Multi-section lifting folding arm type wing-shaped sail
By using a multi-section, liftable, folding-arm airfoil sail with nested sail blades and a folding mast structure, the problems of large storage space and easy damage of traditional sails are solved, achieving efficient utilization of deck space and sail safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511571467.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
AI Technical Summary
Traditional sails take up a lot of deck space when stored, are prone to interfering with port hoisting equipment, and are easily damaged by wind overload at high wind speeds. In addition, existing foldable sails occupy a lot of deck space, affecting cargo inspection and equipment maintenance.
It adopts a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail, and achieves longitudinal retraction of the sail and reduction of vertical space through a composite storage structure of nested sail blades and folded mast bottom. It uses electric lifting mast, hydraulic folding arm mechanism and electromagnetic locking mechanism for synchronous control.
It effectively reduces deck space occupation, improves ship space utilization, avoids wind overload damage, adapts to complex passage scenarios, and improves passage flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure CN121019818A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a multi-section liftable folding-arm wing sail, and belongs to the technical field of ship design. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the increasing global concern for environmental protection and energy saving, the ship industry is also actively seeking more efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion methods. Wind sails, as a green propulsion device that utilizes wind energy, have received widespread attention again. Traditional wind sails have some limitations, such as occupying a large amount of deck space when some wind sails are stowed, which is not conducive to the utilization of ship deck space or still being perpendicular to the deck after stowing, easily interfering with port hoisting equipment and wharf height limiting facilities, unable to utilize deck plane space, and still having a large wind receiving area under high wind speed, easily damaged by wind overload. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to develop a new type of wind sail that can effectively utilize and save deck space and is not easily damaged by wind overload.
[0003] Currently, the most similar prior art to the present application mainly has two types, one is a wind sail that uses a multi-section mast and sail leaf nesting structure to realize lifting function, and the other is a wind sail that uses foldable stowage or angle adjustment to adapt to different navigation conditions.
[0004] 1. The technical problem of some wind sails occupying a large amount of deck space when stowed is solved.
[0005] 2. The problem of some wind sails occupying a large amount of vertical deck direction space and having a large wind receiving area, which is easily damaged by wind overload under high wind speed, is solved.
[0006] Drawbacks of the prior art: A. The wind sail that uses a multi-section mast and sail leaf nesting structure to realize lifting function, this type of wind sail is still perpendicular to the deck after stowing, easily interfering with port hoisting equipment and wharf height limiting facilities, unable to utilize deck space, and still having a large wind receiving area under high wind speed, easily damaged by wind overload.
[0007] B. The wind sail that uses foldable sail surface stowage or angle adjustment to adapt to different navigation conditions, this type of wind sail will occupy a large amount of deck space after stowing, resulting in the compression of ship cargo area and operation space, affecting deck cargo inspection and equipment maintenance operation. SUMMARY
[0008] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the application provides a multi-section liftable folded-arm wing-shaped wind sail, which adopts a multi-section longitudinal contraction and finally folded-arm flat storage structure wing-shaped wind sail, can reduce the deck space occupation by sail leaf nesting when the wind sail is stored, can reduce the vertical space occupation by folding the mast bottom close to the deck, will not be damaged due to wind overload, and can maximize the space requirement in the storage state, and improve the ship space utilization.
[0009] The application adopts the technical scheme that a multi-section liftable folded-arm wing-shaped wind sail comprises an electric lifting mast, multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves, an electromagnetic locking mechanism, an electric rotary mechanism and a hydraulic folded-arm mechanism. Each section of the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves is arranged in a structure that the height of each section gradually decreases from the lower section to the upper section, the sail end bones on both sides of the sail leaves are provided with built-in slide rails, the built-in slide rails are provided with the electromagnetic locking mechanism at the end, and the contraction working process is that the upper section sail leaves are sequentially embedded in the inside of the lower section sail leaves until all the sail leaves are finally embedded in the inside of the lowermost section sail leaves. The lifting of the electric lifting mast adopts an electric gear and rack system driving, the length of each section of the mast is that the length of the lowermost section sleeve is the same as the height of the lowermost section sail leaf, the length of the sleeve of the previous section is longer than the corresponding sail leaf height and shorter than the length of the sleeve of the next section. In the hydraulic folded-arm mechanism, the base and the support seat are hinged through a rotary hinge mechanism, one end of the hydraulic oil cylinder is arranged on the base, and the other end is arranged on the support seat; the rotary hinge mechanism is driven through the hydraulic oil cylinder to realize the folding from the vertical deck state to the parallel state with the deck, and the rotation angle is 0-90°.
