from the mast head to the mast head. Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a mast head and a further embodiment of a kite adapted for the mast head. Partial cross-sectional side views of a portion of the mast head with the kite head inserted are shown in the locked and unlocked positions. The perspective view which looked down diagonally from the front about the mechanism for regulation of the vertical and horizontal directions of the connecting device in a mast head is shown. The perspective view which looked down diagonally from the front about the mechanism for regulation of the vertical and horizontal directions of the connecting device in a mast head is shown. The perspective view which looked down diagonally from the front about the mechanism for regulation of the vertical and horizontal directions of the connecting device in a mast head is shown.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2, an aerodynamic profile element in the form of a kite 100 according to the present invention comprises a first upper layer 111 and a second lower layer 112. In the front view shown in FIG. 1, between the leading edges 111a and 112a, four openings 120a-d that function to take air into the internal space between the upper and lower layers 111, 112 are visible. . The openings 120 a to 120 d are arranged around the horizontal longitudinal axis of the kite 100. No opening is provided in the outer region between the front edges 111a and 112a.

  The upper and lower layers 111 and 112 are integrally connected by a plurality of webs 121. The composite structure composed of the upper and lower layers 111 and 112 and the web 121 thus configured is connected to the gondola 130 by a plurality of tensile wires. In this configuration, a plurality of tension wires are attached to the kite, and the gondola allows the tension wires to be gathered to such an extent that there are only six tension wires to be fixed to the gondola 130. Are tied in the direction of

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the profile elements are connected to the gondola 130 in the longitudinal direction also by a plurality of tension lines, and these tension lines are transverse to the tension lines shown in FIG. They are combined in the same way to the extent described above.

  A rigid bar member in the form of a kite stick 150 is secured along the longitudinal centerline of the kite 100 between the upper and lower layers 111, 112. The kite stick 150 extends over approximately one third of the overall length of the kite 100. A guide line 142 is guided on the kite stick 150. The function of the guide line 142 will be described in more detail later.

  The gondola 130 is connected to a watercraft driven by the kite 110 to the gondola 130 and thus to the tension cable 143 connecting the profile elements. The guide wire 142 is guided by a releasable slide ring 144 so that it can be displaced on the tension cable 143.

  3 and 4 schematically show the arrangement and configuration of the contracted sail lines for kite sailing and sailing. A kite 210 shown schematically is connected by a plurality of tension lines 240 to a gondola 230 that can transmit the pulling force of the kite to the watercraft by means of a central tension cable 243.

  A plurality of contracted sail lines extend inside the kite 210, and each has a respective portion 260a, b extending in the lateral direction of the kite. Such portions 260a, b of the shortened line are fixed to the outer edge of the kite 210 at outer fixing points 261a, b. Each of the contracted sail lines 260a, b has a length of the contracted sail line extending in the longitudinal direction by deflection rollers 251a, b fixed to the kite stick 250 (fixed along the longitudinal center line of the kite). The direction is changed to parts 262a, b. These longitudinally shortened sailline portions 262 a, b extend to a kite head 252 fixed to the front end of the kite stick 250.

  In this embodiment, all the shortened line portions 262a, b are connected to the central reduced cable 263 outside the kite. In the illustrated embodiment, the central shortening cable 263 simultaneously exhibits a guide cable and is guided on the tension cable 243 by a releasable ring member 244.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the sections 260a, b of the contracted sail line do not necessarily extend exactly in the longitudinal direction of the kite 210, but can extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. That is, for example, the contracted sail line 260a changes its direction at the rear end of the kite stick 250 and is fixed to the kite 210 in the rear corner region by the fixing point 261a. However, since the kite stick 250 does not extend over the entire length of the kite 210, but only occupies approximately two-thirds of the total length in the illustrated embodiment, , And extends obliquely from the inside toward the outside toward the outside. Accordingly, the portion of the contracted sail line 260a allows a laterally contracted component to be generated in addition to the longitudinally contracted sail when the contracted sail line 260a is drawn.

  FIG. 5 shows a clamping device 270 in the area of the kite head 252. As can be seen, the arrangement of the reduced sail cable 263 and the reduced sail line shown in FIG. 3 and 4, in contrast to the illustration shown in FIGS. Guided through head 252.

