WO2011015542A1

WO2011015542A1 - Single-hull sailing ship with a rotary ring

Info

Publication number: WO2011015542A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/061179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benoît LEBIZAY; Guy Broquaire
Original assignee: Cmbl Distribution
Priority date: 2009-08-03
Filing date: 2010-08-02
Publication date: 2011-02-10
Also published as: FR2948626A1; FR2948627A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-hull sailing ship comprising rigging with a mast (7) attached by a leg (6) onto a ring (3) rotatably mounted about the hull (1) by the force of the wind, with at least one ballast keel (51, 52) also attached to the ring. The ring (3) is also rotatably mounted about the hull (1) by a mechanical retaining force (9, 12, 17) acting against the force of the wind so as to keep the pressure at the leg of the mast (6) substantially constant. The invention enables the rigging to be arranged in the best position for the optimal transformation of the force of the wind into speed.

Description

MONOCOQUE SAILBOAT WITH ROTARY RING

The field of the invention is that of sailboats and, more particularly, of a monohull sailboat having the particularity, when the wind is forced through, to practically not lie flat and remain flat on the water.

On this sailboat, it is the rigging that lodges, thanks to the fact that the foot of mast is fixed on a ring which is rotatably mounted around the hull and the deck of the sailboat and which surrounds them. While bowing, the mast remains retained by the counterweight of the ballast. In other words, the monohull sailboat considered includes a set of flotation (hull and deck) and a set of propulsion / booster (rigging - mast and sails - and ballast) which are disengaged.

Such a monohull sailboat has already been presented in the document FR 2873092. Under the pressure of the wind in the sail of this sailboat, certainly the ring laterally rotates the rigging, but the only weight of the ballast can sometimes be insufficient, a on the other hand, to optimize the transformation of the sailing force into the speed of the boat on the water. The ring can quickly abut, with the effect of increasing the angle of the mast and reduce the area of the wing, and the hull is not positioned in its optimal water lines, which night to the performance of the sailboat.

The invention of the present application aims to overcome this drawback.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a monohull sailboat comprising a flotation assembly, a propulsion assembly comprising at least one mast, a wing and a weighting keel, and at least one ring rotatably mounted around the hull under the action of the sailing force, on which is fixed at least one of the elements of the assembly comprising the mast and the weighting keel, a sailboat characterized in that the ring is also rotatably mounted around the hull under the action of a mechanical force antagonistic force of the sailing force in order to maintain substantially constant the force at the foot of the mast and to position the hull and the mast and the wing in their optimum position.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Thanks to the ^invention, the ring can continuously adjust the wing surface necessary to maximize boat speed under the constraint of a given level of pressure which determines the maximum hull house beyond which the pressure of surplus is discharged by rotation of ^the ring.

In other words again, the ring, by virtue of its rotation under the action of these two antagonistic forces makes it possible (1) to arrange the hull and the rig, one in its optimal water lines, the other in its optimal position, to maximize the transformation of the sailing force into speed for the boat, and (2) to keep the hull and rigging in their optimal position according to the evolution of the wind.

The performance of a monohull sailboat is in fact a function of, among other things, the angle of the rigging with respect to the s / ent (surface, lift), the position of the hull in the water (degree of heel, lines of water) and stability of the hull and rigging.

Thanks to the invention, while keeping the degree of heel of the hull optimal and stable, it returns directly and without adjusting the sails rigging and thus increases the sail area, as soon as the wind decreases. For a given surface area and with respect to the evoluution of the force of the wind, the proposed invention therefore makes it possible to obtain a range of use without manual intervention which is much greater than that of a traditional monohull sailboat, which greatly increases ease of use, comfort and safety. The invention makes it possible, so to speak, to take / reissue continuous reef without manual intervention, at least for a fairly wide range of wind forces.