[0010] Further, the electric gear and rack system is meshed with the rack arranged in the inside of the electric lifting mast through the motor driving gear, so that the electric lifting mast is unfolded from the lower section to the upper section.
[0011] Further, when the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves are three sections, the height ratio of the lower section sail leaf, the middle section sail leaf and the upper section sail leaf is 9:7:5.
[0012] Further, the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves comprise a lower section sail leaf, a middle section sail leaf and an upper section sail leaf, the built-in slide rails are arranged in the corresponding lower sail end bones, middle sail end bones and upper sail end bones to realize the synchronous unfolding and contraction of the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are arranged between the lower section sail leaf and the middle section sail leaf and between the middle section sail leaf and the upper section sail leaf, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are locked when the sail leaves are unfolded, and the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are opened when the sail leaves are contracted.
[0013] Further, when the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves are three sections, the height ratio of the lower section mast, the middle section mast and the upper section mast is 9:8:6.
[0014] Furthermore, the electric lifting mast includes a lower mast, a middle mast, and an upper mast. A lower rack is installed inside the lower mast, and a middle rack is installed inside the middle mast. The lower motor drives the lower gear to mesh with the lower rack, thereby causing the middle mast to reciprocate up and down relative to the lower mast. The middle motor drives the middle gear to mesh with the middle rack, thereby causing the upper mast to reciprocate up and down relative to the middle mast. The upward movement of the middle and upper masts constitutes the deployment of the electric lifting mast, and the downward movement of the middle and upper masts constitutes the retraction of the electric lifting mast.
[0015] Furthermore, the electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast.
[0016] Furthermore, the sail retraction process is divided into: a. The electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast, adjusting the airfoil to its initial position; b. The motor-driven gear, in conjunction with the rack inside the electric lifting mast, causes the mast and sails to retract longitudinally in sync, with the upper section of the sail embedding into the lower section of the sail in sequence, until all the sails are finally embedded into the bottom section of the sail. c. Activate the hydraulic folding arm mechanism to flatten the entire airfoil sail, making it parallel to the deck; complete the sail retraction. The process of unfolding the sails is divided into: a. Activate the hydraulic folding arm mechanism to raise the entire airfoil sail vertically to the deck; b. The motor-driven gears and racks enable the mast and sails to unfold longitudinally in sync; the upper sail section detaches from the lower sail section and unfolds upwards until all sails are unfolded in sequence. c. The electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast, adjusting the airfoil to the required position and completing the sail deployment.
[0017] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages: Existing multi-section nested lifting sails can only reduce radial space through the nesting of sail blades / masts, but the bottom of the mast cannot be folded, and it still occupies vertical height after retraction. This restricts the ship's ability to pass under bridges, enter ports, and other height-restricted scenarios, and there is still a large wind-receiving area under high wind speeds, making it susceptible to damage due to wind overload. Based on the multi-section nested lifting system, a bottom folding arm mechanism is added. When the sail blades are fully retracted, the folding arm drives the bottom of the mast to fold around the axis, allowing the entire mast to be close to the ship's deck, completely eliminating the occupation of vertical height. This adapts to complex scenarios such as height restrictions, significantly improves the ship's maneuverability, and reduces the risk of sail damage due to wind overload.
[0018] Existing foldable or angle-adjustable sails can only achieve sail folding or angle fine-tuning, without overall lifting and lowering capabilities, and occupy a large amount of deck space when folded. This sail can achieve dual-dimensional adjustment of lifting and folding, allowing the sail height to be adjusted by raising the mast and the sail to be folded by the folding arm mechanism, effectively reducing the use of deck space. Attached Figure Description
[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0020] Fig. 1 This is a structural diagram of the sails in the deployed state.
[0021] Fig. 2 This is a frontal diagram of the sail packing process.
[0022] Fig. 3 This is a side view of the process of folding the arm and flattening it.
[0023] Fig. 4 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the sail end rib after the sail has been stowed.