  The pull line 263 is guided in the region of the kite head by a clamping device 270 fixed to the kite stick 250. The clamping device 270 is configured to adjust the tension line 263 and the shortening line 262a, depending on the degree of the contraction of the kite 210, that is, depending on the position of the contraction / guide line 263 and the contraction line 262a, b with respect to the clamp. It is designed to be able to clamp both b.

  The clamp device 270 includes a tension spring 271 that holds the clamp device in a clamped state. In other words, in normal flight conditions, the clamping device is closed and it is not possible to pull the sail / guide cable 263 out of the kite head. In this manner, under normal flight conditions, the sail / guide cable 263 can be used to guide the kite without causing unwanted kite sailing.

  The clamping device can be opened by manual or automatic operation of the lever 272. As will be explained in detail below, this lever can be activated automatically, especially when the kite head is connected to the mast head of the watercraft.

  Upon actuation of the lever 272, the clamping device 270 is released and the sail / guide cable 263 can be withdrawn from the kite head 252. In this manner, the contracted sail lines 262a, b can be pulled out of the kite through the clamping device, and the kite can be contracted in this manner. As soon as the contraction is complete, the lever 272 can be released again, and in this way the contracted state can be fixed by a clamp.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a clamping device for each of the reduced sail line or reduced sail / guide cable.

  The clamping device shown in FIG. 6 includes a fixed mating surface 373 provided with a plurality of ribs 374 that increase the friction against the contraction line or contraction / guide cables 362a, b, 363.

  A pivotable clamp body 375 that is pivotally supported by the rotary joint 376 is disposed in a relationship facing the fixed mating surface 373. The clamp body 375 is pushed to the clamping position by the compression spring 371 and has a plurality of ribs 377 on the clamping surface facing the sail / guide cable or the sail line, again to increase the effect of friction.

  A clamp release line 378 is attached to the clamp body near the pivot attachment point of the compression spring 371 to the clamp lever 375. The clamp release line 378 changes direction and passes out of the kite head in a parallel relationship with the reduced sail lines 363a, b. By pulling the clamp release line 378, the clamp body 375 can be pivoted from the clamp position, and the contracted sail lines 362a, b can be released to perform the contracted sail operation. This embodiment has the advantage that the clamping action can be removed remotely, for example when sailing is desired and the kite head is not connected to the mast head.

  7a and 7b schematically show vent holes 80a, b that can be variably opened and closed for venting the interior space of the kite.

  As can be clearly seen from FIG. 7b, the vent is in the form of a longitudinal slit and has two longitudinal edges 81, 82 extending in parallel relation to each other. Flexible slats are attached to the longitudinal edges 81, 82. The slats are fixedly connected to each other at three points 83a to 83c.

  The open line extends parallel to the slats between the fixed point 83a and the fixed point 83b at the first portion 84a of the open line that is passed through the deflecting roller 86 by changing the direction by 90 ° in the deflecting roller 85. Yes.

  The first portion 84a of the open line changes its direction by 180 ° at the deflection roller 86 and passes through the deflection roller 85a again. This return line portion is a constituent part of the second portion 82b of the open line extending between the fixing points 83b and 83c after the direction of the deflection roller 85 is changed by 90 °.

  The first part 84a of the open line is fixed to the fixing point 83a, the second part 84b of the open line is fixed to the fixing point 83c, and as a result, the first and second parts 84a, b of the open line are fixed. Together, it presents a line connection between the fixed point 83a and the fixed point 83c that change direction in the deflection rollers 85, 86.

  A second deflection roller 86 is connected to the open tension cable 87. This open tension cable 87 is not pulled in FIG. 7b. As shown by the arrow on the open tension cable in FIG. 7a, when the open tension cable 87 is pulled, the open wire portions 84a, b are also pulled, resulting in the fixing points 83a, 83c in the direction of the fixing point 83b. Be drawn to. As a result, the slats 81 and 82 are deformed to form 8-shaped openings 80a and 80b through which air in the interior space of the kite can flow out.

