93results about "Wind propelled vessels" patented technology

A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.

Disclosed is a positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element that comprises a profiled wing, is used as the exclusive, an auxiliary, or an emergency drive unit, and is connected to a watercraft via a traction rope. The positioning device is provided with a winch that can cause the traction rope to be taken in when a given first tractive force is not attained and/or when the flow is about to stop or has stopped abruptly and/or cause the traction rope to be veered when given a second tractive force and/or a given inflow velocity are/is exceeded.

Disclosed is a placement system for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a watercraft in which the kite-type wind-attacked element comprising a profiled wing is connected to the vessel body via a traction rope. Said wind-attacked element can be guided from a neutral position on board the watercraft into a raised position that is free from obstacles located at the same or a higher level. An azimuthally pivotable fixture is provided by means of which the wind-attacked element can be brought into a position in which the same is exposed to a sufficient wind effect. Furthermore, a docking receiving device is provided which is to be removably connected to the docking adapter of the wind-attacked element on the side facing away from the wind while also allowing the wind-attacked element to be furled with the aid of automatically engaging holding means.

A programmable buoy system having one or more buoys capable of connecting through the internet to a buoy command server. The buoy command server relays commands to each of the one or more buoys in response to user commands sent from a buoys command interface application on a mobile device. The programmable buoy system includes one or more buoys each having a hull with two or more pontoons where the hull has a top side and bottom side. A stationary rudder extends downward from the bottom side of the hull to be positioned in a body of water when the one or more buoys are in use. A motor is pivotably connected on each one or more buoys, wherein the motor has a propeller positioned away from the bottom side of the hull. The propeller and motor move the select one of the one or more buoys in the body of water.

The invention relates to a mechanised device (1) for rigging a sail of a ship. Said device is characterised in that it includes: a mast (2), a boom (3) and a gaff (4) secured to said mast by the respective front ends (31, 41) thereof, a guiding element (5) linking the two rear ends (32, 42) of said boom (3) and said gaff (4), and delimiting a frame together with the mast, a rectangular sail (6), secured to the boom (3) by the edge (61) thereof, and equipped on the hoist (62) and leech (63) thereof with a means for guiding respectively along the mast (2) and along said guiding element (5), a mechanised means (7, 8) for hoisting and lowering said sail in the frame, while keeping the hoist and the leech thereof respectively guided along the mast (2) and along said guiding element (5).

The invention relates to a steering unit for a wind propulsion system, the steering unit comprising a first fixed attachment means for securing a first end of a tractive cable the second end of which is secured to a device or a vehicle to which a tractive force shall be transferred, a second attachment means for attaching a number of tractive lines, the second end of which being secured to an aerodynamic wing element, a mechanical support frame connecting the first attachment means to the second attachment means for transferring a tractive force. The invention aims at providing such a steering unit with improved design for better maneuverability and stability. According to the invention the second attachment means of the improved steering unit comprise at least one upper fixed attachment point, a left moveable attachment point, a right moveable attachment point, and steering actuator means for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the left moveable attachment point and for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the right moveable attachment point.

A wind driven sailing craft is disclosed with a hydrofoil element which provides variable lift to the stern of the craft to maintain a level trim when the craft is operated under power propulsion. The hydrofoil element includes a hydrofoil wing which rotates on a transverse axis to provide the desired lift.

A monohull sailing vessel (102, 202, 402, and/or 502) having a lifting hydrofoil (104 and/or 204) having a stowed position and a deployed position in which the hydrofoil extends outward of a leeward side of the hull (138). The hydrofoil may have an aspect ratio greater than 2.5:1, may be oriented at an angle of attack between 2 and 6 degrees, and may be oriented at a mean angle (124) of between 5 and 20 degrees to horizontal. The hydrofoil may have a projected area adapted provide a righting moment and a lifting force for partially but not fully lifting the vessel out of the water. The hydrofoil may have an exposed span (112) that is greater than about 7% of a height of the tallest mast (134). The vessel may include an actuation assembly (128, 228, 308, and/or 316) for moving the hydrofoil between the stowed and deployed positions.

A multi-hull vessel capable of planing. The vessel has a rigid superstructure that is rotatably linked to flat-bottomed hulls. As the vessel heels, the pivotable connection between the superstructure and the hulls allows the superstructure to heel over while the hulls remain oriented so that their bottoms are parallel to the water surface. This allows the multi-hull vessel to plane at relatively low speeds without risking the consequences of a leeward planar hull digging into the water. Further, the vessel is made of lightweight components and configured to be assembled and disassembled in a short time by a single individual, and to be easily lifted and carried atop an automobile for overland transport.

