WO2006129017A1

WO2006129017A1 - Thick profiled sail area for a sailing craft and an engine craft provided therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2006129017A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001237
Authority: WO
Inventors: André DE RUFFRAY
Original assignee: De Ruffray Andre
Priority date: 2005-06-01
Filing date: 2006-05-31
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Also published as: FR2886619B1; FR2886619A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thick profiled sail area (1) for a sailing craft comprising two substantially identical sails (2,3) connectable to the same mast (10) by the luffs thereof (4), wherein the surfaces of said sails (2, 3) are spaced from each other in such a way that a volume space (11) is formed therebetween for obtaining the sail area (1) airfoil section in the form of an aircraft wing. The inventive sail area is characterised in that the sails (2, 3), whose luffs are separated, are close or in proximity to each other, the drops (5) thereof are connected to each other with the aid of at least one link for maintaining a distance of a maximum known value between the drops (5) of the sails (2, 3) in such a way that the sail area (1) airfoil section is obtainable independently of selected sailing speeds.

Description

Veil of the type with a thick profile for a propulsion vehicle and a machine equipped with such a wing

The present invention relates to a wing of the type with a thick profile for a propulsion machine, this wing comprising two sails, substantially identical, intended to be connected by their hoist to the same mast, the surfaces of these sails being kept apart so as to create , between said sail surfaces, a volumetric space to obtain an aerofoil shaped aircraft wing wing.

The thick profile sails are well known to those skilled in this art as illustrated in particular patents FR-A-2,773,773 and FR-A-2,845,063. Indeed, the airfoil-shaped profile of the wing is, because of the aerodynamic performance generated by the thick and asymmetrical profile, a more efficient solution than a traditional sail to propel a sailboat.

Such solutions of thick profile webs, consisting of two independent webs, should not be confused with a two-ply sail allowing the formation of two planes as illustrated in particular the patent FR-A-2.715.124 or the patent US Patent 3,598,075. Indeed, in these two documents, the wing comprises a single sail which surrounds the mast to form two planes which can, as in the case of FR-A-2.715.124, be maintained, one convex, the other concave, using slats put in compression via links. In the case of US-A-3,598,075, the sail surrounding the mast is connected to two terminals, each terminal being controlled moving around the mast and can also be folded down the mast. In any case, such a two-ply sail can not be considered as the equivalent of a thick profile wing formed of two independent webs that are connected together.

Today, there are two wing families, of the type with thick profile: one in which the falls are connected to each other in a joined manner by sewing, gluing or the like to form a closed sail,

the other in which the falls are structurally independent of one another, as is illustrated in particular by the aforementioned FR-A-2,845,063 patent.

This second solution turns out to be inefficient in practice, especially when sailing in a backwind where the opening of the sails can absolutely not be controlled.

The first solution, in which the falls are stitched together, solves this problem of opening the sails in a downwind. However, this first solution causes other disadvantages related to the lack of mobility of the falls relative to each other. This solution of joint connection falls between them effectively prevents any lateral sliding of the falls relative to each other to obtain the construction of a global asymmetrical veil profile controlled at each edge change. This solution does not give either satisfaction.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sail whose design prevents the opening of both sails in a downwind while allowing the mobility of the falls and their lateral sliding relative to each other to obtain the construction of the sails. an overall asymmetrical sail profile controlled at each edge change.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a wing of the type with a thick profile for a propulsion craft, this wing comprising two substantially identical sails intended to be connected by their luff to the same mast, the surfaces of these sails being kept apart. so as to create, between said sail surfaces, a volumetric space for obtaining an aerofoil profile in the form of an airplane wing of the wing, characterized in that the webs, the luff of which are distinct, are at, or in the vicinity of, their fall connected to each other by means of at least one link maintaining an interval of maximum known value between the falls of sails so as to obtain an aerodynamic profile of the sails, whatever the navigation patterns chosen.

