Lifting type wing-shaped sail

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of sail boosting devices, in particular to a lifting type wing-shaped sail. Comprising a plurality of sail masts which are longitudinally arranged, a plurality of sets of supporting trusses are transversely arranged on the sail masts, the sail masts form a supporting framework of wing-shaped sail faces, and web plates are arranged at the butt joint positions of the wing-shaped sail faces. The sail mast is of a sectional telescopic structure, at least one of the multiple sail masts is located on the central axis of the sail so as to limit the lifting track of the sail, and the situation that the sail body deflects around the central axis in the lifting process is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sail propulsion devices, and more specifically, to a lift-type airfoil sail. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, lift-type airfoil sails only contain one mast, and the sail rises and falls along the mast. During the raising and lowering of the sail, a "sail jamming" phenomenon often occurs, that is, the sail surface gets stuck and cannot rise or fall. The main reason for this situation is that the upper and lower sails are offset at an angle, causing the sail slide to derail.

[0003] Furthermore, lift-type airfoil sails are subject to frequent raising and lowering due to wind conditions, which can lead to jamming if the upper sail deflects along the mast during these processes. Currently, most lift-type sails use a single mast, which results in significant strain on the sail under heavy wind loads, making the single mast insufficient for support. Most lift-type sails currently employ hydraulic systems, which are slow and inaccurate. Additionally, the sail skin requires support, typically using a welded metal frame, but this welding process is complex and the frame is heavy. Finally, lift-type sail systems are vulnerable to lightning strikes, which can cause structural damage and electrical system malfunctions.

[0004] A search revealed patent number 202311451970.9, which discloses a cylindrical mast airfoil sail booster device. The sail-mast connection mechanism is located on the outer wall of the cylindrical mast, and the airfoil sail is fixedly connected to the sail-mast connection mechanism. The airfoil sail can rotate around the axis of the cylindrical mast via the sail-mast connection mechanism. The cylindrical mast simplifies the structural design of the airfoil sail booster device, resulting in simple manufacturing, good flexibility, and high stability. However, this single mast configuration cannot completely prevent lateral deflection during the sail's raising and lowering process. Under excessive wind load, the sail experiences significant strain, and a single mast cannot provide sufficient support.

[0005] Therefore, in order to address the aforementioned technical problems, it is necessary to provide an airfoil sail that can improve the structural stability of the sail while avoiding problems such as the slipway getting stuck due to the lateral angle deviation of the sail. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a liftable airfoil sail. By increasing the number of masts, the structural stability of the sail is improved, while avoiding problems such as track jamming caused by lateral sail angular deviation. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism employs a motor-driven threaded lifting platform, which offers advantages such as fast response and high precision. A composite material web is installed within the sail body to support the sail surface and enhance structural stability. Lightning rods are installed at the top of each mast, grounded through the mast, improving the sail's safety during thunderstorms.

[0007] The above-mentioned objectives of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions: This invention discloses a liftable airfoil sail, comprising multiple longitudinally arranged sail masts, with multiple sets of supporting trusses arranged laterally on the sail masts. The sail masts form the supporting skeleton of the airfoil sail surface, and webs are provided at the joints of the airfoil sail surfaces. The sail masts are segmented telescopic structures, with at least one of the multiple sail masts located on the central axis of the sail to limit the sail's lifting and lowering trajectory and prevent the sail from deflecting around the central axis during lifting and lowering.

[0008] This lift-type airfoil sail uses multiple masts to limit the sail's lifting and lowering trajectory, preventing the sail from deflecting around its central axis during lifting and lowering. This also prevents angular deviation of the sail during lifting and lowering, thus solving the problem of sail jamming. In terms of the support truss design, multiple sets of support trusses not only provide stable support for the airfoil sail surface, but their lateral layout also more evenly distributes the pressure from the wind, ensuring the entire sail structure remains stable under different wind directions and force conditions.

[0009] Furthermore, the sail has three masts, with two located on either side of the overall sail structure. Viewed from above, the axes of the three masts form an isosceles triangle. This arrangement of three masts provides better guidance for raising and lowering the sail. Since at least one mast is located on the central axis of the sail, its trajectory can be accurately limited during raising and lowering, much like installing a precise track on the sail, ensuring that the sail does not deviate around the central axis. The masts on either side further enhance this guiding effect, making the sail movement more stable and smooth during raising and lowering, effectively avoiding the "sail jamming" phenomenon caused by angular deviations.

