WO1990005663A1

WO1990005663A1 - Kite frame with inflatable compartment wing

Info

Publication number: WO1990005663A1
Application number: PCT/FR1989/000599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sylvain Berthomme
Original assignee: Voile Systeme
Priority date: 1988-11-24
Filing date: 1989-11-22
Publication date: 1990-05-31
Also published as: AU4638589A; EP0445186A1

Abstract

Kite frame, used in particular in wind-driven craft comprising a wing (10) composed of inflatable compartments (14) placed side by side, having air inlets (24) and interconnected by their lateral sides (16) and suspension cords (12) characterized in that the latter (12) are placed in a single row, at the rear of the leading edge and in that the profile section is self-gliding and a wing-type kite frame characterized in that a part of the trailing edge of each half-plane of the sail is stiffened so as to form an aileron and in that it comprises means for manoeuvring the stiffened part.

Description

Wing kite structure with inflatable boxes.

The present invention relates to a kite structure of the wing type with inflatable boxes for the game for the traction of mobile machines, for parachutes and paragliders as well as a piloting device.

Flying devices such as paragliders use structures of the wing type with inflatable boxes, parallel, provided with lines supporting the user and comprising means for adjusting the incidence of the wing relative to the apparent wind.

European patent application No. 0023137 describes a structure which can be used as a kite and which allows adjustment of the positioning in azimuth and / or relative to the horizon.

This structure comprises a wing with parallel inflatable boxes of substantially rectangular shape. At the height of the leading edge, immediately below the air inlets of the boxes allowing them to inflate, a deformable arch is arranged, the length of which is equal to the width of the wing. Two links are attached to the ends of the arch to allow control of the kite.

The arch is more particularly rigid in its central part and deformable at its ends, in proportion to the force of the wind. The goal is to improve the stability of the kite during the different phases of flight.

Such a structure has drawbacks as to its implementation because it is necessary to put the roll bar on the wing before takeoff, the size remains considerable during storage, even if the roll bar is in several parts and the price of the device is increased by the same amount, the roll bar having very specific flexibility characteristics.

The present invention relates to a kite structure with inflatable boxes whose flight stability is increased, which can be used in a very wide range of wind forces, whose cost and size are reduced by eliminating of any accessory other than the fabric and the lines, whose implementation is easy. To this end, the kite structure according to the invention comprises parallel boxes with air inlets arranged at the front of each of said boxes, interconnected by their lateral faces and lines and is characterized in that 'It comprises a single row of lines arranged behind the leading edge and in that the profile is self-planing.

Furthermore, according to another characteristic, the lines are fixed in the area of greatest lift.

The structure is characterized in that the points of attachment of the lines to the boxes are arranged along a line parallel to the leading edge on the underside of these boxes. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the structure comprises five lines.

On the other hand, along the longitudinal axis of the boxes the lower surface is shorter than the upper surface.

According to another characteristic the prof il of the lateral faces of the boxes forming ribs is such that the rear of the boxes is curved upwards from the lower surface towards the upper surface. The kite structure is also characterized in that the profile in the plane of the wing is of the V or Δ type, the point or the top constituting the top of the leading edge.

These wings with inflatable boxes of the kite or paraglider type consist of a sail plane which comprises several boxes connected to each other, each volume being separated from the adjacent volume by a rib. The boxes are open on their front face in the direction of advance so as to allow the inflation of these boxes, the rigidity of the structure being ensured by the only air pressure in these boxes. In the case of the integral suspension lines of the lower surface of the wing make it possible to support the user generally by means of a harness towards which all the suspension lines converge.

Furthermore, in order to be able to control this type of wing, an area of the trailing edge of the wing is provided with wire controls, actuable by the user. The areas concerned are generally the rear left and right angles of the airfoil which the user can bend downwards. Such an operation when it is operated by the user only on one of the sides causes a turn on the side on which the traction is exerted. When landing for the paraglider, the user pulls on both sides simultaneously to cause the wing to brake. These maneuvers are applicable to known type wings, but their efficiency and precision are not perfect. In addition, the wings used include a large number of lines attached to the wing at different points on the underside. lower part of the airfoil along the leading edge, at the rear part of the airfoil, upstream from the trailing edge, along the deformable part and finally all along the trailing edge so as to be able to bend it . The drag is therefore very important, which limits the performance of this type of wing.