  8 and 9 show a connecting device that can be attached to the tip of the mast attached to the watercraft and in the area of the mast head. The mast, mast head, and connecting device function to enable the kite launch and retrieval procedure. After the launch has taken place, the force of the kite's pull cable is transmitted by a traction point located away from the mast, and the mast does not perform any function during normal movement movements, for example, The telescopic structure can be shortened.

  FIG. 8 shows the connecting device from the front and from above. As can be seen from here, the connection device 90 comprises a housing having side walls 91a, b defining the lateral direction of the receiving space. The accommodation space is open upward and forward. In the rear, the accommodation space 92 is defined by the abutment wall 93. The side walls 91a, b are converging downwards, thus providing a funnel shape in this direction. Further, the side walls 91a, b are rounded at the front edge and the upper edge. Both the rounded configuration of the side walls 91a, b and the converging arrangement make it easier to introduce the kite head into the receiving space 92.

  Horizontal and vertical pivot mechanisms of the connecting device are arranged behind the abutment wall 93 in the rear region. This mechanism will be described in more detail later.

  Above the horizontal and vertical pivot mechanisms, a lock plate 94 is disposed by being guided by guide rails 95a and 95b extending in the horizontal direction along the side walls 91a and 91b. The guide rail 95a, from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 10 to the locked position for locking the kite head disposed in the accommodation space by closing the accommodation space 92 from above. It can be moved along b.

  At the bottom of the receiving space in front of the abutment wall 93, an opening 96 is provided which extends downward through the connecting device, and this opening 96 can be seen in particular in FIG. It is configured to guide the shortening / guide cable to the deflection roller 97. The kite head can be guided to the receiving space 92 in this manner by a guide cable threaded through the opening 96.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows the procedure for docking or retrieving the kite 410 to and from the connection device 490 located on the telescopic mast 500 and the procedure for launching.

  As shown by the double-headed arrow A, a kite 410 having a kite head 492 at the front end approaches the connecting device 490 in the horizontal direction in the strong wind. In this case, the kite head 452 passes from the front part to the accommodation space 492. This movement is guided and assisted by a guide cable 463. The guide cable 463 is releasably secured to the tension cable 443 in normal flight operation and is removed from the tension cable 443 after the tension cable is pulled and passes through the opening 496 of the connecting device, and thus The kite head 452 can be retracted into the receiving space 492.

  A double-headed arrow B indicates the direction of recovery of the kite head 452 in a weak wind state. In this case, it is necessary to introduce the kite head 452 into the accommodation space 492 in a direction inclined forward and upward.

  A double arrow C indicates the typical firing direction of the kite head 452. In order to make control easier, the firing action is preferably performed upwards, i.e. in the vertical direction of movement.

  FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 590 to which the kite head 552 is connected. Kite head 552 includes a front portion 552a and an elongated rear portion 552b. The lower surface of the elongated rear portion 552b is retracted with respect to the front portion 552a, and there is a step between the front portion 552a and the rear portion 552b.

  A protrusion 598 is formed at the front end of the lower receiving surface of the receiving space 592 so as to match the step of the kite head 552.

  Such a configuration of the receiving space and the kite head is such that the kite head can first pass through the receiving space in the horizontal movement direction, and then move vertically downward after contacting the contact wall 593. Means.

  Lock plate 594 is shown in two positions in FIG. A position 594a represents a non-locking position where the kite head 552 can be taken in and out of the receiving space 592. By moving the lock plate 594 forward, the lock plate reaches the lock position 594b. In this position, the lock plate 594 is positioned above the kite head 552, making it impossible for the kite head to move upward. As a result, the protrusion 598 abuts against the front portion 552a of the kite head, so that the kite head is locked to the connecting device.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows a kite 610 provided with two air intake openings 620a, b arranged around a longitudinal centerline. Air intake openings are located on the left and right sides of the kite stick (not shown) when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the kite.

  Further, FIG. 11 shows a connection device 690. The connection device 690 includes two cover plates 699a, b attached to the connection device in such a way as to cover the air intake openings 620a, b when the kite 610 is connected to the connection device 690. This prevents further air from being taken into the interior space of the kite 610 and facilitates the sailing work of the kite 610.