[0024] In the diagram: 1. Base, 2. Hydraulic cylinder, 3. Support base, 4. Rotary hinge mechanism, 5. Electric slewing mechanism, 6. Lower mast section, 7. Lower sail section, 8. Lower rack section, 9. Lower sail end rib, 10. Middle mast section, 11. Middle sail section, 12. Middle rack section, 13. Middle sail end rib, 14. Upper mast section, 15. Upper sail section, 16. Upper sail end rib, 17. Electric lifting mast, 18. Lower motor section, 19. Lower gear section, 20. Middle motor section, 21. Middle gear section, 22. Electromagnetic locking mechanism, 23. Built-in slide rail. Detailed Implementation
[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0027] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0028] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.
[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.
[0030] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.
[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.
[0032] This invention relates to a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail. The multi-section refers to multiple mast sections and nested sail blade structures. The number of sections can be 2, 3, 4, etc. The following will take a three-section sail structure as an example for detailed introduction.
[0033] Figs. 1 to 4 A three-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail is shown, mainly including an electric lifting mast 17, gears, racks, motor-driven gears, upper sail blade 15, middle sail blade 11, lower sail blade 7, built-in slide rail 23, electromagnetic locking mechanism 22, electric slewing mechanism 5, rotating hinge mechanism 4, support base 3, hydraulic cylinder 2 and base 1.
[0034] In the hydraulic folding arm mechanism, the base 1 and the support 3 are hinged by a rotary hinge mechanism 4. One end of the hydraulic cylinder 2 is set on the base 1 and the other end is set on the support 3. The rotary hinge mechanism 4 is driven by the hydraulic cylinder 2 to realize the folding from the vertical deck state to the parallel deck state, with a rotation angle of 0-90°.
[0035] The electric lifting mast 17 includes a lower mast 6, a middle mast 10, and an upper mast 14. A lower rack 8 is installed in the lower mast 6, and a middle rack 21 is installed in the middle mast 10. The lower motor 18 drives the lower gear 19 to mesh with the lower rack 8, thereby driving the middle mast 10 to reciprocate up and down relative to the lower mast 6. The middle motor 20 drives the middle gear 21 to mesh with the middle rack 12, thereby driving the upper mast 14 to reciprocate up and down relative to the middle mast 10. The upward movement of the middle mast 10 and the upper mast 14 is the unfolding of the electric lifting mast 17, and the downward movement of the middle mast 10 and the upper mast 14 is the retraction of the electric lifting mast 17.
[0036] The multi-segment airfoil includes a lower segment 7, a middle segment 11, and an upper segment 15. Built-in slide rails 23 are provided in the corresponding lower end rib 9, middle end rib 13, and upper end rib 16 to realize the synchronous deployment and retraction of the multi-segment airfoil. Electromagnetic locking mechanisms 22 are provided between the lower segment 7 and the middle segment 11, and between the middle segment 11 and the upper segment 15. When the airfoil is deployed, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 22 is locked, and when the airfoil is retracted, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 22 is opened.
[0037] Three-section sails: The height ratio of the three sail sections is: lower section: middle section: upper section = 9:7:5. Other multi-section (non-three-section) sails require a structure where the height increases progressively from top to bottom. Adjacent sail sections are connected by built-in rails and an electromagnetic locking mechanism. The lower sail section has a built-in rail on its inward-facing chord (near the mast) side. The bottom of the middle sail section can be inserted into the lower section along the built-in rail. The middle sail section also has a rail of the same specifications on its inward-facing chord side. The bottom of the upper sail section can be inserted into the middle section along the rail. The rails are parallel to the airfoil chord to ensure that the overall streamline of the airfoil is not disrupted during retraction. The electromagnetic lock is installed at the end of the rail and automatically locks when the sail is deployed to the designated position to prevent slippage during navigation.
[0038] Electric lifting mast: The mast is a three-section hollow sleeve structure, coaxially positioned at the chordal center axis of the three sail sections, and rigidly fixed to the lower sail section; the diameters of the three sleeve sections decrease sequentially (the upper sleeve can be embedded in the middle section, and the middle section can be embedded in the lower section), and the sleeve length ratio is: lower section: middle section: upper section = 9:8:6. The length of the lower sleeve section is the same as the height of the lower sail section, the length of the middle sleeve section must be greater than the height of the middle sail section and less than the length of the lower sleeve section, and the length of the upper sleeve section must be greater than the height of the upper sail section and less than the length of the middle sleeve section. The length requirements for other multi-segment sleeves (non-three-section type) are as follows: the length of the lowest sleeve section is the same as the height of the lowest sail section, the length of the upper sleeve section must be longer than the corresponding sail section height and shorter than the lower sleeve section length. The upper and middle sections of the mast each have a motor at their base driving two gears. The middle and lower sections of the mast also have two racks inside to engage with the gears. The motor-driven gears rotate in conjunction with the racks inside the mast to achieve longitudinal raising and lowering of the mast. During longitudinal retraction, the motor-driven gears and racks rotate synchronously, causing the upper section of the mast to engage with the middle section, and the middle section with the lower section. An electric slewing mechanism at the bottom of the mast allows the entire sail to rotate around the mast's axis.