A hydrofoil section comprises first and second faces that create, in operation at speeds above a ventilation speed, a ventilated cavity defined by a first cavity face which departs from the first hydrofoil face and a second cavity face which departs from the second hydrofoil face. Each cavity face represents a free surface and each face separating from the said free surface at a discontinuity on that surface, the separated faces forming a continuation of the faces of arbitrary shape and enclosed by the free surfaces without contacting the said free surfaces. Below the speed at which full ventilation occurs the arbitrarily shaped portion of each face is configured to provide a modified flow configuration resulting in changed lift and or drag and or pitching moment under partial, or unventilated operation.

The present disclosure relates to a wing. More specifically, aspects of the invention relate to a variable shaped wing movable incrementally between a neutral configuration and a deformed configuration, wherein the wing takes a reflexed camber aerofoil section shape in the deformed configuration. The wing includes a first aerofoil segment and a second aerofoil segment having ends connected or fixed to one another at opposing neutral leading and trailing edges and spaced apart from one another along their lengths across a neutral mean camber line extending between the neutral leading and trailing edges to form a neutral aerofoil section of the wing. One or more actuators deform the wing between the neutral aerofoil section and a reflexed camber aerofoil section, with the first and second aerofoil segments being resilient to bias the wing towards an initial at rest aerofoil section. To cause the aerofoil section to take a reflexed camber aerofoil section, the critical buckling load of the aerofoil segments is greater than a compressive load generated in the aerofoil segments by the actuator deforming the wing between the neutral aerofoil section and the reflexed camber aerofoil section. In use, the wing is deformed by the actuator displacing two points on one of the aerofoil segments to generate the compressive load in at least such aerofoil segment. The ability of such aerofoil segment(s) to resist the compressive load causes the segment(s) to adopt a form with a point of inflection, thereby causing the wing to form the reflexed camber aerofoil section.

The invention relates to a Magnus rotor comprising a cylindrical body of revolution for converting wind power into a feed force using the Magnus effect. The Magnus rotor comprises: a rotational shaft about which the body of revolution rotates; a support member on which the body of revolution is mounted; and a body of revolution which has means for the reinforcement thereof. The body of revolution is primed in at least two planes arranged at a mutual spacing in the axial direction perpendicular to the rotational shaft of the body of revolution in order to accommodate balancing weights. The invention further relates to a method for balancing a body of revolution according to the invention.

The invention relates to an intelligent probe retracting and releasing pneumatic unmanned survey ship capable of preventing acquatic plants and a survey method thereof. A probe is mounted on a ship body through a probe position adjusting mechanism, and the probe position adjusting mechanism is used for adjusting the underwater position of the probe. The telescopic electric telescopic rod is adopted to be matched with a pneumatic propelling mode, no equipment protruding out of the bottom of the ship exists in the retracting and releasing operation process, the ship can be directly dragged and pushed into water, people can complete operation without touching water, and the operation convenience is improved. For muddy beaches, reed swings and other water areas, the pneumatic unmanned survey ship can be powered to flush the beaches, and the range capable of being reached by operators is achieved. According to the invention, the sonar probe can deeply penetrate through floating aquatic plants through the retracting and releasing function of the electric telescopic rod, and the accurate survey of the aquatic plant water area can be realized by matching with the survey method provided bythe invention.

A detachable sailboat anchor light and hoist structure comprises a body, a lamp mounted in an upper portion of the body so as to be visible at all points around the circumference of the body, a connector for connecting a halyard for the mast to the light such that the light is elevated to a position above the top of the mast when the light is oriented vertically and raised to the top of the mast, and a mechanism for maintaining vertical orientation of the light when the light is raised to the top of the mast. The light can be raised with the halyard to the top of the mast and can be lowered either by pulling an electrical cord interconnecting the light with the electrical system of the sailboat or by attaching a down haul to the light.

A propeller device for aircraft, spacecraft or watercraft comprising two or more blades and a spinner. The blades are arranged on a hub so that they can be in a deployed or a retracted position. The spinner comprises first, second and third movable portions configured for allowing deploying or retracting the blades and for keeping the blades deployed or retracted.