On a traditional monohull, when the wind rises, the pressure in the sails increases, which makes the boat run. In order to limit the heel, the crew intervenes manually, first by progressively releasing ("shocking") the listening of sails, and then, if the wind continues to rise, by reducing the surface of the sails ("take one or more laugh "). These manual interventions have the effect of reducing the wind and / or _ -i> surface of the wing and therefore the pressure at the foot of the mast. The invention thus makes it possible to dispense with these manual interventions, at least for a range of fairly large wind forces. With a traditional sailboat, the higher the wind, the more the boat goes and the speed increases, as long as the hull stays in its optimal water lines. With the sailboat of the document of the prior art mentioned above, the wind rises, certainly the hull of its hull is limited or even zero, but the mast tilts on the surface of the water and the speed of the boat also limited. With the boat of the invention, there is more speed deficit compared to the traditional sailing boat. In fact, the more the wind rises, under the action of the mechanical restraining force antagonistic to the mechanical force, the hull and the rigging remain in their optimal position, and the more the speed increases. Advantageously, the mechanical mechanical restraining force of the mechanical force is ensured by a mechanical retaining link between the ring and the shell, arranged for, under the action of the mechanical force, to increase in length against the action of return means by neutral position of the mast.

Thus, when, under the action of the vane force, the ring is rotated over a given tangential distance, one end of the mechanical retaining link being fixed, the other end of the mechanical retaining link moves a lower distance, preferably two times smaller.

Preferably, one of the ends of the mechanical retaining link is fixed on the ring, more preferably, when the mast is fixed by its foot on the ring on the mast foot.

While being fixed on the ring, this end can however also be fixed in a plurality of positions by means of a rotary drive mechanism of the ring comprising means for displacement of the relative position of the ring and the hull in the position of rest of the sailboat.

This mechanism, described below, permei, in navigation, to change the neutral angle between the hull and the mast, which adds an adjustment variable, greatly expands the possibilities of adjustment and therefore search performance. For example, under certain sailing conditions, it may be advantageous to position the rig to the wind in order to create lift.

As mentioned above, the performance of a monohull sailboat is a function, among other things, of the angle of rigging with respect to the wind and the position of the hull in the water (the house). On a traditional monohull, the mast being secured to the hull at a 90 degree angle, the search for performance on these two variables is therefore the result of a compromise, which can be improved by the use of ballast and / or a pendulum keel.

The rotation drive mechanism of the ring and the displacement of the fixing position on the ring of the mechanical retaining link makes it possible to overcome all or part of the use of ballast.

In these circumstances, the plaintiff intends to extend the scope of its application to a pendular mast fixed on the ring, regardless of the fixing of the ballast keel on the ring or on the hull.

The rotation drive means of the ring may advantageously be arranged to be also used as means for braking and slowing down the rotation of the ring. The rotational drive means of the ring at rest, which allow the modification of the neutral angle between the hull and the mast in navigation, may be mechanical means as described below. But they can also be implemented in an electronic and automated version. Different sensors placed on the boat (strength and direction of wind, degree of heel, course, speed, etc.) can in fact feed a computerized electronic control unit whose software, in return and according to the chosen program of comfort and / or performance, will propose to adjust and / or generate control commands. automatic adjustment of the position of the rig and the hull.

Preferably still, the other end of the mechanical restraint is mounted mobϋe under the action of the veil force and against the action of the biasing means of the mast in neutral position,

l u

In this case, and if the mechanical retaining link comprises a cable, the connection to the shell is effected by a fixed cable end and a pulley, forming the movable connecting end, which is mounted on a carriage mounted movably in position. translation to the surface of the hull, pulley around which is

15 wound the portion of cable adjacent to its fixed end on the shell.

Still in the case where the mechanical retaining link comprises a cable, it is advantageously wound around a set of pulleys arranged so that the length of the link increases if the vee force causes the mast as well on starboard as on port.

Advantageously, the counteracting mechanical force of the veil force can also be ensured by the tilting of the ballast to the wind, below the axis of the rigging. The ballast return force is indeed

25 increased when the angle (wind) between the mast and the keel decreases below 180 ^p : this is the principle of the pendulum keel. The surplus return force of the ballast opposes Sors to the force force and allows to carry more power while keeping the hull in its optimal water lines.

30

In these circumstances, the plaintiff also intends to extend the scope of its application to at least one pendent ballast keel fixed on the ring, independently of the fixing of the mast, on the ring or on the hull. In this case, the ring rotation drive mechanism discussed above allows then regardless of the position of gréemeni, to tilt the quifie the wind, which has the effect ^of increasing Îa biasing force of the ballast and represents an antagonistic force of mechanical strength of the veil force.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of several embodiments of the sailboat of the invention, with reference to the drawing in the appendix, on which

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view and partly in section of the sailboat of the invention, with a mast and two pins fixed on the ring;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the mechanical retention of the ring in the neutral position of the mast and the mast refocused on the starboard and port side, respectively;

- Figures 5 and 6 show the guide of the movable end of the mechanical link in the neutral position and under tension, respectively;

FIG. 7 represents the fixed and displaceable end of the mechanical retaining link;

FIG. 8 illustrates the rotation drive mechanism of FIG.