With this design, the edge changes can be made with perfect and instant reversibility of the asymmetry of this wing with two sails. It is also possible to obtain a profile of the wing with a large and variable asymmetry depending on the movement of the sails, thus providing the boat with optimum power. This design of the connection between sails does not affect the handling of the sails, the latter can be hoisted and slid at will, regardless of the operating conditions of the boat in a simple manner.

The respective falls of the two sails are thus secured and synchronized in their movement and their movement while remaining separate from each other without being glued or fixed directly to each other in any way whatsoever. This results in the possibility of keeping, at each edge change, the desired overall asymmetrical sail profile. The falls thus have the possibility of repositioning themselves automatically relative to each other during a change of edge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the luff of the sails are distinct luffers connected to each other with play to allow the luff mobility and their relative displacement by lateral displacement with respect to the other and / or offset in vertical plane. Separate luffers, able to be moved relative to each other, are equipped with common means of connection to the mast, in particular to the rear part of the mast.

Thanks to this configuration of sail luffers, which are separate luffers but connected to each other with a controlled game to allow luff mobility and their relative displacement, in the sense of a reconciliation or a spacing, either in the direction of a shift in a vertical plane, one luff coming forward of the other hoist or moving along said guide, we observe the same advantages as those observed with the respective falls of the two sails. Thus, again the hoistings are made integral displacement and synchronized in their movements and in their movement while remaining separate from each other without being glued to one another, or fixed directly to each other. in any other way. This again results in the possibility of keeping at each edge change the desired asymmetric overall sail profile. Lifters have the opportunity to reposition themselves automatically, one relative to the other, when changing edge. It is observed again, during this repositioning, a shift of the sails, such as the luff of the sail forming intrados, always comes back from the sail luff forming extrados to maintain the aerodynamic profile of the wing. There is therefore a shift in the vertical plane at the luff similar to that observed for falls. These luffers, able to be moved relatively relative to each other, are connected to the mast, in particular to the rear part of the mast by a common connection so as to rig the mast in the manner of a traditional sail, that is to say, hoisting or lowering simultaneously the two sails at will. The luffers of each sail can be linked together along a mast runner common to the two sails or along a sheath common to both sails.

The subject of the invention is also a propulsion craft of the type having a thick-profile wing, this wing having two substantially identical sails intended to be connected by their luff to the same mast, the surfaces of these sails being held apart creating, between said sail surfaces, a volumetric space to obtain an aerofoil shaped aircraft wing wing, characterized in that the sails of the wing are of the aforementioned type.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents an overall view of a navirβ equipped with a wing according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents an overall view of a vessel equipped with a wing according to the invention, the shutters for closing off the ventilation openings having been shown;

3a shows a perspective partial view of the independent selvedge and Figure 3b shows a partial perspective view of the sliders and _^ webs serving for connection of the mast sails ..

FIGS. 4 and 5 represent, in the form of schematic partial views from above, a spacer positioned inside the volumetric space between two webs in the minimum spacing position (FIG. 4) and in the maximum spacing position (FIG. 5);

Figures 6 and 7 show, in the form of schematic views, the air flows around the sails of the wing in the presence of vents (Figure 6) or in the absence thereof (Figures 7).

As mentioned above, the subject of the invention is a wing 1 with a thick profile for a propulsion craft. This wing 1 comprises two sails 2, 3 substantially identical, each sail extending between a border 6, a fall 5 and a hoist 4. The hoist 4 extends itself between the point 9 of the halyard and the point 7 d tack while the border 6 extends between the point 7 of tack and the point 8 of listening. Finally, the fall 5 extends between point 9 of

^The halyard and the listening point 8. The surfaces of the sails 2, 3 of the wing 1, formed by the zones of the sails extending between the border 6, luff 4 and the fall 5, are kept apart with respect to the other so as to create, between said sail surfaces 2, 3, a volumetric space 11. space 11 makes it possible to obtain an aerodynamic profile in the form of an airplane wing of the wing 1.