[0010] When sailing downwind, the isosceles triangular masts provide sufficient support for the sails, allowing them to fully deploy and capture more wind power to propel the boat forward. When sailing upwind, the three masts can adjust the angle of the sails according to changes in wind direction, utilizing the special design of the airfoil to generate forward thrust and achieve sailing against the wind.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer side of the sail mast is enclosed by a convex arc-shaped sail surface and a gently sloping sail surface, as well as a bent sail surface connecting the convex arc-shaped sail surface and the gently sloping sail surface; the mast includes a central mast and side masts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central mast; the central mast is closer to the convex arc-shaped sail surface, and the side masts are closer to the gently sloping sail surface. The convex arc-shaped sail surface can capture wind power over a large area, increasing the contact area between the sail surface and the wind, thereby improving the sail's power acquisition capability. When the wind blows across the convex arc-shaped sail surface, a high-pressure zone is formed on the convex surface and a low-pressure zone is formed on the concave surface, generating forward thrust. The gently sloping sail surface helps stabilize the sail's attitude and reduce swaying under wind force. It can work in conjunction with the convex arc-shaped sail surface under different wind directions and force conditions to make the sail sail more smoothly.

[0012] The folded sail design serves as a transition and connection, allowing for a smoother transition between the convex, rounded sail and the gently sloping sail. This prevents wind disturbance at the sail joint and ensures effective wind transmission. Furthermore, the folded sail can adjust its shape according to changes in wind direction, further optimizing the sail's wind reception.

[0013] During navigation, the center mast, positioned closer to the convex, curved sail, provides better support, ensuring the sail maintains its stable shape under wind conditions. The side masts, positioned closer to the flatter sail, offer support to the flatter sail, making the entire sail structure more robust. This arrangement allows all parts of the sail to work collaboratively when subjected to wind, fully utilizing the advantages of different sail sections and improving overall sail performance and navigation efficiency.

[0014] Furthermore, the sail mast includes an upper mast and a lower mast, both of which are rod-shaped structures connected by threads, with the outer diameter of the upper mast being smaller than that of the lower mast. This threaded connection provides a reliable structural basis for the extension and retraction of the mast. The smaller outer diameter of the upper mast allows it to smoothly extend and retract within the lower mast. When it is necessary to raise the sail, the upper mast can move upward along the threaded direction to increase the overall height of the sail and obtain more wind power; when it is necessary to lower the sail, the upper mast moves downward along the opposite threaded direction to reduce the height of the sail, adapting to different navigation needs.

[0015] Moreover, threaded connections have excellent self-locking properties. When the sail is at a certain height, the self-locking effect of the threads can prevent the upper mast from descending on its own due to external forces such as wind, thus ensuring the stability of the sail height.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper mast includes an upper mast threaded lifting platform, and the lower mast includes a lower mast threaded channel. The upper mast threaded lifting platform and the lower mast threaded channel are threadedly connected, and the upper mast threaded lifting platform is raised and lowered via threaded transmission. During the raising and lowering process, the threaded engagement ensures smooth vertical movement of the upper mast, reducing swaying and deviation, and further preventing the "sail jamming" phenomenon. Moreover, due to the self-locking characteristic of the thread, once the sail has been raised or lowered to the appropriate position, it can reliably maintain its current state without the need for additional locking devices, simplifying the structural design.

[0017] Furthermore, the outer side of the upper mast threaded lifting platform is a spiral rising structure, and the lower mast threaded channel is an inner spiral track structure. The bottom of each lower mast is driven by a servo motor to rotate the lower mast threaded channel, thereby controlling the up and down movement of the upper mast outer threaded platform.

[0018] Furthermore, the airfoil sail includes an upper sail and a lower sail; a sail truss is welded to the end of the upper mast and connected to the upper sail; a sail truss is welded to the end of the lower mast and connected to the lower sail. When the mast rises, both the upper and lower sails rise simultaneously, increasing the contact area between the sail and the wind and improving the sail's power; when the mast lowers, both the upper and lower sails lower simultaneously, reducing the wind-receiving area of ​​the sail and adapting to different sailing conditions.

[0019] Furthermore, the sail truss provides stable support for the sail. It can evenly transfer the wind force on the sail to the mast, ensuring the stability and reliability of the sail. At the same time, the sail truss can be adjusted and optimized as needed to accommodate sails of different shapes and sizes, improving the versatility and adaptability of the entire sail system.