Sign ;

- Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view and partly in section of the sailboat of the invention, with only the mast fixed on the ring;

- F Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view and partly in section of the sailboat of the invention, with only the pins fixed on the ring;

- Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view and partly in section of the sailboat of the invention, with the mast and the pins fixed on two different rings respectively;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the main ring supporting the keel and of the partial ring supporting the mast of a last embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the partial ring of FIG. 12. The monocoque sailboat to be described comprises a hull 1 and a bridge 2. surrounded by a ring 3 rotatably mounted around the hull and the bridge in a groove 4 whose bottom 5 constitutes, for the ring, a running track provided bearing rollers and anti-rollers. Ring 3 is here made of stainless steel. The throat 4 is covered with a covering, A f'anneau

3 is fixed, here welded, a foot of the mast foot 6 for a mast 7. The stays of the mast are fixed to cadenes welded to the ring. At the ring 3 are also fixed here two ballast pins 51, 52. One could fix only one.

The ring 3, to which the rigging of the sailboat is thus attached, with its mast 7, while sailing, is subject to the veiling force created by its wind force applied to the wing attached to the mast as well as to an antagonistic force of mechanical restraint. , the two forces to ensure a substantially constant pressure on the mast foot 6. This retaining force is provided by a mechanical connecting device 8 extending between the ring 3 and the shell 1. The device 8 comprises a cable of link 9 at two fixed ends 10, 11. In the embodiment of Figures 1-4, the first end 10 is fixed to the foot of the mast foot 6. The second end 11 is attached to a box 12 itself fixed in the shell 1. The box 12 has a rail 13 (Figure 6) on which is slidably mounted a carriage 14 on which is fixed a pulley 15 around which is wound the cable portion 16 adjacent its fixed end 11. It can therefore be said that the carriage 14 is mounted movably in translation to the surface of the shell 1, the pulley 15 constitutes the movable end of the retaining link.

In the cabinet 12, the carriage 14 is slidably mounted on the rail 13 towards the end 11 of the cable against the action of a ram 17 for returning the mast 7 to the neutral position. This is an almost constant-force gas ram that can be adjusted to change the level of heel accepted by the boat. One could also consider a hydraulic cylinder with pressure sensor, or even an electromagnetic device or a worm with motor. In the case considered, the desired force was obtained by the parallel mounting of several cylinders, in this case two half-strength.

The cable 9 is wound around a set of pulleys such that the length of the retaining link between the fixed end 10 of the cable 9 and the mobile end 15 of the link increases, that the mast 7 is driven on starboard or port side.

At the right of the mast foot 6, in the neutral position of the mast 7 at rest, is fixed a first pulley 18. a second 19 is attached to the right of the cabinet 12.

The return pulley 18 could also be doubled by another 18 '(Figure 7) for the cable 9 passes between the two, to ensure an excellent guide cable. This or these pulleys are fixed on the vertical front wall of the groove 4. For the sake of clarity, the loom 18 has been shown in Figures 2-4 in a horizontal position whereas, given its fixing, was vertical i.e. with an axis in the plane of FIGS. 2-4,

The poute 19 is fixed on its groove 4, substantially like the pulley 18, but not quite, because the cable 9, on one side of the pulley, extends along the groove 4 and, on the other side, enters the shell 1 to arrive in the box 12.