In a manner characteristic of the invention, the webs 2, 3 are at or close to their fall 5 assembled together by means of at least one link 12, 13 maintaining a known maximum value interval between the falls. 5 of sails 2, 3 so as to obtain an aerodynamic profile of the wing 1, regardless of the selected sailing patterns. This interval, of non-zero value, is for example chosen from a value of between 15 and 20 cm for a hoist of 7 meters. This interval allows an automatic reconstruction of the sails profile and the positioning of the falls relative to each other, especially during a change of edge. Conversely, the presence or links 12, 13 to or near the falls, prevents any opening of the sails in a tailwind. The respective falls of the two sails are made integral in displacement and synchronized in their movement and their movement while remaining separate from each other without being glued or fixed directly to each other in any way that it would be.

In a manner characteristic of the invention, the connection zones between link 12, 13 and sail surface 2, 3 or chute 5 constitute, each time, a point of articulation allowing a shift in vertical plane between the falls of the sails. 2, 3 of the wing 1 in such a way that the fall 5 of the wing-forming sail systematically comes out of overflow of the sail 5 forming an extrados to maintain the aerodynamic profile of the wing 1. The design of the link (s) and their connection the sail or fall surfaces thus allows the mobility of the falls and their lateral sliding relative to each other to obtain the construction of an overall asymmetrical wing profile controlled at each edge change. The binding of the webs 2, 3 to each other at or near their fall 5 can be achieved in different ways. This connection can be carried out permanently or in the form of a removable removable or openable connection, in particular during disassembly of the sails. Two embodiments have been shown in the figures. So, in the example shown in Figure 1, the link, connecting the webs 2, 3 together, at or near their falls 5, is formed by a plurality of links 12 staggered on the height of the sail in the manner ladder rungs. Each link 12 is thus positioned to connect the eyelets positioned opposite the two sails between them. This link can thus be threaded through the eyelets positioned opposite the two sails between them, a knot being then made at each end of the link to prevent its exit from the eyelet. This link can be formed by a bastard, a halyard or strop, a rigid element type bar, a self-gripping element ...

In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the link connecting the webs 2, 3 to each other at or near their fall consists of at least one _. Continuous strip 13 extending substantially parallel to the falls 5. In this case, the link partially closes the volumetric space 11 between sail surfaces 2, 3 without impairing the mobility of the falls said webs 2, 3 between them.

In a particular embodiment in accordance with that shown in FIG. 1, one of the links 12 between falls 5 can be positioned at the listening point 8 of the sails 2, 3 and serves as support for the hoist or constitutes part of listening to said hoist. In the case where the link between falls consists of a continuous band 13, fixed on the internal faces of the sails, over the entire height of the latter, parallel to said falls, this band forces the aerodynamic flows to pass partially or totally from and others of the outer faces of the two sails and thus improves the overall aerodynamics and performance of the thick profile.

As mentioned above, the sails 2, 3 are independent or distinct sails thus having luff 4 distinct. These luff 4 distinct are connected to each other with a controlled game to allow the mobility of the luff, and in particular their relative displacement by lateral sliding, one with respect to the other and / or shift one relative to each other in vertical plane. These luffers, able to be moved relatively relative to each other, are connected to the mast, in particular to the rear part of the mast by a common connection so as to manage the mast in the manner of a traditional sail. Some embodiments of the binding of the luff to the mast will now be described.

The webs 2, 3 are at or near their luff 4 interconnected by at least one link generally of bar type 14, this connection cooperating with the link 12, 13 positioned at or near the falls 5 sails to allow the shift of the sails 2, 3, especially during tack changes in respect of the most favorable aerodynamic profile.

In the example shown, the webs 2, 3, at or near their luff 4, are interconnected by webs 14 spaced over the height of the webs, said webs 14 being themselves connected to the mast 10 by a part linkage, such as an independent headline or a slider 15, housed inside a groove of the mast 10. The sling 20 or slider 15 constitute a common connecting piece of the luff 4 to the mast. This piece is secured to luffers at the level of the luff binding zone between them. In this case, the common connection of the hoistings to the mast comprises firstly means 14 for connecting the luffings between them, on the other hand means 15, 20 connecting the link 14 inter looming mast. An equivalent solution is to connect with play each luff to a common room, itself serving as connecting piece to the mast.