This wing therefore requires very few lines, thereby reducing drag. Furthermore, the piloting of this wing is carried out by traction on the trailing edge, more particularly in the angles, so as to bend these. It turned out that during excessive pulling on the trailing edge, the profile reverses and is no longer self-planing.

The invention therefore also relates to a wing structure with inflatable caissons of the paraglider type which can be controlled in a precise and adaptable manner whatever the profile of the wing, including the self-planing profiles, the drag of which is limited, including the additional elements are not detrimental to the weight of the assembly, while improving safety.

To this end, the wing structure with inflated boxes of the paraglider type according to the invention comprises lines integral with the boxes and connected to a harness which supports the user, and control cables connected to the rear part of the half-planes. left and right of the airfoil and this structure is characterized in that at least part of the trailing edge of each half-plane is stiffened so as to form a fin and in that it comprises means for operating this stiffened part . According to a particular characteristic of the invention, at least two ribs arranged symmetrically in each of the left and right half-planes each comprise a joint arranged at the right of the fin.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least two stiffened ribs, arranged symmetrically in each of the half-planes of the airfoil, each comprise a V-shaped bellows extending over the entire height of the rib and produced in a flexible material supporting the folding, this bellows being disposed in line with the fin so as to make the rear part of this rib movable in its plane.

The wing according to the invention is also characterized in that it comprises means for operating the fin which comprise at least one rope connected to said fin, which crosses the wing and whose free end is connected to the harness.

According to a particular characteristic, each rope is fixed by one of its ends to the mobile part of the rib supporting the fin.

The invention is described in detail below according to a particular embodiment with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kite structure according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a kite structure,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 represents a top view of a wing structure with inflatable caissons according to the invention provided with its fins, FIG. 5 represents a vertical section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, with the fin in the initial position,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view identical to that of FIG. 5 with the fin in the raised position,

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4,

FIG. B represents a variant of the passage of the control rod of the aileron through the airfoil,

- Figure 9 shows the passage of the control line and the arrangement of the fin in the case of a fin profile movable downwards, and - Figure 10 is a partial view in vertical section along line 10-10 in Figure 9.

The kite structure shown in FIG. 1 comprises a wing 10 of the self-planing type and lines 12.

The airfoil 10 comprises boxes 14 juxtaposed by their lateral faces 16, which when they are adjoining constitute ribs 18, while the free faces of. two lateral boxes 20 and 22 correspond to the lateral ends of said wing. Each box is provided with an air inlet 24 on the front of the wing, at the level of the leading edge. These air inlets have an inclined opening plane, relative to the plane of the airfoil so as to facilitate the admission of air, as shown more precisely in FIG. 2.

Furthermore, if we consider the upper face of the wing or upper surface 26 and the lower face 28 or lower surface, it can be seen that the length of this the latter is lower than that of the upper surface as shown in FIG. 3.

The airfoil 10 also has a particular shape on the rear, the airfoil is inclined upwards, this by cutting the sides of the boxes or ribs so as to curve the trailing edge.

In Figure 1, there are shown five lines 12 whose distribution is perfectly symmetrical, namely one in the center, two lateral and two in the middle of each half wing plane.

In addition the lines 12 are arranged along a line parallel to the leading edge and set back therefrom, in the area of greatest lift. The lines are attached directly to the underside of the corresponding boxes.

In Figure 1, the perspective view shows the curved shape that takes the wing under the effect of the wind when a resistant force is ex er ced at the free ends of the lines. Furthermore, this sail plan also has a V shape as shown in FIG. 2, the point of the V corresponding to the center of the leading edge.

The lines 12 can be grouped together on the same connecting cable or on the same control bar (not shown) so as to allow the user to make the structure make the desired turns in a known manner using connected handles at the ends of the cable or bar.

Furthermore, control lines 30 are arranged at the rear angles of the airfoil for braking in the case of a paraglider use. The operation of the structure will now be described.