Referring to Figures 2-4, when the mast 7 is in the neutral position (Figure 2), there is no tension in the cable 9. When the mast 7 is off center on starboard (Figure 3), it is when the ring 3 is rotated anti-clockwise in FIG. 3, the mast foot 6 is driven over a certain tangential distance by pulling on the cable 9 and thus moving the poute 15 in the box 12 and on the rail 13 in translation by a distance two times smaller. It is the same if the mast 7 is off center on port (Figure 4). Thus, the length of the mechanical retaining link, between the fixed end 10 of the cable 9 and the pulley mobile 15 does not remain constant, it can only increase. This rotation of the ring 3 makes it possible to evacuate the excess pressure beyond the pressure on the wing corresponding to the maximum heel of the hull. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the end 10 of the cable 9 is fixed, either to the foot of the mast foot 6, but to a shoe 20 slidably mounted on a rail 21 fixed to the ring 3 and can be fixed in a plurality of discrete positions by means of a locking pinch 22 giissée in the pad 20 and threaded into orifices 23 formed in the rail 21 whereby the neutral angle between the shell 1 and the mast 7 can be modified in navigation. In this embodiment, the return pulley 18 is doubled by the pulley 18 ', pulleys between which the cable 9 passes,

The sailboat further comprises a mechanism 35 for driving the ring in rotation, making it possible, at rest, to move the relative position of the ring 3 relative to the shell 1. This is a chain 24, here also stainless steel, fixed at its two ends 29, 30 in the example, to the foot of the mast foot 6 and the ring 3, respectively This chain meshes with a set of three gears 25, 26 and 31 rotatably mounted in bearings integral with the shell 1, the pinion 25 is a driven pinion and the pinions 26, 31, pinions of reference. The pinion 25 is mounted on the shaft 27 of a hydraulic system 28 that can be used in two modes. In "brake" mode, the system 28 is connected to a pump and makes it possible to slow down the rotation of the ring 3. In "advance" mode, the system is then connected to a motor to drive the ring 3 in rotation around of the hull 1 and thus orientate the mast 7 and / or its pins, according to what is fixed on the ring.

The invention makes it possible not only to prevent the ring 3 from being found in abutment but also to dispose it in the best angular position for optimal transformation of the force force into velocity.

The embodiments of the sailboat of Figures 9-11 are very similar to that of Figure 1. The same elements will therefore be designated by the same references. K)

The sailboat of FIG 9 has a rotating ring 3 but on which is fixed only the mast 7. The bowling pins or bowels, which have not been shown, are fixed to the shell 1.

The sailboat in Figure 10 also includes a single! rotating ring 3 to which are fixed here the two ballast pins 51, 52. The mast, which has not been shown, is fixed on the deck 2. As it is the tilting wind of the bowling pins 51, 52 which provides the antagonistic mechanical restraining force of its sailing force, the mechanical restraining linkage device no longer exists in this case.

The sailboat of FIG. 11 comprises two rotary rings 3, 3 '. The mast 7 is fixed by its foot 6 to the ring 3 and here the two pins 51, 52 are fixed to the ring 3 '. The two rings 3 and 3 'are almost identical and mounted on the shell 1 in the same way, paraϋтель one to the other.

Several examples of embodiment of the sailboat of the invention have been described. The yacht may include (i) a rotating ring on which the mast and / or the keels are mounted, () a ring on which only the mast or keel is mounted and (iii) two rings on which the mast is mounted and the keel, respectively. The plaintiff intends not to limit the scope of her rights to these examples alone. Instead of having two separate rings and driven separately from each other, supporting the mast and its keel, respectively, one can consider mounting one of the elements of the entire mast and the keel, on a slider movable in translation in a rail, preferably arched, fixed to the single ring to which is fixed the other elements. The element mounted on the pad is therefore subjected to two drive means.

In cases where (FIGS. 12 and 13) it is the mast 7 which is mounted on the pad 60, here arched, arranged in a rail 61, also arcuate and with a C profile, itself attached to a rotating ring 62 on which is fixed the pendulum keel (not shown), the shoe 60 can be driven in circular translation around the ring 62, thanks to a cremaϋfère 63 driven by an output pinion 64 of a control box 65 mounted on the ring 62, the pendular positions of the two éiérnents - ie mast 7 and the keel - can be optimal since the two elements are independent of each other.

Note that this embodiment offers the same advantages as that of Figure 11, but it will be preferred, the implementation of a guide rail on a single rotating ring being easier.

It will be noted that the shoe 60 is similar to a rotary ring part! which slides along the "main" rotary ring, but unique. In practice, the mast 7 will be mounted on a support bracket 66, including a flange 67, on the edge of which the rack 63 extends. The bracket 66, 67 extends over the same arc as the pad 60. the casting of the shoe 60 in the rail 61, rollers 68 are provided on the pad.