[0020] Furthermore, the web is a composite material web that supports the sail. The web is fitted onto the mast and connected to the sail truss via ropes. When the upper sail is raised, the distance between the web and the supporting truss is determined by the ropes, thereby controlling the web height. The composite material web is lightweight and high-strength, reducing the overall weight of the sail while ensuring effective support. Connecting the web and the supporting truss with ropes allows for flexible adjustment of the web height, ensuring effective support for the sail under different sailing conditions.

[0021] Furthermore, the bottom end of the upper mast is threadedly connected to the lower mast to form a threaded lifting platform. The height of the upper mast is adjusted by rotating the threaded channel, thereby controlling the raising and lowering of the sail. The sliding web inside the upper sail rests on the supporting truss of the lower sail under the action of gravity.

[0022] This design makes raising and lowering the sail simpler and more reliable. By rotating the threaded channel, the height of the upper mast can be easily adjusted, thereby raising and lowering the sail. Moreover, the sliding web inside the upper sail rests on the support truss of the lower sail under the influence of gravity, providing additional support when the sail is lowered and ensuring a smooth descent.

[0023] At the same time, this structure also has a certain cushioning effect. When the sail is lowered, the contact between the sliding web and the supporting truss of the lower sail can reduce the impact force and protect the sail and mast from damage.

[0024] Furthermore, a lightning rod is installed at the top of each mast, connected to a grounding device at the base of the mast. The lightning rods effectively protect the sails from lightning strikes. During thunderstorms, the lightning rods conduct lightning into the ground, preventing damage to the sail structure and electrical system. Connecting to the grounding device at the base of the mast ensures that lightning current is successfully conducted to the earth, improving the safety of the entire sail system.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: This invention discloses a liftable airfoil sail that employs a combination of convex, gently sloping, and folded sail surfaces to better utilize wind power and improve propulsion efficiency. When wind blows across the sail, the different sail shapes work together to generate greater lift, propelling the vessel forward.

[0026] The composite web, which supports the sail, is fitted onto the mast and connected to the sail truss via ropes. This connection method ensures the stability of the web while allowing for flexible adjustments during sail raising and lowering. When the sail is raised, the distance between the web and the supporting truss is determined by the ropes, thereby precisely controlling its height and ensuring that the shape and tension of the sail meet design requirements.

[0027] Regarding the lifting mechanism, the use of a motor-driven threaded lifting platform offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic systems. The motor drive provides a fast response time, enabling rapid raising and lowering of the sail to meet the needs of various working conditions. Furthermore, its high precision allows for accurate control of the sail's height, avoiding problems caused by inaccurate lifting. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the lift-type airfoil sail described in this invention after one side of the sail has been removed.

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the lowering of the lift-type airfoil sail.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the sail mast described in this invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the threaded connection between the upper mast threaded lifting platform and the lower mast threaded channel of the lifting airfoil sail described in this invention.

[0032] Among them, 1-sail mast, 11-side mast, 12-middle mast, 2-support truss, 3-wing-shaped sail surface, 31-upper sail surface, 32-lower sail surface, 33-circular convex sail surface, 34-gradient sail surface, 35-bent sail surface, 4-web plate, 5-lightning rod, 6-upper mast threaded lifting platform, 7-lower mast threaded channel. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention can be implemented in many different ways as defined and covered by the claims. Example 1

[0034] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the liftable airfoil sail of this embodiment includes multiple longitudinally arranged sail masts 1, with multiple sets of support trusses 2 arranged laterally on the sail masts 1. The sail masts 1 form the support skeleton for the airfoil sail surface 3, and a web plate 4 is provided at the joint of the airfoil sail surface 3. The sail masts 1 are segmented and telescopic structures, with at least one of the multiple sail masts 1 located on the central axis of the sail to limit the sail's lifting and lowering trajectory and prevent the sail from deflecting around the central axis during lifting and lowering. In this embodiment, there are three sail masts 1, with two sail masts located on both sides of the overall sail. When viewed from above, the axes of the three sail masts 1 form an isosceles triangle. The arrangement of three masts also provides better guidance for the lifting and lowering of the sail. Since at least one mast is located on the central axis of the sail, its trajectory can be accurately limited during lifting and lowering, just like installing a precise track on the sail, ensuring that the sail does not deflect around the central axis. The masts on both sides further enhance this guiding effect, making the sail more stable and smooth during raising and lowering, effectively avoiding the "sail jamming" phenomenon caused by angular deviation.

