A multi-section liftable folded-arm wing-shaped sail

Abstract

A multi-section liftable folding-arm wing-shaped sail belongs to the technical field of ship design. The sail comprises an electric lifting mast, multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves, an electromagnetic locking mechanism, an electric rotary mechanism and a hydraulic folding-arm mechanism. The height of each section of the multi-section wing-shaped sail leaves is arranged in a structure that gradually decreases from the lower section to the upper section, and the sail end bones on both sides of the sail leaves are provided with longitudinal built-in slide rails, and the slide rails are provided with the electromagnetic locking mechanism at the end. 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 sail can realize two-dimensional adjustment of lifting and folding, can adjust the height of the sail through the lifting mast, and can realize sail folding through the folding-arm mechanism, effectively reducing the use of deck space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail, which belongs to the field of ship design technology. Background Technology

[0002] With increasing global focus on environmental protection and energy conservation, the shipbuilding industry is actively seeking more efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion methods. Wind-powered sails, as a green propulsion device utilizing wind energy, have regained widespread attention. Traditional sails have some limitations, such as occupying significant deck space when partially stowed, hindering the use of deck space, or remaining perpendicular to the deck after stowage, easily interfering with port lifting equipment and dock height restrictions, failing to utilize deck space, and still having a large wind-exposed area under high wind speeds, making them susceptible to damage from wind overload. Therefore, developing a new type of sail that can effectively utilize and save deck space and is less prone to damage from wind overload is of significant practical importance.

[0003] Currently, there are two main types of existing technical solutions that are most similar to this utility model. One type is a sail that uses a nested structure of multi-section mast and sail blades to achieve lifting and lowering functions. The other type is a sail that can be folded and stored or has its angle adjusted to adapt to different sailing conditions.

[0004] 1. Solve the technical problem of some sails taking up a lot of deck space when stored.

[0005] 2. To address the issue that some sails occupy a large amount of space in the vertical deck direction and have a large wind-receiving area, making them susceptible to damage due to wind overload under high wind speeds.

[0006] Disadvantages of existing technology: A. Sails that use a multi-section mast and nested sail structure to achieve lifting function are still perpendicular to the deck after being folded up. This can easily interfere with port hoisting equipment and dock height restriction facilities, making it impossible to utilize deck space. Furthermore, they still have a large wind-receiving area under high wind speeds and are easily damaged by wind overload.

[0007] B. Using sails with foldable surfaces for storage or adjustable angles to adapt to different sailing conditions. These sails occupy a large amount of deck space when stored, which reduces the ship's cargo area and working space, affecting deck cargo inspection and equipment maintenance. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail. The airfoil sail adopts a composite storage structure with multiple longitudinally retracting sections that ultimately fold down and flatten. While ensuring wind energy utilization efficiency, the sail can reduce deck space occupation through blade nesting and reduce vertical space occupation by folding the mast bottom close to the deck when stored. It will not be damaged by wind overload, thus minimizing space requirements in the stored state and improving the space utilization rate of the ship.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail, which includes an electric lifting mast, multi-section airfoil sail blades, an electromagnetic locking mechanism, an electric rotation mechanism and a hydraulic 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°.

[0010] Furthermore, in the electric gear and rack system, the motor-driven gear meshes with the rack inside the electric lifting mast, causing the electric lifting mast to unfold sequentially from the lower section upwards.

[0011] Furthermore, 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.

[0012] Furthermore, the multi-segment airfoil includes a lower segment airfoil, a middle segment airfoil, and an upper segment airfoil. 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 airfoils and between the middle and upper segments airfoils. When the airfoil is deployed, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are locked, and when the airfoil is retracted, the electromagnetic locking mechanisms are opened.

[0013] Furthermore, 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.

[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 utility model 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 passage through bridges, entry into 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 bottom of the mast can be folded around the axis through the folding arm, so that the entire mast is close to the ship's deck, completely eliminating the occupation of vertical height. This adapts to complex scenarios such as height restrictions, greatly improves the ship's maneuverability, and makes the sail less susceptible to 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 this utility model 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 this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the sails in the deployed state.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a frontal diagram of the sail packing process.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side view of the process of folding the arm and flattening it.

[0023] Figure 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, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other. The present utility model 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 this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this utility model or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[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 exemplary embodiments according to the present 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 this 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 drawings denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, 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 usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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 utility model. 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 cannot be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0032] This utility model is a multi-section liftable folding arm airfoil sail. The multi-section refers to the nested structure of multiple mast sections and sail blades. The number of sections can be 2, 3, 4, etc. The following will take the three-section sail structure as an example for detailed introduction.

[0033] Figures 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 this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model 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 therein. Such 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 this utility model.

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.

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