The mast is maintained, in a transverse plane, by shrouds 69 also fixed, in feet, to the shoe 60, by means of frames 70 fixed as the bracket 66, and, in a longitudinal plane, in a conventional manner, by a stay and a backstay.

Instead of the rack 63, one could consider a chain, a toothed belt, fluidic or electric cylinders or other engines and similar components.

Claims

1. monocoque sailboat comprising a flotation assembly (1, 2), a propulsion assembly, comprising at least one mast (7), a wing and a ballast keel (51, 52), at least one ring (3). rotatably mounted around the hull (1) under the action of its sailing force, and on which is fixed at least one of the elements of the assembly comprising the mast (7) and ia ballast (51, 52), sailboat characterized by the fact that the ring (3) is also rotatably mounted around the shell (1) under the action of a mechanical retaining force (9, 12, 17; to maintain substantially constant strength at the mast (6), and to position the hull (1) and the mast (7) and the wing in their optimum position.

2. A monohull sailboat according to claim 1, wherein the force mechanical mechanical antagonistic force of the force is provided by a mechanical connection retaining (9, 12, 17) between the ring (3) and the shell (1), arranged to, under the action of the veiling force, increase in length (10, 15) against the action of means (17) of return in neutral position of the mast (7).

3. A monohull sailboat according to claim 2, wherein one (10) of the ends of the mechanical retaining link is fixed on the ring (3),

4. A monohull sailboat according to claim 3, wherein, the mast (7) being fixed by its foot (6) on the ring (3), one (10) of the ends of the mechanical connection (9, 12, 17) is fixed on the mast base (6).

5. A monohull sailboat according to claim 3, wherein said one end (10) can be fixed in a plurality of positions (23) by a mechanism (35) for rotating the ring (3) comprising means for displacement of the relative position of the ring (3) and the hull (1) in the rest position of the sailboat, to be able to change in navigation the neutral angle between the mast (7) and the hull (1).

8. Monohull sailboat according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein le mast (7) is a hinge mast fixed on the ring (3).

7. A monohull sailboat according to claim 6, whereinl said moving means (24-28) are arranged to be also used as means for braking and slowing the rotation of the ring (3).

8. monocoque sail according to one of claims 3 to 7, whereinque the other end of the mechanical retaining link is movably mounted under the action of véque force and against the action of the means (17) reminder mast (7) in the neutral position.

9. A monohull sailboat according to claim B ₁ wherein the mechanical retaining link comprises a cable (9) and its connection to the shell (1) is effected by a fixed cable end (11) and a pulley (15), forming the mobile connecting end.

10. A monohull sailboat according to claim 9, wherein the pulley (15) is mounted on a carriage (14) movable in translation to the surface of the shell (1), pulley (15) around which is wound the portion cable (16) adjacent to its fixed end (11) on the shell (1).

11. Monohull sailboat according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mechanical retaining link comprises a cable (9), and is wound around a set of pulleys (18-19) arranged so that the length of the link increases if the sailing force drives the mast (7) on both starboard and port side.

12, a monohull sailboat according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 5, wherein the mechanical counterforce of the force force is provided by the tilting of the ballast keel (51, 52) which is a pendulum keel fixed on the ring (3; 3 ').

13. Monohull sailboat according to claim 6, wherein the ballast keel (51, 52) is fixed to the hull (1).

14. A monohull sailboat according to claim 6, wherein the ballast keel (51, 52) is attached to the ring (3).

15. A monohull sailboat according to one of claims 6 and 12, wherein there are two rotating rings (3 ₍ 3 ') and the mast (7) is fixed by its foot (6) to one (3) of the rings and the keel (51, 52) is fixed to the other (3 ') of the rings,

16. Monohull sailboat according to one of claims 6 and 12, wherein there is provided a single rotary ring (62), the mast (7) is mounted on the ring (82) and movable in circular translation along the l ring (62) on which is fixed the keel.

17. A monohull sailboat according to claim 16, wherein the mast (7) is fixed on a partial ring (60) slidably mounted along the ring (62),

18. Monohull sailboat according to claim 17, wherein the mast (7) is held by stays (69) fixed on the partial ring (60).

19. Monohull sailboat according to one of claims 6 and 12, wherein there is provided a single rotating ring, the mast is fixed on the ring on which keel is mounted movable in circular translation along the ring.