[0035] In this embodiment, the outer side of the sail mast 1 is surrounded by a convex arc-shaped sail surface 33, a gently sloping sail surface 34, and a bent sail surface 35 connecting the convex arc-shaped sail surface 33 and the gently sloping sail surface 34. The mast 1 includes a central mast 12 and side masts 11 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central mast 12. The central mast 12 is closer to the convex arc-shaped sail surface 33, and the side masts 11 are closer to the gently sloping sail surface 34. The convex arc-shaped sail surface can capture wind power over a large range, increasing the contact area between the sail surface and the wind, thereby improving the sail's power acquisition capability. When the wind blows across the convex arc-shaped sail surface, a high-pressure area is formed on the convex surface and a low-pressure area is formed on the concave surface, generating forward thrust. The gently sloping sail surface helps stabilize the sail's attitude and reduce swaying under wind force. It can cooperate with the convex arc-shaped sail surface under different wind directions and wind force conditions to make the sail sail more smoothly.

[0036] The sail mast 1 is divided into two parts: the upper mast and the lower mast, both of which are rod-like structures connected by threads. The outer diameter of the upper mast is smaller than that of the lower mast. This threaded connection provides a reliable structural basis for the extension and retraction of the mast. The smaller outer diameter of the upper mast allows it to move smoothly within the lower mast. When it is necessary to raise the sail, the upper mast can move upward along the threaded direction to increase the overall height of the sail and obtain more wind power; when it is necessary to lower the sail, the upper mast moves downward along the opposite threaded direction to reduce the height of the sail, adapting to different sailing needs.

[0037] The airfoil sail 3 includes an upper sail 31 and a lower sail 32; a sail truss 2 is welded to the end of the upper mast and connected to the upper sail 31; a sail truss 2 is also welded to the end of the lower mast and connected to the lower sail 32. When the mast rises, both the upper and lower sails rise simultaneously, increasing the contact area between the sails and the wind and improving the sail's power; when the mast lowers, both the upper and lower sails lower simultaneously, reducing the wind-receiving area of ​​the sails and adapting to different sailing conditions.

[0038] The outer side of the upper mast threaded lifting platform 6 is a spiral rising structure, while the inner side of the lower mast threaded channel 7 has a spiral track structure. Each lower mast's bottom is driven by a servo motor to rotate the lower mast threaded channel, thereby controlling the up-and-down movement of the upper mast's outer threaded platform 6. Using a motor-thread drive offers advantages such as fast response and high precision. To maintain a level lifting height for the moving sail, the thread parameters of each mast must be consistent with the motor control.

[0039] The web 4 is a composite material web that supports the sail. The web 4 is fitted onto the mast 1 and connected to the sail truss 2 via ropes. When the upper sail 31 is raised, the distance between the web 4 and the supporting truss 2 is determined by the ropes, thereby controlling the height of the web 4. The composite material web is lightweight and high-strength, reducing the overall weight of the sail while ensuring effective support. Connecting the web and the supporting truss with ropes allows for flexible adjustment of the web's height, ensuring effective support for the sail under different sailing conditions.

[0040] The bottom of the upper mast is threadedly connected to the lower mast, forming a threaded lifting platform. The height of the upper mast is adjusted by rotating the threaded channel, thus controlling the raising and lowering of the sail. The sliding web within the upper sail rests on the supporting truss of the lower sail under gravity. This design makes raising and lowering the sail simpler and more reliable. The height of the upper mast can be easily adjusted by rotating the threaded channel, thus raising and lowering the sail. Furthermore, the sliding web within the upper sail rests on the supporting truss of the lower sail under gravity, providing additional support during descent and ensuring a smooth landing.

[0041] The following section will elaborate on the specific working principle and advantages of this lift-type airfoil.

[0042] During operation, when the sail height needs to be adjusted to adapt to different wind forces and sailing conditions, the servo motor drive unit starts working. It drives the threaded channel of the lower mast to rotate. Since the threaded lifting platform of the upper mast is threadedly connected to the threaded channel of the lower mast, the threaded lifting platform of the upper mast will move up or down in a spiral motion along the threaded channel of the lower mast, thereby realizing the raising and lowering of the upper mast. The raising and lowering of the upper mast causes the upper sail surface connected to it to rise and fall, while the lower sail surface remains relatively fixed on the lower mast.