The kite structure is unfolded and the wing being placed flat on the ground, air intake facing the wind, the user facing the wind, by pulling on the lines, allows the start of inflation of the caissons which stiffens the sails and allows its flight in relation to the apparent wind.

The profile being self-planing, the airfoil stabilizes according to the wind with the good incidence compared to the apparent wind.

The structure is very stable and the turns on one side are obtained by pulling on the lines on the same side.

As for the control lines, they make it possible to brake the wing by a simultaneous actuation in the same direction and to increase the actions of the lateral lines during turns in order to turn tighter by an actuation on one or the other of the lines. .

Such a kite structure has given complete satisfaction during tests, including with strong winds, showing excellent stability and great ease of use. As for the size, it is reduced to a minimum which allows it to be used for many applications, only the sail area changing to be adapted to the effort required.

Such a structure can be used for the traction of floating nautical machines, of land vehicles such as beach tanks, but also as a means of traction on survival craft. Adjustments can be made to such a structure without modifying its characteristics. This is how the boxes are closed at their rear ends but can be opened with air outlets, the outlet section being smaller than the inlet section.

On the other hand, grids can be placed on the air inlets in order to prevent any entry of solid foreign bodies into the boxes.

Similarly, the shape of the V-shaped sail plan can be changed in favor of a shape A.

The number of lines must also be adapted according to the application.

FIG. 4 shows a wing 110, comprising inflatable boxes 112 provided with an opening 114 on the leading edge, the boxes 112 being juxtaposed and separated by ribs 116. The lower surface and upper surface of the the blades are made of light fabric, just like the ribs 116 for separating the boxes. On either side of the median plane certain ribs 118, distributed symmetrically, are stiffened by means of a plastic film such as that formalized under the name of Mylar. The part of the trailing edge 122 of the airfoil located in line with these stiffened ribs 118 is also stiffened to form a fin 120.

As best shown in the section in FIG. 5, the rib 118 comprises a part 120, a V-shaped bellows 124 forming a joint 126. This V-shaped bellows is made of a flexible material supporting the folding, such as the fabric used for the realization of the wing, directly sewn in 128 on the rib. Rib 118 has a movable rear part 130, relative to the fixed part 132 which makes up the major part of the rib. In the example shown, the profile is self-planing and the V is oriented opening upwards.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the wing 110 also includes control cables 134, moving parts 130 of the ribs, these cables allow the control of the wing 120. The cables 134 are connected to the mobile part , more particularly near the V-shaped bellows 124 and near the upper surface.

The lower surface of the wing is provided with a hole 136, located substantially to the right of the user in the flight position and generally reinforced with an eyelet through which the rope 134. This rope extends up to the harness of the user so that it is within reach of the latter. In known manner the rope is completed by a control handle. Likewise, the harness (not shown) is hooked to the lines 138 secured to the wing.

In FIG. 6, the rope 134 is shown in the position after traction and the movable part 130 is shown in the raised position. The V-shaped bellows 124 is folded and the opening angle of the V has been reduced.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view which shows the lower surface 140 and the upper surface 142 of the fin 120. The control cables 134 are grouped together on the same central ring so as to define a single control 144 on the left and a straight symmetrical control. The operation of the fins 120 of the wing 110 is described below. The user, being suspended from the wing by his harness and the lines 138, has handy controls 144 right and left allowing to act on the right and left ailerons. Thus the user who exerts traction on the left control 144 raises the corresponding aileron which causes a left turn of the wing. As soon as the user releases the control 144, the air flow brings the fin back to its stable position, that is to say with the bellows 124 stretched.

When landing, the user, by pulling on the two controls 144 right and left causes effective braking of the wing. Given the relatively small size of the fins and their high rigidity, the operating precision is increased and the efficiency is increased. Thus, during turns, the amplitude of movement of the aileron is low, which causes low resistance to advancement, this maneuver therefore does not slow down the speed of horizontal movement in favor of the speed of fall.