In the example shown, the bars 14 are thus for example constituted by rigid cylindrical rods of glass fiber or carbon equipped at each of their ends with retaining means, such as stops 19. These bars in the form of rods, coupled suitably to the slider 15 or to the headline 20, pass through the eyelets of said webs and then retain these eyelets on said bar by means of removable stop means, such as for example nylon slotted washers intended for rest on the end stops 19 of said bars. On these bars, the two luff of sails can be left free in their lateral deflection, to allow the sail to the wind to lean by its guiding on the windward side of the mast thus closing the profile mast / sails, be limited or blocked in their lateral deflection thanks to complementary stops to allow aerodynamic circulation at the rear of the mast and an air inlet in the thick profile. In the case where the bars 14 are connected to the mast 10 by a rope 20, this rope can be made in the form of an independent continuous element for rigging the two webs 2, 3 on the mast. This rope is composed of a rod 21 conventionally conventional cylindrical having a diameter adapted to the groove of the mast and a strip 22 of flexible or rigid continuous or discontinuous, this strip 22 being equipped with eyelets 23 distributed at intervals. along said strip and positioned to be perfectly opposite eyelets that can equip, on each luff sail, the two sails of the wing.

This independent continuous headline allows, after having inserted one end into the groove or groove of the mast, to hoist together and easily the headline and the two sails along the mast in a continuous movement in the manner of a traditional sail. In the case of a connection between webs and mast by means of bars coupled to sliders 15, there are as many sliders as bars, each slider 15 being inserted inside the same groove 10. The groove for receiving the rope or slider 15 is therefore common to both webs. In a particular embodiment not shown, this independent rope will be equipped with a mast sleeve instead of the rush, to adapt to certain types of masts not having a rope groove.

To ensure sufficient rigidity to the webs, they are lathed at intervals in a manner known per se. It is furthermore provided, in the first third of the wing 1, in the vicinity of the luff 4, between the sail surfaces 2, 3, level of sail slats, spacers 16 made in the form of rigid or articulated parts or elastically deformable. An example of such parts is provided in Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 showing the retractor in the folded position, Figure 5 showing the retractor in the deployed position. These spacers have the function of preventing the two sails from being pressed against one another by the effect of the wind and thus ensure the construction of the thick profile. These spacers 16, which are supported on the slats of each sail, are positioned to exert their action inside the wing on the front part of the sails to build a profile thickness on the front part and thus create a thick profile similar to the airplane wing profile. These spacers can affect a large number of shapes. They can again be flexible or rigid, permanent, fixed, removable, or foldable and be either integral with the mast, or integral with one of the sails or two sails, in particular the inner face of the latter.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, these spacers 16 may be made, each time, in the form of a flexible blade that can be secured to the internal faces of said sails by lateral gussets sewn on the internal parts facing said sails. The ends of the blade are then inserted manually inside a gusset. In the case of spacer made in the form of an articulated part as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, these spacers may be actuated separately or simultaneously by one or more halyards extending between the deck of the boat and the spacer. In this case, these spacers allow the skipper to take one or more reefs by partially slackening the thick sail like a conventional sail, by remotely folding, thanks to the halyard maneuver, the spacers located in the lower part of the mainsail. By thus flattening the profile in the lower part of the wing, this makes it possible to easily accommodate the sloped portion of the mainsail in a "lazyjack" or to close it on the terminal. These spacers, made in the form of articulated parts, are more particularly suitable for sailboats of medium and large sizes. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the webs 2, 3 are provided with ventilation orifices 17 in the vicinity of the falls 5, along lines substantially parallel to the falls 5, so as to allow, by ventilating the extrados, to improve the aerodynamic flows and to delay the delamination of the boundary layer on this extrados. The intrados (sail facing external to the wind) of the wing being in overpressure with respect to the extrados (sail external face downwind), the air infiltrates by the intrados orifices and leaves by the orifices of extrados, thus ensuring ventilation on this extrados. These vents 17, which are arranged aligned along lines substantially parallel to the falls 5 of said webs, may each be closed by a flap 18 movable. Each flap 18 may be made from a band fixed or sewn on the sail on the outer side of said sail so as to be pressed onto the sail by the flows as regards the sail forming a lower surface and, conversely, to be detached towards the rear of the sail by the flows at the level of the extrados sail thus generating turbulence on this sail face. The turbulence generated by these bands delays the detachment of the laminar flows and thus improves the performance of the profile. These flaps also improve the efficiency of the ventilation openings by concealing the openings of the underside and smoothing the outgoing air flow through the extrados orifices while increasing the differential pressure / depression between the two faces of the wing. thus increasing its lift.