[0039] Hydraulic folding arm mechanism: This mechanism is located between the motor rotation mechanism and the base structure in the lower section of the mast. It uses a hydraulic cylinder to drive the rotating hinge, which can smoothly fold the mast from a vertical deck position to a parallel deck position (rotation angle 0-90°).
[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A multi-section liftable folding arm type airfoil sail, characterized in that, The sail includes an electrically operated lifting mast, multi-section airfoil blades, an electromagnetic locking mechanism, an electrically operated slewing mechanism, and a hydraulically folding arm mechanism; The height of each segment of the multi-segment airfoil is set to decrease gradually from the bottom to the top. Built-in slide rails are provided at the end ribs on both sides of the airfoil, and an electromagnetic locking mechanism is provided at the end of the built-in slide rails. The retraction process is that the upper airfoil is inserted into the lower airfoil in sequence until all airfoils are finally inserted into the bottom airfoil. The electric lifting mast is driven by an electric gear and rack system. The length of each mast section is as follows: the length of the lowest sleeve section is the same as the height of the lowest sail section, the length of the upper sleeve section is longer than the corresponding sail height, and shorter than the length of the lower sleeve section. In the hydraulic folding arm mechanism, the base and the support are hinged by a rotary hinge mechanism. One end of the hydraulic cylinder is set on the base and the other end is set on the support. The rotary hinge mechanism is driven by the hydraulic cylinder to realize the folding from the vertical deck state to the parallel deck state, with a rotation angle of 0-90°.
2. The multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric gear and rack system has a motor-driven gear that meshes with a rack inside the electric lifting mast, causing the electric lifting mast to unfold sequentially from the bottom section upwards.
3. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the multi-segment airfoil has three segments, the height ratio of the lower segment, the middle segment, and the upper segment is 9:7:
5.
4. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multi-segment airfoil includes a lower segment, a middle segment, and an upper segment. Built-in slide rails are provided in the corresponding lower, middle, and upper end ribs to achieve synchronous deployment and retraction of the multi-segment airfoil. Electromagnetic locking mechanisms are provided between the lower and middle segments and between the middle and upper segments. When the airfoil is deployed, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are locked, and when the airfoil is retracted, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are opened.
5. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the multi-segment airfoil has three segments, the height ratio of the lower mast, the middle mast, and the upper mast is 9:8:
6.
6. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 5, characterized in that, The electric lifting mast includes a lower mast, a middle mast, and an upper mast. A lower rack is installed inside the lower mast, and a middle rack is installed inside the middle mast. The lower motor drives the lower gear to mesh with the lower rack, thereby causing the middle mast to reciprocate up and down relative to the lower mast. The middle motor drives the middle gear to mesh with the middle rack, thereby causing the upper mast to reciprocate up and down relative to the middle mast. The upward movement of the middle and upper masts constitutes the deployment of the electric lifting mast, and the downward movement of the middle and upper masts constitutes the retraction of the electric lifting mast.
7. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast.
8. A multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sail retraction process is divided into: a. The electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast, adjusting the airfoil to its initial position; b. The motor-driven gear, in conjunction with the rack inside the electric lifting mast, causes the mast and sails to retract longitudinally in sync, with the upper section of the sail embedding into the lower section of the sail in sequence, until all the sails are finally embedded into the bottom section of the sail. c. Activate the hydraulic folding arm mechanism to flatten the entire airfoil sail, making it parallel to the deck; complete the sail retraction. The process of unfolding the sails is divided into: a. Activate the hydraulic folding arm mechanism to raise the entire airfoil sail vertically to the deck; b. The motor-driven gears and racks enable the mast and sails to unfold longitudinally in sync; the upper sail section detaches from the lower sail section and unfolds upwards until all sails are unfolded in sequence. c. The electric slewing mechanism drives the entire sail blade to rotate around the axis of the electric lifting mast, adjusting the airfoil to the required position and completing the sail deployment.