[0043] This motor-driven threaded lifting platform offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic systems. Traditional hydraulic systems are slow to respond and struggle to meet the demands of rapid sail height adjustments. In contrast, the motor-driven system of this invention provides a fast response, enabling sail raising and lowering operations to be completed quickly, thus responding promptly to changing wind conditions at sea. Furthermore, its high precision allows for accurate control of the upper mast's height, ensuring the sails are precisely positioned for optimal wind resource utilization.

[0044] The use of composite web plates significantly improves sail stability. The web plates are fitted onto the mast and connected to the sail truss via ropes. When the sail is raised, the ropes determine the distance between the web plates and the supporting truss, thus controlling the height of the web plates and enabling them to effectively support the sail and reduce sail deformation under wind forces. Furthermore, compared to traditional welded metal frames, composite web plates are lighter, reducing the overall weight of the sail system and decreasing the ship's load.

[0045] The lightning rods installed at the top of each mast also play a crucial role. During thunderstorms, the lightning rods conduct lightning to the ground, preventing damage to the sail system from lightning strikes. The powerful current generated by lightning is conducted through the mast to the grounding system at the bottom, thus protecting the sail structure and electrical system, and improving the safety and reliability of the sail in severe weather.

[0046] In summary, this lift-type airfoil sail, through its innovative structural design and advanced lifting method, effectively solves the problems existing in the current technology, improves the stability, safety, and efficiency of the sail, and has broad application prospects.

[0047] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A type of lift-type airfoil sail, characterized in that, The system includes multiple longitudinally arranged sail masts (1), and multiple sets of support trusses (2) are arranged laterally on the sail masts (1). The sail masts (1) form the support skeleton of the airfoil sail surface (3), and the airfoil sail surface (3) is provided with a web plate (4) at the joint. The sail masts (1) are segmented telescopic structures, and at least one of the multiple sail masts (1) is located on the central axis of the sail to limit the sail lifting and lowering trajectory and avoid the situation where the sail deflects around the central axis during the lifting and lowering process.

2. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are three sail masts (1), with two sail masts located on both sides of the sail as a whole. When viewed from above, the axes of the three sail masts (1) form an isosceles triangle.

3. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer side of the sail mast (1) is surrounded by a convex arc sail (33) and a flat sail (34) and a bent sail (35) connected at the junction of the convex arc sail (33) and the flat sail (34); the mast (1) includes a central mast (12) and side masts (11) symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central mast (12); the central mast (12) is closer to the convex arc sail (33) and the side masts (11) are closer to the flat sail (34).

4. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sail mast (1) includes an upper mast and a lower mast, both of which are rod-shaped structures connected by threads. The outer diameter of the upper mast is smaller than that of the lower mast.

5. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 4, characterized in that, The airfoil sail surface (3) includes an upper sail surface (31) and a lower sail surface (32); the upper mast is welded to the end of the sail truss (2) and connected to the upper sail surface (31); the lower mast is welded to the end of the sail truss (2) and connected to the lower sail surface (32).

6. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper mast includes an upper mast threaded lifting platform (6), and the lower mast includes a lower mast threaded channel (7). The upper mast threaded lifting platform (6) and the lower mast threaded channel (7) are threadedly connected, and the upper mast threaded lifting platform (6) is raised and lowered through the threaded drive.

7. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer side of the upper mast threaded lifting platform (6) is a spiral rising structure, and the inner side of the lower mast threaded channel (7) is a spiral track structure. The bottom of each lower mast is driven by a servo motor to rotate the lower mast threaded channel, thereby controlling the upper mast outer threaded platform (6) to move up and down.

8. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 5, characterized in that, The web (4) is a composite material web that supports the sail. The web (4) is fitted onto the mast (1). The web (4) is connected to the sail truss (2) by ropes. When the upper sail (31) is raised, the web (4) determines the distance between the web (4) and the supporting truss (2) by ropes, thereby controlling the height of the web (4).

9. The liftable airfoil sail according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom end of the upper mast is threadedly connected to the lower mast to form a threaded lifting platform. The height of the upper mast can be adjusted by rotating the threaded channel, thereby controlling the raising and lowering of the sail. The web inside the upper sail rests on the supporting truss of the lower sail under the influence of gravity.

10. The liftable airfoil sail according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, A lightning rod (5) is installed at the top of each mast, connected to the grounding device at the bottom of the mast.

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