Claims

1. Wing (1) of the type with a thick profile for propulsion craft, this wing (1) comprising two substantially identical sails (2, 3), intended to be connected by their luff (4) to one and the same mast (10). , the surfaces of these webs (2, 3) being kept apart so as to create, between said sail surfaces (2, 3), a volumetric space (11) making it possible to obtain a wing-shaped aerodynamic profile. wing plane (1), characterized in that the sails (2, 3) whose luff (4) are distinct are at or near their fall (5), connected to each other by means of at least one link (12, 13) maintaining a known maximum value interval between the falls (5) of sails (2, 3) so as to obtain an aerofoil profile of the sail (1), whatever the navigation patterns selected.

2. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection areas between link (12, 13) and sail surface (2, 3) or fall (5) constitute, each time, a point of articulation allowing an offset in vertical plane between the falls (5) of the sails (2, 3) of the wing (1) so that the fall (5) of the veil forming intrados systematically comes out of the fall (5) sail forming extrados to maintain the aerodynamic profile of said wing (1).

3. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the luff (4) of the sails (2, 3) are separate luff (4) connected to each other with clearance to allow the mobility of the luff (4) and their relative displacement by lateral displacement with respect to each other and / or offset in vertical plane.

4. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the luff (4) distinct, capable of being moved relative to each other, are equipped with common means of connection to the mast (10), in particular at the rear part of the mast.

5. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the webs (2, 3) are at or near their luff (4) interconnected by at least one link generally of the bar type (14) , this link cooperating with the link (12, 13) positioned at or near the falls (5) of the sails to allow the shifting of the sails (2, 3), especially during tack changes in respect of the aerodynamic profile the most favorable.

6. Wing (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the webs (2, 3), at or near their luff (4), are interconnected by bars (14) staggered on the _. height of the sails, said bars (14) being themselves connected to the mast (10) by a connecting piece, such as a rope (20) independent or a slider (15), housed inside the a groove of the mast (10).

7. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided in the first third of the wing (1), in the vicinity of the luff (4), between the sail surfaces (2, 3), at the level of the sail slats, spacers (16) made in the form of rigid or articulated or elastically deformable parts.

8. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the link, connecting the webs (2, 3) to each other at or near their falls (5), consists of at least one strip ( 13) continues extending substantially parallel to the falls (5).

9. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the link, connecting the webs (2, 3) to each other at or near their falls (5), is formed by a plurality of links (12). ) staggered on the height of the sail in the manner of ladder rungs.

10. Wing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the webs (2, 3) are provided with orifices (17) aeration in the vicinity of the falls (5), along lines substantially parallel to the falls ( 5), so as to allow, by ventilating the upper surface, to improve the aerodynamic flows and to delay the delamination of the boundary layer on this extrados.

11. Wing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that one of the links (12) between falls (5) is positioned at the point (8) for listening to the sails (2, 3) and serves as support to the hoist maneuver or constitutes part of the listening hoist.

12. Vessel propulsion machine of the type comprising a thick profile wing, this wing (1) comprising two substantially identical sails (2, 3) intended to be connected by their luff (4) to one and the same mast (10), the surfaces these sails (2, 3) being kept spaced apart so as to create, between said sail surfaces (2, 3), a volumetric space (11) making it possible to obtain an airfoil shape of an airplane wing of the wing (1), characterized in that the sails of the wing are in accordance with one of claims 1 to 11.