  An operating lever is arranged in the area of the kite head and is connected to a clamping device for each of the shortening line or the shortening / guide cable. When the profile element is connected to the mast head, the operating lever 672 pivots by contacting the mast head and the clamping action of the clamping device is released.

  Figures 13a-c show a mechanical connection device to the mast of the connection device shown in Figs. A plate 700 and a plate 701 disposed perpendicular to the plate 700 are rigidly attached to the mast.

  A rotating shaft 702 connected to the cantilever arms 704 and 705 is attached to these plates. A deflection roller 797 that functions to change the direction of the guide cable when the kite head is guided into and out of the receiving space is rotatably attached to the cantilever arms 704 and 705.

  The rotational movement about the rotation shaft 702 is fixed by a damper member 706 having one end attached to the plate 700 and the other end attached to a cantilever arm 707 fixed to the cantilever arm 704.

  In this way, the rotating shaft 702 enables the connection device to pivot about the vertical axis.

  At the front end of the cantilever arms 704, 705, a pivoting device is provided that allows a slight pivoting of the two cantilever arms 708, 709 about the horizontal axis. This possibility of passive pivoting about the horizontal axis allows some degree of mobility for the connected kites, for example when forces that can be generated by gusts or ship movements act on the kites. Functions to relieve the load on the kite stick. It is also possible to lower the kite by pivoting about this axis.

100 Kite 111 Upper layer 111a Front edge 112 Lower layer 112a Front edge 120a-120d Opening 121 Web 130 Gondola 142 Guide line 143 Tension cable 144 Slide ring 150 Kite stick 210 Kite 230 Gondola 240 Tension line 243 Tension cable 250 Kite Sticks 251a, 251b Deflection roller 252 Kite heads 260a, 260b Sites extending in the lateral direction of the kite of the sailing line 261a, 261b Outer fixing points 262a, 262b Sites extending in the longitudinal direction of the sailing line 263 Sailing cable 264 Ring member 270 Clamp device 271 Tension spring 272 Lever 363 Sailing cable 371 Compression spring 374 Rib 373 Counter surface 375 Clamp body 376 Rotating joint 377 Rib 378 Clamp release line

Claims (25)