According to a variant, the different ropes 134 can pass from one box to the other through the ribs to be grouped in one of the boxes so that only the control 144 is visible outside the wing. In this case, the drag due to the ropes is completely eliminated and only the resistance due to the two controls 144 remains, this drag being relatively weak.

According to another variant shown in FIG. 8, the control cables can be arranged outside the wing above the upper surface, in this case the rope 134 passes beforehand through a hole 146, generally provided with a preyu eyelet on the surface of the upper surface and then through a hole 136, provided in the lower surface, identical to the hole provided in the main variant.

FIG. 9 shows a wing of known type without self-planing profile, provided with a fin 120 which must in this case be maneuvered from its initial position downwards unlike the self-planing profile. In this case, the rope 134, prior to passing through the hole 136 provided in the lower surface must pass through a hole 148 provided in the stiffened rib 118 so that the rope 134 exerts traction in a direction such that it allows the operation of the movable part 130 downwards taking into account that the bellows 124 is V-shaped but that the opening is directed downwards.

Figure 10 is a sectional view through a vertical plane which shows the fin 120 and more particularly the lower surface 140 and the upper surface 142, as well as the path of the cables 134 through the rib and through the lower surface.

The wing structure as just described is applicable to paragliders but also to kites or thick sails comprising inflatable boxes.

Claims

1. Kite structure used in particular for pulling mobile vehicles using the wind, comprising a wing (10) made up of juxtaposed inflatable boxes (14), provided with air intake (24) and connected between them by their lateral faces (16) and lines (12) characterized in that these lines (12) are arranged in a single row, behind the leading edge and in that the profile of the airfoil is self-planing .

2. Structure according to claim 1 characterized in that the lines (12) are fixed in the area of greatest lift.

3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the lines (12) are arranged in a line parallel to the leading edge on the underside of the boxes (14).

4. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises five lines (12), one of which is central and two others lateral.

5. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that along the longitudinal axis of the caissons, the lower surface is shorter than the upper surface.

6. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane profile of the airfoil (10) is in V, the point of the V of which corresponds to the center of the leading edge.

7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the profile of the plane of the airfoil (10) is in A whose apex corresponds to the center of the leading edge.

8. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trailing edge of the airfoil is raised.

9. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boxes include air outlets whose cross section is smaller than that of the air inlets.

10. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises control lines (30) for braking fixed to the rear angles of the airfoil.

11. Wing structure with inflatable boxes of the paraglider type according to any one of the preceding claims comprising several boxes (112) juxtaposed and separated by vertical ribs (116), each box being provided with an opening (114) oriented in the direction of advance, lines (138) integral with the boxes and connected to a user support harness and control ropes (134) connected to the rear part of the left and right half-planes of the airfoil characterized in that at least part of the trailing edge (122) of each half-plane of the airfoil is stiffened so as to form a fin (120) and in that it comprises means for operating this stiffened part.

12. Structure according to claim 11, characterized in that at least two ribs (118) arranged symmetrically in each of the half-planes of the airfoil each comprise a joint (126) disposed in line with the fin.

13. Structure according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least two ribs (118) stiffened and arranged symmetrically in each of the half-planes of the airfoil each comprise a bellows (124) in the shape of a V extending over the entire height of the rib and made of a flexible material supporting the folding, this bellows being arranged in line with the fin so as to make the rear part (.130) of this rib movable in its plane.

14. Structure according to any one of claims 11 to 13 characterized in that the lower surface and upper surface of the fin (120) are stiffened.

15. Structure according to any one of claims 11 to 14 characterized in that the operating means comprise at least one wire in (134) connected to the fin (120) and in that the blade comprises at least one hole ( 136) through which the rope passes, the free end of this rope being located substantially at the level of the harness.

16. Structure according to claim 15, characterized in that the hole is arranged substantially to the right of the user.

17. Structure according to claim 15 or

16, characterized in that each rope (134) is fixed to the movable part (130) of the rib.

18. Structure according to claims 15 to

17, characterized in that each stiffened rib comprises a hole (148) for passage of the rope.

19. Structure according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the ropes (134) of the different moving parts (130) of the stiffened ribs right and left are grouped into two single controls (144) right and left.

20. Structure according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the fin is liftable.