An aerodynamic profile element for generating energy by pulling force,
An upper flexible layer (111) extending laterally and longitudinally,
A lower flexible layer (112) extending parallel to the upper flexible layer and connected to the upper flexible layer by a plurality of webs (121) extending in the depth direction of the profile element;
An interior space filled with air between the upper and lower flexible layers;
At least one air intake opening (120a-d) for supplying air to the internal space arranged between two parallel leading edges of the upper and lower flexible layers;
-To connect the profile element to the watercraft, the first end is fixed to a spaced position on the profile element and the second end is connected to the tension cable (143 , 243 ) A plurality of tension lines (140a-f), and a first end configured to reduce or increase the size of the profile element by contracting or extending the upper and lower flexible layers A plurality of contraction lines (260a, 262a) fixed to the upper and lower flexible layers and / or webs
A profile element comprising
A central shortening cable (263) to which all the second ends of the shortened lines ( 260a, 262a ) are connected to a first end;
The second end portion of the central sail cable or the sail line extends from the front end of the profile element in the direction of the symmetrical axis that is arranged axisymmetrically with respect to the lateral direction of the profile element. And
Said central Chijimiho cable, the profile manner that can function as a guide cable for the launch and recovery of the components, the Te in the second end tensile cable (143, 243) first and second Fixed releasably (244) between the ends,
A profile element characterized by that.   The profile element according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the central sail cable is releasably connected to the tension cable by a connecting device.   3. Profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a cable clamping device (270) located in the region of the profile element and configured to releasably clamp the central sail cable or the sail line. element. A longitudinally extending rod member (250) ,
The cable clamping device is automatically clamped when there is a tension in the central shortened cable and is fixed to the bar member (250) in the region of the leading edge of the profile element, the cable clamping device The profile element according to claim 3, wherein the profile element is connected to an operating means enabling the opening of the profile element. The bar member (250) extends in the longitudinal direction of the profile element to stabilize the aerodynamic profile, the bar member being attached to the upper and / or lower flexible layer and / or web. And at least one of the contraction lines extends longitudinally from a contraction line portion (260a) extending laterally of the profile element of the upper or lower flexible layer from a fixed point of the first end. 5. The profile element according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the bar member is changed to a reduced sail line portion (262 a) extending in a direction. 6.   The profile element according to claim 5, characterized in that the bar (250) extends only part of the total length of the upper and lower flexible layers.   The at least one shortened line portion extending in the lateral direction of the upper or lower flexible layer is arranged such that when the tensile force is applied to the reduced sail line portion, the reduced sails of the upper and lower flexible layers are lateral. 7. Profile element according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it extends obliquely at least in part with respect to the transverse direction in such a way that it occurs in a direction and in a longitudinal direction.   At least two contracted line sections fixed to the profile element are connected together, rotate in the contracted section, and contract over a roller to which a common contracted line extension is fixed. 8. The profile element according to claim 5, wherein the profile element is sailed and extended.   The internal space has at least one vent hole (80a, 80b) and a closure device (81, 82, 84a, b) for variably closing the at least one vent hole. Item 9. The profile element according to any one of Items 1 to 8. The vent is in the form of an elongated slit;
A rod-like and elastically deformable member (81, 82) is fixed along at least one edge of the hole, and the open cable (84a, 84b) is moved when the open cable is pulled. profile element according to claim 9 in which the elastically deformable member so that said vent hole elastically bent open, characterized in that it is fixed to both ends of the elastically deformable member.   The profile element according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the vent hole is arranged in a region located in a low pressure region outside the profile element when the profile element is in a flight state. The region between the leading edges of the upper and lower flexible layers has a plurality of air intake openings (120a-d) around the longitudinal centerline of the profile element, and the lateral outer region The profile element according to claim 1, wherein the profile element is closed.   13. A profile element according to claim 12, characterized in that the air intake opening occupies 10-30% of the leading wind impinging surface, i.e. the front surface of the aerodynamic profile element or the leading edge of the wing.   14. A profile element according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the air intake opening is held open by a slat.   15. A profile element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of signaling devices are arranged on the tension cable.   The profile element according to claim 15, wherein the signal device comprises red and white signal elements. 17. A profile element according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the signaling device is self-luminous and is inductively coupled to a current carrying line extending through the tension cable to provide energy. A firing / recovery mechanism for a profile element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a longitudinally extending rod member,
A mast (500) with a mast head fixed to the upper end; and, arranged on the mast head, centered about a vertical axis (702) to connect the front end of the bar member to the mast head Rotating connection device (90)
A launch / recovery mechanism comprising
The connecting device includes a receiving space (92) defined by two vertically extending side walls (91a, b), the receiving space (92) receiving the front end (552) of the bar member. The receiving space (92) is defined by the abutment wall (93) toward the first horizontal side and toward the second horizontal side in an opposite relationship with respect to the first horizontal side. Is opened upward in order to introduce the front end of the bar member from this side or from above. Firing / recovery mechanism according to claim 18, characterized in that it is possible to pivot around said vertical straight axis (702) of the connection device in a state where the front Kibo member is connected. To the spring member and / or the damper member (706) for the vertical axis (702) to elastically return the connected rod member to the reference angle direction or to attenuate the pivot of the rod member. The launch / recovery mechanism of claim 19, wherein the launch / recovery mechanism is connected to   21. A launch / recovery mechanism according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a locking device (94) for fixing the bar member in a horizontal angular position.   The locking device includes a horizontally movable closing member (94) that closes the upper opening area of the housing space in the locked position and opens the upper opening area of the housing space in the unlocked position. The launch / recovery mechanism of claim 21 wherein:   At least one cover flap (699a, b) is disposed on the mast head and covers the air intake opening of the profile element when the bar member is connected to the mast head. The launch / recovery mechanism according to any one of claims 18 to 22.   24. Launch / recovery mechanism according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the mast can be telescopically expanded and / or folded around at least one axis. . A drive mechanism for a ship comprising a profile element according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and a launch / recovery mechanism according to any one of claims 18 to 24, comprising:
The mast is located in the bow area of the ship, and the pulling cable is located in the bow area of the ship where the tensioning cable is located approximately one third of the total length of the profile element in front of the mast. A drive mechanism characterized by being pivoted to

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